When Love Arrives – Johnnie Alexander – Misty Willows #3 – Revell- Published 20 September 2016
♥♥♥♥/♥
Synopsis
Dani Prescott came to the children’s hospital to spy on Brett Somers–so how did she end up on a date with him? Weeks earlier she’d seen an interview in which he blamed her mother for the plane crash that had killed his parents. But the crash had killed her mother as well, so Dani can’t believe the story Brett’s trying to sell to the media.
Vowing to find a way to discredit the privileged–and maddeningly handsome–Brett, Dani has been following him and taking photos, hoping to find something she can use against him. But when she catches his eye instead, she quickly finds herself offering up a fake name and agreeing to a date. Brett knows this mystery girl is hiding something–but he’s got his own secrets to keep. What will happen when he discovers who she really is? Will Dani and Brett look beyond their own heartaches to discover a love that could heal their deepest pain?
My thoughts
When Love Arrives is a fantastic story of the moving and sometimes tumultuous journey through anger and guilt to friendship and then love. I really enjoyed this book. I wasn’t sure at the start, grew addicted in the middle and by the end I was gingerly turning the pages hoping, begging for one more chapter and that, please, don’t let it be over.
This is the second book in the Misty Willows series. It would be best to read these in series order. I enjoyed When Love Arrives more than I did the first book, Where She Belongs, but it is worth reading the first book first, not only because it is a great story in its own right but because it perfectly sets up this story to follow on.
Dani Prescott is stalking the man that ruined her mother’s reputation. She is determined to have her revenge, but she certainly doesn’t expect to get caught by the man in the focus of her camera lens – nor to be asked on a date by him. Brett Somers has a past he is starting to wrestle with and a future that seems undetermined. The brunette taking photos outside the hospital catches his eye. She is unlike the many girls he has wined and dined before, so he’s not sure why he asked her out. Both Brett and Dani are hiding things from the other. They agree that their relationship will never be anything more than a casual friendship.
What an interesting storyline. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book before that had me disliking one of the main characters so much at the start and liking him so much at the end. The story is told in alternating chapters from Brett and Dani’s point of view. It’s interesting reading this story from Brett’s perspective. We first met Brett Somers in Where She Belongs. I didn’t like him all that much then and I didn’t like him in the first half of this story. But, gradually, we start to get a glimpse of the hurt and disappointment underneath Brett’s self-pleasing and controlling exterior. I could understand why Dani is both drawn to Brett and repulsed.
Watching Brett change over the course of the book is a pleasure. And it is absolutely gleeful to see womanising, aloof, untouchable, snobby, I-only-like-leggy-blondes Brett fall for Dani. Dani is a strong (in a gentle, terrified kind of way) and likeable character. Down on her luck, searching for answers, sure no one like Brett could ever like a girl like her and not sure why she would want him to. Brett isn’t instantly attracted to Dani but is drawn to her and he can’t seem to justify why. It was hilarious and yet I wanted to slap him at some of his less-than-upstanding thoughts about Dani. But again, it served to very clearly show a change in his character. No perfect, unrealistic gentleman here. But Brett managed to wheedle his way into my heart. Much like Dani does to his. Imperfectly perfect.
I can’t wait for the next book in this Misty Willow’s series. Amy’s story promises to be equally wonderful – just the short teaser at the end of this book has me eagerly anticipating it’s release. This whole series is highly recommended and a pleasant surprise.
The publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
More information
Category: Fiction
Genre: Christian contemporary.
Themes: Family, love, romance, heritage, parenthood, unexpected parenthood, relationships, guilt,
Published: 20 September 2016 by Revell.
Format: Paperback, ebook. 368 pages.
ISBN: 9780800726416
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