Stevie‘s review of Treasure on Lilac Lane (Jewell Cove, Book 2) by Donna Alward
Contemporary Romance published by St. Martin’s Paperbacks 28 Oct 14
I loved the town of Jewell Cove and its inhabitants we met in the first book, so I was greatly looking forward to the arrival of the next book in the series, along with the chance to learn more about the place and the people. This time, the focus moves away from Abby and Tom of the House on Blackberry Hill and on to Abby’s new friend Jess – as well as Jess and Tom’s long-time friend Rick. So how does their romance compare to that of Abby and Tom?
First off, Jess and Rick have known each other all their lives, but they’ve both suffered a multitude of losses and emotional damage since sharing a single kiss as teenagers. Rick has lost his hand, as well as a good friend and comrades, to conflict, followed not long after by losing his mother to cancer. Jess, meanwhile, has rebuilt her life following an abusive relationship, but can’t bring herself to trust men again – especially not men who drink to excess, as her ex did and as Rick has in the months between his mother’s diagnosis and her eventual death.
Rick hasn’t touched alcohol since the promise he made his mother before she died that he’d stop, and he now tries to cope with his grief and memories by painting – not that he wants anyone to know that his tough-guy persona is covering up an artistic temperament. Jess runs a successful gallery for local artists and crafters and also offers classes for adults and children in a range of crafts. So the pair seem ideally matched, except for Jess’s understandable worries about letting anyone too close and Rick’s conviction that he’s not good enough for her, even without knowing what her ex did.
As autumn draws on toward winter, however, the two become close personally – and for practical business reasons when Rick helps Jess with minor construction jobs around her store and home – before Jess then discovers his paintings. But Jess’s ex is expected back in town for the first time since her brother chased him away and she feels that she can’t speak up to prevent him when his mother is dying.
I love all the long-standing connections between the people in this story, and the fact that both Jess and Rick have to take steps toward solving their issues separately as well as together. I’m a little sorry we don’t get to see the ghost from the first book again, but we do find out a little more about the links between Abby’s family and others in the town. I’d also have liked to see Rick paying a visit to the partner of his comrade who died, but maybe we’ll get to meet that missing link in the chain of connections in a later book, especially with so much remaining undiscovered about Rick’s birth parents.
All in all, another lovely story from Jewell Cove, even if there is a slight slowdown in the middle segment, and I’m looking forward to reading about Christmas in the town next month.
Grade: B
Summary:
Sometimes the journey home is its own reward.
Once upon a time, Rick Sullivan had a promising future. One of Jewell Cove’s star athletes and reigning heartthrobs, he joined the Marines and had the world in the palm of his hand…until it all came crashing down. His honorable discharge doesn’t make him the hometown hero everyone wants him to be, and there’s little reprieve from the demons that haunt him at night. Still, even though it seems that all hope is gone, fate has something else in store…
Just hearing Rick’s name is enough to give Jess Collins a headache. Years ago, they’d been close. Now she barely knows the man Rick has become since his return from service…then again, Jess isn’t that same young, naïve girl anymore either. And while there’s a powerful attraction between them–one that yields a greater passion than Jess could have ever imagined–both are wary about opening their hearts to love…and loss.
But happy endings don’t come easily when long-buried secrets insist on rising to the surface. Will their pasts tear them apart–or can love find a way to heal them both?
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
