In Magnolia, North Carolina, love might be waiting right
next door…Meredith Ventner knows a wounded creature when she sees one. Though
her temporary new neighbor may be -- on the surface at least -- a successful,
drop-dead gorgeous doctor, she recognizes the deep hurt Ryan Sorensen is
carrying, and it's catnip to her soul. But even though Meredith is the
youngest, scrappiest and single-est of Magnolia's most famous sisters, she's
committed to expanding the animal shelter on her newly inherited farm. She can't
waste her energy on a man who's only passing through town.
Ryan is hoping that after a month of small-town living
he'll be healed enough to return to his busy ER. His injured leg isn't half as
painful as his guilt from the tragedy he's trying to forget. Yet somehow,
helping feisty, tenderhearted Meredith care for her menagerie is making him
question his career-first priorities. Here in this quirky small town another
future is coming into view, but can he change his life, and open his heart, to
claim it?
Terrific conclusion to the Magnolia Sisters trilogy.
Avery, Carrie, and Meredith are half-sisters who discovered their connection
after the death of their father. Left to deal with their father's financial
mismanagement, they've spent the last six months restoring stability to their
properties and the town. Along the way, Avery and Carrie found love. Meredith's
inheritance was the farm where she runs her animal rescue. She barely makes
ends meet, and the taxes on the property will be due soon. Meredith has big
dreams for the property and applies to many places for grants to help her.
The story opens as Meredith shows up at a new neighbor's
house, looking for help with an injured man. Ryan is a doctor, temporarily staying
in Magnolia while he recovers from an injury he received on the job. He doesn't
want to go with her, but she won't take no for an answer. Neither one has any
inkling of the impact they will have on each other's lives.
I liked both Meredith and Ryan. Meredith leans toward the
blunt end of the social skill set. After her mother left them, she was the only
girl in the family with a somewhat gruff father and two older brothers. Her
mother's desertion and a traumatic event while in high school left Meredith
with a very low opinion of herself and her abilities. Add in the shock of the
revelations about her birth father and two previously unknown sisters, and
Meredith struggles with figuring out who she is. She built walls around her
heart and buries herself in her work with the animals to avoid thinking about
her problems. One thing Meredith has going for her is a sensitive and kind heart.
I love her devotion to her animals and her determination to give them the best
she can.
Ryan came to Magnolia to heal, not just from his physical
injury but also from the emotional trauma. He's hiding out, wallowing a bit in
the guilt he feels, but also going a bit stir-crazy. Though born to a wealthy
family, Ryan's father raised him and his sister to focus on service to others
rather than personal pleasure. Even family vacations were spent on volunteer opportunities
instead of any fun or relaxation. As a result, Ryan focuses on work and has no
close friends or hobbies. He also puts distance between himself and the family's
wealthy side to avoid being judged for something he doesn't want.
I loved the development of the relationship between
Meredith and Ryan. Their first meeting, as Meredith practically kidnapped Ryan,
was both funny and a little heartbreaking. It hurt to see Ryan so deep in his
guilt that he was afraid to help. Once he was there, he was okay, though still
trying to maintain his distance. But a funny thing happened, as Ryan found
himself connecting with Meredith and her animals. That connection freaked him
out a little, and it took a couple of tries before he became comfortable around
her. As the attraction between them sparked and simmered, their friendship also
grew. I liked Ryan's protectiveness and support as he helped her with the
rescue. I especially liked how Ryan refused to let Meredith put herself down
around him and worked to show her how amazing she is. Working with Meredith and
getting to know other locals showed Ryan what was missing in his city life.
The more time Meredith and Ryan spent together, the more
their feelings for each other grew, though neither wanted to admit it. Meredith
knows he doesn't plan to stay, and she doesn't see herself as appealing enough
to keep him there. Ryan still insists to himself that he will return to his previous
life and forget his time in Magnolia. But just as it looks like they might
finally see the truth, a secret Ryan's been keeping comes out and runs up
against one of Meredith's deepest insecurities. I hurt for Ryan as Meredith
refused to listen to him, making him rethink his plans. Meredith's feelings of
betrayal drove her to say some hurtful things. I loved seeing friends and
family get involved in bringing the two back together.
The family dynamics in the book added to the emotional
journeys of both Meredith and Ryan. Ryan's we mostly see through his memories
of the past and the effects of his parents' actions on his life. We get a brief
introduction to his sister, Emma, who makes a quick visit to Magnolia. Their
conversation reveals a lot about why Ryan distances himself from his family and
shows how much he cares for his sister. Another meaningful relationship is that
of Meredith with her family. Her relationship with her dad changed when the
truth of her birth came out. The distance between them hurts Meredith. I liked
seeing the beginnings of a return to normal after Meredith's accident and her
dad and brothers arrival to help. I also enjoyed seeing the continued closeness
between Avery, Carrie, and Meredith. I especially enjoyed seeing Avery and
Carrie work on Meredith's self-worth and help her steer through her
relationship with Ryan.
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