My, oh my! This is not your typical romance. When I began reading the book, I was actually unsure of how much I would be able to connect with, or even like, the hero of the book. Ryan is coming from a place of so much hurt, has caused so much pain to those in his life, carries enormous guilt, and has no belief in God at all. But I loved the path that he walked through this story and I quickly realized that I desperately wanted things to work out for him and his family. His journey (as well as the heroine’s) is not easy or smooth. There is much work to be done to heal this family and help this little girl.
The heroine of the novel, Carly, is so knowledgeable and caring. She has the skills necessary to help with his daughter Penny, who has special needs. The whole family is in crisis when Carly arrives and she is such a huge help to them all. But, this book is definitely not a rainbow and roses type of story. There are some serious issues to get through and things do not just fall into place. I could hardly set this book down for want of knowing what happened next!
One of the things I really enjoyed in Together with You is that the reader gets to experience the story from Ryan’s, Carly’s, and even Penny’s perspective. It was simply amazing to read her thoughts and see what she was struggling with. Then, I had to sit back and watch the adults scramble to figure out what was wrong or what she needed. My eyes were really opened to what children who suffer with Fetal Alcohol Effects and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome are up against.
This story was superb and the first that I have read by this author. I look forward to reading more of her books. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. (5 stars)
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A Tender Contemporary Romance about Finding Unexpected Love
When a Lost Child warning blasts over the mall’s PA system, toy store manager Carly Mason finds the little girl playing with a stuffed rabbit. Something about five-year-old Penny Tremaine is different. An ex-social worker, Carly recognizes that Penny suffers fetal alcohol effects, and a piece of Carly’s own past suddenly confronts her. Never again will Carly become involved with a client. The risks are far too great. But something about Penny–and Penny’s handsome father–tugs at Carly’s heart. Before she has time to think it through, she agrees to a much-needed job as a nanny.
Dr. Ryan Tremaine knows he messed up his life. But this summer he will redeem himself. With his ex-wife remarried and on a trip far away, his two teenage sons and Penny are living under his roof full time. Ryan is dedicated to his sink-or-swim list, a plan to reconnect with his children. The first step: recruiting Carly Mason to be Penny’s nanny.
Ryan never anticipated being so drawn to Carly, an attraction Carly seems to fight as much as he does. Could Carly be the missing piece that helps his family stay afloat, or will their blossoming romance only complicate things further?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Known for her realistic, likable characters and vivid writing, Victoria Bylin writes both western and contemporary inspirational romance. Her books have finaled in the ACFW Carol Awards, the Rita Awards and RT Magazine’s Reviewers’ Choice Awards. She and her husband currently live in Lexington, Kentucky and have two grown sons.
You can connect with Victoria on her website, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Britt Reads Fiction 