From New York Times and USAToday bestselling Texas romance author Jean Brashear, another Sweetgrass Springs story in the Texas Heroes series
SECRETS DIVIDE A FAMILY…
For Michael Cavanaugh’s entire life, his mother has kept a shocking secret: that she was married once before she married his father, and she gave birth to that man’s child. Stunned that the mother who’d loved him so would abandon … him so would abandon a child and furious with his mother’s deceit, he sets out to find the older brother he has always wanted.
Ian McLaren, the favorite son of Sweetgrass Springs, has a full plate: a wife he adores, a baby on the way, a ranch to run and a town that depends on him. When a stranger arrives in town with the staggering news that he and Ian share a mother—the woman he’ll never forgive for abandoning him and his dad—his world tilts off its axis.
Gordon McLaren has had years to regret the path he chose that parted him from the only woman he’s ever loved. Now he is torn between his longing to see her again and the anguish doing so would cause the son he’s worked so hard to protect all these years.
Walking away from the child she cherished and the man she loved was far from easy for Sophia Bancroft McLaren Cavanaugh. Facing them again would be the single most terrifying step she’s undertaken since the day she left to save her sanity—and Gordon forbade her to return.
Secrets divide the four of them, and the anguish of the past makes it impossible to hope they could ever overcome the years of heartache–
Until the threat of an even more unbearable loss gives them one last chance to unite.
“Jean Brashear’s distinctive storytelling voice instantly draws in the reader. She writes with warmth and emotional truth. The depth of her understanding of human nature marks her as a writer to watch, a writer to read and a writer to enjoy.”~#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
more
Audiobook Review:
How do you forgive the unforgivable? It will take a leap of faith an almost tragedy to turn four strangers into the family they were always meant to be. Texas Hope is not your average romance. A mother’s love is at the heart of a tale of convaluted secrets and second chances. The pain of the past trickles down into hope for the present. The heartache real, Brashear makes sure of that. Between the emotional journey, the relatable characters and the soulful, yet calm delivery of Mr. Dove, there were a great many tears shed. My eyes may be a mass of redness, but my heart was deeply touched.
Jean Brashear has written another wonderful book in the Sweetgrass series. I love the characters so much. i wasn’t ready for the story to end. I’m looking forward to the next book!
Eric Dove is an excellent narrator! He has really brought the characters to life. It’s like watching a movie.
This installment of the Texas Heroes Series is great. Michael Cavanaugh comes to Sweetgrass Springs to connect with his half brother. What a shock to Ian McLaren! He is angry and wants no part of Michael. The journey through emotional upheaval and what follows is beautifully written you Jean Brashear. The characters come to life. I feel as if I know them all. Eric G. Dove does his job as an excellent narrator once again. All in all, another wonderful audible. And I can’t wait for the next one!
I had previously read this book in 2015. And very much enjoyed the audible this month.
***UPDATE – Includes Audiobook review****
I both read and listened to this book. The narrator only enhances all the emotions you feel. It was a really good story, and Eric G. Dove makes you forget that HE is all of Sweetgrass Springs. The book was great, but the narration took me on a journey.
I will add my review of the book to this review.
I voluntarily listened to and reviewed the Audiobook provided by the author.
****Ebook review****
Wow! There was a lot going on in this story. It can be read as a standalone because the writer gives you a bit of background on each character and relationship. If you have read the Book Babes Trilogy, that will help even more.
This book takes you back to Sweetgrass Springs and you get to revisit most of the characters in town. There are so many secrets, hurt feelings, and pain for Michael, Ian, Sophia, Gordon, and Laken.
I liked the way Michael and Ian are portrayed as strong, independent, loving , and forgiving men. I guess you can put Ian’s father Gordon in that same category.
The way the writer described Sophia’s struggle with the decision she made was well done. Even if a person could never personally understand walking away from a child, what was going through Sophia’s head clarified what SHE was going through and what SHE thought was best. The sad thing was that she didn’t think much of herself.
Laken’s struggle with who she was and what she wanted made an abrupt turn once she hit Sweetgrass Springs. She and Michael had great chemistry. They also had some rather harsh conversations. Actually, there were a number of very direct, difficult conversations in this book. But, overwhelmingly, there was the strong sense of love, loyalty, friendship and support that is in every Sweetgrass Springs book. Let’s not forget the funny moments or the steamy moments either.
There was so much more that happened, you really need to read this one yourself.