The Cornerstone

The Walsh Series, Book 4

By: Kate Canterbary

Narrated by: Christian Fox, Lucy Rivers

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

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 & 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.

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

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.

Shannon and WIll

Good narration.

Shannon Walsh has been taking care of her siblings for over 2 decades, after the death of their mother. She's protected them as best she could. Her methods might be a little heavy handed but her heart is in the right place.

Will Halsted is high level military/navy, as is his brother Wes and as was their father, the Commodore. He and Shannon meet at Matt & Lauren (Will's sister) wedding. And then they meet again on purpose. Over and over.

Will has little respect for how much Shannon does for her family. He sees it as them taking advantage of it. She sees it as showing her love while controlling their environment. I lean toward Will's take, although I don't think they were taking advantage as much as they didn't know how to tell her they were capable adults.

Will takes care of Shannon when she doesn't know she needs it, and doesn't know how to accept it. I loved his character and how steadfast he was. I appreciated learning Shannon's deep secrets - I had no suspicion from anything in the first 3 books.

Sweet Scale: 4/5
Spicy Scale: 3/5