When Connor Smith has to unexpectedly care for his nine-year-old niece, he isn't prepared. In fact, he's overwhelmed. Blending their lives poses one problem after another until Jaye's violin teacher throws them a lifeline.
Abby Reed not only knows how to get through to his niece, she also makes an impression on him. Soon their time together means everything to Connor — and the tragedy his family faced a decade ago begins to have less power over him. Then he discovers Abby's family's connection to his own….
Can their love survive Connor's bitterness and Abby's insistence that her brother isn't the awful person he's been branded?
Darlene Gardner left her life as a newspaper sportswriter behind for love and romance. She has more than 30 books in print, from single-title romantic comedies to emotionally charged family dramas. She’s currently self publishing updated editions from her backlist and working on a series of Young Adult romances with paranormal elements. That is, when she’s not playing tennis.
3-1/2 stars Different story of a man and woman who meet and start a relationship without realizing that 10 years ago the heroine's brother had been sent to prison for killing the hero's brother. When they realize it, the hero had a hard time accepting that the heroine still loved her brother and the heroine refused to believe that there weren't extenuating circumstances. Other members of both families were added to the mix with all their attendant emotions.
The story kept my interest and moved at a good pace. The relationship seemed realistic in how the protagonists struggled to stay together despite their difficult history. Overall this was a well written story.
Woman's brother killed man's brother. They grow up and run into each other, but they don't know who the other is until after they've fallen in love. Can they move beyond the pain and hate?