Series:
Love in the Valley (Book 1)
To get over their first love…
They had to come home!
After Luke Thornburg shattered her heart, Shelby Bien
fled town to become a jet-setting photographer. She's shocked to find that
single dad Luke's back in Beaumont -- and that the demise of their love wasn't
what it seemed. When they join forces to fly their families' hot-air balloon,
it's Shelby's chance at a cover story. And, just maybe, a second chance for the
former sweethearts' own story…
Sweet second chance love story. Luke and Shelby grew up
next door to each other and were lifelong friends. When they were teenagers,
their friendship grew into more, and they had grand plans for their future
together. But misunderstandings and outside interference tore them apart, believing
the other had betrayed their love.
Shelby left her hometown behind and ultimately became a
globe-trotting photographer. As the book opens twelve years later, she is
between assignments and plans to spend a few days with her parents in Beaumont,
Missouri. She's shocked when she runs into single dad Luke, who has moved back
to Beaumont after his wife's death.
Luke has never forgotten his first love and recently learned
about the interference that drove them apart. Though he doesn't expect to
rekindle their romance, he wants to clear the air and reinstate their
friendship. He gets his chance when their fathers' feud jeopardizes the
families' traditional participation in the town balloon festival.
Shelby only expects to be home for a few days before
returning to Seattle, but when she sends some of her hometown pictures to her
boss, she's offered the chance to do a full spread about the festival. This is
a significant career advancement, so she jumps at it. Because of their fathers'
feud, this will be the first time their balloon hasn't flown in the festival.
Luke suggests to Shelby that they fly the balloon, hoping the time together
will allow them to reconnect. Shelby is wary at first, but once she hears the
truth behind their separation, she's willing to try.
Neither Luke nor Shelby expects anything more than
friendship from their time together. Luke and his daughter are putting down
roots in Beaumont, staying close to family. Luke has also started a new
business that he is excited about. At the same time, Shelby's life is one of
constant travel as she chases her next adventure. But the more time they spend
together, the more old feelings return. There are some sweet scenes of the two
together, from prepping the balloon and taking test flights to spending time
with Luke's daughter, Anna.
Luke realizes the depth of his feelings first but is
sensitive to Shelby's dedication to her career. I loved that he refused to ask
her to give it up for him. His support of her dreams is terrific, even though letting
her go again will break his heart. Shelby realizes the depth of her feelings,
which are at war with her desired career path. I ached for both as they parted
again. I loved the ending, as Shelby finally realized where her heart belonged.
Luke doesn't make it easy for her because he's afraid to get his hopes up, but
in the end, Shelby finds a way to have the best of both worlds. The epilogue
was terrific.
My favorite secondary character was Anna. She's a sweet
little kindergartner who takes to Shelby right away. Anna is fascinated by
Shelby's work as a photographer and is over the moon when Shelby offers to
teach her. There are great scenes of the two together, and I loved Anna's
excitement over the whole process. Like Shelby, Anna has a good eye, and I loved
the bit in the epilogue about her progress.
The feud between the two fathers mainly was two stubborn
fools letting their pride get the better of them. I loved seeing Shelby and
Luke work around them to get the balloon going and that their mothers were
willing accomplices. I also loved the bit at the end where Luke brought them
together and told them they were being idiots and set a lousy example for Anna.
He didn't pull any punches, and I was happy that the older men finally got it.
I loved the Missouri setting, especially the sightseeing
bits in St. Louis. I've been to those places myself, which added a little extra
kick to the story.
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