Wildflower Road

October 1, 2020

The River's Edge Resort in West Yellowstone, MT, has been struggling for a few seasons, and Ryann Marie Ashcroft's only goal for the summer is to help turn the floundering family business around. Throwing herself into work also helps keep her mind off her husband's heartbreaking death. Former pastor Shane Olson, a newcomer to West Yellowstone, is trying to put his own dark past behind him and make a fresh start as the new cook at River's Edge while keeping his head down and staying out of the spotlight. The last thing Shane wants is for Ryann to learn about his time in jail, or the viral video that led to the loss of his ministry and destroyed his life back in his home state of Ohio. There is an immediate attraction between fiery Ryann and the more reserved Shane, and the two slowly begin to open up to each other. Shane starts to believe Ryann and her welcoming church community could help bring him back to his faith. But as they grow closer, shadows from both Ryann's and Shane's pasts loom and threats to their budding relationship close in. VERDICT Serious themes of mental illness and assault and intensely written scenes of violence and loss ground this Western romance between two imperfect people trying to live lives of Christian faith despite past hardship and mistakes. A satisfying second offering in the series (after This Wandering Heart) that can be read as a stand-alone.--Jessica Moore, Milwaukee P.L.

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.