Diamonds and Dust (Lonesome Point #3)

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A sexy second chance romance from NYT and USA Today Bestselling author Jessie Evans.

The home run neither of them expected… 

Pike Sherman is a legend in Lonesome Point, a hometown boy who made it to the big leagues. Literally. Professional baseball acquired one hell of a pitching arm and its latest celebrity bad boy when the gifted Pike was drafted seven years ago. Pike’s broken heart came along for the ride, too, but he kept that private, and since leaving Lonesome Point has kept his distance from his hometown. But when Pike’s little sister, Mia, begs him to be the Dude of Honor at her wedding, he can’t refuse. He takes advantage of a break in the season and returns home to find himself thrown together with the one woman he never wanted to see again. 

Tulsi Hearst is on the verge of losing her Equine Therapy business, and letting down all the kids she’s come to love. After a mix-up with the grant board, she needs to concentrate on finding more funding, not dealing with Pike Sherman, the boy she sacrificed so much for, and the one person she’s ever lied to. And what a lie it is… Pike would hate her if he found out. She knows she should stay far away from the brooding man her summer love has become, but Tulsi can’t resist a slow dance with the only boy who ever made her blood rush. 

After just a few days back in Lonesome Point, Pike can’t imagine life without the girl he left behind, but when Tulsi’s secret is revealed, his heart is broken all over again. The only thing worse than losing Tulsi, is losing six years with the daughter he didn’t know he had.

Tulsi Sherman is about to come face to face with her past. Her best friend's brother, Pike Sherman is coming back to town after seven years away. Seven years after they secretly broke each other's hearts. He made mistakes and so did she. She has kept a big secret, and at some point he is bound to find out what it is. 

There's a thin line between love and hate and when they are reunited, neither is sure about what to think. Although they want to still hate each other for past issues, it is obvious that they can't. But their initial interactions are tentative, anxiety inducing, and confusing. They still have chemistry and unresolved feelings. And despite his unresolved anger, it does not take Pike long to realize what he has been missing. But Tulsi has her reason for trying to keep him at arm's length. 

Meanwhile, they are both struggling with career issues and some family dynamics adding to their stress. There were also some tense situations that they have to deal with. 

When they were younger, they had such a sweet love story. A newly exposed long time crush eventually leads to love, but they kept it to themselves. They had such compatibility, connection, and were young carefree spirits. But as changes occurred in their lives, mistakes were made, and misommunication led to doubt. And with doubt came a decision that changed both of their lives.

And in the present, although those doubts, insecurities, and anger are still simmering under the surface, they can't stop the pull or the fact that they still have such unresolved feelings that never really died. Pike has his dream career as a major league pitcher, although he is sidelined by an injury. He has been going through the motions, living the high life, and did not realize how unconnected he had become. Tulsi gives everything to her daughter and her equine therapy business and does not really pursue relationships or new connections.  I really loved Pike and Tulsi together. They were sweet, passionate, and so good together. It was funny seeing them still trying to keep their mutual interest a secret from all of their nosy friends and family. And Tulsi was hiding something else from all of them.

But will the secrets from the past end up ruining their second chance for a future? 

The characters from the other books are back: Mia, Sawyer, Bubba, Marisol, and Ugly Ross. This is a tight knit group of friends that make up a strong pseudo family. I enjoy seeing the continuation of their relationships. We also get to know a bit more about Tulsi's bull riding sister, Reece who will be the subject of the next book Glitter and Grit. I also adored Tulsi's precocious six year old daughter, Clementine. She just had such a huge personality that just shined though in every scene she was in.