Like Never Before (Walker Family Book #2) - Melissa Tag

Sometimes I just want to write a one sentence review simply because any thing 'said' wouldn't seem to do (the story) justice. For this book it would be - 'I loved it, it has a bit of everything, read it you'll see.' However...

After what she deemed a good life is shattered, Amelia Bentley seeks refuge in a small town called Maple Valley, Iowa. She becomes the editor of the local newspaper but just as she feels she has captured all the pieces of her broken life, it's on the verge of crumbling again when the job she loves will be lost as the paper may close and worse still sold off to a bigger newspaper corp.

Logan Walker, speechwriter extraordinaire, still misses his wife. Widowed too soon his beautiful young daughter, Charlie is not speaking. An amazing opportunity arrives namely a presidential campaign. But there's a major hurdle he needs to jump first. The first editor of the Maple Valley News, who recently passed away, left him the paper.

Logan's immediate option is to head back to the Valley and make a quick sale. But in spite of his wishes he finds himself helping out Amelia with a story that she knows will increase sales. When the bright young woman finds out that Logan is the new owner, can she convince him not to sell? Will the single father ignore her pleas?

As in my opening gambit, this is a great, lovely, charming story beautifully told. It's utterly romantic, it's quirky, poignant, and so absorbing (I read it in one day). Each character has so much definition, you want to believe that they are out there living and breathing in Iowa. Amelia's divorce is quietly described yet the pain is deep. Logan's loss of his wife equally so. Yet together they find a mutual understanding of each other's grief.

Besides the romance, their faith has been tested and along the way they find themselves realizing that the way their lives are turning out is the path God intended for them. Tagg's descriptions are simple yet sumptuous, she has weaved a compelling tale that is akin to real life - it has it's ups and downs - this is not an atypical romance.

This is a story filled to the brim with family loyalty, faith, friendship, small town camaraderie and of course love. The only thing about reading Book 2 is that I've missed out on reading all about these wonderful characters in Book 1! A very highly recommended read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group as part of their blogger program. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.