The Potter (The Hands of the Potters)

Books are magic. I live for those moments that I can get lost in a story and live vicariously through the characters and the world in which they inhabit. This is even more true when I find a book that also teaches me a lesson or reminds me of something that I might have forgotten in the craziness of adulting and real life. This author managed to give me that in spades with this book which shouldn't surprise me considering that she has managed to do that since I first discovered her work.I knew from the very beginning that this book was going to be special, and not just because of the stunning cover (seriously, this cover is aesthetically sublime and might be my favorite of all of her covers which says something because her covers are always amazing), or the blurb that just grabbed my attention and made me more excited than I usually am that she has a new story. I was correct in my assumption that this was a special book but not in the way that I was originally thinking it was going to be. I knew that it would have the trademark snark that I have come to LOVE from this author but what I was not prepared for was the hidden message about forgiveness and the importance of living a life full of grace. Something that I personally have struggled with, especially of late. It is important to not only have forgiveness but to also forgive oneself. Such a simple, yet, profound concept.Halle was a force of a woman and one that I admired. Her tenacity and perseverance were to be commended. I am not sure that I would have had the ability to forgive what it was that had brought her to needing Dr. Potter's assistance. She was full of sass and she did not let anything deter her from starting with a fresh slate. Dr. Vance Porter... good lord this damaged man. He reminded me of a wounded wild animal that was pushed into a corner. His first instinct was to lash out and it was something that he did well. He was no match for this sweet little Georgian peach of a woman. Initially, I thought that Halle needed Vance more than he needed her. I was wrong in that assumption because he needed to learn forgiveness, only it was in forgiving himself. My heart hurt for why he was the way that he was. I cannot even imagine. Their chemistry was fire, their steamy times were more than just a moment to give the book spice, and their purpose in each other's lives was two-fold. This book was a mixture of humor (there were times that Vance totally reminded me of Theo from the Commander series) that I have come to love and also dug deeper and had an added depth to it much as Bennett had in Rebellious.I adored the introduction of Vance's brothers and another important character that I hope will get his own book later because I can already tell there is more to his story. I was dying for each little morsel that was hinted at, especially his camaraderie with Vance. I am not sure how this author does it but she truly has mastered the craft of creating sarcastic but endearing heroes. I love hearing their inner monologues as they are contemplating unaliving someone in their head.A great epilogue that was bittersweet because I wasn't ready to let these characters go. I cannot wait for what this author writes next, whether it is in this world with Astor and Duke Potter, or if it is my sweet little{name who I shall not mention because it would spoil how it came about in the story}, or if it is back in Commander series because regardless of what it is, it will be amazing.

Vance & Halle: TRIGGERS: PTSD, car accidents, grief, drinking. Halle is in need of some plastic surgery and Dr Vance Potter is the only one she wants to do it. So she travels from Georgia to Texas and schedules an appointment. Vance is extremely grumpy and immediately declines to do the surgery but Halle isn't giving up. She's given a job at his practice working for his brother, mainly to get him out of his funk. Vance is dealing with a lot more than being a big grump. His license is in jeopardy and he's dealing with PTSD. With time Vance and Halle slowly spend time together and get hot and heavy. And I do mean hot. 🔥🔥🔥🔥 while this book discusses some serious subjects there's some light hearted humor just above the surface of the story that breaks up the seriousness of the story. I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to get into the rest of the series.

*****UPDATED TO REFLECT MY THOUGHTS ON THE AUDIOBOOK*****I literally devoured this book when I read it and having it come to life in my ears with the fabulous narration of Heather Firth and Connor Crais was a tremendous listening pleasure. I love how both of these narrators were able to express all the emotions of our H/h. Vance Potter is a complex man and has demons and Mr. Crais made me feel every agonizing moment as Vance went through a true healing process thanks to Halle. Ms. Firth is quickly becoming one of my favorite female narrators thanks to her ability to embody the characters she's performing. Halle is both sassy and caring and Ms. Firth did her right by being able to express Halle's feelings in each and every scene... I highly recommend listening to this book!!!******************************************My anticipation for this book was at an all-time high and I’m here to tell you that all of my expectations for this newest book by Kristy Marie were met and exceeded!! I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Vance and Halle!!Vance Potter is a man that is haunted by the past and because of this, his present is what’s going to keep him from giving Halle the future she’s been dreaming of and saving for over the last couple of years. But what Dr. Potter doesn’t expect is that this girl doesn’t take his “no” as the end of her dream… she’s going to get what she came to his practice for come hell or high water!!Along the way, we get to come along for the ride as Halle not only changes the life Vance has been living, but also the lives of his brothers who are also in practice with him and it definitely leads to some of the best moments of this book! I love how these brothers rally around each other and push each other outside their comfort zone; but the person that does that most for Vance is Halle and it changes everything!!This book had me captivated from beginning to end. I love the smoldering heat between Vance and Halle. The snarky relationship she had with his brothers and how she brought him to where he could once again do what he is the best at. But it’s not just Vance that changes, it’s Halle too. I adore this girl so much! She’s been through a devastating ordeal and she comes out on the other side of it thanks to her strength, resilience and her unwillingness to accept a “no.”This is all I’m giving you because you need to read this book and fall in love with not only Vance and Halle but the incredible secondary characters as well, including an unexpected neighbor of Halle’s!!

This was a new to me author, one that I can see becoming a favourite. This story brought tears to my eyes, a smile to my lips and laughter to my being. Bossy, possessive, grumpy and with a few scars of his own, you can't not fall for Dr Vance Potter especially when you see glimpses of his sweet side. I loved Halle, her strength and perseverance and just her personality as a whole, you couldn't not love her. This story whilst emotional, was beautiful to read. A story of forgiveness, of overcoming trauma, of finding your spark of light in a dark world... It was everything. This book is incredibly well written, with some moments sticking with me, & some words on repeat on my mind. I highly recommend

Great story with fascinating characters. Super fun to read and can't wait for the next in the series. Duke's story.

I am so so so glad to have come across this book ❤ It was absolutely amazing... I genuinely love how the individual traumas were dealt with, the depth to the characters... Love love love this book! ❤

This was the first book I’ve read by this author and damn did it not disappoint.Halle goes all the way to Texas to meet with the esteemed Dr Potter so she can finally put her past where it belongs, and look forward to the future and finally be able to live her dream. Only the person she meets with is nothing like the person he was on tv, no this Dr Potter is rude and standoffish who is refusing to help Halle. She refuses to take no for an answer and accidentally insults him, but unbeknownst to Halle Dr Potter is fighting demons that she just couldn’t comprehend.“𝙃𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙭𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚. 𝙃𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙞𝙨… 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙛𝙡𝙖𝙬𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙙. 𝙀𝙭𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙛.”After being turned away Halle doesn’t give up, she manages to land herself a job at none other than Potters Plastics working for Astor Potter, Dr Potters older brother. Things are about to get interesting that’s for sure, the constant back and forth jabs had me laughing, Halle can give as good as gets and is definitely not afraid to call Vance on his sh!t. Their verbal sparring was their foreplay, and when they finally have in they were explosive.“𝙎𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙢 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙮 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙤𝙨. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙡𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙣.”Halle was definitely the light to his dark, Halle helped Vance with his demons and just when I thought they were getting somewhere, he acts like a complete a$$ that had me wanting to take his own scalpel to him….Also I have to say the side characters were awesome but the one that stole the show for me was Remington, that boy became Halle’s best friend and in the end her ride or die.My favourite quote by Rem ⬇️“𝘼𝙬𝙬. 𝙄’𝙢 𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙪𝙥 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨, 𝘿𝙧. 𝙋𝙪𝙨𝙨𝙮. 𝙇𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙞𝙛 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙮.”I hope he gets a book, that boy deserves it. There were a couple times when I got a little emotional with what Vance had gone through, absolutely deserves the five stars.

This was a good story, full of humour, fun banter and the obvious romance. Following the other two brother's stories should be fun.