A sweet installment in a heartfelt romance series.
A rancher bonds with his long-lost son and the teen’s guardian in this contemporary romance.
On a snowy night, Chicago veterinary student Janie Adams drives into Wishing River, Montana, on a mission: find local bar owner Aiden Rivers and introduce him to the boy who is most likely his 15-year-old son. Janie’s not the mother—that would be her spoiled older sister, Maxi. Maxi left baby Will in her sister’s care when Janie was just 18 years old. Janie is now grappling with serious debt and hoping an introduction to the son he never knew he had will prompt Aiden to help provide for Will. Aiden is shocked: He hasn’t thought about Maxi since their brief fling left him with a scar from her then-boyfriend. Aiden had no idea Will existed—or his stubborn, beautiful guardian. Aiden connects with both Will and Janie, introducing them to the joys of Wishing River, the horses the bar owner is rescuing on his own ranch, and his vibrant group of friends. Janie, a devoted mother to Will since she was barely out of high school, finds work at a local veterinary clinic and, eventually, comfort in Aiden’s arms, but she knows she will have to return to Chicago sooner or later. Over the next few weeks, Aiden, Janie, and Will form a tentative yet loving family—but what will happen when real life comes knocking on the door? In this third installment of her Wishing River series, James offers a warm, engaging story from both Janie’s and Aiden’s points of view as the two bond over their love of animals and Will, a thoughtful and realistically written teenage character. The author deftly depicts Aiden wrestling with the idea of fatherhood in light of his own sad childhood with an abusive dad who quashed his son’s teenage dreams of studying veterinary medicine. The Montana town of the series title exudes charm, from a diner with original paintings, courtesy of Lainey from James’ novel The Trouble With Cowboys (2019), to a host of rescue animals.
A sweet installment in a heartfelt romance series.Pub Date: March 9, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-68281-567-0
Page Count: 364
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Review Posted Online: April 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.
The sequel to It Ends With Us (2016) shows the aftermath of domestic violence through the eyes of a single mother.
Lily Bloom is still running a flower shop; her abusive ex-husband, Ryle Kincaid, is still a surgeon. But now they’re co-parenting a daughter, Emerson, who's almost a year old. Lily won’t send Emerson to her father’s house overnight until she’s old enough to talk—“So she can tell me if something happens”—but she doesn’t want to fight for full custody lest it become an expensive legal drama or, worse, a physical fight. When Lily runs into Atlas Corrigan, a childhood friend who also came from an abusive family, she hopes their friendship can blossom into love. (For new readers, their history unfolds in heartfelt diary entries that Lily addresses to Finding Nemo star Ellen DeGeneres as she considers how Atlas was a calming presence during her turbulent childhood.) Atlas, who is single and running a restaurant, feels the same way. But even though she’s divorced, Lily isn’t exactly free. Behind Ryle’s veneer of civility are his jealousy and resentment. Lily has to plan her dates carefully to avoid a confrontation. Meanwhile, Atlas’ mother returns with shocking news. In between, Lily and Atlas steal away for romantic moments that are even sweeter for their authenticity as Lily struggles with child care, breastfeeding, and running a business while trying to find time for herself.
Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-668-00122-6
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Atria
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2022
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
Henry fans, rejoice: This is her best yet.
A recently dumped librarian finds herself fake dating her polar opposite.
When Daphne Vincent’s fiance, Peter, dumps her, she’s shocked—but the worst part is that he’s leaving her for his gorgeous best friend, Petra, the woman he’d always told Daphne not to worry about. Now Daphne has to move out of Peter’s home and restart her life in the small Michigan town where she’d moved to be with him. Salvation comes in the form of Miles Nowak, Petra’s ex—he has a tiny spare room in his apartment, and he understands what it’s like to wallow in heartbreak. Daphne feels lucky to have her dream job as a children’s librarian, but other than that, she feels adrift and friendless in Waning Bay—and then she and Miles get invitations to Peter and Petra’s wedding. In a momentary lapse of judgment, Daphne not only says she’ll attend the wedding, but tells Peter she’s dating Miles. It would be the perfect way to show Peter and Petra that they’ve moved on…if only it were true. In the grand tradition of fake-dating romances, Daphne and Miles pretend to be in love, getting to know each other while having various adventures and misadventures. Daphne quickly learns that although she’d dismissed Miles as a pothead with a lack of direction, he’s actually a good time—and a loyal friend. But Daphne knows she needs to get out of Waning Bay, so this fake relationship can’t lead anywhere…can it? Reliable bestseller Henry has written another surefire hit that manages to be dramatic, sexy, and fun. Miles and Daphne have chemistry that leaps off the page, and their will-they-or-won’t-they energy propels the story to its satisfying conclusion. Daphne is an immensely likable character, one whose past realistically informs her current relationships. The world of Waning Bay is charmingly quirky, and Daphne’s co-workers at the library are endearing. As always, Henry’s biggest strength is the sharp, often hilarious dialogue that makes the story a joy to read.
Henry fans, rejoice: This is her best yet.Pub Date: April 23, 2024
ISBN: 9780593441282
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Berkley
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
PERSPECTIVES
BOOK TO SCREEN
SEEN & HEARD
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