jjares reviewed on 3/3/2016 + 3414 more book reviews

This is an extremely well-written book about regrets and second chances. I haven't read much by Cheryl St. John; but this book made me wonder why.

After eight years on the road as a singer and actress on stage in towns across America, Ruby Dearing decides to go home to Nebraska and try to make peace with her mother and her sister. Ruby knows she did the right thing; she had such a strong sense of wanderlust that she had to find out what was on the other side of the next mountain. However, she regrets the way she left and the fact that it took her eight years to return. Sadly, she finds no sister or mother, just a brother-in-law, Nash Sommerton.

Nash is hostile towards Ruby; he's worked very hard to make something of the Dearing property and he is afraid that Ruby plans to take it from him and his two children. Nash does not have the children living with him; they are living with Nash's parents on a neighboring farm.

One thing I liked about Ruby was her willingness to work hard to prove herself to Nash and his family. She sees a job and sets out to do it; she doesn't waste time whining about things. Although it took Ruby 8 years to return, she sent money home to help her mother and sister. I also liked the fact that the author didn't explain all that much about Ruby's past. Sometimes, I think authors spend too much time on the back story.

Ruby isn't the only one with regrets; Nash stews with his own demons. He regrets working harder on the farm than working on his marriage with Pearl. Because he cannot forgive himself, he cannot forgive Ruby for abandoning her family. But Ruby understands; it didn't take long for me to really like this woman. Nash is a very compelling character too; he works hard, is an honorable man and cares about his family.

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