Jada Brooks returns to her hometown of Silver Springs, California following her father’s death so she can help out her mother. She left 13 years ago following a tragic event that left her family broken. Maddox Richardson was the love of her 17-year old life but that relationship ended when his younger brother Tobias accidentally shot her young brother Atticus, leaving him a paraplegic. Soon after, Jada discovered she was pregnant, further disappointing her parents who made her hide her condition and later leave town. Maddox doesn’t know he’s the father of 12-year old Maya and he’s just returned to run the new girl’s school at New Horizons Ranch. Tobias is scheduled to be released from prison soon, making this a reunion of epic proportions.
I normally get frustrated with secret baby/children storylines because it rarely feels justified to hide paternity, especially for more than a decade. However, these demands were placed by selfish parents on a 17-year old girl who was consumed by guilt because she took her brother to that party without permission and then turned up pregnant. Jada has spent all these years trying to atone for her errors in judgment with an unforgiving mother who has also created an emotionally crippled brother. Throughout the story, I just wanted someone to hold Susan Brooks accountable for the destruction she wielded upon her family by overlaying her bitterness on all of them. Her unforgiving spirit preventing her son from moving forward meaningfully and kept Jada from making better, more mature decisions regarding her child and herself. This is a cautionary tale, one that powerfully illustrates why forgiveness is so important. It may be hard to do but the alternative can leave you stuck in place and miserable.
The narrator, Veronica Worthington, is fast becoming a favorite as she managed the telling of this story very well, including the voices of the main characters. I flew through it because her pacing was just about perfect.
Novak has a talent for developing multidimensional characters and nuanced storylines. There were a lot of issues associated with revealing the truth so it wasn’t as clear cut as I’d initially believed. I was forced to put myself in Jada’s shoes and they didn’t fit so easily. It’s a simple situation with very complicated edges and I enjoyed every aspect of the story. Nothing is straightforward in this town that is filled with some seemingly very nice people who don’t always behave well (and those who do!). However, they’re familiar as we’ve seen them before in our own communities.
Book Info
- Release Date: February 26, 2019
- Series: Silver Springs #5
- Narrator: Veronica Worthington
- Audio Length: 10 hours, 1 minute
- Publisher: Harlequin Audio
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(Thanks to Harlequin Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Thank you for the thoughtful review, Jonetta! Sounds like a very interesting contemporary romance. Have a wonderful day!💚
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Thanks, Kris!
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I haven’t read this one. Sounds like one to add to my TBR. Great review, Jonetta!
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Thanks, Darinda! This is a wonderful series.
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I have yet to read one of this author’s books. It does sound like such a worthwhile story, I will be on the lookout at the library. Thank you for once again writing a wonderful review, Jonetta!
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Thank you, Marialyce! Novak is one of my early favorites as her characterizations are her specialty.
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Excellent review! I loved this one also. Forgiveness is important.
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Thanks, Anne! Your review prompted me to go find it as I’d inadvertently forgotten to add it to my reading plan😬
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Sounds really good Jonetta. I loved the cover. This goes in my TBR
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While it is part of a series, it holds up well on its own. The first book sets up the town.
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Great review Jo! I need to get caught up on this series!! I’m On the one before this! I love her books!🌞💙
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Thanks, Susan! I thought you and I shared liking Novak’s books.
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I love when an author is able to take a trope you usually don’t like and spin it in a way that you can enjoy the story. Great review!
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Thanks, Christopher! I didn’t think I could enjoy this one as much as I did.
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Great review, Jonetta. I’ve only read one of Novak’s books but enjoyed it a lot. This one sounds like one for the TBR!
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Thanks, Stephanie. She’s one of my favorites!
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Wonderful review Jonetta. This sounds like a powerful story that was well done and thought provoking.
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Thanks, Kimberly. That it was!
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Wow, this sounds so thought-provoking! I love stories that can really get under your skin and make you either root for or hate the characters. Definitely going on the TBR list 😊
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This is definitely that book, Nicola! I vacillated throughout the book on whether I even liked the story😏
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I definitely need to make the time to try this author, Jonetta! It sounds like I’ve really been missing out and I know she writes across genres. Lovely review, my friend!
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Thank you, Jennifer! I love just about everything she writes.
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Wonderful review!
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Thank you, Yvo!
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This sounds like a wonderful series. Glad you’re enjoying it. 🙂
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It is, Suzanne!
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I love a good story line where there is a lot going on and this sounds like it fits the bill! Thanks!
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There was quite a bit going on, Diane. But not to distraction as it was all very interesting.
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This sounds like a good one to try out! I’m always looking for good audiobooks and also enjoy complex characters and stories as well! 💕
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DG, I think you’d love this series and this author. You should also check out her Whiskey Creek series.
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Just looked it up and added to the TBR! Thanks for the recommendation! ❤️
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This sounds like a wonderfully complex and emotional story. I enjoy reading about imperfect characters who aren’t good or bad, but rather a combination of both and extenuating circumstances. I’ve added this one to my shelf after reading this ❤ Great review!
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Thank you, Nen/Jen! I hope you love it💜
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One day I’m going to try a Novak book and it’s all because of you.
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🥰🥰🥰
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