⛰️💐💕 “Her Mountain Refuge” (Cedar Ridge #2) (2022) 💕💐⛰️ – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Publisher: Love Inspired (May 3, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 133575931X
ISBN-13: 978-1335759313
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Going home could mean risking her heart…
She needs help to start over…
But can she ever trust again?
Widowed, pregnant and under her controlling mother-in-law’s thumb, Charlotte Tremaine needs help—but she doesn’t expect it to come from her estranged childhood best friend. Yet after a fainting spell lands her in the hospital, Sheriff Logan Carter whisks her away to his foster mother’s mountain home to recover. But when her secrets follow, can she face her painful past with Logan at her side?”
Thank you in advance to the author, Laurel Blount, for providing a complimentary review copy through her launch team. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
Laurel Blount is one of many authors that is a “must-read” for me. I got introduced to her writing with the Love Inspired release Hometown Hope (Pine Valley series) in 2019. It was book #3 in a series, so I rushed to find books #1 (A Family for the Farmer) and #2 (A Baby for the Minister) – which are still on my TBR list (but at least I have them).
After the fourth book, A Rancher to Trust, I was definitely a “fan” of her writing which borders on inspirational with a touch of reality, but still gives a happy ending.
I was just recently on her launch team for Strength in the Storm, an Amish Romantic Suspense through Berkley, and book #2 in her Johns Mill Amish Suspense series. By the way, you HAVE to read Shelter in the Storm, the first book, to see how everything starts out. I call them Romantic Suspense because there is a touch of suspense with regard to the main story – an Amish couple killed by an angry Englischer who then goes on the run.
The third book, Courage in the Storm, is set for release April 2023. The final, and fourth book Home from the Storm, is on a TBA status.
That said …
Not only was the blurb enough to draw me in, looking at that tranquil and peaceful cover was like being on my own retreat.
This is book #2 in the Love Inspired Cedar Ridge series. Book #1 was Lost and Found Faith which featured Logan’s adopted sister Maggie, her adopted son Oliver, and Neil. Those three will return to this story in a limited capacity. It was great catching up with them and I did long for a bit more of their interaction. This will give a slight spoiler to the end of that book so I do advise reading it before this one.
Blount introduces us to a former “love” of Logan Carter – Charlotte Tremaine (Moore). She’s a widow living under the thumb of her mother-in-law, pregnant, and near destitute, and struggling with her new business.
Ruby – Logan and Maggie’s foster mom – also returns.
Logan’s “siblings” – Ryder, Torey, Jina, and Nick are also featured, mentioned, or make an appearance. Logan’s father also has an interesting part in this (love that he was found in Las Vegas).
The “baddie” is of course, Charlotte’s mother-in-law Elizabeth. The author must’ve met some of the mother-in-laws I’ve “known”, met, or had been in the family – though none of them were rich like this one.
I also had to smile at Charlotte’s doctor in Savannah – Dr. Edwards (I’m a bit biased when it comes to that last name). The woman reminds me of my mom’s OB-GYN Oncologist as well.
Even though it is a clean read; there will be some mentions of potentially triggering content: a pregnant widow, domestic violence (DV), gambling, alcohol abuse, DUI, child abuse, and DV calls. Some of these happened prior to the beginning of the story, some are mentioned.
The beginning to this is about as “Say Yes to the Dress” meets Bridezilla as you can get. And, Charlotte needs this wedding to get her business to succeed so she can escape the clutches of get the monster-in-law.
As of note – weight can fluctuate here or there. Even the weather. But, the Bridezilla won’t hear of it. She’s upset that Charlotte needs to alter the dress to compensate and begins berating her. Charlotte passes out from the stress. As of note, some women do suffer from pregnancy related hypertension. The medical term is Gestational Hypertension. It is typically diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy or close to delivery. My mother was hospitalized with Preeclampsia two weeks before I was born, so stress and over exertion are a cause for concern.
Since it is a high-profile wedding, the news captures Charlotte being put in an ambulance. Logan sees her wearing her late mother’s college ring. He knows that is a signal that Charlotte is in trouble.
Logan rushes to Savannah because he knows Charlotte needs him.
Even though he told her not to call him, he is there for her. He notes the lack of most “get well” items – cards, balloons, stuffed animals. There is nothing there for Charlotte emphasizing how alone she really is.
After meeting Elizabeth, he knows that Charlotte cannot stay in Savannah. He’ll take her to Cedar Ridge and to Ruby. Elizabeth protests it, but Charlotte wants to go.
But, being back there isn’t the end of Charlotte’s problems – in fact, they’re just beginning.
Not only does Ruby see an eventual pairing between Charlotte and Logan, but Logan sees the toll the abuse has taken on Charlotte. While the two are close friends, neither thinks of marriage.
Logan gets a “frequent flyer” DV call which worries Charlotte. And, Blount introduces a frightening reality here. DV calls are dangerous for numerous reasons, adding in alcohol or drugs amplifies that.
And, Charlotte knows that first-hand. She also has experience with the charges being dropped after filing a complaint. Not by her, but the influence of her mother-in-law. All too common is the victim usually “persuaded” – either by the perpetrator or family – to drop the charges.
But, it is a reality both Logan and Charlotte are too familiar with.
As Charlotte begins to “heal”, she gets a call – her mother-in-law is trying to take the baby. This almost causes Charlotte to go into premature labor, but it forces Logan to make a decision. One that might be unconventional, and I truly saw coming, but loved how he managed it.
But, it gives Charlotte a teammate and ammunition.
Elizabeth isn’t beneath playing dirty though, in fact – Logan’s past is just as much in question as Charlotte’s. Or at best, his father’s past.
One thing that sustains and bonds Charlotte and Logan – the baby and God, along with their family and friends in this beautiful and emotional story about love, loss, second chances, and faith.
And, what a story it was.
To be honest, I started it with the idea of a few minutes here or there. Before I knew it, 90 minutes had passed and I’d read 107 pages. This grabbed me and carried me off. For the line, it had “shortish” chapters, and was definitely fast-paced, without seemingly like it. It was definitely a VERY easy read.
I absolutely adored this sweet, heartwarming, dramatic, and touching story. It felt almost like I was watching a movie that had some real-life elements to it.
The good parts where the family and Logan! Logan was a doll. Of course, the worst part was Elizabeth. Talk about someone who needed a good double-dose of Jesus with a heaping of God! Sadly, as mentioned before, I’ve met the type. Not the money version, but even poorer folks have acted just as badly as this woman.
I had to laugh at a few things regarding the baby’s birth:
👩🏻⚕️ Emily (the Labor & Delivery nurse) referring to Logan as the “fussy-pants sheriff”
👶🏻Logan’s perception of newborns was that they looked like Winston Churchill (he has a slight point. NASCAR driver Kyle Busch remarked they looked like little aliens 👽)
I was pretty stunned I finished this as fast as I did.
While not a “deal-breaker”, I kind of wanted a bit more of the end, especially the Savannah part between Charlotte and Elizabeth. I do feel as though Elizabeth owed Charlotte because of what Dylan put Charlotte through.
Overall, this was – as expected – a “must-read” book that didn’t disappoint at all.
While Love Inspired tends to more Christian/faith-themed content, this book was light on that. There were slight references to God, having faith, and looking to him. These were not a heavy theme nor central to the story.
I’m looking forward to Ryder’s story in Cedar Ridge. And, I’m REALLY looking forward to returning to Johns Mill.
Fans of the author and genre are sure to enjoy this latest Love Inspired release.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Previous Book in the Series:
Series: Cedar Ridge (Book #1)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (August 21, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335758763
ISBN-13: 978-1335758767
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“A terrible tragedy nearly broke him.
Can love put him back together?
Widowed history teacher Neil Hamilton has lost his way – at work, with people and even with his faith. But, Neil's shut-down existence is disrupted when a small toddler and his would-be foster mother, vibrantly pretty Maggie Byrne, come crashing into Neil's yard and his life. Can this absentminded teacher find himself again ... and take a chance on love, too?”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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