One Perfect Spring
by Irene Hannon
Amazon Link
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Revell (May 6, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0800722678
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Inspirational
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0
Claire Summers is a determined, independent single mother who is doing her best to make lemonade out of the lemons life has handed her. Keith Watson is a results-oriented workaholic with no time for a social life. As the executive assistant to a local philanthropic businessman, he’s used to fielding requests for donations. But when a letter from Claire’s eleven-year-old daughter reaches his desk, everything changes. The girl isn’t asking for money, but for help finding the long-lost son of an elderly neighbor.
As Keith digs reluctantly into this complicated assignment, he has no idea how intertwined his life and Claire’s will become–nor how one little girl’s kindhearted request will touch so many lives and reap so many blessings.
Through compelling characters and surprising plot twists, Irene Hannon offers readers this tenderhearted story of family connections that demonstrates how life is like lilacs–the biggest blooms often come only after the harshest winters.
Review:
Claire is a single mother raising her 11-year-old daughter, Haley. Claire is busy as a teacher and working, one project at a time, on her fixer-upper home. Claire has been burned by the men in her past and doesn’t have time for romance. Claire takes time to help her mature neighbor, Dr. Maureen Chandler, who has had a recent bout with cancer surgery. Haley overhears a confidential conversation between Claire and Maureen. Unknown to anyone else, Haley writes a letter to a private foundation asking them to help Maureen find her long lost son.
Keith Watson is a workaholic serving as the executive assistant to a former workaholic, David. The business includes a philanthropic division which answers written requests submitted by strangers. David is struggling to rebuild a relationship with his estranged daughter. He recognizes the importance of balancing career and family. Keith plans to pass on Haley’s letter but David assigns it to Keith hoping it will get him out of the office. David doesn’t have any idea how the assignment may impact Keith who has his own childhood trauma baggage.
The simple, kind hearted act of a young person sets off a chain of events that blossoms into love for two couples. The romantic chemistry is portrayed without the need for sexual scenes. There are lessons of forgiveness and second chances. Some of the characters have a closer walk of faith but others realize they need to renew their faith. Ms. Hannon develops all of the characters and the story allows them to grow beautifully.
The writing moves smoothly with a story that has a lot of natural life scenes and some twists that keep it interesting. I read and enjoyed Ms. Hannon’s romantic suspense (Fatal Judgment) and have been planning to read more. I was curious when I saw the author also writes contemporary romance and I am glad I shared this with my ladies’ book club. The story is uplifting, and the ladies enjoyed the richness. I recommend this to readers who enjoy clean, small town romance with quiet faith elements.
Source: Discount Purchase through Christianbook.com for Ladies Book Club. It is a 2018 title for my 2018 Alphabet Challenge.
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