Whoever claimed it’s better to have loved and lost has never met Jess Palmer.Small business owner and metalworks artist Damon Brand finally has his future in sight when his past rattles into town in a broken down car stuffed with designer clothes and sky high heels. The last time he saw Jess, he declared his undying love. In return, she stranded him by the side of the road, taking his boots, … taking his boots, pants and the tattered remnants of his heart.
So much for the bright lights of LA. Failed actress Jessica Palmer arrives back in Sweetheart, Montana homeless, destitute, and desperate. She’s hoping her grandfather will let her have her inheritance early so she can make a fresh start—anywhere but Sweetheart. No deal. She has to stay for six months and get a job to prove she’s matured. Not easy in a town where she flamed all her bridges in order to flee a wild child reputation and her high school sweetheart.
With every door that’s slammed shut in her face, Jess grows more determined than ever to prove she’s changed, even if it means she must turn to her first love, Damon, for a job at his gas station. Surely 10 years is enough time for him to forgive and forget…
Previously titled “Her Secret Love” – Book 3 in the Secrets of Cherry Lake series
The Sweetheart Brand series
Book 1: Her Sweetheart Brand
Book 2: Branded with a Kiss
Book 3: Branded by Firelight
more
This was a story of a second chance romance. It was heartwarming. with love and forgiveness and some sass thrown in. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to friends.
A sweet second chance romance with a couple from different sides of the tracks. Jess, brought up in wealth, has quite a lot if issues however she does everything she can to grow out of some her worst flaws. And Damen, who had to take over for his deceased father while still in high school to make ends meet for his family, was able to allow his anger and his love to work together in getting to know Jess once again. Jess’ reading impairment was mentioned several times leading the reader to believe this was the reason for her failure as an actress but yet it was never addressed further which I found a shame.
Not my cup of tea
Sex
cute one that got away story
This book taught me a lesson: first check the number of pages. 162? Altenburg is a good writer. Her main characters are well-developed, believable, and empathetic. But when I enter a fictional world, I want it populated by more than two people. In Cherry Lake #3, the other characters in the community are either stereotypical or cardboard cutouts are but yelling “I’ll be developed in a different story.” As well, too often the author has the hero or heroine describe an interaction with another person rather than show it in a scene. It’s an easy way to churn out several stories set in one community, but for this reader that is entirely unsatisfactory. I won’t be reading another in this series.
What would you do if you ran into a old lover at a gas station? Jessica decides that Damon is going be her salvation, to speak of. Jessica runs back to Sweetheart after Hollywood turns her away. She wants to work for Damon only so she can get her inheritance and find a life elsewhere. Once they make arrangements, they find that their friendship has blossomed into what could have been 10 years ago. Ms Altenburg wrote a what if romance that was well thought out with life-like characters and a romance that never ended.
Good beach read
Loved this book.
What a wonderfully well-written book. Believable characters and story line.
This is the second book based in Sweetheart, Montana that I have read and I am officially in love with this fictional town. Not far from Bozeman, this town seems to be the typical small Montana town. Everyone knows everyone’s business…some even before yourself
This is Damon and Jess’s story. High school sweethearts that are separated for years. Then years later the female Jess returns to town and works endlessly to correct and overcome her past. Damon OH Damon…. Hottness! This man is more than what he appears to be and so me just share this much …a man I would love to … YOU Need to Read to find out the rest and also find out if Jess overcomes the the town and her past.