As a teenager, Samantha Carlton used a career in modeling
to break free from her painful childhood walking away from her reckless twin
sister, an alcoholic mother, and the boy she loved. Yet she never outran the
guilt of abandoning her family. When the past shows up on her doorstep in the
form of her late sister s daughter, Sam opens her home and her heart to the
girl she never knew existed. But it's not so easy to face the man she left
behind.
Sam had shattered Trevor Kincaid s heart, and he'd sought
comfort in her sister s arms. But he'd pledged to shield his daughter, Grace,
from the drama that followed the Carlton women. Now Grace has tracked down Sam,
and Trevor is forced to deal with the one woman he wanted to forget.
History has a way of repeating itself, and the sparks
between Sam and Trevor reignite an old flame. But as much as Sam wants a new
future, is walking away again easier than risking her heart for a second chance
at love?
Very good book, at times heartwrenchingly emotional and
at others laugh out loud funny. It is a story of second chances, family and friendship,
and learning how to trust again. Sam is a former model who used her chance at a
modelling career to escape from a rough childhood. But along with the pain, she
also left behind the boy she loved. Then one day her late sister's daughter
tracks her down, a girl that Sam had no idea even existed. Sam desperately
wants a chance to get to know Grace, but her father isn't so sure that's a good
idea.
Trevor had loved Sam with all his boy's heart, but didn't
go with her when she asked. Instead he turned to her sister for comfort, and
ended up as a single dad when Bryce turned her back on them and resumed her
wild ways. After her death he was determined to protect Grace from what the
chaos around the Carlton women. But now that Grace has found Sam, he has to
find a way to deal with it.
Their first encounter, when Trevor comes to get Grace
from Sam's house, was really intense. Sam is rightfully hurt and angry at being
kept in the dark about her niece's existence. She also discovers that the
attraction she felt for Trevor is still there. As a father, Trevor is
protective of his daughter, but also dealing with the feelings that seeing Sam
again has raised. I ached for Sam as she realized how much of Grace's life she
had already missed, and at the hurt she felt for the way she had been excluded.
I loved seeing her stand up to Trevor and refuse to stay away from Grace.
Trevor finds he really has no choice about letting Grace
get to know Sam, but he's determined to supervise it. He decides to do the
renovation work at Sam's camp himself, while Grace spends time with Sam. This
gives the attraction between he and Sam a chance to reignite, but Trevor also
has to get past his preconceptions about what Sam's life has been like. I had
some problems with Trevor's attitude, as he frequently threw Sam's past in her
face, even though she has left that life behind. He would show some moment of
sensitivity, then turn around and say something really hurtful.
I loved seeing the way that Sam had changed her life.
After experiencing the highs and lows of a supermodel's life, she put it all
behind her and started a camp for disadvantaged kids. She's putting her heart
and soul into doing something good with the guilty feelings she has about her
relationship with her sister. There's a heartbreaking scene dealing with one of
the girls from her camp, and I cried right along with Sam. I loved the strength
and compassion she showed during this section.
The relationship that grows between Sam and Trevor is one
that does not run smoothly. Both of them have issues that must be overcome
before they can have a future. Sam has trouble just believing that she deserves
a chance to be happy. Trevor needs to learn to let go of his need to control
everything that affects Grace, and also allow himself to have a life outside
taking care of her. The memory of their former relationship is never far away
and they find themselves falling back into that friendship pretty quickly.
There are times that they are easy and comfortable with each other, as though
nothing had ever come between them. Trevor can see the woman that Sam has
become, likes her and is attracted to her. That Trevor is the one who sees
Sam's distress and goes with her to a teen's funeral and is there to support
her. There are other times that something sets off Trevor's fears and he
strikes at Sam with hurtful words about her past. He usually knows he is being
a jerk, but does it anyway. He's always sorry afterwards, but honestly, I want
to smack him when it happens. The feelings between them deepen, and Sam is
ready to tell him how she feels when a crisis involving Grace occurs. Trevor's
reaction is protective of Grace, but vicious toward Sam and I hurt for her. Her
devastation is exceeded only by her determination to protect Grace, and the
lengths she goes to are extraordinary. I thought that Trevor deserved every bit
of the guilt he felt, and that Sam may have let him off the hook a little too
easily. I loved how Sam came out of it stronger and more confident in herself,
ready to let go of the past and move forward.
The supporting characters of the story were wonderful.
First and foremost was Grace. She has a good relationship with her father, but
she's also hit the age where she needs a woman in her life. It was fun to see
Trevor's confusion when trying to deal with some of her actions. I loved seeing
her connect with Sam and how quickly the bond between them grew. There were
several really fun scenes between her and Sam, such as the dress-up one.
Trevor's reaction is a typical father's when he realizes that his daughter is
growing up, and he manages to put his foot in his mouth anyway. I thought she
dealt with the trouble at the end far better than Trevor did. I also enjoyed
seeing her call out Trevor for his
treatment of Sam.
Sam's friends Kendall, Jenny and Chloe were wonderful. I
loved how they were always there to support her, and how protective they were
also. I liked the scene where all three arrived to check Trevor out and warn
him that he'd better treat her right. I think Jenny was my favorite, with her
blunt statements and refusal to back down on her opinions. It was also fun when
Kendall's and Chloe's men also put in their two cents worth. Sam's reaction to
both was fantastic, and though she fussed, I think she also appreciated the
motivation behind it. I can't wait to read their stories, now that I know about
them.
*copy received in exchange for honest review
*copy received in exchange for honest review
No comments:
Post a Comment