Finding Our Forever

March 13, 2017
When art teacher Cora Kelly accepts a job at New Horizons Boys Ranch (a boarding school for troubled boys) in Silver Springs, Calif., her secret goal is to find the ranch’s owner—who happens to be her birth mother, Aiyana Turner—and any other relatives who might be there. She doesn’t expect one of those possible relatives to be a hot “brother” she’s intensely attracted to. Former New Horizons student Elijah Turner was adopted by Aiyana when he was a teen and is now a ranch employee. Having failed at many relationships because of his “inability to make feel loved and ‘validated,’ ” Elijah isn’t looking for anything permanent; and since Cora is keeping her identity a secret (and he’s her boss), she isn’t either. But they embark on some no-strings-attached steamy encounters that are eventually followed up by more emotionally intimate pillow talk. Elijah is drawn to Cora’s relaxed demeanor and her willingness to accept what he offers without pushing for more, giving him a chance to open up about his past at his own pace. There’s nothing predictable about this sweet love story, and Novak’s believable yet easy resolutions make it a delightful, touching introduction to the Silver Springs series.

Narrator Veronica Worthington brings alive Cora Kelly's desperation as she tries to get to know her birth mother. Cora takes a job teaching at a school for troubled boys that is run by her birth mother, Aiyana. Worthington expresses Cora's conflicting emotions as she struggles to keep their genetic relationship a secret from Aiyana, and from Elijah, who is also adopted and helping to run the school. While Worthington adequately conveys the emotions of the story, she doesn't provide much differentiation between male and female characters. This can make it difficult to determine who is speaking. Nonetheless, Worthington is able to portray the wealth of feelings of the characters, making for a satisfying listening experience. S.B. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine