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A Valley Ridge Wedding #2
April Showers
Rainbows don't come without rain
The world you want isn't always how the world is. Former marine Sebastian Bennington discovers that upon his return to Valley Ridge for a friend's wedding. Even his grandfather's health isn't what he's expecting. Nor is the interference from his grandfather's young business partner, Lily Paul.
Even more aggravating, Lily seems to know everything about Sebastian, thanks to his grandfather. But Sebastian can't get her to open up about anything. Is she using all that merry sunshine to hide something deeper and darker? He's determined to find out, as long as their crazy attraction for each other doesn't get in the way….
The world you want isn't always how the world is. Former marine Sebastian Bennington discovers that upon his return to Valley Ridge for a friend's wedding. Even his grandfather's health isn't what he's expecting. Nor is the interference from his grandfather's young business partner, Lily Paul.
Even more aggravating, Lily seems to know everything about Sebastian, thanks to his grandfather. But Sebastian can't get her to open up about anything. Is she using all that merry sunshine to hide something deeper and darker? He's determined to find out, as long as their crazy attraction for each other doesn't get in the way….
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Holly Jacobs
178 books281 followersHolly Jacobs leads a life full of romance and adventure. From skydiving to jet-setting around Europe, from snorkeling in coral reefs to writing while wearing beautiful silk peignoir sets and popping chocolate bonbons, Holly Jacobs leads a life that is the epitome of romance...
Well, my fictional life sounds more interesting, but not better than my real life. Really, I'm the happily married mother of four. I cook a lot, garden and weave baskets! I write for Montlake Romance and Harlequin. My books range from lighthearted comedies to more serious dramas...but at heart, they're all stories of love.
You can visit me at
http://www.HollyJacobs.com.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/HollyJacobsA...
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/HollyJacobs1
PINTEREST: http://www.pinterest.com/hollyjacobs1/
I don't always set out to write a series of books, but seem to find myself gravitating to them. Because so many people have asked, I've posted lists of all my series in order at www.hollyjacobs.com/bookseries.html. I really try to make each story stand alone, but many of my readers enjoy reading the series in order. Hope this helps!
Thank you to everyone who's picked up a single book, or more of them. I'm so lucky to be surrounded by so much support!
Holly
Well, my fictional life sounds more interesting, but not better than my real life. Really, I'm the happily married mother of four. I cook a lot, garden and weave baskets! I write for Montlake Romance and Harlequin. My books range from lighthearted comedies to more serious dramas...but at heart, they're all stories of love.
You can visit me at
http://www.HollyJacobs.com.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/HollyJacobsA...
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/HollyJacobs1
PINTEREST: http://www.pinterest.com/hollyjacobs1/
I don't always set out to write a series of books, but seem to find myself gravitating to them. Because so many people have asked, I've posted lists of all my series in order at www.hollyjacobs.com/bookseries.html. I really try to make each story stand alone, but many of my readers enjoy reading the series in order. Hope this helps!
Thank you to everyone who's picked up a single book, or more of them. I'm so lucky to be surrounded by so much support!
Holly
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 24, 2016
I really enjoyed this story. Actually, I'm enjoying the series. I'm so glad I took a chance and bought one of Holly Jacob's books. In this particular installment we read Sebastian and Lily' s tale of love and romance.
Lily was a nurse who had moved to Valley Ridge to escape her past. Her father drank and beat Lily' s mother. He'd hit Lily once but after her mother threatened to leave him if he ever raised a hand to Lily again, he'd stayed away from her. Now Lily was renting an apartment from Hank, who owns the local diner. She also helps out there and recently became a silent partner in the business. She's very concerned about Hank as he's showing signs of dementia. She writes to Hanks' s grandson, Sebastian, who is in the military, telling him he needs to come home.
Sebastian was severely injured in an automobile accident and because of the damage done to his left hand, he's been forced to leave the military. He's angry at the fact he can't go back to fighting with his men. His whole life was wrapped up in being a Marine. Now he's getting letters from some woman who's ingratiated herself into his grandfather's life, even buying part of the man's business, and claiming Hank was growing confused and needed to see a doctor. When he finally goes home, he and Lily butt heads right away. Of course it doesn't help that he accuses her of taking advantage of Hank, only being out for his money. Couple that with the fact he isn't coping well with his injury and well, sparks fly.
Lily tries to be patient with Sebastian. She knows he's hurting and not just physically either, but he's going to have to get over it because his grandfather needs his help. Although Sebastian does his best to deny there's anything wrong, eventually he sees for himself that Hank has a problem. And thanks to Lily' s patience and ever-sunny attitude, Seb is beginning to overcome some of his bitterness while working to discover just who he is now that his former career was over.
Their relationship with one another begins to blossom even though neither one wants to get involved in anything personal. Sure they are physically attracted to one another but Lily insists she never wants to get married. Seb, himself, isn't looking to make a commitment, especially when he isn't sure what he's going to do with his life. Even so, the two of them manage to fall in love.
One thing I liked about this story is that their relationship didn't feel rushed but at the same time the story moved smoothly along at a solid pace without getting bogged down by their seeming reluctance to get involved. Both were struggling with issues in their lives but became friends in spite of their circumstances. Part of this was due to Hank. He was such a dear man, the type I would love to have for a grandfather. He treated Lily as though they were related and actually relied on her more than Sebastian, and because of Lily' s own concern for Hank, she finds herself working with Sebastian to make sure Hank gets the help he needs.
The secondary characters also add to the appeal of the story. These characters are from previous Valley Ridge books, although each book can be read as a stand alone novel. If you enjoy reading about small town life, like the feel of everyone knowing everyone else, you'll enjoy this one. There's also a wedding in the works and a desperate call for help from Lily' s mom.
Lily was a nurse who had moved to Valley Ridge to escape her past. Her father drank and beat Lily' s mother. He'd hit Lily once but after her mother threatened to leave him if he ever raised a hand to Lily again, he'd stayed away from her. Now Lily was renting an apartment from Hank, who owns the local diner. She also helps out there and recently became a silent partner in the business. She's very concerned about Hank as he's showing signs of dementia. She writes to Hanks' s grandson, Sebastian, who is in the military, telling him he needs to come home.
Sebastian was severely injured in an automobile accident and because of the damage done to his left hand, he's been forced to leave the military. He's angry at the fact he can't go back to fighting with his men. His whole life was wrapped up in being a Marine. Now he's getting letters from some woman who's ingratiated herself into his grandfather's life, even buying part of the man's business, and claiming Hank was growing confused and needed to see a doctor. When he finally goes home, he and Lily butt heads right away. Of course it doesn't help that he accuses her of taking advantage of Hank, only being out for his money. Couple that with the fact he isn't coping well with his injury and well, sparks fly.
Lily tries to be patient with Sebastian. She knows he's hurting and not just physically either, but he's going to have to get over it because his grandfather needs his help. Although Sebastian does his best to deny there's anything wrong, eventually he sees for himself that Hank has a problem. And thanks to Lily' s patience and ever-sunny attitude, Seb is beginning to overcome some of his bitterness while working to discover just who he is now that his former career was over.
Their relationship with one another begins to blossom even though neither one wants to get involved in anything personal. Sure they are physically attracted to one another but Lily insists she never wants to get married. Seb, himself, isn't looking to make a commitment, especially when he isn't sure what he's going to do with his life. Even so, the two of them manage to fall in love.
One thing I liked about this story is that their relationship didn't feel rushed but at the same time the story moved smoothly along at a solid pace without getting bogged down by their seeming reluctance to get involved. Both were struggling with issues in their lives but became friends in spite of their circumstances. Part of this was due to Hank. He was such a dear man, the type I would love to have for a grandfather. He treated Lily as though they were related and actually relied on her more than Sebastian, and because of Lily' s own concern for Hank, she finds herself working with Sebastian to make sure Hank gets the help he needs.
The secondary characters also add to the appeal of the story. These characters are from previous Valley Ridge books, although each book can be read as a stand alone novel. If you enjoy reading about small town life, like the feel of everyone knowing everyone else, you'll enjoy this one. There's also a wedding in the works and a desperate call for help from Lily' s mom.
May 2, 2013
Very good book. Sebastian has returned to Valley Ridge for his friend Colton's wedding before moving on to figure out his future. His return isn't what he was expecting. He is recovering from injuries that have ended his career in the Marines and is trying to decide who he is now. He expects the peace of home to help him. When he arrives he finds out that his grandfather's health is failing and his business partner is a young attractive woman who attracts and infuriates him. He doesn't want to accept Lily's concerns and is pretty rude to her at first. The fact that she knows so much about him because of his grandfather's stories is unsettling to him. I really liked the way that he soon realizes that Lily was right and he begins to spend more time with her as they care for Hank. He grows closer to her but sees that she has secrets behind her sunshiny personality that she won't share. He wants her to trust him and open herself to a future with him. I also enjoyed the way that in spite of his plans to leave after the wedding he gets more and more involved in the life of the town. His initial anger and guilt over his circumstances begin to lift as he feels more in control and useful. I loved the gentle way that he helped the old ladies and the way he helped young Joe by giving him a job helping with house repairs. I really liked the way he refused to give up on a relationship with Lily.
Lily had moved away from home to escape, though she stayed in touch with her mother. Lily's personality always seemed to be of the eternally happy, though we eventually get to see that she sometimes has to work at that happiness. When she came to Valley Ridge she immediately felt at home. I loved the way that she's more than just a home health nurse, that she gets involved in doing more than just nursing for her patients. She has gotten closer to people there, making good friends like Sophie and Mattie and feeling like part of Hank's family. Sebastian makes her angry when they first meet because he accuses her of some unfair things and refuses to accept her warnings about Hank. She sticks to her guns though and doesn't gloat when Sebastian finally realizes that she's right. She's attracted to him which worries her because she doesn't do relationships. She doesn't believe she is capable of trusting a man enough that way. Sebastian's plans to leave after the wedding make her feel safe in entering a temporary relationship with him. I like the way she begins to realize that she can trust him and starts to share things with him that she's never told anyone else. As they deal with Hank's issues she tries to ignore the growing feelings she has and reminds herself that he's leaving. She had a lot to overcome to accept that she could have a happy future too. I loved the way that she came to that realization.
I loved seeing the way that Lily and Sebastian worked together to help Hank. They didn't gloss over the problems and dealt with them in a realistic way. There were some wonderful scenes dealing with Hank's forgetfulness and confusion. I also enjoyed the set up for the next book. I had a feeling that things had been going too smoothly for Sophie and Colton.
Lily had moved away from home to escape, though she stayed in touch with her mother. Lily's personality always seemed to be of the eternally happy, though we eventually get to see that she sometimes has to work at that happiness. When she came to Valley Ridge she immediately felt at home. I loved the way that she's more than just a home health nurse, that she gets involved in doing more than just nursing for her patients. She has gotten closer to people there, making good friends like Sophie and Mattie and feeling like part of Hank's family. Sebastian makes her angry when they first meet because he accuses her of some unfair things and refuses to accept her warnings about Hank. She sticks to her guns though and doesn't gloat when Sebastian finally realizes that she's right. She's attracted to him which worries her because she doesn't do relationships. She doesn't believe she is capable of trusting a man enough that way. Sebastian's plans to leave after the wedding make her feel safe in entering a temporary relationship with him. I like the way she begins to realize that she can trust him and starts to share things with him that she's never told anyone else. As they deal with Hank's issues she tries to ignore the growing feelings she has and reminds herself that he's leaving. She had a lot to overcome to accept that she could have a happy future too. I loved the way that she came to that realization.
I loved seeing the way that Lily and Sebastian worked together to help Hank. They didn't gloss over the problems and dealt with them in a realistic way. There were some wonderful scenes dealing with Hank's forgetfulness and confusion. I also enjoyed the set up for the next book. I had a feeling that things had been going too smoothly for Sophie and Colton.
April 12, 2013
Sebastian's scars--emotional and actual--have wounded him and he goes home to seek what he'd always had, only to discover it isn't there anymore, nor is he the same kid who'd existed so many years earlier, or the marine he'd striven to be. Lily has escaped to Valley Ridge and found what she was seeking--but only because she denies that she can ever really love without conditions.
While this story focuses on their mutual journey to a more complete life, the secondary theme of Sophie and Colton's wedding is threaded throughout and ends this book with an unexpected twist when an objection of raised in the middle of their wedding. All of which makes me eager to read the NEXT book, if only to find out if that wedding of the "perfect couple" is actually going to end happily ever after!
While this story focuses on their mutual journey to a more complete life, the secondary theme of Sophie and Colton's wedding is threaded throughout and ends this book with an unexpected twist when an objection of raised in the middle of their wedding. All of which makes me eager to read the NEXT book, if only to find out if that wedding of the "perfect couple" is actually going to end happily ever after!
May 23, 2013
This is one of the best ,if not the best book I have read this year!!
If you have never read a book by Holly Jacobs,I can't recommend strongly enough that you do!
If you have never read a book by Holly Jacobs,I can't recommend strongly enough that you do!
May 7, 2013
I loved being back in the Valley Ridge, N.Y. setting again and seeing the characters from the first book. I loved Lily and Sebastian--they are complex, interesting characters and I enjoyed seeing them go from friends to lovers. And this book had me crying over some parts of it.
I understand how the town felt about Hank--I liked him a lot. I learned more about Alzheimer's that I didn't know, which is good, because I am going through this with my mom and I understand how Sebastian felt--that there was nothing he could do. I'm glad he found Lily to help him through.
I loved when Sebastian called Lily Webster and she talked about how much she loved words. I do, too. I've been hooked on the Merriam-Webster "Word of the Day" website since my a friend and co-worker (and brother from another mother) introduced me to this site when we worked together at a weekly newspaper.
My favorite scene in the book was Lily and Sebastian's first date--the picnic. I loved how Lily talked about the books she read when she was growing up and what she learned from each book. I can identify with that because my mom said when I was a kid, I'd come back from the library with stacks of books as big as I was. I can imagine what she'd say if she saw my TBR stack of e-books on my Kindle for PC app.
I also liked the part when Lily felt comfortable with the silence between her and Sebastian. I have friends (and my late husband) who understand that we don't have to talk constantly--sometimes the silence is better.
Really loved this book and am looking forward to Sophie and Colton's story--I wish that would have been the excerpt instead of the one that was there.
May 25, 2013
God that was a cruel ending!
April Showers was a great book. The more you read the more you fall in love with Lily and Sebastian.
It was sweet, it was lovely, it was heartbreaking and it was real.
But god, that ending!
LOL
I know, I know! I can’t complain too much, but gee I hate cliffies! *pout* It sure makes you want to read the next book and find out what will happen (not related to Lily and Seb though, so rest assured they have their ending).
It was a nice read, totally worth it.
April Showers was a great book. The more you read the more you fall in love with Lily and Sebastian.
It was sweet, it was lovely, it was heartbreaking and it was real.
But god, that ending!
LOL
I know, I know! I can’t complain too much, but gee I hate cliffies! *pout* It sure makes you want to read the next book and find out what will happen (not related to Lily and Seb though, so rest assured they have their ending).
It was a nice read, totally worth it.
June 22, 2013
One of those "feel good" books. This book made me happy and gave me hope. The characters are absolutely adorable and it is set in one of those places that anyone would wanna live in. The feeling of belonging, and being loved no matter who you are, where you come from, or what difficulties you've been through is just what this book is all about. Absolutely one of my favorites!
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May 1, 2013Miniseries: A Valley Ridge Wedding
Category: Romance with More
"Filled with interesting characters, this sweet, enjoyable read is, at its core, a story of family and friendship." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 1/2 stars
Category: Romance with More
"Filled with interesting characters, this sweet, enjoyable read is, at its core, a story of family and friendship." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 1/2 stars
October 14, 2013
This is the second in the Valley Ridge Trilogy and it just keeps getting better..This is Sebastian and Lily's story and I loved it..It does have a shocking ending that I didn't see coming..Highly recommend this book and series..
May 25, 2013
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
See my full review:
http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-apr...
See my full review:
http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-apr...
Read
December 29, 2014Miniseries: A Valley Ridge Wedding
Category: Romance with More
Category: Romance with More
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews