The Rancher's Surprise Son - Christine Wenger (HSE #2430 - Sept 2015)

Series: Gold Buckle Cowboys (Book 4)

The Little Boy Had His Eyes

Cody Masters always believed that nothing could keep him and his high school sweetheart, Laura Duke, apart. Not her parents, not town gossip -- not even a jail sentence! But when the cowboy returns home, he finds a new man in Laura's life. Johnny is three-and-a-half-feet tall, adores his pony and stares back at Cody with all-too-familiar blue eyes…

The Mother Had His Heart

Even though Laura insists a quickie marriage produced Johnny, Cody isn't giving up on his dream of their family. The only problem is getting her -- and the rest of the town -- to trust him again. Besides, Laura is harboring a secret that is keeping them apart but could also bond them, and little Johnny, forever!

Good book. Laura Duke is visiting her neighbor and babysitter when she is stunned to see the girl's brother, Cody. Cody was sent to prison for murdering his abusive stepfather. Cody's early release was a surprise and left Laura in a quandary.

Cody's early release from prison was engineered by Laura's father, a prominent rancher who wants the land that Cody's family ranch sits on. As part of his parole, Cody must work for Mr. Duke, who is adamant that Cody toe the line, and also stay away from Laura.

Cody and Laura have a history together. In high school, he and Laura were secret sweethearts who believed that nothing could keep them apart. Then Cody ended up in jail, and Laura had a short-lived marriage that produced an adorable son. She never talks about the marriage, but her son is the center of her life. Cody is hurt at first, but quickly bonds with little Johnny, renewing his determination to get Laura back in his life.

I liked the rekindling of the relationship between Cody and Laura. The feelings between them had never died, and being near each other again simply fanned the flames. I ached for Cody because of the way everyone treated him. He had paid his debt and deserved a chance to live a normal life. I especially hurt for him at the church picnic and loved the way that Laura supported him. I also liked that Laura didn't keep the truth from Cody for very long, even though she wasn't ready to tell anyone else. Laura frustrated me during a large part of the book because of how she let the thought of other people's opinions keep her from fully accepting Cody back into her life. Her attitude broke Cody's heart and made me wonder how they would ever get past it. I enjoyed the scene at the barn with Cody's parole officer, and how Laura finally began to show a little spine. But it was the events later that night that brought everything to a head. I loved Cody's calm and collected attitude during the crisis and how he was the one to take charge. And I loved the flabbergasted reactions when Laura dropped her bombshell. I was happy to see that she finally realized what she had done and was able to move past it.

The epilogue was good. I liked seeing the changes in Laura's parents and their relationship with Cody's family. There was an interesting twist at the end of it, even though it wasn't too much of a surprise to me.

The Family Journal - Carolyn Brown (Montlake - Nov 2019)

At the end of her rope, single mom Lily Anderson is determined to move her rebellious children in the right direction. That means taking away their cell phones, tablets, and computers—at least temporarily—and moving to the house where Lily grew up in the rural town of Comfort, Texas. But Lily has a bigger challenge than two sulking kids.

The house comes with Mack Cooper, high school teacher and handsome longtime renter. The arrangement: just housemates. But Mack’s devoted attention to the kids starts to warm Lily’s resistant heart.

Then Lily finds an old leather-bound book in which five generations of her female ancestors shared their struggles and dreams. To Lily, it’s a bracing reminder about the importance of family…and love.

Now it’s time for Lily to add an adventurous new chapter to the cherished family journal—by embracing a fresh start and taking a chance on a man who could make her house a home.

Terrific book about family, friendship, love, and new beginnings. In the five years since her divorce, Lily's life was taken over by the day-to-day stresses of work and home, leaving her little time to give her kids the attention they needed. Her cheating ex-husband gave her full custody because his new wife had no interest in being around children. He flits in and out of Holly and Braden's lives, unreliable in actions and attitude. She experienced a rude awakening when she discovered 14-year-old Holly smoking a joint in the library bathroom, and that 12-year-old Braden was regularly sneaking out to drink and smoke with his friends. Devastated and furious, Lily takes drastic action. She takes all of their electronics away and moves them from Austin to her tiny hometown of Comfort, Texas.

I had to hand it to Lily. She didn't shilly-shally when faced with trouble, but took immediate action. Nor did she allow the kids to guilt her into changing her mind. She may harbor a few doubts, but she wasn't about to show them to the kids. Returning to Comfort was a big step for her. As a teen, she couldn't wait to get away from the small, sleepy town and experience city life. Her return feels a bit like a failure, but she'll do what she must for the kids. Her return also forces Lily to face some unresolved guilt about her relationship with her deceased mother. In the middle of her divorce, Lily was unwilling to deal with the stress of handling her mother's house, so she rented it as is to Mack Cooper, the high school ag teacher. It's a fairly large house, so she and Mack come to an agreement that he will continue to rent and live in the downstairs, while Lily and the kids live upstairs. They'll share the kitchen.

I really liked Mack. He's a quiet, steady man, who enjoys his work with the kids at school. He's accepted that love is likely not in the cards for him after having been burned twice. I ached for him and that part of his past, as the two women he loved threw him over for his flashy and shallow twin brother. Personally, I felt he was better off without them, as they obviously didn't truly love him. I loved the way that he welcomed Lily and the kids into his life. I especially enjoyed his connection with Braden and seeing the positive influence he had on the boy. I had to laugh at Braden's enthusiasm for the goats, much to his sister's disgust.

A lot was going on in this book. First and foremost was Lily's need to reconnect with her kids and help them see the error of their ways. It was a tough go at first, as the withdrawal pains from their lack of electronics made them unusually irritable. I had a great deal of fun watching them all cope with their new reality - no wifi??!!! Both kids had some severe culture shock going on, and I enjoyed seeing their progress from spoiled brats to good kids. It wasn't all smooth sailing for them, and I liked seeing them deal with their various challenges. I especially loved Braden's defense of his friend and cheered the awesome principal. There was a little while where I worried that Holly was headed down the wrong path again, but she too came through with unexpectedly mature decisions.

I also enjoyed seeing Lily reconnect with her childhood friends. It didn't take long for them to be as close as they had ever been. I enjoyed seeing Lily get involved in the antique store and discover that the slower pace suited her new lifestyle. Her friendship with her mother's best friend also gave Lily the chance to learn things about her mom that she hadn't known. When going through her mother's desk, Lily found an old journal that turned out to be written by earlier generations of the women in her family. I loved the snippets that were shared in the book, and how many of them had parallels in what Lily herself was experiencing. When Holly needed a school project, Lily shared the journal with her. I loved how sharing that link with their ancestors brought the two together in new ways. It was fascinating to see the effect it had on both of them.

There was also the growing relationship between Lily and Mack. It started as friendship, with the two learning to work together as they shared the living space. Mack's quiet strength helped Lily stay true to her goals for herself and her children. I liked how he took an interest in the kids and provided the kind of example they didn't have in their own father. I enjoyed seeing the two of them settle into a comfortable friendship with trust and respect for each other. And the more time that they spent together, the stronger the sparks of attraction between them grew. Both are a little wary, as Wyatt did a number on Lily's belief in herself, and Mack's brother Adam's dog-in-the-manger attitude toward anything Mack has made him reluctant to trust his heart to another woman. I had to laugh at Lily's reaction to Adam and his stunned disbelief. I loved that Mack was there for Lily when Wyatt pulled his bone-headed stunt with the kids. I loved the ending and seeing the changes that everyone experienced. I was left with a wonderfully warm feeling and the belief that Comfort was both a place and a state of mind.

One of my favorite secondary characters was Granny Hyatt. She was something else, with her fierce independence and blunt speech. She also showed the heart of Comfort and how everyone looks out for each other. It was quite a surprise to see how she took to the rebellious Holly. It was fascinating to see how two such different people connected. There was an interesting twist involving Granny at the end of the book, which answered a few questions Lily had from reading the journal.

Final Secrets - Cindi Myers (Cindi Myers - June 2019)

Series: Callahan County Cold Case (Book 3)

Star crossed lovers fight an impossible attraction as the search for a killer heats up. New evidence links the death of a young woman to the murder of Mallory Jameson fifteen years before. When the murderer threatens teacher Sarah Lomax, Deputy Jack Cash’s investigation uncovers a secret from Sarah’s past, and an attraction that could be fatal.

This was a gripping and emotional conclusion to a trilogy that kept me intrigued and hooked from the first page to the last. Sarah Lomax started the ball rolling in this series when she and her dog Joey found Mallory Jameson's remains while out walking. In this book, Sarah is the killer's next target. The only thing standing between Sarah and death is the sexy deputy who would do anything to protect her.

I loved Jack. He uprooted his life to move to the same town as his sister and help with her four kids while her husband is away for his job. His scenes with the children are always fantastic, and it's evident that he would be a terrific father. He's dedicated to his work as a deputy, and like the others, takes the problems of the Mallory case personally.

I also loved Sarah. In her work as a teacher, it is obvious that she loves children. I loved her comments about the challenges of working with them and how they showed how much she cares. She also loves her younger sister and worries about her. The reasons for that worry are heartbreaking, and the description of their childhoods explains why Sarah made the decisions she did about her future.

I loved the development of the relationship between Sarah and Jack. They met when Sarah found Mallory's remains, and Jack was impressed by her steadiness and ability to focus on the questions he needed answered. Since that time, he's considered asking her out, but couldn't figure out a way to do it with the Mallory case still open. He eventually worked up the nerve and was surprised and a little hurt when she turned him down flat, especially since he'd had the feeling she was interested in him too. I ached for Sarah, who was attracted to Jack but had a heartbreaking reason for avoiding relationships. I liked his determination to try to get past her walls and had hope when he talked her into going to dinner. The evening didn't end happily though when they arrived back at her home to find a note like the others tacked to her door. I loved Jack's protectiveness and occasionally wanted to shake Sarah for trying to keep him at a distance. I did like that they could talk honestly about what held her back, and that Jack was also honest about his feelings. I liked the conversation he had with his sister and how it gave him a different perspective and something to think about. But it took coming face to face with the killer for both Jack and Sarah to realize what was most important.

The murder of another young woman ups the tension in the town. When a link is discovered between Mallory's murder and that of the recent killing, law enforcement finally feels like they might have a chance of finding the truth, but the leads still don't come fast enough. It doesn't help anything that the local newspaper editor is continuously on their case, accusing them of incompetence. I loved seeing the department begin putting pieces together, as seemingly unrelated things started to line up. The final confrontation was scary as the killer finally revealed himself. His motivations were truly disturbing, and I was on the edge of my seat as Jack raced to reach Sarah in time. I liked that she actively worked toward saving herself, remaining calm to keep her options open. I was on the edge of my seat until it was all over.

I loved this trilogy and how each book built on the previous one. I was fully involved in each one, rooting for each couple to find their HEA, and anxious to find out the truth behind Mallory's death. Cindi Myers has a talent for sucking me into her stories and not letting go until the end.

Deadly Devotion - Cindi Myers (Cindi Myers - June 2019)

Series: Callahan County Cold Case (Book 2)

Enemies become lovers in a race to stop a killer.

When another woman's body is found near the Carson Meadows Trail, Sheriff Zane North realizes the killer he's been hunting is still on the loose. As he digs deeper into the case, he doesn't expect to fall for his chief suspect's sister. Can he stop the killer before he strikes again, and save the love of his life?

Second book in the series and just as gripping as the first. The Callahan County sheriff's department is still working to solve the fifteen-year-old cold case of Mallory Jameson's murder. Leads are nearly non-existent, so the sheriff and his deputies have gone back to the beginning and are re-interviewing previous suspects and persons of interest. One of those people is Dylan Alexander, Mallory's former boyfriend, and son of the man who many believed killed her. The Alexander family suffered a lot during that time, which has left Dylan wary and his sister Ashley bitter. She doesn't react well when the sheriff shows up to interview Dylan yet again.

I liked Zane. He is dedicated, experienced, and smart. He is confident in his department's abilities, but also smart enough to use the outside resources that are available to him. He is also very professional, with an underlying kindness. It's clear that protecting the people of Diamond Springs is essential to him. I loved how he handled Ashley's hostility when he showed up to question Dylan. He knew the history behind her attitude and didn't let it bother him.

I liked Ashley too. She is understandably cynical about law enforcement after everything that her family went through. Trusting anyone doesn't come easily, and she tends to keep most people at a distance. She is very protective of her brother and initially tends to jump to conclusions whenever Zane shows up at their house. She is also observant and intelligent and provides some fascinating insight during Zane's investigations.

Ashley and Zane had an immediate connection. It was amusing to see Zane's rather flummoxed reaction the first time he saw her, and how it took him a minute to remember why he was there. Ashley reacted to him, also, but her distrust dampened the initial effects. Zane was determined not to give in to the attraction while working on the investigation, but as time went on, it was clear that he was fighting a losing battle. When Dylan's fiancée, Kerri Lynn, received a letter similar to the ones that Mallory and Lauren received, Zane wondered if they were dealing with the killer, a copycat, or someone playing a cruel prank. As other letters show up around town, including one to Ashley, she and Zane don't have much opportunity to act on their growing feelings, though there are some sweet scenes of them together.

The suspense in this book is even more intense than in the previous one. The death of another young woman increases the tension around town and in the sheriff's department. While there appear to be connections to the earlier events, something about this one raises doubts in Zane's mind. I loved following the investigation and the twists and turns before it was finally solved. The ending was a nail-biter as Ashley ended up in the cross-hairs of a desperate killer. I was impressed with her ability to remain reasonably calm and take an active part in her own rescue. I loved her confidence that Zane would reach her in time. The epilogue was great, and an excellent way of showing the Alexander siblings moving on with their lives.

The secondary characters played essential parts in the story. Dylan, of course, as a person of interest because of his association with both Mallory and the recently murdered woman. I liked his confidence that Zane would treat him fairly, and his attempts to get Ashley to lighten up on Zane. The sheriff's department secretary, Cheri, flat out irritated me. Even in the first book I wondered why Zane had hired such an obviously immature girl for a job like that. In this book, her gossip was even more inappropriate, and her actions were downright stupid when it came to specific events. I also hated her attitude toward her so-called best friend's engagement. Her treatment of Dylan was creepy, and I thoroughly understood Ashley's dislike of her. Another character that continued to rub me the wrong way was the newspaper guy, Randall Piper. I agreed with Ashley when she said he should be working for the tabloids. His rudeness and lack of empathy toward the victims was infuriating. I also didn't like the way he denigrated the sheriff's department. I kept waiting for him to take something far enough that he'd be in trouble, but he always skated just close enough to avoid any consequences.

 

Saving the Sister - Cindi Myers (Cindi Myers - June 2019)

Series: Callahan County Cold Case (Book 1)

Reunited lovers join forces to battle a killer. The disappearance of 16 year old Mallory Jameson fifteen years ago shook the rural mountain communities of Callahan County Colorado. When a hiker discovers Mallory's remains, investigating the cold case reunites Sheriff's Deputy DJ Harris with the woman he never forgot - and a danger that threatens what he holds most dear.

Terrific start to the trilogy. I was sucked right into the story and read it and the two others straight through. They certainly made my trans-Atlantic flight "fly" right by. Each book deals with the cold case investigation of Mallory Jameson's murder, but also has a new mystery that is solved by the end of the book. All were gripping tales.

Lauren is a counselor at the high school she attended as a student. She loves helping students plan their futures. I enjoyed seeing the interactions between her and her students. It's evident that they love and respect her. Her life had changed, and not for the better when her older sister disappeared, and her high school counselor had a significant impact on her life. I ached for Lauren as I read about how she was pretty much ignored by her parents after Mallory's disappearance. The bright spot in her life was her growing friendship with the school "bad boy" Donny Harris until he was sent away.

Deputy DJ Harris came back to Diamond Springs after turning his life around. I liked hearing about what changed his outlook and how he turned it into positive action. It was pretty sweet to hear him tell Lauren about what brought him back home, in spite of the bad memories that were there.

The story opened as DJ sat in front of Lauren's condo, reminiscing on Mallory's disappearance as he works up to telling her that Mallory's remains were found by a hiker. I liked his concern for her, the care he used in telling her the news, and his willingness to help her through what happens next. I was impressed by Lauren's calmness as she heard what he had to say, and her need for the closure of seeing Mallory's remains. I loved the scene at the coffee shop, as DJ gives Lauren a chance to process everything before going home alone. I liked seeing them both remember their past friendship and had to laugh at DJ's shock when she told him about her crush on him. He never thought someone as good as her would even look twice at someone like him. He was even more surprised by her emphatic belief that he was a good person who just needed a chance.

I really liked the development of Lauren and DJ's relationship. It didn't take long for their old friendship to reassert itself. DJ's protectiveness kicked in with the threats against Lauren, and Lauren found it very easy to trust him. The chemistry was clear between them, and I enjoyed seeing Lauren take the lead in giving in to it. Both of them had grown up in difficult circumstances giving them a solid empathy for each other and ease of understanding each other's motivations. I loved the ending and Lauren's belief that DJ would be there for her.

The suspense of the story was excellent. It starts with the discovery of Mallory's remains, and the sheriff's department's determination to solve the cold case. There are very few clues to go on, leaving them to start nearly from the beginning. Things get more complicated when Lauren begins receiving letters that are eerily like the ones her sister received before her disappearance. The tension escalates when the note-leaver breaks into Lauren's home to leave one of the notes. The attacks feel personal, and several people are possible suspects. I was on the edge of my seat as the book progressed and the intensity grew. The final confrontation itself was a nail-biter, though the bad guy wasn't a complete surprise. I loved that a sharp-eyed student played an essential role in Lauren's rescue.

The secondary characters are all well done. DJ's fellow law enforcement officers show their determination to solve Mallory's murder and also keep Lauren safe. I liked the scenes that showed their actions and thought processes. Lauren's friend Mia was terrific. I enjoyed her teasing Lauren about DJ, but also that she was right there when Lauren needed the support. I especially liked the two students that we got to see. Sophie is exactly the type of student that Lauren became a counselor to help. I ached for what she was going through and loved that talking to Lauren gave her the strength she needed to succeed. I liked Lauren's support of Trey and his plans for the future, and her willingness to stand up to his parents to make them see past their own desires. Jessica was a bit of comic relief with her over-the-top reactions to the discovery of Mallory's remains. Her ability to make it all about her made me shake my head in disbelief. The newspaper editor was a pain in the neck. I hated the way he harassed Lauren and made snide comments about DJ and the sheriff's department. I completely empathized with both Lauren and DJ and their desire to inflict bodily harm on the man.

When I finished this book I was happy that I had the next one so that I could see what was going to happen next.

 

To Bed the Bride - Karen Ranney (Avon - Nov 2019)

Series: All for Love (Book 3)

Politics has introduced MP Logan McKnight to many fascinating people, but the lady he encounters on the lands bordering his ancestral Scottish home outshines them all. Eleanor Craig of Hearthmere seats a Thoroughbred like a queen, knows as much about world events as any of his colleagues -- and is engaged to one of the worst men Logan knows. She also seems lonely, so Logan brings her a friend. Thus should their acquaintance end, yet it's only just begun.

The puppy Logan delivers is every bit as irresistible as the man himself. How could this stranger sense the isolation Eleanor suffers among her scheming, snobbish extended family and fiancé who control her life? It's even worse in London -- until she begins meeting Logan secretly in a secluded park. Their passionate connection frees Eleanor, body and soul. But discovery threatens disgrace -- or worse.

Good book, though it did have a few spots that dragged a little. Eleanor was orphaned at the age of eleven when her beloved father died. Her life at her Highland home of Hearthmere, with its rich traditions and its long line of famous horses, had been very happy to that point. Her aunt and uncle became her guardians, but when her uncle died also, her aunt moved them to London, reducing Eleanor's time at Hearthmere to one month a year. Eleanor lives for those months when she can return home and be her true self instead of the pale version dictated by her life in London.

Eleanor's most recent visit has been reduced to two weeks by the direction of her aunt and Eleanor's new fiancé, the Earl of Westcott. She's not happy about it but has accepted that her life will change with her marriage. One of the first things she does is head out on a ride where she encounters Logan, an MP on an incognito vacation, who she mistakes for a shepherd. Something about Logan unsettles her and gets under her skin, while Logan is utterly fascinated by Eleanor's looks and intelligence. But he can also see that she is lonely.

I liked the development of the relationship between Eleanor and Logan. There were sparks between them from the start, but Eleanor is caught up in her "London Eleanor" persona and ignores them. The only feeling she allows to surface is annoyance at the way he talks to her. I liked the way that Logan recognizes that there is more to her than she allows to show. He knows he should leave her alone, but something about her calls to him. Because he senses her loneliness, Logan gives Eleanor a border collie puppy that he hopes will be a friend. Eleanor doesn't want the puppy at first, but it isn't long before Bruce wiggles his way into her heart. When Eleanor returns to London, she never expects to see Logan again. She's stunned when he shows up at a dinner party at her aunt's house, and she discovers that he is a member of Parliament.

Though she knows it is wrong, Eleanor and Logan begin to meet secretly as friends, bonding first over Bruce's training. They grow closer as Eleanor finds herself increasingly willing to be herself in Logan's company. She also begins to chafe under the treatment she receives from her family and fiancé. Her family frequently shows their selfishness and disdain for the benefits they have received from being part of her life. I detested her Aunt Deborah and cousin Daphne and the way they browbeat her. But the one who really angered me was her fiancé, Michael. The more I saw of him, the more I wanted her to get away from him. His attitude toward Bruce would have been the last straw for me, but Eleanor was still stuck in her "family first" mindset. I was so glad that Eleanor was able to call on Logan for help in that situation. I ached for them both because, by this time, they knew that the pull between them was becoming irresistible. Logan's sense of honor was incredibly strong. But when Eleanor overheard Michael's plans for Hearthmere, she knew she couldn't marry him. What she never expected were the over-the-top actions of her family to force her into the marriage. I was horrified by what they did and waited as desperately as Eleanor did for Logan to rescue her. I was on the edge of my seat until it was all over. The ending was great, especially with the revelation of Logan's secret. The only thing that would have made it better would be to see her family's reaction when they found out!

 I had two favorite secondary characters. First, of course, was Bruce. He was adorable, from his attacks on Eleanor's shoes to his absolute devotion to her. He made me laugh in many places, and I could see the difference he made in Eleanor's life. I loved his part in her rescue. The other character I loved was Logan's housekeeper, Mrs. Campbell. She was so kind and warm-hearted and was precisely what Eleanor needed in her life. I liked that she was the one who brought Eleanor's absence to Logan's attention and that she involved herself in finding out what was wrong.

 

One Christmas Eve - Shannon Stacey (Carina Press - Nov 2019)

Series: Cedar Street (Book 2)

They couldn't be more different. Or more perfect for each other.

Zoe Randall is busy living her life as she damn well pleases. She's back in her favorite town, her divorce in her rearview mirror, and living out her childhood dream of running a bookstore with her cousin. She has no interest in the uptight nerd who opened his boring-ass business next to her shop…until he complains about one of her sexy window displays.

Then it's game on.

Preston Wheeler knows he takes life a little too seriously. But when the saucy bookseller next door starts pushing his buttons, he can feel that changing. Beautiful, vivacious Zoe challenges him in all the best ways, and soon he's pushing her buttons right back: teasing and flirting all the way through the holiday season.

As Preston loosens up and Zoe is treated to the man behind the suit (particularly his forearms), she realizes she's more interested than she cares to admit. And Preston comes to see the beauty -- the absolute delight -- in adding Zoe's bright splashes of color to his once very black-and-white existence.

Short, fun story about two people who have been hurt in the past, and who, in spite of their differences, turn out to be exactly what each other needs. Zoe moved to her favorite town after her divorce and opened a bookstore with her best friend. After years of suffering through her ex's attempts to stifle the more vibrant parts of her personality, Zoe refuses to bow down to anyone else's opinion ever again. This has gotten her into trouble with the town council on occasion when they object to her sometimes over-the-top window displays.

Preston is a financial planner who is tired of the rat race in the city. Looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, he finds Cedar Street to be the perfect place to set up his new office. That is until he gets a good look at the display window of the bookstore next to his office. Those racy displays are not the first impression he's looking forward to for his new clients.

I loved Preston and Zoe's first face-to-face encounter. Preston was already a little stressed over the opening of his business and being cut off by a driver that morning. Being faced with a racy store window managed to get on his last nerve. But he couldn't just take a deep breath and let it go. Since he had to get the key to his office from the bookstore owner anyway, he went in, got the key, and then made a comment about the "unsuitability" of the window. Zoe, who takes great pride in her creative displays, was not amused, especially since Preston's attitude reminded her far too much of her ex's. Words were exchanged, leaving both with bad first impressions. Unfortunately for both, underneath the aggravation were also sparks of attraction, something neither was happy about.

I thoroughly enjoyed the development of their relationship. Though initially antagonistic, it didn't take long for Zoe and Preston to begin a fun sort of flirtation. I liked the way that Zoe used her windows to poke at Preston's uptightness, and how Preston quickly began to appreciate Zoe's quirkiness. I loved seeing the chemistry building between them, though each was wary of doing anything about it. Zoe was still recovering her sense of self after her ex's attempts to stifle her. She is reluctant to trust her heart to someone who has the potential to be just as judgmental. Preston's self-esteem with women has taken a beating from former girlfriends who break up with him because "he's too boring" so he's in no rush to get involved with someone so colorful. I liked watching them get to know each other and discover that they balanced each other quite nicely.

There were some cute scenes of them together, especially as the chemistry heated up. I laughed out loud at the scene after Abe's party, when Zoe took an obviously drunk Preston home and refused to take advantage of him. I ached for them both as their feelings for each other grew, but their fears held them back. The big misunderstanding at the end was heartbreaking as it played right into those fears. I liked the visit Preston received from Noah, who gave him some good advice. Preston's big moment at the end was sweet and romantic. The epilogue was terrific. I loved seeing them a year later and the changes in both of them.