The Sweetheart Secret

Sweetheart Sisters #3

By Shirley Jump 

ISBN# 9780425264522)

Author’s Website: http://www.shirleyjump.com

 

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Some Spoilers

Synopsis:

The Sweetheart Sisters are ready for some good ol’ matchmaking… 

Colton Harper, Rescue Bay’s resident physician, gave up his wild ways years ago, in exchange for a straight and narrow life. But then a one-night stand comes back to haunt him when the intoxicating woman he left behind shows up in Rescue Bay.

Once upon a time, fiery Daisy Barton was Colt’s wife—and still is, thanks to a paperwork glitch. Now she’s here in Rescue Bay, with a once-in-a-lifetime chance at a fresh start—renovating a crumbling B&B. The catch? The loan she needs requires her “husband’s” financial backing.

Colt wants to turn Daisy away, but when he sees her coax a smile from his cantankerous grandfather, Colt realizes maybe she can help him, too. It’s the perfect arrangement—until the sparks start flying. Suddenly Colt realizes he’s still head over heels in love with Daisy, and that he’ll have to risk everything…or risk losing her forever.

Review:

I have entered this series in book three….and I must say….I wish I had begun at book one.  Not because this isn’t a stand-alone book…but because I love this author’s writing style.

Way back Colt had made a promise to Henry (his little brother) ..

“Will you be here, Colt, when I get back?  Of course. I’m always here for you, buddy.  A grin, then a light jab to his arm. You’re a good big brother.  You’re not so bad yourself, for a pesky little brother.” 

But then Colt had not been there.  He had broken his promise and guilt just ate away at Colt over Henry’s death….and he changed his life to compensate for this, in every conceivable way.

The depth of the characters is what surprised me the most.  This author developed both Colt and Daisy with depth and complexity…..which, frankly, simulates real life far more than the normal “fairy tale” handsome lead male and beautiful lead female.  Don’t get me wrong, both characters are handsome or beautiful in addition to an actual past with what I like to call “warts and all”.  We all make bad decisions in our lives and have to live with the consequences and these characters are no exception.  That is what kept my interest…ok….also the fact that Colt is hunky had something to do with it as well.

The supporting characters also were introduced with depth to their lives, which is definitely refreshing.

Grandpa Earl (Colt’s grandfather) has issue surrounding the death of Henry, his other grandson (as does Colt). This guilt has done nothing but ruin the relationship between Earl and Colt for the last 15 years.  Sad really, they could have supported each other through the tough times following Henry’s death instead of both of them blaming Colt.  Earl is also suffering as he has pushed himself away from his poker group, especially his friend Walt Patterson.  Finally, they have a much overdue conversation….when Colt said…

“Every boy needs his grandpa. You’re the one who taught me everything I know.”

I got…

Goose bumps.  I could just feel them sitting on the bench and Colt saying this.  Very touching.

Emma is Daisy’s cousin. They both spent one formative summer together in the local B & B – The Hideaway Inn, where Emma’s parents were running the Inn.  Emma has problems of her own and Daisy just wants to help. She thinks them running the B & B for her aunt will help Emma be happy again.  We find out much more lies underneath Emma’s unhappiness…a situation she has not even shared with her best friend and cousin, Daisy.  I found it delightful that this character in the book also had depth and her story was well told.

That fateful summer is where Daisy met Colt and at the end of the summer they ran off together on his motorcycle, got married and moved to New Orlean’s.  As fate would have it, after three weeks, one morning Colt received a phone call, left the apartment, never to return.  And Daisy had NO clue.  It wasn’t until Daisy returned to Rescue Bay and got reacquainted with Colt again that she finally learned of the reason for his quick departure.

And what about Harold Twohig and Greta!  I LOVED their interactions.  I could so visualize my grandmother acting that way to the many beaus’ vying for her attention at the senior’s residence.  I got a great chuckle when Harold said..

“That’s just a front. She doesn’t want her friends to know she’s hot for this eighty-four –year old body.”

Harold sure has spunk and a never give up attitude where Greta is concerned.  You will chuckle and enjoy the journey Harold is put through by Greta.  Will it be worth it in the end….read and you will find out. And Greta had a habit her doctor (yup…Colt) was not fond of….putting bourbon in her morning coffee.  At one particular doctor’s appointment, Greta said..

 “I asked if it was possible to be allergic to someone…… As in the mere sight of his blindingly white head and ugly moon-pie face gives you the dry heaves.”  

Too funny is all I can say.  She is truly a character and she was so well written!

I highly recommend this story!  Pick it up and give it a read, you won’t be disappointed.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*