Crossroads

New Beginnings #1

by Irene Hannon

Struggling to raise her teenage son, single mom Tess Lockhart seeks help from his school principal, Mitch Jackson. Rich in faith and understanding, these two people also find romance with one another and work together to become a family.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Love Inspired, Christian, Christian Fiction, Christian Romance, Fiction

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Irene Hannon, who writes both contemporary romance and romantic suspense, is the author of more than 65 novels. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA awards from Romance Writers of America (the “Oscar” of romance fiction) and she is a member of that organization's elite Hall of Fame. She has also received a Career Achievement award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Other awards for individual books include National Readers' Choice, HOLT Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers Choice, Booksellers' Best, and Reviewers' Choice from RT Book Reviews. She is also a two-time Christy award finalist.

Millions of her books have been sold worldwide, and her novels have been translated into multiple languages.

A former corporate communications executive with a Fortune 500 company, Irene now writes full time. To learn more about Irene and her books, visit www.irenehannon.com.

Reviews

[Shirley Karshner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Predictable

This book was an interesting read but very predictable.... sort of like Hallmark movies!! In fact, this would make a very good Hallmark movie!!

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Irene always writes the best stories! This one is full of heart and emotions and is such a great story. Really enjoyed this one!

[Parkland Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ & 1/4 (4.25 stars)
Read: February 2024
Format: Kindle e-Book
Challenge Prompt: CNL’s #18 of 50 — “with a single mother or father”

Book #20 of 2024: I’ve read most of this author’s romantic suspense but this is one of her older books. It’s book 1 in a series.

I really enjoyed this story. The main characters are both so likeable from the start. I absolutely loved the Uncle. He was a hoot and a half. Such wisdom! My heart went out to Bruce and all he had been through in his life. Mitch’s selfless efforts and caring attitude exemplifies kindness and giving.

[Gracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

AAAWWWWW ^_^

Now that was a good read...

Thank you once again My FRIEND Ekztine hehe

Much thanks to the author too, Miss Irene Hannon! It was a great experience. Well done. :)

[January · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crossroads by Irene Hannon
New Beginnings #1
228-page Libby Ebook

Genre: Christian Romance

Featuring: Loved Inspired, Synopsis, Excerpt, Author's Bibliography, Epigraph, Letter From Author, Jefferson City, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; Single Mom, Troubled Teen, Reporter, Cop Turned Principal, New Start Trope, New Kid Trope, Bad Crowd, Trust Issues, Divorcée, Widower, Death, Drug Abuse, Sexual References, Emotional Abuse

Rating as a movie: PG-13

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔒📰🏫

My thoughts: 🔖Page 93 of 228 I have the audio for this story but it doesn't match the print at all, so I've been double-reading, it's like reading a rough and final draft, the audio has the better choices. The POV even changes between the two, the end of Chapter Two ends with Tess's POV in the ebook and Mitch's in the audio.

This was darker than I expected but I enjoyed it. The audiobook has been completely revised So I pretty much read 2 different versions of the same story, the audio had better vocabulary and scenes, so I think it's the new version. I'm starting book 2 later on today.

Recommend to others: Yes, this is a good story about a single mom and a principal.


New Beginnings
1. Crossroads (2003)
2. All Our Tomorrows (2006)

[Beth Westcott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Crossroads, a second chance contemporary romance with several story threads that draw together in a satisfying conclusion. The characters and plot are interesting and realistic. The single mom, Tess, whose self-confidence has been shattered by her ex-husband, is really invested in her teenage son, Bruce. His struggles with adjusting to a new town, a new school, and finding friends are authentic. High school principal Mitch Jackson is committed to the well-being of the students but has to realize he can't save them all.

[Lesley Barklay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely Christian romance about a single mother who is struggling to support her teenage son, and a principal who is trying to atone for the mistakes in his past.

Seriously, the amount of trauma these two characters went through is crazy, so it was nice that they were able to support each other towards a better ending.

It was nice to see the portrayal of a cop turned principal who just wants to help kids choose a better path.

While faith is mentioned, and the characters follow Christian values, I wouldn't say that it is a huge part of the narrative.

[Glynis Halliday · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read

The storyline, the dialogue and the characters in ‘Crossroads’, makes you feel that the story is totally real.

I just loved that Tess and Mitch have histories that are very different to each other, but each seem to know exactly how to understand the other.

This is a lovely feel good story. Keep the tissues handy, as there are many emotional scenes, which will leave you both sad and happy at different times.

It’s always refreshing to read a story which is a clean read and one that shows the faith of the characters too.

Highly recommended.

[Debbyanne Southwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chance at New love!

I liked everything about the town and the characters. The problems they shared could happen in every day life! Heart break and pain that they found hard to come back from but with a new sense of faith and love they were able to start again! A truly wonderful story that I would recommend to adults and young teenagers as there was a lot of things we all can relate to and our own struggles we face each day!

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family Relationships

Any book by Irene Hannon does not disappoint. While I enjoy her suspense novels and all her Hope Harbor
books, it is always exciting to discover an Encore edition appear! This is a novella and therefore a quick read, but all the emotions are there. Highly recommend . Excited to have Book 2!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

tess and her sone bruce move to town in hopes of a better life. mitch is the principal now at the school bruce goes to . bruce is hanging out with the wrong kids and mitch tries to help. this is a good story about what can happen if a child is left on their own to long. and why mitch changed from a policeman to a principal.

[Gerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story and a quick read. The main characters, Tess, Mitch, Bruce and Uncle Ray were great. There were many subject matters covered in this book and all were done well.

This book was clean and inspiring. It does mention faith however it’s just enough.

Irene Hannon is a very good author and I recommend all of her books.

[NancyDrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful story but lacking in places

While I didn't like a couple of things that happened, I overall liked this book and hope to read more from this author. ..took off two stars because of what happened to Tony,did not agree with how the author handled that situation, could have been different and still been effective, like drug rehab...

[Ophelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is for all the parents out there trying to do their best, your best is good enough.

An insightful read. Parenting is a joy at best and headache at worst , with all the other nuances inbetween. A difficult read in certain respects but some hard hitting truths handled expertly. Sadness and joy.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tess Lockwood is a single mom raising a teenage son, Bruce.

Mitch Jackson is the principal at Bruce's school.

Can the two of them overcome the demons of their individual pasts to face a future together?

[Jeannette Harbottle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broken lives find healing

This book's understated faith and the way it dealt with real issues of rejection and guilt, while weaving a story of hope and healing made this a really good read.

[babrara wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A principle helping kids

This was a wonderful story about how a principle had came from being a cop to a man helping trouble kids at school. He found out this was his calling now. He helped a new student and fell in love with his mom. A great story and happy ending.

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story!

Well written story with great
character development. Very
believable. I always enjoy reading Ms
Hannon's books. She always brings real life subjects into her books.

[Cindi Burleson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chances

This is a great book about recovery and second chances. We all need a second chance sometimes! God is the author of second chances and he is who we should look to first. Make sure to put this on your reading list. For this spring!

[Sherrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chances Happen

This book captures all the challenges of trying to start over when life has kicked you in the teeth. Tess and Mitch are far from perfect, but their hearts connect as they work to get her teenage son back on the right path.

[Patricia M. Marston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can Love Win?

The main characters are dealing with deep pain from events that happened to them in their past. The author has a great way of weaving meaningful conversations into their daily life. I totally enjoyed this book.

[Judy Matkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOT YOUR AVERAGE BOY MEETS GIRL, THEY FALL IN LOVE!

A well-written, interesting, story of two people with a roomful of "baggage", and the twists and turns that bring them together. I don't usually read "love stories" but I was hooked on this one from' page 1. Don't miss it.

[Jeanette S. Stracner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book!

Irene Hannon did a wonderful job in this novel. Mitch Jackson was a principal who had been I cop in his former life. Tess Lockwood brought her son Bruce in to the school at middle of the school year. Both have life issues. Jeanette Stracner

[Jeanette S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irene Hannon did a marvelous job on this novel. Mitch Jackson was the principal at the new school that Bruce Lockwood was in rolled in the middle of the year. He had Bruce get his mother Tess Lockwood to come to the school. Life issues on both sides are good. Jeanette Stracner

[Patricia Whittington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful Story

This was a wonderful story about two adults who really doubted themselves about their own worth. Since I don't want to reveal too much about this story I will just say you need to read it. I 100% recommend reading this heartwarming book.

[Janice Corturillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that takes on the topics of coming to grip with your past, forgiveness, and second chances without becoming overwhelming! I love reading Irene Hannon books. The more she writes the better she's gotten!

[Joleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet little romance about a woman and her troubled son who are going through some difficulties in a new big city (St. Louis), and the school principal who seems to be watching her son like a hawk.

Nice story, nice ending, and a realistic conflict.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspirational romance.

[Paula White · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read. Lovely romance.