She's the girl he never forgot. Now he's back, determined
to win her heart a second time.
Jen O'Keefe thought she put Drew Laramie behind her when
he left town and left her heart in pieces. Ten years later, she's built a great
life for herself in Larch Valley. But her carefully built world is turned
upside down when Drew returns to take over the Lazy L Ranch. Suddenly he's
everywhere, tearing the scabs off old wounds and unearthing long-forgotten
feelings.
Drew hates how badly he hurt Jen. He's spent a decade
kicking himself while running from the family secret that upended his life. He's
come home determined to make amends for his sins. Top of his list is rebuilding
his relationship with Jen. But it's going to take more than an apology to earn
her trust again - not to mention win back her love.
When a spring snowstorm descends upon the valley, Jen and
Drew are stranded with nowhere to go and a lot of baggage to sort through. Will
this be his chance to prove he's back at the Lazy L for good?
Emotional second chance story about two people with a lot
of history together. Jen and Drew were high school sweethearts until he left
town and never returned, breaking her heart. Ten years later, owner of a
successful bakery, she believes she is long over him. That belief goes up in
smoke when Drew returns to take over the family ranch, and she discovers her
old feelings aren't dead after all.
After fleeing from a devastating family secret, Drew became
a respected veterinarian on the horse racing circuit. Burned out by some of the
things he's seen and done, he returned home to set up a rescue ranch. He still
kicks himself for how he hurt Jen, and when he sees her again, she makes it
clear she hasn't forgiven him.
I enjoyed watching the rekindling of the relationship
between Drew and Jen. Wary of letting him too close, Jen agrees to cater his benefit
barn dance while trying to protect her heart. It isn't easy, and the more time
she spends with Drew, the more her old feelings revive. Spending time with Jen
feels right, and Drew wants more, but his fears keep him from believing it's
possible. I loved watching them get to know each other as adults. Some sweet
scenes between them give hope for their future, but then some piece of the past
would drive them apart again. I wanted to shake Drew several times for not
sharing what happened with his father with Jen. Jen received her own cross-eyed
looks every time she poked at Drew's pain.
An unexpected discovery reveals something that changes
Drew's perspective on his past and exacerbates his insecurities. Despite an
emotional snowstorm-driven encounter, Drew's fears resurface the next morning.
I cried for Jen when Drew once again pushed her away. I also cheered when she
stood up for her own needs and desires. It pained me to see them say hurtful
things to each other, but it sure got all their issues out in the open. I loved
the ending as Drew finally put his past to rest. Their big moment at the end
was sweet.
One of the things I liked best about this book was the
caring community. Much of Jen's strength came from the support she received
from the townspeople after Drew left. Despite his past, those same people
stepped up to help Drew get his rescue program started. The heart-wrenching
scene of the wreck involving the trailer full of horses showed the big hearts of those
who jumped in to help. 
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