I am not sure where to even start with this book! I cannot say that much because you just need to read it and experience it. This is the story of two people whose lives have been strongly affected by violence and tragedy. They are both lonely, stuck, and isolating themselves. They should have never met. They never expected each other. They are from two different worlds. They had no idea they would soon become the other's lifeline.

Brynn Cadogen is sad, angry, and needs to move on. She goes on a mission to say goodbye, but it does not go quite as planned. Cassidy Porter is the son of a serial killer and he has followed his family's encouragement to live off the grid, stay away from people, and avoid temptation in case his father's genes have a negative impact on him. He was content and did not hope for more...until he is there at the right time for Brynn...

This is a unique, emotional love story with secrets, mysteries, and some suspense. It captivated me from the start and kept me anxiously turning pages. I felt everything Brynn and Cass did. My heart broke over and over as Cass tried to resist Brynn and his feelings in order to protect her. He is such a sweet, tender, caring, protective hero. He has survival skills, but has not really been in a position to have people skills or relationships. So there is an innocent quality and vulnerability about him, as well as the man who struggles with his secrets and pain. And I could understand Brynn's  confusion and hurt over what was holding him back.

And I have to admit that I was not sure how it was going to work out, and I was totally surprised at some things. And I am usually pretty good at figuring out twists.

The topics are very current and real. In fact, the night I read this book, I woke up to find a similar tragic event had transpired overnight. It shows the after effects of senseless violence on those left behind...the innocent ones who did not deserve pain, loss, and fear. It is told in dual points of view and it is truly a gorgeous, heartfelt love story full of longing and hope. They just wanted to live and love, but circumstances kept making him think it was an impossibility. They both really needed to trust, heal, and be able to feel true love and caring to begin to live again. They were both in need of a little saving and grace.

But will it hurt worse to they find love in their little happy cabin in the woods, but eventually lose it due to secrets and the outside world?

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review. 

This book. I always have high hopes when I pick up Katy’s books, but this one far surpassed what I was expecting or hoping for.

Cassidy Porter lives with the stigma of his father’s choices. As the only son of a convicted serial killer, Cassidy fears that his father’s evil character traits will someday awaken in himself. He lives quietly, off the grid, and away from people in the hopes of keeping himself good.

Brynn Cadogen is trying to say goodbye to the fiance she lost tragically. Hiking his favorite mountain seemed the best way to put him to rest in her heart, until she faces a horror of her own alone on the mountain.

Cassidy is in the right place at the right time to step in to help Brynn, but stepping in means his life is no longer the quiet solitary existence he had grown accustomed to and he may never be able to go back to that way of life again.

Cassidy was such an interesting character, and the mystery surrounding his quiet life sparked Brynn’s curiosity as well as his calm confidence and ability to take care of her. I loved the feelings that developed as they shared (oftentimes very little) about themselves as Brynn healed at Cassidy’s cabin.

Brynn’s own strength is tested several times throughout the book in ways that are just as unexpected as the things we learn about Cassidy. I loved watching as these two opened up in the privacy of the cabin, but couldn’t help but wonder how they would carry on once the outside world pressed in.

I loved everything about this book, and was repeatedly surprised and shocked by the turns of events throughout the story. This was one of those books that I couldn’t put down and thought about long after I finished. 

 

Katy Regnery 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katy Regnery started her writing career by enrolling in a short story class in January 2012. One year later, she signed her first contract and Katy’s first novel was published in September 2013.

Thirty-five books later, Katy claims authorship of the multi-titled, New York Times and USA Today Blueberry Lane Series, which follows the English, Winslow, Rousseau, Story, and Ambler families of Philadelphia; the six-book, bestselling ~a modern fairytale~ series; and several other standalone novels and novellas.

Katy’s first modern fairytale romance, The Vixen and the Vet, was nominated for a RITA® in 2015 and won the 2015 Kindle Book Award for romance. Katy’s boxed set, The English Brothers Boxed Set, Books #1–4, hit the USA Today bestseller list in 2015, and her Christmas story, Marrying Mr. English, appeared on the list a week later. In May 2016, Katy’s Blueberry Lane collection, The Winslow Brothers Boxed Set, Books #1-4, became a New York Times E-book bestseller.

In 2016, Katy signed a print-only agreement with Spencerhill Press. As a result, her Blueberry Lane paperback books will now be distributed to brick and mortar bookstores all over the United States.

Katy lives in the relative wilds of northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, where her writing room looks out at the woods, and her husband, two young children, two dogs, and one Blue Tonkinese kitten create just enough cheerful chaos to remind her that the very best love stories begin at home.

Katy LOVES connecting with her readers and answers every e-mail, message, tweet and post! Click on the CONTACT link above to connect personally with Katy!