The year is 1886, and Sophie Robillard returns to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, after living in Texas for 15 years as the ward of Ada and Wyatt Caldwell. Now that the town's population has exploded, her intention is to reopen the long-defunct newspaper office that so captivated her when she was still an orphan. The rejection she experienced as a child because of her mixed parentage has left deep scars that she hopes can be healed by succeeding in this new venture.
Ethan Heyward was uprooted from his home as a boy following an unspeakable tragedy. Horace Blakely, a millionaire businessman, took Ethan under his wing and eventually put him in charge of the construction and opening of Blue Smoke resort in Hickory Ridge.
They meet when Sophie arrives at Blue Smoke to interview Ethan for her newspaper. As their attraction deepens, each hides a secret that, if revealed, could end their relationship.
My Take:
This warrants a 3 1/2 stars. I loved the way this book tied into the past and characters we're familiar with. There is a lot of explanation about those relationships but they are side plots that don't interfere with the main story. It also has a truly beautiful cover that I kept looking at over and over.
Sophie is a bit of a puzzle to me. In some regards she seems a strong and determined woman. She moves away from home to own and run a newspaper. That was a brave and atypical move for a woman in that era. She has constant doubts though. She doesn't think people will accept her because of her biracial status - but there aren't any incidents in the present to indicate that. She actually receives a lot of support (other than those who believe her work is unacceptable). She doubts Ethan's love and forgiveness despite his visits, gifts, kisses, smiles . . . After a while I wanted to yell at her that it was obvious he loved her and had moved past it. I admired the way she stood up for her friends and for what she believed was right.
Ethan is a good man who is very talented at his work - but finds his boss (and the boss' methods) frustrating and unacceptable. He also has a past that haunts him.
This was a satisfying and enjoyable end to a wonderful series.
I was offered an e-book of this title for review by BookSneeze - but I had already purchased it for myself. Their offer has in no way influenced my review.
