More Than Friends

MORE THAN FRIENDS

By Cheryl Barton

It is often said that the most successful romantic relationships develop from two people who have been best friends for a long time. But what happens when everyone around them can see it but themselves? Such is the case in the third romance novel in Cheryl Barton’s Sister Act trilogy, More Than Friends.

Nivea Lockhart is the youngest of the Lockhart sisters, now living in Boston as head of the biotechnology department of a hospital and co-chair of its teaching college. With her older sisters Destiny and Kasey now happily married to their soulmates and pregnant, they are continually pointing out how she and Jaxon Hightower are made for each other while she and Jaxon deny it, insisting they are no more than best friends. Surprise, surprise—Jaxon’s family owns the majority stake in the hospital where she works. But is the sistah protesting too much?

Jaxon Hightower comes from a wealthy legacy of Hightowers. His grandfather has appointed Jaxon to replace him as chair of the illustrious Hightower Foundation in Boston, with the unspoken expectation of following in his demanding workaholic ways. In other words, a highly skewed work/life balance, and Jaxon, out of obligation, steps into the position. Like his older brother Bryce and his father, Jaxon has charmed his way into the beds of countless women, but one night he and Nivea cross the line and give into to their passions. Steamy as the sex was, it left their friendship strained and awkward.

When Jaxon finally admits he’s in love with Nivea, other forces are in play to keep them separated. First, there is the contentious relationship with his irresponsible brother Bryce. A womanizing sleaze who spends money like water, Bryce is not above doing what it takes to get under Jaxon’s skin and bring him down several pegs. Do we see a green-eyed monster?

Next, there is Instagram model Alicia, a hussy who wants to parlay her casual hookups with Jaxon into something more, like a meal ticket for marriage. The fact that Jaxon is soon to receive $30,000,000 from his trust fund on his 30^th birthday will make the freaks come out, and she has already thrown down the gauntlet of challenge to Nivea.

Between Jaxon and Nivea’s careers and Jaxon’s drama-laden family, will they realize what’s been in front of them all along?

This series has been a treat to read. Barton brings the heat, the humor, the love, and characters who are willing to talk things out and work things out to give love a chance. Yes, there is something extra special about a love match when the couple involved, like Jaxon and Nivea, are already friends; they just had to take the blinders off. The love and support of the Lockhart sisters is strong as ever, along with their supportive husbands. By the end of the story, I was smiling from ear to ear.

More Than Friends is available through Amazon and Barton’s website, www.cherylbarton.net.

Thank you, Cheryl, for bringing a feel-good series that embodies Black Love, sisterhood, family, and friendship. For all you romance lovers out there, the Sister Act series is a must-read!