I really should know better than to start a Christine Rimmer book at night. I could not put this one down until I finished it around 4 a.m.; it was that good! This book is about Jobeth Bravo, who first made her appearance as a little girl in Practically Married (May 1998 - Silhouette). Now she is all grown up and ready for her own HEA.

Sixteen years earlier, Jobeth and Hunter were high school sweethearts. But Hunter couldn't wait to leave Medicine Creek and escape the memories of his home life, leaving town right after graduation. He wanted Jobeth to go with him, but she refused to leave her home and family behind. Hunter is now the successful host of a home improvement show and has brought that show to his hometown for a summer of filming.

Jobeth doesn't know how she feels about Hunter's return. Though she was heartbroken when he left, surely, she is over him by now? They've both been married and divorced, and she's recently adopted a little girl. So, when her dad asks if it would bother her if Hunter stayed at the ranch house, she swears it would be fine. Only it wasn't. Even after all these years, she couldn't forget the pain of her heartbreak, so she tried to avoid him - not easy with him living in her parents' house.

Hunter was wary of his return to Medicine Creek. His memories of his life there are wrapped up in his mother's death, his father's drinking, and his perception of how the town looked at him. The best memories are those he made with Jobeth, except for his regret over how they parted. He looks forward to seeing her again. He knows rekindling their relationship isn't possible - their lives are still too far apart. But he'd like to feel as though they could be friends again.

I enjoyed watching the development of Hunter and Jobeth's relationship. Jobeth spent the first week or so doing everything she could to avoid seeing him. Hunter didn't let that go on for long, eventually showing up on her doorstep. I liked that they cleared the air over their past, each admitting to some regrets. Underneath the tentative renewal of their friendship was an attraction that was even stronger than it had been when they were young. Though they tried to ignore it, eventually, it became too much. They believe they can indulge themselves for Hunter's remaining time there without risking their hearts because they know nothing can come of it. Of course, we all know how that is going to go.

There are some wonderful scenes in Wyoming. I loved seeing Hunter with little Paisley and his encounters with people who "knew him when." I loved seeing how distance and maturity changed his perception of those people. Hunter also talks Jobeth into visiting LA with him and introduces her to his life there. I loved seeing Hunter embrace his growing feelings and sensed a determination in him to find a way to make it work. But Jobeth panics over her feelings for Hunter and pushes him away. I ached for both as they faced the prospect of history repeating itself. Their struggle is heartbreaking, and I was rooting for them to find a way to overcome their obstacles.

The ending was terrific, though a piece of Jobeth's past created some unexpected drama. Seeing her and Hunter realize that anything is possible if they put love first was great.

I liked seeing more of Starr Bravo Tisdale (Fifty Ways to Say I'm Pregnant) and how her life has progressed since her story. I look forward to more stories of the next generation of Bravos. I got quite a chuckle from Jobeth explaining her extensive family connections to one of Hunter's friends.

#ARC ( )