[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
Summary
Seven years ago, consumed by unresolved grief and deep postpartum depression, Elizabeth fled from her home and her family, convinced it was the only way to protect them. She didn’t intend to disappear. In fact, within hours, her head had cleared enough that she wanted to go home and find real help. But a patch of ice on a quiet road changed everything.
Luke had mostly convinced himself that Elizabeth was dead. As depressed as she was, she likely took her own life. But he still held onto a shred of hope that some day she would come back home.
Luke endured years of whispers and outright accusations that he murdered Elizabeth. And the new town DA had decided to make her job permanent by filing charges against him. But Luke’s sister’s fiancé has found her. And Luke can’t afford to let her stay in hiding when his life is on the line. So he’s going to get Elizabeth, bring her home to clear his name, and send her back so he can finally move on with his life.
Review
This is a warm holiday story – Book 10 in the Haven Point series – to help you get in the mood for Christmas.
The dynamics between Luke and Elizabeth are complicated. It’s been 7 years – that’s a long time to wonder where she’s been. People in town have been cruel, assuming Luke must have hurt her. She left without a word or a note. He has every right to be angry. I found his part of the story completely believable.
I’m not sure the book made a convincing argument for why Elizabeth stayed gone after her memory returned. She snuck back into town to see the kids, so she obviously wanted a connection. (The book also didn’t satisfy my questions about how she would know WHEN exactly to come back to see the kids in their events. She lived in another state and had no contact with anyone from her old life.) Readers are expected to settle for the idea that she felt too much had happened for her to go back. I wasn’t convinced.
I thought the kids reactions were pretty realistic. And the depictions of Elizabeth’s condition after the accident were also handled well. I didn’t fall in love with any of these characters, though, so I never fell under the magic of the holiday or romantic parts of the story. It’s a solid Christmas tale with an interesting premise and a Happy For Now ending that many readers will enjoy. (Some language)