Series - Isle of Hope Book 1
Author - Julie Lessman
Title - Isle of Hope: Unfailing Love
Format - ebook
Find on Amazon
At 18, Lacey Carmichael was a wild child, totally and completely in love with her neighbor, preacher's kid, Jack O'Bryen. When her father kicks her out of the house, she flees the Isle of Hope and turns her back on all that she loves. Now eight years later, she has returned. She's turned her life around and is home to stay. Of course that means making amends with those she hurt - her father, her former boyfriend, and her best friend. She knows it won't be easy, especially since she and Jack are partners in their cousins' wedding. After his pastor father crushed Jack's hopes and dreams by having an affair, he has turned his back on all things related to God. He's a successful ER pediatrician. When Lacey and Jack meet again after all of these years, neither can deny the sparks that fly between them. But can Lacey show Jack that she's changed without risking her heart again? Because she can't afford to fall for the bad boy that he is now. And can Jack learn to forgive not only Lacey, but also his father?
This is Julie's first contemporary novel. I've been a longtime fan of her historicals and was super excited to hear she was going to write a contemporary romance. This book has been one of the ones I was most excited about this year. So needless to say, I had very high expectations for this book.
I wasn't disappointed in the least. Julie has a way of making her readers connect with her characters, scoundrels and all. I loved all of the layers in this story. I loved to how much both forgiveness and unconditional love come to play in the book. Lacey needs forgiveness for more than what first appears. When the scene came up where Lacey finally tells the truth to Jack, I was literally crying. Because my heart hurt for both of these two.
Like her other books, this one has a fun family dynamic. I'm looking forward to the next ones in this series and I hope that we get Jack's sisters' stories. I've pretty much fallen in love with the O'Bryen family and I didn't want to say goodbye.
I'm thrilled to know that one of my favorite authors didn't crash and burn when she switched genres. Isle of Hope is a wonderful addition to any romance lover's library.
I read this book for pure pleasure. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Julie Lessman, contemporary romance, Debbie Macomber, Denise Hunter, Rachel Hauck, Susan May Warren
Rating - 5 stars
By the way, the author has named a very, very minor character after me as one of her contest placers. So that was so much fun to see.
i so loved this book too!
ReplyDelete