I was wishing this was part of a series before I was even halfway through this book! I absolutely fell in love with the characters and can I please be Darby? What an amazing character! ( )

I always love Nora romance paired with suspense... at first I was glad it was long because I always want them to be longer....but then it felt too long and drug out...still a good vacation read ( )

Make sure you check triggers before reading this one as it can be a very hard read in some places.

This is told in 3 parts. Part 1 focuses around domestic violence and abuse towards children. It was so good though and nothing that I was expecting. Part 2 slows down a lot though. You do get some more around one character from part 1, but it was really short. Part 3 also brings a little bit around someones past but it also moved fast. Sadly, part 2 and 3 were just not for me and focused more on things that just lost that initial engagement for me. ( )

Another great Nora Roberts. This one examined heavily the themes of child abuse and domestic abuse. Zane and Britt are growing up in a house that looks perfect on the outside but harbors terrible secrets. No one will believe Zane if he tells the truth. His parents are respected members of the community with connections. As usual, the characters shine in this long saga that takes us across decades and the lives and romances of multiple generations. Beautiful descriptions of North Carolina and gorgeous gardens!

Trigger Warnings: rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse, child abuse, loss of pregnancy

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
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From the outside, Zane Bigelow, star high school baseball player, seems to have everything, but underneath it all, he and his sister are living a nightmare with abusive parents. One night changes everything when Zane tries to protect his sister from their father and takes a beating that almost kills him. That's when Zane begins to keep the notebooks detailing his abuse. With the help of his aunt and his best friend's father, Zane's parents finally go to jail. Years later, Zane is now a lawyer and is returning to his hometown to start a law practice there. When he meets Darby McCray, who has survived an abusive marriage, his future looks bright until Zane's and Darby's pasts come back to haunt them both.
Nora Roberts' detailed description of Lakeview weaves a picture of a quaint town inhabited by friendly, colorful characters, making it a place where many people would like to live. The story is divided into four sections, with each containing separate but important plot points. The most intense section is the first, recounting Zane's early abuse and the havoc it caused in his life. The following three sections are not as good as the first, but do lead to a satisfying conclusion. Overall a good read. ( )