N R. (Moonpie) reviewed on 6/6/2023 + 1175 more book reviews

Emily Leland was definitely experiencing the old adage, âWhen it rains it poursâ.
Her husband dies suddenly in a bar altercation. Feeling a bit guilty as she is actually relieved because of years of abuse she had suffered at his hand. Then she gets word her mother has passed away. She rushes home to a chilly reception from her sister Louisa. She is shocked to find out none the weekly letters she had written the past 14 months since marrying and moving away had been received. Everyone assumed she had abandoned and rejected the family, breaking her mother's heart. Waiting for her father to come home, and decides to go in search of him. She ends up at the barn only to discover his lifeless body hanging from a rope! Everyone, even the sheriff thinks it was suicide but Emily has no doubt her father was murdered. She stayed true to her conviction no matter how much opposition she faced.
The final blow is the realization her and her sister are left practically destitute.
Against her sisters very strong opposition she decides to turn their home into a boarding house. Craig Harrison and his very young son, Noah, had arrived in town to find the place they would live, the widow Carmichael's, had just burned to the ground. Presto! Two instant boarders!
Emily is very untrusting and leery of Craig but finds herself totally smitten with his son. This hurting unlikely group of people becomes a family. As time goes on she begins to see Craig as everything her husband wasn't. Their friendship grows and he joins her in the quest to find her father's killer.
I admired Emily's fortitude and strength to look past her problems and sorrow to accomplish what was needed for the better of everyone. She was so selfless. I enjoyed watching her gradually overcome the lies she believed about herself and others. Craig also had some misconceptions about his life and was traveling the same path of healing. I loved the grandmotherly role Mrs. Carmichael took in Noah's life.
Along with all these character's personal struggles and interactions is the unfolding mystery of who killed Emily's father. Her search for the murderer keeps the reader on their toes with the excitement, unexpected developments, and a surprise ending! I look forward to reading the next book in this series!
I received this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own.

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