relzreviewz.com Some Bright Someday by Melissa Tagg

Synopsis:~

He’s torn between love and honor…

Lucas Danby has always regretted the decisions that caused his dishonorable discharge from the military—and he’s never stopped trying to redeem his honor. He’s spent the past decade taking on dangerous short-term missions as an elite private soldier—the only part of his life that’s ever gone right. But the high-risk work never cures his shame. Now he’s stuck stateside, mentoring a new recruit. Worse, he’s sick of lying to the people he cares about most—including the woman he’s secretly loved for years.

She can’t escape her house of memories…

Jenessa Belville should be happy. She’s the hometown girl everyone loves, after all. But she’s also the last Belville left—and if she had her way, she’d leave the name and all its painful memories behind. Which is exactly what she hopes to do once she sells Belville Park, the massive estate she inherited from her parents. First, though, she needs to restore the property’s once-glorious gardens. But on the same day she puts up the “For Sale” sign, she discovers three children hiding in the caretaker’s cottage, thrusting her into the unexpected role of temporary guardian.

Fighting for their future means healing from the past…

Struggling to mentor a young man with scars nearly as piercing as his own, Lucas offers to help Jenessa restore the Belville grounds. Though drawn together by a trio of kids who tug on their hearts and the sparks they can’t deny, past secrets and current sorrows threaten to pull them apart. Only the brightest love and hardest sacrifice can turn the house Jenessa never wanted into the home she and Lucas have always longed for.

Necee’s take:~

“This was no moment of make-believe. Lucas Danby was kissing her.

And it was . . .a hundred kinds of perfect.”

This book…so many feelings, so much love for this friends to more story. The secret of the cottage was intriguing with Jenessa, as was Lucas’ struggles as a veteran. They both had so many layers I couldn’t wait to unpeel. The Maple Valley gang of friends drew out the meaning of choosing family and the need to heal from past loss and tragedy. So many heart strings were pulled as Tagg brought Lucas and Jenessa together in new and unexpected ways. I really enjoyed seeing both of them come out of their shells and explore the love they have for one another. Jenessa had so much love for others, that I was drawn to her heart. Lucas was just swoon worthy in his care for Jenessa and yet, his past doesn’t let him move forward. As his struggles with PTSD continue, he doesn’t quite know how to make things work with Jen. I loved all the emotions these characters brought out while finding their happy ending.

“I have a theory that all of us are a little braver than we think. Sometimes we just need another person to notice it.”

You won’t want to miss reading the first book in the Maple Valley series Now and Then and Always, as it really sets up this novel so well. The heart of God in this story will warm your heart, especially for two lonely souls looking for their place in the world. The deep friendships will have you wanting to move to their small town. I really enjoyed the theme of choosing your family and finding healing from your past in seeking a brighter future. It was heart warming and had such a feeling of God being in the midst of it all. Truly an inspiring read so I’m looking forward to more stories from Maple Valley. Also, it was fun seeing characters brought in from her prior books, too. If you love a heart warming, contemporary romance, I think you’ll love Some Bright Someday.

“You can trust God and still wish things were different. Faith doesn’t mean you stop dreaming about the future or desiring something you don’t yet have. God cares about the things that matter to you.”

This was my personal copy. I have given my honest opinion in this review.

Melissa Tagg is the Christy and Carol Award-winning author of swoony and hope-filled small-town contemporary romances, including the Maple Valley series, the Walker Family series, the Where Love Begins series, and the Enchanted Christmas Collection. She’s also a former reporter, current nonprofit marketing strategist, and total Iowa girl.

Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as workshops and women’s retreats. When she’s not happily lost in someone else’s book or plugging away her own, she can be found spoiling her nieces and nephews, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next fictional hero. Connect with Melissa at melissatagg.com.