Review: Good contemporary romantic mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 11, 2014
This is the first book I've read from this author and it was well written and well edited. The characters were fairly well developed but as the story was rather short, I didn't feel as if they were really memorable, as if I really got to know them well. The plot was interesting and had a nice twist to it.After serving in the Army and going through premed in college, Charlie returns home to Tangleheart, TX for 2 things: to make peace with a death that haunts him, and to try to get back the girl he's always loved. Six years before, he'd run from home after the girl he broke up with shot and killed herself. He's always felt he was to blame for Megan's death and he was so distraught that he enlisted in the Army and didn't even stay for her funeral. When he left, he didn't say good bye to Anna, his best friend and his true love. Due to traumatic events while serving in Afghanistan, and while helping his mother finally break free of his abusive father, he got counseling and made peace with himself. Now he wants to apologize and see if there's hope for forgiveness from Megan's mom and from Anna.Anna has her own issues. She loved Charlie and he disappeared without a word. Nothing for 6 years and now he shows up and wants forgiveness. Also, since she was friendly with Megan and her sister found Megan's body, the whole event was very traumatic for her as well. She would rather not revisit the past, but she just can't resist Charlie's charm. Her sister is sure that Charlie is perfect for Anna and keeps pushing them together.Strangely, when Charlie goes to talk to Megan's mom, she apologizes to him. Megan's mom assures him that while Megan liked him, she was in love with another guy. But she raises some questions about whether Megan's death was really a suicide. Charlie tries to continue to make peace with Anna, but then her beloved older sister,Simone, disappears with her toddler son and the police don't seem to be too worried. Anna and Charlie team up to try and find Simone but are almost immediately ambushed and shot at. Lying low for a few hours gives them time to get to know each other again, but Anna still has trust issues. Where is Simone? Can Anna find the courage to trust Charlie like she found the courage to go looking for her sister?This was a fast light read with an interesting plot. There are sexual scenes and violence present in this story.Heat factor hot.