Review: Real love does exist.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 29, 2014
Sometimes we can get so caught up in the billionaires, alphas, vampires, shifters and rock stars, we forget that normal people fall in love too.Parnell Stillman and Rebecca Hollis are two very damaged souls surviving in a world that barely acknowledges their existence. Beaten down by life's cruelty and determined to not be "victims" ever again, they've both resigned themselves to a life of solitude. And it works...sort of.Rebecca is housemother at an orphanage that is out of money and about to close its doors. Her sad life thus far makes her feel a kinship to her charges. The last five children are society's throwaways - too old, too handicapped, too unstable - to be adopted and loved. In desperation, the orphanage owner - good ole' Abigail - arranges for Rebecca to take the children to a large conclave in San Francisco with hopes the children will find families. Short on funds and unable to afford commercial flights, Abigail books the private plane of an old family friend. The business is now run by the man's nephew, Parnell, who is way too cantankerous and grumpy for his years.When Rebecca and Parnell meet, it's like throwing gasoline on a smoldering fire. They instantly dislike each other, each reminding the other of all the bad that has ever happened in their lives. Despite their reservations, second thoughts...and bad weather, they do set out for San Francisco. While Parnell is confident in his abilities as a pilot, he finds the weather service didn't stress the severity of the approaching storm, and he is forced to do a soft crash landing...with a woman and five children...during a storm...in the middle of nowhere.Their arguing seemed endless. In a different story, it could have been annoying, but here it reminded me of the countless rejoinders between Bogart and Bacall or Tracy and Hepburn. They were quick, witty, and sometimes very cutting. In the beginning, I don't believe they knew HOW to talk to each other...each so immersed in their own personal misery. But as time went on, I believe the snarkiness was the only defense they had against their growing feelings for each other. After loveless childhoods and marriages, both were afraid of being rejected and hurt again.Surviving in the wilderness until help reached them demanded they work together. Parnell did things even he couldn't believe he was doing to help them stay alive. Rebecca couldn't seem to stop herself from caring for his welfare. As bad as they believed their lives to have been before the plane crash, being stranded totally broke them down emotionally and made them vulnerable - making them realize their biggest fear was not dying, but losing a love that was within their grasp.Their five charges, Molly, Yancy, Jonesy, Nicholas and Santee (oh, and Scrappy) were just too precious! Loss and rejection have hardened them to life so early, but if you listen close enough, you still hear their hope.In "The Reluctant Hero", two imperfect people find their "perfect" love. You will enjoy the journey.(I received a gift copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.)