I picked up this book from the local Y's book exchange shelf with the idea that I'd probably pass it on to a friend whose mother likes these for evening reading after I'd read it. This book is book 2 in the sub-series and I did not read the first book. I would say it is not necessary to read book 1 to read this book, but if you had read book 1, you might better understand the characters.

I have to admit that the Love Inspired Historical line was not my favorite of the Love Inspired line, though I will say that the titles in the historical line do seem to delve a bit more into the Christian faith than the ones set in contemporary times, and I do like that.

When I read the first chapter I did not have high hopes for this book. Be assured, it gets better.

WARNING: SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW. READ ON AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION

The Thornton family apparently went north during the Civil War and escaped some of the repercussions that the Montgomery Family faced. As a result the parents of the two families passed their animosity about the other family on to their children--what this book deems a feud.

Both the main characters married their late spouses for the wrong reasons and ended up in marriages that made them now doubt their suitability to be a spouse to anyone.

I see another reviewer mentioned that she felt sorry for anyone who'd marry any of the Montgomery brothers. I'm inclined to agree--though I'm hoping that the events in this book start at least one of them rethinking their position(s). ( )