"Fake perfection was tiring. The mistakes you didn't confess accumulated more and more mass over time. No one ministered to you because you were busy broadcasting the fact that you didn't need ministering to." - Willow Bradford
Description:
Famously beautiful model Willow Bradford is taking a temporary break from her hectic schedule to work as the innkeeper at her family's small-town bed-and-breakfast. She was enjoying the peace of her hometown, Merryweather, Washington, right up until she came face-to-face with Corbin Stewart, the man she loves to hate. A thoughtful rule-follower by nature, Willow threw caution to the wind four years ago when she entrusted her heart to Corbin--and suffered the consequences when it all fell apart.
Former NFL quarterback Corbin is forceful, charming, and accustomed to getting what he wants . . . except where Willow Bradford is concerned. Unable to forget her, he's never stopped regretting what happened between them. When their paths unexpectedly cross again, he's determined to make her give him a second chance.
When a decades-old missing persons case finds Corbin and Willow working together, they're forced to confront their past and who they've become--and whether they can risk falling for one another all over again.
Former NFL quarterback Corbin is forceful, charming, and accustomed to getting what he wants . . . except where Willow Bradford is concerned. Unable to forget her, he's never stopped regretting what happened between them. When their paths unexpectedly cross again, he's determined to make her give him a second chance.
When a decades-old missing persons case finds Corbin and Willow working together, they're forced to confront their past and who they've become--and whether they can risk falling for one another all over again.
About the Author:
Becky Wade is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and now lives in Dallas. A favorite among readers of Christian contemporary romance, Becky has won a Christy Award, a Carol Award, an Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and an INSPY Award. Learn more at www.beckywade.com.
My Review: 5 stars
I’m not sure where to even start this review! I have a completely biased opinion, because I always greatly enjoy Becky Wade’s books. She’s one of my very favorite authors and I love diving into any of her stories (usually multiple times) and this one is certainly no exception! I’ve been anxiously awaiting Willow’s book since getting a glimpse of her and Corbin’s story in “True to You,” (you can read my review for it here) and it definitely surpassed any expectation I may have had.
Corbin and Willow are characters that I could so easily identify with, even if I hadn’t walked in their shoes, directly. I was pulled into their story from the first page and didn’t want to put it down! The relationships are always one of my favorite things in Ms. Wade’s books and that is true of this one, too. I loved the quick dialogue and comebacks between Corbin and Willow, as well as the bantering between the sisters, and the teasing with Charlotte (who is definitely one of my favorite secondary characters!). They had me laughing out loud more than once and earned me a couple interesting glances from anyone sitting nearby. And the mystery! I’m always a sucker for a mystery and having this unlikely team searching for answers to a cold-case was excellent! More fun banter, as well as questions needing answered? Yes, please!
"Love was an intensely powerful emotion,
but it wasn't always the smartest of entities.
Was it possible to control whom you loved?
Perhaps in part. But not fully.
Sometimes, you just loved."
I also so appreciate that even though this book was a lot of fun to read, it also dealt with some deeper topics: loss, grief, perfectionism, expectations, and relationships in general. The story was never weighed down by them, but rather I found she hit precisely the right note with each one. And I needed the truth the characters come to find. Willow struggles with perfectionism, so the message of grace and love in the midst of our failings was exactly what she (and I) needed. Corbin’s struggle was as equally, if not more personal for me. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I was almost crying at the end, knowing the pain a fictional character was going through. And if that doesn’t say something about this author’s writing skills, then I’m not sure what does. Before I make the ending sound like a downer, it wasn’t. I was alternating dreading reading the last line and smiling as I did, because it was a fantastic ending! Though I now want to demand Britt’s book! I have to know what happens with her and Zander!
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it!
As always, links and such are below!
Have a beautiful day, friends!