I received a copy of this book from LibraryThing Free Book Giveaway for an honest opinion. I tried several times to finish the book but honestly found it very difficult to understand the main characters. Louisa is so unsure and doesn't appear to have any natural inclination for medicine. I felt it was way out of her town but no true devotion. I wish Louisa would have been a bit more assertive or at least sure of her own skills and then showcased it in the town to sway others to see her as a future doctor. ( )

This is the second book in this series, and while I enjoyed the first one, this one moved much slower. This one is about the second sister, Louisa, and her return to Sweetwater Crossing. Although she left in a huff in the first book, she is convinced to return by Doc Sheridan's widow for his burial. She meets Josh on the road - thrown my his horse with a broken leg. When she decides to stay until he is healed, Widow Sheridan gives her Doc's practice, lock, stock and barrel. While Josh is stuck in a cast, he has time to figure out what he wants from life, and Louisa works to gain the townspeople's trust to let her work as their healer. The mystery comes in as someone actively works to keep Louisa from achieving her dreams. All in all, it was a nicely written story, just a little slow and repetitive until the end, when it moved very quickly. ( )

Set in 1883, this romantic and suspenseful story will take you on an amazing journey of trust and belonging.

After being away for seven months, Louisa was returning to Sweetwater Crossing. On the way to her hometown, she spotted an injured man on the side of the road. Josh's horse threw him and left with the saddlebags that contained recipes for the P&S business that he needed to win a challenge. While taking care of Josh's broken leg, Louisa was determined to gain the town's peoples trust to be their physician. It was always her dream to help people, to be a healer. People however believed that women shouldn't be doctors.

While staying in Sweetwater Crossing until his leg heals, Josh was working hard to win his grandfather's challenge that will give him control over the family business. The idea to expand his family business came unexpectedly and with full support from Louisa, he started to build a tearoom in this small town.

It was heartbreaking to experience all the hurdles that awaited Louisa on her way to become a doctor. People didn't believe in her talent, they blamed her for deaths that could not have been prevented. I loved Louisa for her bravery, courage, and determination. And there is much more I liked about this book: the small-town set up, the fascinating plot told in the perspectives of both Louisa and Josh, and the unique characters that made this story even more intriguing.

Nicely crafted historical fiction that contained drama, suspense, mystery, and romance. I liked this book as much as the first one and can't wait to read Joanna's story in the last book from this series. ( )

While this is the second book in a series, this historical novel can easily be read as a standalone as well. Louisa Vaughn had vowed never to return to Sweetwater Crossing but when her friend insists that she accompany her back to bury her husband she does. She reunites with her estranged sister and discovers she has been left a doctor's office. That comes as a major blessing because while away she had been studying to become a midwife and doctor. Sweetwater Crossing no longer has a doctor and she is ready to take the reigns if the townsfolk will trust a female doctor. The first big way to prove that she knows what she is doing is by setting the leg of a man who was thrown from his horse. Josh Porter is a big shot from New York who was just passing through, but since he broke his leg he will have to spend several months there while he heals. She finds her heart opening to him and another man who seems intent on pursuing her. Maybe returning to Sweetwater Crossing wasn't so bad after all? She'll have to navigate her heart and convince the town that she really is fit to be their doctor. A good clean Christian read. ( )