Rating 3.5 Stars
Vikki’s Musings
When I accepted The Inheritance from the author, via Goddess Fish Promotions for an honest review, I did not realize it was by an author I was already familiar with. I had read some of her Cougar series and thoroughly enjoyed them. When I read the book description for this book, it appealed to me because I always enjoy military romances. The Inheritance is an enjoyable read that follows a budding romance between a wounded warrior and a hospice nurse.
Melody Gibbons was abandoned by her mother as a very young child, was shuffled from one foster home to another as she grew to adulthood. As an adult, she lives a quiet, withdrawn life as a hospice nurse. When she finds out she has inherited half of the property of one of her hospice patients, she is thrilled. The only problem is: the other half owner is Roy McDaniel’s nephew, a man who couldn’t even be bothered to come see his dying uncle.
Levi McDaniels has returned from the war zones, severely wounded in body and soul. What woman would ever want a man with only one leg? If that was not bad enough, he finds out his wife only married him for his enlistment bonus. When he receives word of his inheritance, and finds out about the hospice nurse inheriting as well, he is determined to contest and keep the gold-digger from inheriting. A woman he is sure is just like his unfaithful, money hungry soon to be ex-wife.
When the will is read, it clearly states that Melody and Levi must live in the house together for one year before either can sell their interest in the dwelling and land. Can two wounded souls learn to live together, and find a love beyond what either of them ever imagined?
The Inheritance is a well-written story that gives the reader clear insight into the workings of Melody’s mind and a glimpse of Levi’s as well. Their goals, motivations and conflict are very clear. Their romance is tender and sweet. I loved the dog, Charmer, and he lightened the sad story of the characters’ lives. Those light-hearted moments had me chuckling at Charmer’s antics.
Much of the book is written through Melody’s introspection and shows how she lives on a daily basis, taking care of patients in the last stages of their illnesses. Most of it is very sad to say the least. In fact, Melody’s character has a very sad life, no wonder she has such low self-esteem. If ever a heroine deserves a “happily ever after,” it’s Melody.
I can see that Ms. Wyatt did a great deal of research for the book and it really shows what a hospice nurse has to deal with every day. Some of the scenes between Melody and her patients are quite touching, if heart-breaking. They had me growing teary-eyed a couple of times.
However, this is somewhat of a slow moving book. At times, I became a bit anxious to get on with the romance. The couple does not have a lot of interaction, since most of the book is narrative. There is very little time spent getting to know one another. Hence, I struggled with them as a couple. It kept me from becoming fully vested in the love story.
Nonetheless, the book does have a satisfying ending, even though a few questions remained unanswered, especially the part about Levi’s wife. If you enjoy a slowly developing, sweet romance with two characters that have wounded hearts, each of them trying to move forward into the light, then you will enjoy The Inheritance. Happy reading!