Lynn
Written on Jun 26, 2016
Xander Evans is constantly moving. Having spent the latter part of his childhood in foster care, he's on a journey to find his sister who he hasn't seen since she was two years old. He's a drifter, only spending a short amount of time in each place he stops. He finds himself in Truman Valley, Missouri where he meets Paige Watson. He's offered work at her family's winery with accommodation. It's an opportunity he grabs knowing he'll only be there for a few months. Only his life is about to get a whole lot more complicated.
Paige Watson has a charmed life, mostly. She had a fabulous education, great career whilst surrounded by a close-knit loving family. She escaped an abusive relationship, but her ex is a constant black cloud on her horizon. He's the one thing stopping her from finding love, until a new stranger rolls into town…
The prologue instantly drags you in, but then the pace of the subsequent third of the book is slow as we are introduced to the characters and the setting. From there the pace picks up and gains momentum as the story heads towards the pinnacle, with clues to the identity of the perpetrator woven in. I always like it when I'm kept guessing right until the end and feel rewarded when I correctly identify the right person.
"You calm me. You make me feel carefree."
The relationship between Xander and Paige is slow-burning and fits perfectly within the mood of the story.
The writing is great yet I didn't identify with the protagonists, in a way I'm sure my American readers friends will. The cultural difference too great for me to really understand their psyche. However, the plot was much more manageable and refreshingly original, littered with raw and gritty dialogue. I'm not a fan of HEA's wrapped in a bow so a high point for me was the epilogue. I like to finish books feeling my brain has been fully engaged and this thought provoking ending did that 100%.
Overall a commendable read revealing lots of potential for the author.
***arc generously received courtesy of the author via Southern Belle PR***
