Author Jessica Ashley introduces readers to another member of the brotherhood, former Navy SEAL Weston ‘Cowboy’ Hayes, and shows us (1) the chaos caused when we choose distraction rather than dealing with our past and (2) the necessity of realizing our value as an important part of growth.
Reese Faye left Weston and Stormwatch Landing, South Carolina, in her rearview mirror nineteen years ago with little thought of returning…that is, until circumstances beyond her control cause her to return to the very last place she’d ever choose.
Weston has spent his life running away from what he’s never wanted to face until the day he’s forced to deal with it or risk losing the love of his life forever.
I loved the author’s focus on God’s timing and the reminder that it’s never wrong despite our limited scope telling us otherwise. Both Reese and Weston needed to know that God wasn’t leaving them to walk through their trials alone.
“It’s hard to see the light when you’re stuck in the dark. But that doesn’t mean the light is absent. It’s always there. All you have to do is flip the switch.”
I enjoyed watching Weston realize his value just the way he was and that he was enough for both God and Reese. Negative reflexive thoughts can be so debilitating, and it was a good reminder to face them with positive reflective thinking and introspection and, more importantly, bring our despair to God. I never tire of Ashley’s characters who learn to cultivate self-worth and redefine their value.
Ashley’s well-balanced and compelling narrative kept me flipping pages to see her characters’ growth and if a second chance was possible.