Book Blurb:
Whoever claimed it’s better to have loved and lost has never met Jess Palmer.
Small business owner and metalworks artist Damon Brand finally has his future in sight when his past rattles into town in a broken down car stuffed with designer clothes and sky high heels. The last time he saw Jess, he declared his undying love. In return, she stranded him by the side of the road, taking his boots, pants and the tattered remnants of his heart.
So much for the bright lights of LA. Failed actress Jessica Palmer arrives back in Cherry Lake, Montana homeless, destitute, and desperate. She’s hoping her grandfather will let her have her inheritance early so she can make a fresh start—anywhere but Cherry Lake. No deal. She has to stay for six months and get a job to prove she’s matured. Not easy in a town where she flamed all her bridges in order to flee a wild child reputation and her high school sweetheart.
With every door that’s slammed shut in her face, Jess grows more determined than ever to prove she’s changed, even if it means she must turn to her first love, Damon, for a job at his gas station. Surely 10 years is enough time for him to forgive and forget…
Small business owner and metalworks artist Damon Brand finally has his future in sight when his past rattles into town in a broken down car stuffed with designer clothes and sky high heels. The last time he saw Jess, he declared his undying love. In return, she stranded him by the side of the road, taking his boots, pants and the tattered remnants of his heart.
So much for the bright lights of LA. Failed actress Jessica Palmer arrives back in Cherry Lake, Montana homeless, destitute, and desperate. She’s hoping her grandfather will let her have her inheritance early so she can make a fresh start—anywhere but Cherry Lake. No deal. She has to stay for six months and get a job to prove she’s matured. Not easy in a town where she flamed all her bridges in order to flee a wild child reputation and her high school sweetheart.
With every door that’s slammed shut in her face, Jess grows more determined than ever to prove she’s changed, even if it means she must turn to her first love, Damon, for a job at his gas station. Surely 10 years is enough time for him to forgive and forget…
My Review:
In Her Secret Love (Secrets of Cherry Lake #3) by Paula Altenburg, coming back to Cherry Lake is not something that is high on Jess's to do list. But left almost penniless and with no where else to go, Jess has no choice but to return. Home to her grandfather who is the only person she thinks will help her. His help comes with strings though, and Jess ends up having to stay in Cherry Lake a lot longer than she wants to. Not only that, but she has to find employment and prove that she is capable of working, instead of just taking her inheritance and running again. Unfortunately, small town Cherry Lake has a long memory, and the memories they have of Jess are not nice ones.
Help comes from an unexpected person...someone Jess probably hurt the most all those years ago. Damon still feels the hurt, betrayal and pain from all those years ago. But he's willing to give Jess the chance, a surprise both of them. As they spend more time together, going from uncomfortable, awkwardness to really enjoying each other, they seem to bring out the best in each other...but is it enough? Or will Damon's heart be broken again?
These two main characters and their second chance is a tumulous road to travel. I didn't know how things would end up. Jess is determined not to stay in Cherry Lake, and Damon's life is there. I wasn't even sure if I wanted these two to be together. Jess really has not been a nice person. And though she had her ways for acting the way she did, it seems that it became so ingrained in her it just became who she was. I understand she has her difficulties and issues, but she was a difficult character for me to connect with. She did grow on me and she was certainly a believable character, but it took her a long time to grow up. I really liked Damon. Even though he hasn't quite forgiven Jess for the past, he's trying. He's responsible and really feels a huge responsibility for others. Often at the cost of what he'd like in life. He's a hard worker, and just came across as a genuinely great guy who everyone would want to be around. He looks past the surface that Jess has mastered, and sees more than anyone else. He really seems to get her and he genuinely cares for her, which I found very heart warming. Their journey is an interesting one, and even if I didn't care a great deal for Jess she is a good heroine in Her Secret Love. In her own way she is just as good for Damon as he is for her. Both of these characters really grew and developed well, especially Jess.
I liked being back in Cherry Lake, and I liked how Paula explored the various dynamics of life in a small town...the ups and downs. I liked the various family dynamics that are involved in this story, even if we didn't actually see a lot of Damon and Jess's families they certainly have a significant impact on their lives past and present.
Her Secret Love is part of a series, and some characters we've seen in previous books, but this book can definitely be read as a stand alone.
Her Secret Love is well paced, easy to read and feel a part of. I'd recommend it to any romance reader.
3/5 stars
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