I was graciously contacted by Little Bird Publicity Team and a copy of this book was sent to me for free in exchange for a honest and thoughtful review. All thoughts, opinions, and feels are my own.
Rating:
Synopsis:
For Sierra Jones, Sullivan’s Crossing is meant to be a brief stopover. She’s put her troubled past behind her but the path forward isn’t yet clear. A visit with her big brother Cal and his new bride, Maggie, seems to be the best option to help her get back on her feet.
Not wanting to burden or depend on anyone, Sierra is surprised to find the Crossing offers so much more than a place to rest her head. Cal and Maggie welcome her into their busy lives and she quickly finds herself bonding with Sully, the quirky campground owner who is the father figure she’s always wanted. But when her past catches up with her, it’s a special man and an adorable puppy who give her the strength to face the truth and fight for a brighter future. In Sullivan’s Crossing, Sierra learns to cherish the family you are given and the family you choose.
About the Author:
She was a young mother of two in the mid-1970s when she started writing fiction. As an Air Force wife, educated as a nurse, her husband’s frequent assignment changes made it difficult for her to work in her profession. Little did the aspiring novelist know then, as she wrote with babies on her lap, that she would become one of the world’s most popular authors of romance and women’s fiction.
Review:
This story primarily follows Sierra as she attempts to make a fresh start after a spending some time at rehab for alcoholism. After some convincing from her brother, Cal, Sierra arrives in Sullivan’s Crossing and begins the process of trying to turn her life around. She soon discovers that as much as she may want to do things for herself, it’s just as important that she lean on the support of others, and through that experience, she comes to find friendship, guidance, and love in the most unlikely places.
Sully, a campground owner and Cal’s father-in-law, offers Sierra a place to live and was such a great character. He takes her under his wing and becomes the father figure that she has always needed. Connie (Conrad), a local firefighter, gradually becomes her love interest, although at times, I felt that their dialogue was a bit awkward, especially as they became closer. Their romantic relationship was a bit steamier than I expected or wanted, but it wasn’t gratuitous and made sense within the context of the story. There is also a bit of suspense that becomes crucial to Sierra’s story, as she must confront this past in order to truly move on. This layer also adds to understanding the depths of her pain as well as showing how far she has come once the story concludes.
Ultimately, I really appreciated how authentic and realistic this cast of characters was. They were all hardworking, friendly individuals who like anyone else may find themselves facing struggles; however, they pick themselves up and use those healthy connections and relationships with others to keep moving forward. None of them are perfect and they don’t always make good choices, but they continue to push themselves towards redemption and happiness, and in the end, I believe that’s really all any of us can do.
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Sullivan’s Crossing and look forward to hopefully returning again to read more, as there was some setup between secondary characters that seemed to suggest another story awaits!
Many thanks to Robyn Carr, Katie and Claire at Little Bird Publicity, and Mira for sending me a copy. It was a pleasure providing a review.
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