The story opens with Marty and her best friend having a frank discussion about vibrators that is overheard by Chris Foster, who is a physician in the Maple Grove hospital where Mary works.
He’s been interested in Mary since he met her, but hasn’t made any moves, but after the overheard discussion, the ice is broken and he asks her out. And for the first time in 18 years, she’s tempted to say yes, but has to reconcile herself with the reactions that her children may have if she starts to date.
The story is fascinating in that there are two parallel story lines separated by decades. In one storyline, Marty is meeting her husband and the father of her children for the first time, and the reader gets to watch that relationship progress. The other storyline involves the progression of her relationship with Dr. Foster, 18 years after her beloved husband dies. Her children are all grown now, and many of them are in stable relationships, and she’s finally ready for something new.
Chris is a strong character, and he doesn’t appear to be threatened by the love that Marty had for her deceased husband. Chris is divorced, and he made a mistake on the job, that nearly cost him his job, and that is why he is now working at the same hospital as Marty.
These two protagonists finally figure it out. And it really is nice to see an older couple romance. For readers who have seen their 20’s, 30’s, and even 40’s in the rearview mirror, reading about an older couple is more relatable. Marty Tripp is an amazing woman and Chris Foster is equally amazing as a father and significant other.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.