Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
When she left town to chase her dreams, she crushed his.

Robert Winters is a small-town sheriff who is acutely aware of his role as the third wheel. He can't let go of the past, no matter how hard he tries. He’s only been going through the motions for the last five years since his almost fiancé left their small town to chase her dreams.

Jessie Sorenson Pendleton takes a broken heart to New York City, knowing she'll never love like that again. Affection for an attractive man is the best she could hope for. Unfortunately, the charismatic and persistent investment broker who sweeps her off her feet turns out to be controlling and abusive. Now, Jessie is back, running from the abusive husband who vowed to kill her if she ever left.

Robert has promised to protect her and her secrets, but he isn't sure he can do so without falling in love with her all over again. And when Jessie's husband turns out to be more persistent than Robert expected, both of their lives are in danger.

(Content Warning: Victims of domestic violence may find some scenes in this book disturbing.)

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2022

112 people are currently reading
126 people want to read

About the author

Jill Burrell

11 books286 followers
Jill Burrell is an author of sweet, small-town romances full of faith, hope, and family.

She has always been an avid reader, and romance has always been her favorite genre. If she’s not writing or folding laundry her head is usually in a book.

When her father told her, “I’ve got a story I want you to write,” she didn’t think she’d ever actually do it. But after twenty years of being a stay-at-home mom with seven children, the idea of writing and publishing a book sounded less terrifying than entering the workforce again. Boy, was she wrong!

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
196 (66%)
4 stars
77 (26%)
3 stars
18 (6%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Tracey Cramer-Kelly.
Author 49 books342 followers
July 4, 2022
I was curious to see how this author handled romance after a backstory of domestic violence. (If you like this theme/trope, you might want to check out Protecting His Heart.) I have it say, it was pretty well done. I think it’s a delicate balance, when you have a heroine as abused as Jessie was, to put her back into a potential romantic situation. It helped that she and Robert were a couple for 8 years prior, and of course it helped that Robert was unbelievably perfect. I could believe the reasons for their separation five years prior, as young adults yearning to try their wings and not having the maturity to see how their decisions affect their futures.

With Robert’s help (largely), Jessie regains her self-esteem/worth. Some of the violence is fairly detailed, yet there’s a big piece that I felt was missing, and that was the sexual part. As a ‘sweet’ romance, the most we read here is longing/aching. Which would have worked for me until we find out she’s pregnant by her abuser. In my mind, if you’re going to go there, there needs to be emotional fallout related to the sexual aspects. Instead, it seemed as if this plot twist was mostly to show how wonderful (again) Robert was, as he intends to raise the child as his own. And frankly, it wasn’t necessary; the climactic scene was enough (although a bit cliché).

The story was good, don’t get me wrong, but I think it lacked some depth, possibly because of the ‘sweet’ constraints.
Profile Image for Fleur.
3,718 reviews29 followers
July 19, 2021
Jessie never thought she would be moving back to town not only as she had big dreams of the art world, but also as she knew she broke Roberts heart when she left, but now she is back, a little broken and Robert is the one helping put her back together again. My heart breaks for all the self blame that Jessie goes through, however I know it is part of the painful process she has to go in order to come out the other side a new a stronger person than she was and thankfully she has Emily to help guide her as well as the support of any others to show she isn't alone especially after a twist she wasn't expecting. Jessie isn't the only one struggling with her being back in town and after thinking he would never see her again he finally has to work through his feelings and either move on or fight for her and while doing that try and stop Jessie's cray cray husband from getting to her as his attempts escalate. This has heart break, learning to love yourself again, finding your home, fighting for love (the right kind of love that is!), learning to lean on others and the gift the friends and family are.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,524 reviews
Read
October 16, 2025
she had childhood boyfriend but wanted to leave the small town to ny met for her art
he stayed behind and became sheriff

she married a man who abused her. finally after breaking her wrist she left him
and went back to her childhood home. her mom asked the sheriff to look after her
he still loved her

he put her in his cabin away from town but the husband found her. the sheriff came just in time and arrested him. he claimed excessive force which was later found not founded

he moved her to the family farm. she filed for divorce which enraged her husband. he is also having trouble at work. he donated $10,000 to the sheriffs opponent to get re elected.
he is determined to get her back and make her pay

she found out she is preg, she had 2 miscarriages before, one after him beating her

she got a job as art teacher in the hs. she loves it

husband kidnapped her
he shot sheriff, she shot husband, he got arrested
sheriff ok

they are going to get married and live in the house he built for her
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.7k reviews360 followers
July 12, 2021
Escape to Love . . .

Jessie Sorenson Pendleton left behind a man who loved her to follow her dreams in New York. She met someone she could settle for and thought would care for her, but he turned out to be an abusive, controlling husband who threatened to kill her if she tried to leave him.

Jessie escapes with some help and returns to her home town. Can Robert Winters, the Sheriff and the man she had left 5 years ago, protect her from the evil man who is coming for her? Has she put both of them in danger by coming back here?
Profile Image for Katie.
288 reviews17 followers
May 6, 2024
The third book in the Finding Providence story was all I hoped for and more. This one had me on the edge of my seat more than the other 2, which is saying something. I loved that we finally got to see Robert get his happy ending. I feel a little bad for Debbie, she is obviously lonely and doesn’t do a good job of expressing herself, so I hope she finds someone one day. I loved watching Jessie heal from the years of abuse and Robert learning to trust her with his heart again. A beautiful conclusion to a great series!
Profile Image for Bridgette.
118 reviews2 followers
November 16, 2023
When Jessie left 5 years ago for her big art dreams she took Robert's heart with her. As much as he tried to move past the pain and build a life for himself in his hometown, the hole was always there. Then one day Jessie's mom comes into his Sheriff's office and says Jessie needs his help escaping from her abusive husband.

This second chance romance hits hard with the themes of abuse, past hurts, tense situations, finding healing, and reclaiming love.
3 reviews
October 3, 2021
Great read. Love the suspense. Would recommend to other suspense loving readers. Looking forward to reading about Daniel and Rileigh but really hope the widow wheeler finds her a match.

I recommend to other suspense loving readers. Looking forward to reading about Daniel and Rileigh. also waiting to see widow Whee!we find her match.
2,166 reviews5 followers
February 23, 2022
Tough to read; worth it though

This book carries a warning to that covers domestic abuse. And that part is awful. But well written, in that abuse is so much more that bruises or broken bones. The total loss of self was well written.
This was the last of the brothers/ cousins, Robert. And it was the best of this trilogy.
2,228 reviews12 followers
April 23, 2022
Reclaim: A Small Town Second Chance Romance

Robert and Jessie had been sweethearts in school. When Jessie’s mother shows up to ask him to go with her to rescue Jessie from an abusive husband, he goes. Will they get a second chance or will her husband make good on his threats to kill her?
2,085 reviews19 followers
September 24, 2022
Not bad

This whole series has been about recovery from some trauma or another. The stories are well written, the characters and community engaging, and the ending is always good. I found reading the books to be useful in the information and ideas provided. They are deep and meaningful in a good read. A great series so far.
Profile Image for Robin.
Author 3 books29 followers
March 26, 2024
Kept Me Reading

I enjoyed this story. The characters were interesting and I liked getting to know them. It was also nice to read about main characters who exercise self-control. (The whole series has been good for that!) If you’re looking for a clean, inspirational, suspense romance, try this one.
Profile Image for Joyce Marion.
490 reviews7 followers
August 17, 2025
Jessie left Providence 5 years ago to pursue her dreams of being an artist in NYC. She also left behind her first love, Robert. He is now the sheriff in Providence. Jessie had married, but Patrick was abusive. It's been 5 years and she takes herself to the hospital and presses charges. Her mom comes to get her and take her home to Providence. Robert knows he has to protect her, but he doesn't want to fall for her again if she's just going to leave. As he has to protect her from her crazy ex, he decides to let his guard down and love her anyway.

Such a good book on healing and understanding.
Profile Image for Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon).
16.4k reviews216 followers
July 19, 2021
Wonderfully fantastic... The book was amazing... It had a lot of details and juicy scenes to it... The characters and their personalities match them perfectly... The plot and the storyline were very descriptive and amazing...
Profile Image for Judy.
10 reviews1 follower
November 22, 2021
So well written!

I love this series! I love to get involved with the characters in books! Jill’s writing made me feel part of the story! My kind of writing! I can’t wait to read more of her books!
620 reviews4 followers
July 19, 2022
These books have really kept my attention and I have read them in quick succession. Jessie and Robert have each been through so much. What fear Jessie has dealt with and what courage it takes to escape. There is so much suspense in this book.
Profile Image for Sharon Rudolph.
2,135 reviews
August 10, 2023
This book was really good! I loved the characters, I cried for Jessie. I loved following the family, catching up with them was wonderful. Jill, the author, did an amazing job with the storyline. The story grabbed me from page 1.
Profile Image for Carol.
837 reviews1 follower
October 13, 2025
Reclaim

Warning: This story includes spousal abuse and stalking.
The story was well written considering the topic along with a mentally out of control husband.
Hopefully Jessie and Robert can make it through the many struggles an become the family they were meant to be.
2 reviews
September 28, 2021
Great series!!!

Excellent series and the author is truly gifted in her ability to make you feel all right the feels....only disappointment is that there's no book number 4!
4,374 reviews28 followers
October 14, 2021
Good

a book in a series about a family in a small town where one brother owns the family ranch another is sheriff.
Profile Image for Rose Helg.
2,890 reviews27 followers
November 15, 2021
Good Book

This was a Good Book. The ending was Good, also. Will definitely read more of her books. This was an Good Book.
Profile Image for Eva Roberts.
39 reviews
October 3, 2022
Awesome

I loved the series although wish it had more books. Jill Burrell is an awesome story teller who keeps the reader intrigued the whole story.
29 reviews
September 7, 2023
Good enough

Entertaining plot, yet not outstanding.
I love the narration and writing skills from the author. It feels like a thriller.
Profile Image for Beth Jones.
689 reviews1 follower
September 20, 2023
Great read. This book is a romantic suspense novel about Robert & Jessie getting together with each other.
64 reviews1 follower
March 17, 2025
Suspenseful!

Excellent story. Lots of unexpected twists and turns. Nothing inappropriate and a great.love story too! You won't be disappointed at all!
1 review
October 20, 2025
awesome

Great book I really enjoyed reading it. I would recommend this to anyone who likes love stories. Again great book.
Profile Image for Tami Willard.
2,374 reviews15 followers
December 31, 2024
Clean Standalone Romance Interconnected Series HEA

Best if read in order but can be read as a standalone.
Robert and Jessie had been in love years ago, but she chose to leave town to follow her dream. Now she's returning and needs protection from an abusive husband and a divorce. Will he be able to keep her safe? What happens when her husband comes to town? Is she going to stay this time? How does her husband handle the outcome?
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.