Sober businessman Seb Ward may have come from a wealthy lumber-baron family in Minnesota, but he knows that appearances can be deceiving, and that his illustrious family is pretty dysfunctional. Being in another state has provided the buffer he sought from his father’s misdeeds, but when a little boy shows up on a train… a little boy who looks enough like Seb to be his own child… Seb’s faced with … with a dilemma. Raise the boy as his own, or let his mother suffer the embarrassment of “a brother by another mother.” And when the boy takes a shine to the Rachel Eichas, the newly contracted school teacher, Seb can’t help but do the same. But Rachel was raised by an unloving, business-first father and there’s no way she’s looking for those same qualities in a husband. Can she see through Seb’s focus and drive to find the loving man within?
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After reading the novella collection, The Sewing Sisters’ Society, returning to Second Chance, South Dakota is pure delight. I loved seeing how previous characters are doing in this town that gives new meaning to the idea of second chances and fresh starts, and I have a feeling that there are lots of new stories to tell as well.
Seb and Rachel are one of those new stories. New school teacher, Rachel Eichas, is a smart and giving young lady who carries the baggage of a difficult relationship with a demanding father. Seb, a successful businessman from a wealthy family, is suddenly faced with a difficult decision when the son of his estranged father arrives on the train. Little Eli quickly bonds with Rachel and steals hearts along the way, mine included. The growing relationship between these three is a joy to watch.
I loved how themes of grace, forgiveness and trust are gently woven throughout. As with everything I’ve read by Herne, there’s complexity and depth, plus a timeless relevance that speaks to today’s readers. I look forward to all that’s to come in Second Chance. Recommended.
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
Seb Ward kept to himself in their little town, that is until his little brother shows up on the train one day, unannounced! How could his dad do this to him? Well, that’s just how his dad it! Read the book to find out more about this sorry excuse for a dad!
Even though not many people knew Seb, when he started showing himself more, he was a likeable fellow. And I love the way he took his little brother,Eli in, loving him and making a special loving home for him.
I love this sweet story that sometimes wasn’t so sweet when Seb’s dad was involved. And I love how Seb, despite his upbringing was determined to make it on his own, being a loyal citizen of his town and maintain a good reputation. And Eli was just the sweetest five year old, and he misses his own mom so much he immediately takes a liking to husband school teacher Rachel, wanting to spend as much time with her as possible. But of course as in every town, there has to be the gossips that think they know everything and are more than willing to voice their opinions. But that’s what makes a story so good! And that’s why you need to read this story! “The Most Inconvenient Love” by Ruth Logan Herne is a story you don’t want to miss, especially if you love reading a sweet clean romance! I highly recommend this one!
I received this book from JustReads Tours to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.
For those who have read The Sewing Sisters’ Society novella collection, Rachel Eichas is a familiar name. And if you haven’t read the novella collection, don’t worry, this book works just as the collection as an introduction to the town and residents of Second Chance, South Dakota.
Ruth Logan Herne introduces readers to the joys and struggles of prairie living (and small-town living) in this book. Readers get a feel for challenges brought on by the elements as well as growth while also sharing in the intelligence and insights to those challenges and friendships forged through them.
Rachel is a strong woman who loves to learn. Seb is hardworking and has a huge heart that means he’ll make sacrifices to protect those he loves most. The two of them are drawn to each other from the beginning but each has pain from relationships with their fathers that hold them back.
I enjoyed watching Rachel and Seb dance around their attraction for each other, which was obvious not only to the reader but also several people close to them. And then there’s little Eli who steals hearts wherever he goes.
Faith, family, friendship, and more make the perfect combination for a wonderful read. And then there’s that bit of information from Herne at the end about what’s coming next.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Seb Ward has worked hard to make a life for himself apart from his complicated family and all their drama. Seb is a successful businessman who has worked hard to maintain a good reputation, but when a boy arrives on the train with an uncanny resemblance to himself.
The boy takes instantly to the new teacher, Rachel Eichas. Her father was a business first man, who rarely had time for her, so that is the last thing she is looking for in a man.
Will Rachel and Seb see past their outward reservations and give love a chance?
Rachel offers to help Seb out by taking Eli under her wing, he is an adorable young boy, 5 yrs old and eager to please. He misses his mother, and instantly takes to Rachel. Rachel doesn’t want to pass judgement on Seb, despite what the gossip, she tries to give him time to explain the situation. Rachel is not a complainer, and she is good at making do with what she has. I like her compassion and heart for the children that she teaches. She is independent with a love of learning that she shares with the children.
Seb has worked hard to maintain a good reputation, to forge a different legacy than the one that his family has hidden with their wealth. He is very sober-minded and holds himself to a high standard. He accepts Eli and wants to give him a loving home with a good childhood. He reminds me of a Midwestern Mr. Darcy.
Overall a wonderful start to a sure to be fun series, I loved how it is set South Dakota and revisits many of the characters that we were introduced to in The Sewing Sisters’ Society. Great interaction, and a good sense of community, I liked how Rachel and Seb grew in their faith. A well written read, with characters that captured my heart.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising.”
Oh, such a delightful book set in the wild prairies of South Dakota as it is being settled! This book can be read as a stand-alone but reading the three preceding novellas in The Sewing Sisters Society will help the reader understand the town of Second Chance, South Dakota and all the key players in this story better. If you enjoy a well-written historical romance, you will enjoy this book. It has hard-working lovable characters, the setting of a thriving small town, and nice faith elements.
Rachel is a seasoned frontier woman who has become the schoolteacher in the small town of Second Chance. She is hard-working, frugal, gentle, and loving though disciplined. Seb is a lumber baron’s son who is making his own way with a lumberyard in town. He’s a loner and doesn’t mingle much with the townspeople but has a huge heart filled with generosity. As a man of few words, no one knows him well but tongues start wagging when he brings a youngster to town and makes way to adopt him. Rachel and Seb’s relationship is rocky, especially with the townspeople’s meddling, but they learn what trust and forgiveness look like when true love is involved.
It looks like there will be more books set in Second Chance and I can’t wait to read them all! I was given a copy of the book via JustRead Publicity Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
I was delighted to return to the little town of Second Chance, South Dakota in this next book in the series. This story focuses on Rachel Eichas, who has taken over the teaching duties at the one-room schoolhouse in Second Chance. When little Eli arrives in town and joins her class, Rachel can’t help but notice the kindness the little boy’s brother, Seb,shows towards him. There are challenges to the growing romance between Seb and Rachel, but their faith in God and each other will show them the way home.
I loved all the characters in this series, but I think Rachel is my favorite to date. She’s independent and intelligent with a loving and giving nature. She is finally moving past the years of mistreatment from her father with hopes of finding a future doing the teaching that she loves. This is an appealing story of hope, love, and faith as lived out in the lives of the characters in Second Chance.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Another wonderful book from Ruth Logan Herne, A Most Inconvenient Love takes up where The Sewing Sisters’ Society leaves off. Also set in Second Chance, North Dakota, this book features Rachel Eichas who has recently taken a job in town as the school teacher. Seb Ward is a businessman who comes from a wealthy family in Minnesota but is estranged from his father whose personal and business transgressions go against everything Seb stands for.
Seb has kept his distance from the townspeople as he worked hard to grow his business. When a young boy arrives on a train who Seb learns is is brother, changes are in store for both Seb and Rachel who bonds quickly with the boy. Each has a difficult past to overcome in order to learn to trust enough to love but young Eli might just be what it takes to help them.
I loved this excellent book with its strong theme of forgiveness and trust and moving past the wounds inflicted by others. Plenty of surprises as well as just the right touch of humor make this book a very enjoyable read. I do hope that more Second Chance books are in store for Herne’s readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Just Read Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.