Review

Joy Moorehouse has her hands full. She is the primary caretaker for her grandmother, who is suffering from dementia, her traumatized brother, who was recently hurt in an accident, and her family’s tanking business. For years, she has crushed on Grayson Bennett, the local rich political consultant who is originally from her small town. He’s back home and her family is catering an event that leads to an unexpected romance and a self discovery that Joy is not really sure she is ready for.

Grayson Bennett has finally noticed the shy and meek Joy Moorehouse. The quiet beauty is surprisingly strong and calls to Grayson. Joy is the kind of woman who deserves a good loving man, a man who can be faithful to her and that is everything Grayson is not. After watching his own mother whore around for years, he vows to never succumb to the power of love, but Joy has a way of making him want to be a better man.

I’m used to reading Ms. Ward’s infamous vampire series and this is a surprisingly light and sweet read. Yes, this is a true Harlequin formatted story but Ward brings depth to her characters and a honesty that resonates deeply. The characters both show growth and are fully fleshed out.

My only complaint is that it takes a long time to warm up to Grayson. I found his character to be a little too cold. During the second half of the book, he became vindictive towards Joy. Eventually he turns around but it takes a while, which is really distracting. I am glad that he found his way back to her.

The side characters are a wonderful addition to the story. I can’t wait to see what happens to Joy’s brother. After the trauma and pain he has experienced, he deserves his own happily ever after.