reviewsbyerin

Raised with wealth and privilege, Charla Winthrop has tried to live up to her prestigious last name. She quickly found that wealth did not equal peace, nor did business success relate to personal fulfillment. Having visited the Ozarks for a developmental project and being drawn to its charm, Charla decides to make a fresh start of her life. She lands in the charming small town of Ruby, Missouri, and quickly makes friends with the local citizens.

Sam Packard lost his wife more than three years ago and has begun praying that God would send someone who could share his life and help him raise his daughters. When he meets the lovely new stranger he wonders if she could be the answer to his prayer.

Excited to discover new passions and get to know who she is apart from the things that have controlled her in the past, Charla eagerly embraces the new things and people in her life. Is it too soon to be attracted to helpful handyman Sam and his lovable little girls? Charla must navigate her budding dreams, the expectations of herself and others, and contentious family relationships in order to find out who she is supposed to be.

I don't read a lot of contemporary romance, and while I enjoyed this story, I feel like true fans of the genre would be even more enchanted by it. I'm also not a fan of several of the tropes used within the plot, which isn't the book's fault at all. I do love small town stories, and this one was especially fun because I live in the Missouri Ozarks myself and get to experience the down home charm every day. It's a wonderful part of the country.

I'd recommend this for everyone who loves cozy contemporary romance, and I look forward to more books as Herron's Welcome To Ruby series continues.