The Summer He Came Home

by Juliana Stone

[Cocktails and Books]

I absolutely fell in love with this book, and these characters were so real they leaped off the page at me.

Maggie O'Rourke fled Louisiana with her young son to escape an abusive ex-husband. She settled in Crystal Lake, MI working as a housekeeper for several families in the area.

Cain Black is a former badboy turned famous music superstar that returns home to attend the funeral of his former best friend that was killed in Afghanistan. I have to say that the opening pages of this book where the author introduces Maggie and Cain to each other are at the funeral gathering. I was very impressed with the dignity and dexterity with which the author handled establishing a magnetic attraction between Maggie and Cain with grief felt by family/community members regarding the friend's death.

Through the numerous plot elements that include the twin of Cain's dead friend's attraction to his brother's widow and an abusive situation between another friend and his father an undeniable attraction develops. Maggie and Cain confront nosy townspeople, those intent on reminding Maggie that she is just a maid, and the return of her abusive ex-husband. The author deftly weaves the plot so you see the friction that keeps them apart and applaud them when they decide to jump in and give their attraction a chance to blossom into something more.

I found that Cain was a very refreshing and vulnerable hero. I really found myself liking him because he was honest and upfront with Maggie. He let her know he was attracted to her and wanted to explore a relationship with her but he didn't know where it was going to lead. He also made her feel special and let her know that despite the tabloids he didn't enter any relationship lightly. Maggie was fierce in her loyalty to her son. She was courageous and risked her heart even after a horribly abusive marriage.

I hated to see the book end, and I am stalking the internet for a sequel. There were other characters that will hopefully have their relationships fleshed out in future books...(hint, hint to the author)

Reviewed by Marie for Cocktails and Books