After Raine s dad walked out, Ginevieve Lightly never lived in one place too long, a rambling lifestyle that defined her daughter s youth. When their car dies in Banister Falls, Wisconsin, Gin promises Raine they can stay until she finishes her senior year of high school. Gin will do anything to make sure her daughter has a bright future . . . a future that s compromised when Raine reveals she s pregnant.
Dan Moretti has only ever called Banister Falls home. After losing his best friend in a tragic accident, Dan devoted himself to responding to fires, rescuing the helpless, and guiding Cody Bennett, his best friend's son, through life. With Cody being the epitome of the good kid, it was an easy job. Until he says four little words: The baby is mine.
Knowing gossip of Raine's pregnancy will erupt sooner or later in the small town, Gin's reflex is to grab the suitcase and escape to a new city, a new life. But with each passing day, Gin's feet stay rooted in Banister Falls, and she falls a little more for this local firefighter who shows her not all men abandon women at the first sign of smoke.
As Gin and Dan do the best they can to guide the two teenagers through their early entry into adulthood, they discover together that romance can bloom in the rockiest of situations. And God can turn the pieces of a broken past into a beautiful new beginning.
My Thoughts:
I actually thought this book was going to be more about the adults that fall in love, but it was mostly about the teenagers. However, it still turned out to be a great book.
My heart immediately went out to Evie and Gin, the mothers struggling to do the right things for their kids. I found myself either nodding in agreement, or trying to talk them out of decisions that they made and words that they said. I hope I never have to experience this struggle in our own life, but watching it play out in the book was very moving.
The relationship between Dan and Gin was almost awkward. I felt like everyone knew they were supposed to fall in love, but they just kept having a hard time getting there. I really just wanted to yell at Gin and tell her to get over it and let her heart lead her!
This was my first Kathryn Springer read, and she does an amazing job with descriptions. I could actually visualize this town and all the houses and people in it. I kept thinking I was looking down onto a map when she would talk about driving down roads and through neighborhoods.
In the end, everyone in this story landed exactly where God intended for them to land. Though it took a lot of trust and faith to get there, it was nice to see all the characters get the endings that were planned for them. I thought the message of trusting God really came through towards the end of this story, and this book could be great read for someone struggling with really listening to God.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to my next read from Springer.
