AUTHOR: Carolyne Aarsen
DATE: 2017
PUBLISHER: Misty Ridge Publishing
STARS: *****
A heart broken twice from love and family. Can a trip to the ranch give her a second chance with both?
Sheryl Kyle isn’t the trusting type. After all, her abusive late husband and her disapproving stepfather haven’t given her much reason to feel otherwise. But when a rugged rancher named Mark seeks her out, she learns her stepfather is on his deathbed. And his dying wish is for her to return to Sweet Creek for one last chance to reconcile.
Mark can’t help but be fascinated by Sheryl. Despite hearing the worst about her from her stepbrother, he’s drawn to the hauntingly beautiful woman. When his ranching partner suffers an injury at the worst possible time, he’s surprised and delighted that Sheryl agrees to work by his side.
As Sheryl and Mark’s friendship deepens, she suppresses her growing feelings toward him. Can she forgive her family and herself before Mark too becomes a man of her past?
I’ve read several books by Carolyne Aarsen, and while I’ve enjoyed each one, this is my favorite so far. Her often tender/sometimes gritty prose pulled me into the story and kept me captive until the end. Sheryl broke my heart with her painful past, guilt and longing for wholeness. And Mark’s faithful patience is the perfect foil for her. I loved Mark’s family and understood the conflicts in Sheryl’s. Watching love peel away Sheryl’s layers of anger and guilt was a privilege.
The faith aspect of this story touched my heart; it clearly showed the necessity of faith and forgiveness.
The familiar settings of British Columbia and Alberta added a sense of homecoming for my imagination, too. I loved Homecoming and award it five stars. Highly recommended.