She’s not home for keeps Unless he proves first love is forever Bluestone River is a minefield of memories for Mike Abbot–all involving Ruby Driscoll. Twenty years after scandal divided them, they’re both back in their hometown. Ruby’s visit is strictly temporary. But as she uses her trauma expertise to help his vulnerable son, Mike faces what his heart has always known. Ruby’s still his one … Ruby’s still his one and only. This time, can he convince her to stay?
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Virginia McCullough does a great job with this heartwarming story of overcoming past tragedy to find the family meant to be. Jason and Miss Peach (the rescue golden retriever) are both so sweet.
A Family for Jason, book #1 in Virginia McCullough’s Back to Bluestone River series, is a sweet romance with an appealing setting and characters that are easy to connect with. I enjoyed this fulfilling, heartwarming story and look forward to all that is to come in the series.
A Family for Jason is all about the Bluestone River, a prairie town in central Illinois. The author conveys this setting beautifully – lake, covered bridge, small-town shops, bird sanctuary, nature trails – and intricately weaves these elements into many scenes. Like many small towns, the once vibrant Bluestone River has taken a downturn over the years due to farms being sold, a major company shutting down, etc., and is ripe for a rebirth.
But most importantly, A Family for Jason is a story of friendship and relationships. I love the “back to” in the series title, because that’s the kind of story that quickly draws me in. Mike and Ruby were deeply in love twenty years earlier, until a traumatic accident abruptly ended their relationship. Their breakup wasn’t surprising, considering the circumstances, but some honest communication in the months following would have completely changed their story – and therein lies a timely message for all of us. Ruby and Mike thankfully get a second chance when personal situations bring them back to Bluestone River, and I loved that their journey is gently paced and realistic.
Ruby’s close friend, Emma, is a lovely character that I hope to see more of in this series. While appreciative of Ruby’s skilled help while recovering from back surgery, Emma’s outspoken honesty with Ruby hits home when she points out … “Your memories are like ghosts that follow you around. You can’t run fast enough to get ahead of them.”
And then there’s Mike’s young son, Jason, who effortlessly steals the show – and hearts as well. His inability – more accurately, unwillingness – to talk was Jason’s response to the trauma of not only losing his mother, but also seeing her die in the same fire that left burns on his lower arms. Mike’s patience and love, along with Ruby’s help through her trauma experience, gradually bring about a change in Jason – and that’s what makes this story extra special.
If I had to describe this story in one word, it would be “comeback” – both in the town of Bluestone River and in the lives of Ruby, Mike and Jason. The author laid a beautiful foundation for much more development and I want to spend more time in Bluestone River.
Recommended.
I received a copy of this book through Prism Book Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
This story is about two high school sweethearts who were destined to be together but let something terrible disrupt and end all of their plans. Without giving too much information, the situation that dissolved their romance was pretty bad and understandably maybe they should have taken a break for a little while. Unfortunately, that little while was 20 years.
Both Mike and Ruby have come to their hometown again and coincidentally, around the same time. Mike has come back to help his little boy who has not spoken anything since he witnessed a tragic circumstance. Mike is hoping the small town and nature will help bring his little boy out of his shell.
Ruby has come back to help her best friend and also to regroup after losing her job. Both are shocked to see each other again. While Ruby wants to continue to run away from the big questions and their hurtful past, Mike does not want to lose her again and so he pursues her.
This was a sweet and yet heartbreaking romance that shows how sometimes the awful circumstances and others people’s decisions can definitely take a toll on young love. But true love can and will survive.
I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
A Family for Jason is the first book in Virginia McCullough’s brand new Back to Bluestone River series and centers around reunited first loves, a lawyer and a crisis specialist as they each return to their hometown twenty years after the tragedy that tore them apart.
The characters were intriguing from the start, but slow to develop as secrets from the past were held a bit up in the air for a good chunk of the book. Ruby was a bit hard to like because it seemed she wanted to bury her head in the sand and not confront the past. Mike earned my affection first because of the adorable little boy by his side and because of his desire to reconnect and work through the past. Slow in parts, but rewarding in the end.
I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a sweet romance filled with the back drop of a small town. It was deep, emotional and satisfying!
I like a single dad romance and this one had plenty of heart. This is also a great second chance romance. Ruby and Mike’s life they planned in high school changed in a blink of an eye. Now years later fate has brought them back to their hometown. Mike’s son will grab your heart strings. His past is heartbreaking, but his journey through out this book will lift your heart. The ending was perfect and brought a tear to my eye. This is a book you can easily fall into and just want to gobble up. Both Mike and Ruby are great characters with a lot of heart. You root for them to get their second chance at a future.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOKMy Rating 5 Stars
Bluestone River is the beautiful setting of this new book, A FAMILY FOR JASON BY Virginia McCullough. Ruby Driscoll I’d back inner home town only until her beat friend heals from her surgery. Then its another job in another city anywhere she can find a pace to work. But Michael (Mike) Abbot moved back to stay, hoping to help his small son from issues he I’d having. And neither knows the other is back, that is, until they accidentally run into each other. But this can’t happen, not after what happened two decades ago. It just won’t work.
Not reading the back cover, I tried to guess what this.book would be about but I had no idea. The very first pages had me interested in finishing this book. I immediately liked Ruby, she has a sweet and caring personality. But I felt bad for her because her self confidence is so low, she blames herself for the past when it wasn’t a thing she did. Mike was a little more bold, because he plans to start his own law office right in town, and help his old neighborhood grow again after it fell to pieces. Ruby and Mike being thrown together more times than they wanted was so sweet because if Jason. The character who stole my heart early in the book and didn’t let go. Emma was a joy getting to know as well.
I really did enjoy A Home for Jason very much. Ms. McCullough does a really nice job weaving together three different people with three entirely different situations, and writing a tender story that will war your hearts, as it did mine. The character development throughout the story was a little slow at times, but only the character development, not the story. And it had to be slow at times for the story to work. The plot flows smoothly, and I didn’t want to put the book down the necessary times I had to.
There is a lot of fun things going on in the story, that attracts both kids and adults. Not really a lit if twists and turns, and just the amount if romance to make the story pull together just right. If you haven’t read any books by this AUTHOR, this book would be a very nice start to your Virginia McCullough collection. For me, it is a tender heartwarming story that will stay with me for a while. You dont want to miss A FAMILY FOR JASON.
A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
A family for Jason
Mike just recently got custody of his son. Jason mother passed away. It was so hard for Jason that he quit talking.
Ruby came back in town to help Emma. Her and Mike has a history and something happened that drove them apart. Will they ever be able to get past it?
I loved Emma dog. Peach helped Jason so much. Books with children and dogs are always enjoyable to read. Nothing like the healing power of a dog.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Prism book tours. This book review is my own opinion.
I loved this sweet romance story involving Mike, Ruby and Jason. I loved reading about their town and their high school memories and growing up. It was so tragic how a past mistake affected so many lives for so many years.
I loved reading how Mike and Ruby try to help Jason with his traumatic past and examples with how therapy was working and the things they did as parents/adults to help a child cope with loss.
Great story line, great characters, clean romance… I can’t wait to read more about this town and hopefully the town’s progress over the series of stories. I really enjoyed it!
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
A homecoming to a dying town, first loves reunited, and a precious little boy make Virginia McCullough’s A Family for Jason a book you don’t want to miss.
Ruby has returned to Bluestone River to care for her best friend. Painful memories surround her as much as the picturesque Illinois countryside. Tragedy and scandal forced her to flee years ago. The last person she expects to run into is the man who experienced the same loss and shock she did on that same night.
McCullough introduces readers to Bluestone River’s history (when the town was in it’s prime) and current demise right alongside some of the townsfolk who I hope will be appearing in future books. I got swept away in the forests, river, and lake surrounding Bluestone River. Plus, I want to go take pictures at that covered bridge!
All of this while Ruby and Mike try to find their way back to each other and let go of the past that, as teenagers, they had no control over but have paid for.
Precious little Jason whose silence screams his need for love and security burrowed right into my heart. Seriously, the ending of this book is utter perfection!
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.
I loved Virginia McCullough’s newest release, A Family for Jason. It begins the series Back to Bluestone River. I enjoyed this story of learning to forgive, moving on and having second chances. Mike Abbot and Ruby Driscoll find themselves back in Bluestone River, where they ended their prior relationship twenty years earlier. Unresolved feelings and trauma force them to bond once again. Only, Ruby does not plan to stay and Mike wishes she would.
I give A Family for Jason four stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy to read clean romance and heartwarming stories. Some readers may want to grab some tissues for this one. It is somewhat predictable but definitely worth a read. It is one that should not be missed. I look forward to the next installment from the Back to Bluestone River series.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.