Second hand, never used. Vintage Condition. Grace Stavenaugh has lived her life in the shadow of her older sister. Even as children, Hope was always the talented one and Grace the smart one. Hope received the attention, the boyfriends, and the beautiful clothes; Grace received the hand-me-downs. The leftovers never bothered Grace, until it came to one boy. Her sister went through boyfriends and … sister went through boyfriends and their affections like she did her clothes, carelessly tossing one aside in favor of another. Often left to stall her sister’s adoring public, Cruz Colton was the one boy Grace never objected to entertaining. As their friendship grew and Grace found herself falling for the boy with the quiet sense of humor, she began to imagine he really came to see her, and not her sister. But one fateful night changed that perception, and she realized his was only a hand-me-down heart, after all. Long ago, Grace banished thoughts of Cruz from her mind, even if her heart was reluctant to let his memory go.
Ten years later, their paths cross again. Grace is living her dream as a registered nurse, Hope is a brilliant concert violinist, and Cruz has a distinguished career in the military. Recently discharged from service, Cruz checks in at Texas General Hospital where Grace works.
And just like that, Grace’s heart picks up where it left off.
She tells herself she’s over him. These sparks between them are nothing but leftover embers from bridges burned, a decade past. The adult Cruz is a changed, hardened man. The shadows in his dark eyes speak of hidden secrets and the horrors of war. Is Grace strong enough to help him battle his inner demons? And with Hope back in town, can Grace stand up to her sister’s domineering presence?
Grace may have been content in the shadows as a girl, but she’s a woman now, and she knows what she wants. It’s time to let her own light shine, because Cruz Colton’s is definitely a hand-me-down heart worth fighting for.
From the best-selling author of Texas General Cozy Cases of Mystery, The Sisters, Texas Series, and Forgotten Boxes, don’t miss this first book in the series!
more
I have no idea why A Hand Me Down Heart is the first book I have read by Becki Willis. I adored this first installment from her new series, Texas General Cozy Cases of Romance. I was entertained with the entertaining, fun and quick read. I loved the chemistry between Grace and Cruz. Though the story is somewhat predictable it is still so very delightful to read.
I am giving A Hand Me Down Heart a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it! I loved it!
I received this book from the Kindle Unlimited Program and was in no way to obligated to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Wonderful!
Grace has lived in her sister’s shadow her entire life, and that’s just how her narcissistic sister likes it. Their mother is no better. But when the boy she likes turns out to seemingly only want to get close to her sister, Grace draws the line. Determined to live life on her own terms, she becomes a nurse and avoids her sister and mother whenever she can. But the thoughts of that boy are never far from her mind.
Cruz never wanted to hurt Grace but he did in one of the worst ways, and all thanks to mom and sis. When he hurt Grace, he decided to join the service. He just couldn’t face her after what he had done. But thoughts of her were never far from his mind either. When he is in the hospital that Grace works at, they reconnect but both are wary. Grace doesn’t want to be hurt anymore and Cruz doesn’t think he’s worthy of her after what he did. Can they overcome their past?
I’ve read a lot of book and don’t remember two series by the same author in the same setting but different genres. Becki Willis usually writes mysteries and started Texas General with the mystery side in A Case of Murder by Monte Carlo. Now she has taken the challenge to write a romance also set in Texas General. Mysteries have been her specialty but has made a successful leap to romance.
Grace has always been overshadowed by her older sister and her mother always made it clear who she favored. Grace was ok being in the background except when it came to Cruz, one of her sisters many boyfriends. Cruz broke her heart by standing her up and taking her sister to the prom instead. Now Grace is a nurse and has moved on with her life although she still has to suffer her mother and sister at times. All was going well until she met her next patient – yup, it was Cruz. The story allows Grace and Cruz to reunite, get to know each other as adults, and put to rest the heartache from Grace’s teenage years. The story has many bumps along the way but had an HEA in a couple ways. I look forward to many more stories and hopefully cross-over characters with these two series.
Grace, nurse in Texas General Hospital, can’t believe Hera eyes when she enters room 124 and finds soldier Cruz, her teenager friend and crush. Can they rebuilt their friendship and perhaps a relationship after his abrupt departure to the Army and her broken heart?
This is a quick read and very enjoyable book. Becki Willis has done it again, written a book I absolutely love. The characters are charming and interesting. The storyline is easy to follow and has a rewarding ending. Thank you Becki for writing.