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Lori did a good job at revealing tidbits of backstory that would entice the reader to continue, but the main character's constant mulling over her dilemma without any character progress slowed the reading down. I felt the "romance side" portrayed the man as "too perfect," and too patient and forgiving for reality (some evidence of struggle or negative response would have made him more human). ( )

I wasn't into the book that much at times until Marlene was in a tornado. I was glad that she learned the lessons that she needed to learn. ( )

Marlene Queens was just suppose to go "back home" to Parnass Springs, Missouri, to get her late Aunt Beth's house ready to sell and settle her estate. Then she was going to get "out of town" before anyone found out the lie she has been living. Folks there think she is happily married to Noel and has a daughter and 2 grandkids. The lie is that Noel left her shortly after her daughter Sara was born for another woman and has since passed away. But Marlene is too proud to admit she made a mistake by marrying and leaving Parness Springs. But Marlene didn't know how much her Aunt Ingrid would need her, how the town's wanting to put a statue up in memory of her father would cause such problems and how her heart longed to stay and reunite with her childhood sweetheart, Vic. Can Marlene let go of her pride, confess her life was a lie and will God give her the future she was always wanted?
This story had alot of humor in it, alot of crazy days for Marlene with her Aunt Ingrid, alot of sorrow over remembering how she treated her Dad, and alot of yearning for someone she thinks she can never share a life with. It will take a major storm to bring Marlene and Vic together, but will it be too late by then?
I enjoyed reading this story. ( )

While dealing with the subject of mentally challenged parents is quite a serious issue some how Lori Copeland had me laughing out loud. The outlandish behavior of this family is histerical. The character of Marlene has been shaped by having a father of whom she was ashamed, and being raised by two very peculiar Aunts. She has managed to escape and get married and have a child, she is leading a pretty ordinary life til she has to return home. Circumstances force her to re-evaluate her life and come to grips with someof the choices she has made in the past.

All-in-all a delightful read. ( )