First Impressions

April 1, 2015
When Jane's husband died suddenly, she was left with just her overbearing, acerbic mother, Alice. Seeking refuge and some time alone, Jane takes a bus tour of the Black Forest in Germany after arranging for Alice to stay at a senior facility for the duration of the tour. Jane never expected to meet anyone special on the trip, but she is seated next to Dave, a farmer who has also lost his spouse. The two hit it off and begin to spend all their free time together. Will this be just a vacation fling, or will it last when they return home? Jane is timid and almost throws away her chance with Dave after a misunderstanding, and curiously enough, it is Alice who convinces her to give him another chance. Thornton (Families and Friendships, 2013) includes several story lines with secondary characters that add to the story, which is also enriched by her beautiful descriptions of the German countryside. Thornton's gentle romance is perfect for fans of Deborah Macomber and Jan Karon.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)