Susan's Review of Reunited in Good Hope

He remembers the heat. She remembers the heartbreak.
Twenty years later do they still have a shot at love?

When an injury puts NFL star Krew Slattery’s future in question, he returns to his hometown of Good Hope. He plans to lay low, until he runs into Cassie Lohmeier. Krew has never forgotten the one amazing night they shared, and unfortunately for him, Cassie hasn’t either...

Cassie isn’t the same love-struck girl who had her heartbroken by her high school crush. When Krew left town without even a good-bye, she was devastated and made every mistake a woman can make. But Cassie is older, wiser, and determined to leave her sordid past behind. No more excuses or distractions, and most importantly, no more men.

But keeping Krew at a distance proves impossible once they learn he’s her daughter’s real father. Her child’s plea to spend time together over the holidays has Cassie reeling, but how can she say no? Will Krew’s return be another roadblock in her path…or an unexpected second chance at love?

Reunited in Good Hope is Cassie Lohmeier’s story. Cassie has been a secondary character in several of the Good Hope novels and, to be honest, her character did not appeal to me. However, I adored her daughter Dakota and her three sons. Reunited in Good Hope was much more than a second chance romance; it’s a story about one woman’s struggle to regain her self- confidence and put her family first.

Cindy Kirk has created a heartfelt story for Cassie. Her journey from an unwed 15 -year high school student to a confident, caring mother has been honestly portrayed during the series. Cassie has made a lot of poor decisions which negatively affected her family. Cindy Kirk has taken a flawed, unlikeable character and redeemed her. I liked that Cassie wasn’t “fixed” in one novel. Cassie needed to like herself before she could believe that she could change.

Cindy Kirk’s characters bring this book to life. Ms. Kirk understands the give and take that takes place in relationships. The conversations between KT and Braxton, Cassie’s teenaged sons was fabulous-the author did a fabulous job portraying the teenage vibe. Dakota’s relationship with her mother is tenuous and their situation made this novel and excellent read. The author didn’t shy away from the cause and effect of their situation-it was presented through honest, sometimes heartbreaking conversations. I appreciated that Krew owned his behavior, too. He suspected he might have been Dakota’s father but chose college and a football career over his responsibilities.

Reunited in Good Hope took me by surprise—it’s a fabulous read. Cassie’s struggle with self-confidence, teenaged children and bills resonated with me. Cassie’s journey has all the feels; and it’s the perfect addition to the fabulous Good Hope series.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the Author