This story tugged my heart in all kinds of directions! The author is not afraid to tackle the tough issues and paints characters in a true light. The characters feel like real people with real doubts and fears. They also sometimes let anger get in the way and make bad decisions. That was especially the case for Tim, the teenager in the story.
Speaking of bad decisions, Tim’s father, Jesse, made plenty back when he was a teenager and young man. Now he has a past riddled with alcoholism, prison time, and other things that he regrets. However, what he doesn’t regret is the fact that he now trusts in God for all things. He also doesn’t regret discovering that he is a father and reconnecting with the one woman he has always loved. Maeryn has made mistakes in the past, too. And her worry and reluctance to address Tim’s desire to meet his father ends up leading to Tim making the bad decisions he begins to make in the novel.
I enjoyed this story from start to finish, even as I felt frustration and concern for Tim. I appreciated the way Jesse and Maeryn worked together and began to open up about things. The straightforward way that Jesse dealt with issues that arose helped them navigate problems without a lot of misunderstandings. I loved reading about their second chance at love. The troubles Tim faced and the potential consequences for his actions also seemed realistic to me.
The author wrote a fun note at the end of the story about what she would have written in an epilogue. I definitely appreciated that, as I wished that an epilogue had been there. I love epilogues and they help me to feel that the story is completely wrapped up.
(4.5 stars)
I read this book on Kindle Unlimited, but I also received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK
An Unexpected Reunion . . . A Second Chance at Love
Jesse Donovan is a changed man. Now a Christian and a successful building contractor, he’s dedicated to taking responsibility for his self-centered past. That includes welcoming the teenage boy he didn’t know he fathered. When the boy’s mother walks into Jesse’s office, their son has run away from home and is on a dangerous road, travelling with a friend who isn’t a friend at all.
Maeryn Scott once loved Jesse Donovan, only to be abandoned without even a goodbye. Her love for him died suddenly—or so she thought. Now, with her son in danger and determined to confront his father, Maeryn must face the conflicting needs of her son and her own heart. Who is Jesse now? Can she trust him? Falling in love again is the last thing Maeryn wants to do—especially with a man who will turn her world upside down.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Known for her realistic, likable characters and vivid writing, Victoria Bylin delights in tackling tough subjects with respect and compassion. The Two of Us was chosen as a “Target Recommends” selection, and Together With You won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award for Best Contemporary Romance. Her books, both contemporaries and western historicals,have been critically acclaimed in Publisher’s Weekly and Booklist. A native of California, she and her husband now make their home in Lexington, Kentucky. They have two sons and are the proud grandparents of twin girls and a little boy.
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