Steadfast by Sarina Bowen Also by this author: Him, , Rookie Move, Hard Hitter, Goodbye Paradise, Pipe Dreams, Hello Forever, Bountiful, Brooklynaire, Speakeasy, Fireworks, Overnight Sensation, Superfan, Moonlighter, Heartland, Sure Shot, Lies and Lullabies
Published by Rennie Road Books on July 12, 2016
Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary
Pages: 300
ISBN: 9781942444176
Goodreads
She’s the only one who ever loved him—and the only one he can never have.
Jude lost everything one spring day when he crashed his car into an apple tree on the side of the road. A man is dead, and there's no way he can ever right that wrong. He’d steer clear of Colebury, Vermont forever if he could. But an ex-con in recovery for his drug addiction can’t find a job just anywhere.
Sophie Haines is stunned by his reappearance. After a three year absence, the man who killed her brother and broke her heart is suddenly everywhere she turns. It’s hard not to stare at how much he’s changed. The bad boy who used to love her didn’t have big biceps and sun-kissed hair. And he’d never volunteer in the church kitchen
No one wants to see Sophie and Jude back together, least of all Sophie's police chief father. But it's a small town. And forbidden love is a law unto itself.
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#SecondChanceRomance #Review STEADFAST by @SarinaBowen is a #MustRead
Yesi’s Thoughts
I thought that I was prepared to for Jude’s story. I thought I knew what to expect and that I would breeze through it. I was wrong. Steadfast took me on an emotional ride that had my heart aching and my head spinning. Everything we thought we knew about Jude Nickel was just the surface. There was so much to him and to his story that I just couldn’t get enough. Sarina Bowen delivers an excellent follow up to one of my favorite reads of 2016, Bittersweet. This book will take you on a soul searching journey and it will be one of the best that you will take.
“I didn’t want to live like this- full of confusion and guilt all the time, and heartbroken in a hundred ways at once.”
When we first meet Jude in Bittersweet, all we really know is that he is an ex-con battling addiction and needing a job. He is quiet, he is hard-working, and is obviously dealing with his share of demons. We sort of know how he landed in jail and a deadly crash not only landed him there but also caused him to lose the love of his life. Now with the job at the Shipley Farm over, he finds himself back in his hometown, penniless but determined. He knows that sooner or later he will run into his girl, Sophie Haines. The girl that was his everything and the one that we eventually find out he pushed away.
“I wore the memory of Sophie like an imprint on my soul.”
Sophie is shocked to see Jude back in town and she is full of questions. Old feelings come to the surface and soon they are back in each other lives. What I liked most about this book is not only the journey to redemption and forgiveness, but the dynamic between Sophie and Jude. Their love still there, but that painful past not allowing them to let go and be free to love each other again. I loved that she loved him unconditionally and never once gave up on him. And even though they never really had that perfect relationship, she still believed in her heart that they belonged together.
“All we’ve ever had were stolen moments…”
There is so much depth to this story that once you start reading, you find yourself fully invested and totally immersed in hopefully a happy outcome. Steadfast is book that will dig deep into your heart and take a piece of it when you are done. It is poignant, heartbreaking, and beautifully told. Yet, with all of that said, yes, this book is deep, heartfelt, and sentimental, but in between all of that, there are plenty of sexy times and a few moments where you see Jude’s personality shine. Times when you know that if anyone deserves a second chance at life and love, it is him. Both Sophie and Jude will steal your heart and will have you rooting for their HEA. Steadfast should be one of your must reads of the summer!
About Sarina Bowen
Sarina Bowen writes steamy, angsty contemporary romance from Vermont’s Green Mountains. (Her ancestors began logging and farming Vermont during the 18th century. These were rugged, outdoor types without benefit of a laptop or a good latte. It boggles the mind.)
Sarina enjoys skiing, skating and good food. She lives in Windsor County, Vermont, with her family, eight chickens and too much ski gear and hockey equipment.
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