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A novel of small-town hearts and big dreams—from the author of Hope Ignites and the Play-by-Play novel Straddling the Line…

Molly Burnett dreads returning to her hometown of Hope for her sister’s wedding, especially knowing she’ll have to endure a weekend with the one man she never wants to see again. It’s only a couple of days, so Molly will try to forget her painful past with high school sweetheart Carter Richards. Because despite the bitter memories, she still can’t forget what they once meant to each other.

But when Molly is forced to extend her stay, Carter sees this as his second chance to do things right, to start over again with the only woman he’s ever loved. This time, he isn’t going to let Molly run. Together they’re going to confront the past and put it behind them, and hope for a future as bright as the flame that still burns hot between them.

Other books in the Hope series:

 

I always enjoy a good reunited lover’s trope and Burton does a very good job of giving this one a nice touch. As part of her continuing Hope series, this story is all about the high school sweethearts, Molly and Carter, who broke up back in the day. Molly went running, as the blurb says, and now she’s back in town for her sister’s wedding. Only when does a wedding ever happen without a few wrenches thrown in the mix.

Molly is one of those no-nonsense heroines who is stubborn and believes she’s got everything planned, except the plan is to never stay in one place too long. Also, this pretty girl may be smart when it comes to getting things done, but she’s not smart about expressing her emotions. Bottling everything inside and keeping secrets from everyone is her common theme, her Achilles heel. That grief spills over into her interactions with Carter. Luckily he’s not the guy he was in high school. A man who owns multiple auto mechanic shops wouldn’t be successful if he was.

Carter is definitely my kind of guy. He’s sweet, thoughtful, and good with his hands. Drag your minds out of the gutter and listen… he’s renovating a house. Completely by himself and he likes to decorate for the holidays. Plus, he watches football. I’m putty in the hands of a man who does all this and watches football. Sign me up. This hero’s biggest issue is committing for the long haul and finding the right woman.

I will admit this is not a story with a lot of external conflict. The majority of the story is two people falling in love again. In fact, these are two people who thought they knew each other and come to find out, they don’t.

Burton continues to do a magnificent job of blending romance with a small town setting. If I didn’t love my current home so much I’d want to live in Hope. *Coughs* If I wasn’t married, I’d go there for the guys. Pacing is solid and you can’t help but wish you could gather around the table with all the girls or out at the BBQ with the guys and tell a few jokes.

That being said, it’s a good, rainy day read. Something to cuddle up on the couch with. If you like autumn/winter romances this book has Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all-wrapped up in it. Which reminds me of really enjoying on Burton writes time changes, seamlessly.

I am looking forward to the next Hope series book and wishing for Bash to be the one to fall next or maybe Luke’s brother, Reid. Can’t decide and hopefully, pun intended, I won’t have to wait long.

Reviewed by Landra
Heat Level: Hot

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