The Cornerstone

The Walsh Series, Book 4

By: Kate Canterbary

Narrated by: Christian Fox, Lucy Rivers

Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

A tough-as-nails businesswoman. An arrogant Navy SEAL. A power struggle with no end in sight.

Some people hook-up at weddings. Others break a hotel room bed (and a table, and a desk, and some complimentary bathrobe belts) and discover they've been surviving on bargain basement orgasms their entire lives.

The last one? Yeah. That's all me.

She's driven and demanding...

I wasn't always a bitch. There's a dirty little trick to succeeding in business: the sweet and innocent rarely survive. I fought my way up from nothing, and I don't bend for anyone.

Until Will Halsted ties me to a headboard and makes me his...for now.

One wild, filthy night turns into another, and then...we can't stop. Each time we're together is more addictive than the last, but it's nothing more than a sexy escape from reality.

He's never walked away from a challenge...

I wasn't always a warrior but now it's in my bones and blood. That's what years spent in the special forces does to a man. My entire life is classified: where I've been, what I've seen, what I've done, and there's no mission too dangerous.

Until I realize that falling for Shannon Walsh is like trying to swim against a riptide. She's going to tear me up and toss me to the shore, and I'll love every minute of it.

Every time I'm down range, I want her counting the hours until I'm back. Waiting for me. She's done it before; she'll do it again.

©2015 Kate Canterbary (P)2020 Kate Canterbary

Another fabulous story.

These books are like crack, they’re so addictive. Will and Shannon’s story pack some heat, there are so much to love about The Cornerstone. A sexy, military hero, a fiery heroine, lots of banter and the love so much love between the siblings and their significant others. This author is becoming another one of my favorite authors, her stories are so memorable, great way to escape reality.

Black Widow finds her match

When Lauren asked Shannon to "baby-sit" her Navy Seal brother so that he doesn't kill her soon-to-be husband at her wedding, Shannon agrees. Not only is Lauren her best friend, but the groom (and possible assassination victim) is her brother Matt. And that's how the "Black Widow" met the arrogant Navy Seal. Baby-sitting turns into hotel bed-breaking activities and a months-long series of secret encounters. She's tough-as-nails and he's a special ops, highly trained "frogman". Will Halsted never saw her coming and he won't let her go. The problem is...will she never let herself be caught?

If you like good banter, you will be in heaven! Shannon gives it as good as she gets and Will is her match.

The title couldn't be more appropriate. Shannon IS the cornerstone of the Walsh family. She'll do everything for them and she endured unimaginable things to protect her sister.

I love how the timeline of this book is the same as Sam's and you see things from different perspectives. It also goes back and forth to show the development of Will and Shannon's relationship.

It's a little bit of a military romance but without being heavy on the military. The focus here is how these two will find a way to each other.

Loved it! My favorite in the series so far.

Narration: Christian Fox can talk dirty to me anytime. Lucy Rivers again is great here. 

Possible triggers: history of emotional and sexual abuse by a parent; estranged family member; caring for a family member with a chronic illness; reference to MMC being injured during active duty military service; brief mention of a side character experiencing homelessness, being forced out of home as a teenager and forced into conversion therapy; homophobia

Shannon & Will

Will's alpha maleness at the beginning of this story was a bit off-putting but, given how strong willed Shannon is, he's just the type of man she needs. He's not someone who would buckle under the weight of the abuse Shannon had experienced from her father or treat her like she's damaged. Instead he wants to be the one she can lean on when she's ready to drop her guard and the responsibilities she assumes on behalf of her siblings. I didn't resent the Walsh boys for how much they left up to Shannon until I saw things through Will's perspective in his desire for Shannon to be able to live her own life instead of being so wrapped up in her siblings' lives. I still love the Walsh boys, though.

My favorite

I have read a few other series but this book is my favorite! I think Shannan deserved more happiness & love than all the rest. This book made me laugh, cry & love all the family.

Shannon is my fav!

Shannon has been my favorite Walsh. Her story is for the family caretakers and it hits hard. She and Will are definitely my favorite couple. The amount of hate sex in this was glorious. I'll never look at limes the same again.

Every new piece we learn about what these siblings went through years my heart apart. No redemption for Angus. Frankly he deserved a slower death.

I’m dying to know the full scope between Shannon and Erin.

tw— SA discussed from her past

Sexy and Hilarious

This was hot, sexy and hilarious. Shannon is the pint sized take charge sibling of the Walsh clan and she can be tough but it's really an exterior to protect herself. Will Halstead is her perfect match because he's as alpha as you ca get and that's exactly what she needs. He works her body like no one can and he can get away with bossing the boss around. Let's just say, they're a perfect match but him being her sister in law and best friend's brother makes things a little complicated. Will, a navy seal, want's to take out Matt, Shannon's brother for defiling his sister, it's quite hilarious but their chemistry is undeniable. It was so sweet to see tough as nails Shannon falling in love and Will, the tough navy seal was very patient with her.

The Awesome continues!

All of the Walsh kids suffered not only the loss of their mother, but the continued abuse by their father. In spite of that, they are all strong characters. Shannon is amazing! She takes no prisoners and puts up with zero BS. She comes across as a bitch on wheels, but as the layers are peeled back you learn more about the tragedy that was the Walsh childhood. Will is the perfect man for her. I love his persistence and his smart-ass sexiness!

Lucy and Christian deliver another fantastic performance in this book. This series is one of my favorites!

Love

Love this family, cry and laugh thru each one!! Can’t wait for more ❣️❣️they are crazy, funny and a little sad. So real

My favorite audio....

The narrators do a FABULOUS job if narrating Shannon and Will. This is the book that I go to when life isn't great, or I just need a break with a truly good listen!

I love these characters!

Another great book in this series with the best banter I've ever read! Also, Lucy Rivers and Christian Fox were wonderful as always!