Overview: Jade returns home to Chapel Springs after years of protecting her
fragile heart. Then along comes Daniel, making her long to dance again.Creative and complicated, Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden growing up in Chapel Springs. When she left, she thought she’d never look back. But now, pregnant, alone, and broke, she has no other choice but to return.
The mayor of Chapel Springs, Daniel Dawson, has been an honorary member of the McKinley family for years. While his own home life was almost non-existent, Daniel fit right into the boisterous McKinley family. He’s loved Jade for years, but she always saw him as a big brother. Now that she’s back, his feelings are stronger than ever.
As Jade attempts to settle in, nothing feels right. God seems far away, she’s hiding secrets from her family, and she’s strangely attracted to the man who’s always called her “squirt." Finding her way home may prove more difficult than she imagined.
My Review: What a lovely story! I was intrigued and sucked in from the very first page. The prologue had me reeling. I can't imagine being in Jade's shoes. The plot is not very exciting or fast paced, but it doesn't need to be because the romance and character development takes it's place.
Poor Jade! One tragedy after another leads her to believe that God is far away from her and doesn't care for her at all. She has spent years protecting her heart, and the author does a great job of showing her tumulous emotions throughout the story. I can relate, on a very personal level, to Jade's feelings. The highs and the lows of suffering a tragedy are hard to capture, and Denise Hunter does a great job of it. Daniel is another matter all together! He has spent years fighting his feelings for Jade. I loved his protective, caring heart. He is the all-American good guy in this story, and I love him for it! The romance between them progressed slowly, at first, and then sped up toward the end, but it seemed natural. They've known each other forever!
The message of the story was my favorite part. God can't direct your path or ease your fears if you don't let him. Even though tragedies happen we, as Christians, are to turn toward God for comfort and strength instead of turning away from Him. The author does a great job of proving that point in Jade's life. Once Jade surrenders to the tender mercy of God, her life falls into place.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Though it is the second book in the Chapel Springs series, it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I will definitely be reading more by this author!
*I received this book for free from BookLook blogging program in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.*
About the Author: Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their
three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian
romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later
it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books
often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin
says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists
a good imagination helps too!
I read this book over the weekend and LOVED it! Even better than the first book in the series, I think.
ReplyDeleteI want to go back and read the first book because I really enjoyed this one!
DeleteThis looks great! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete