Renee Andrews

Mandy Carter once begged Daniel Brantley to marry her and take her away from Claremont. Years later, raising her nephew after the death of her sister (who was married to Daniel's brother), in a moment of weakness, she sends an email to Daniel bemoaning the fact that he gets to live his dream on the mission field while she is "stuck" in Claremont. Daniel makes plans to return to Claremont, taking a youth minister position, but Mandy fears he will challenge her for custody of Kaden--and thus ruin the promise she made to her dying sister.

Kaden brings the two together again and they realize they love each other--but Mandy's refusal to stop blaming God for the death of her sister and brother-in-law at the hands of a drunk driver threatens to keep them apart. Can Mandy learn to trust again?

The characters are well done, though the story plot is a bit formulaic. Kaden's occasional wrong wording is cute and seems to fit his age. It's not overdone. I also liked the theme that dreams can change--what was your dream once might change slightly (as Kaden's did when the hug he got after a home run didn't come from his dad but came from his uncle instead) or more completely as things that once seemed important fade in importance while things of true importance come to the forefront.… (mer)