Sophie is a closeted lesbian and Nora is bisexual, they fell in love in high school and were torn apart by prejudice. Nora returns to the small town they were ride in and where Sophie still lives for her father's funeral, she is reunited with Sophie and this is where this book starts. The book outlines quite clearly how difficult it is to be LGBT in small town Texas and the complications that ensue when you can't be who you are. The chapters go back and forth between Nora's voice and Sophie's voice, which was occasionally confusing when there was internal and external dialogue wasn't signposted clearly enough and I found myself flitting back to the start of the chapter to see who was thinking and who was speaking. Also for a book about a romance between two women there is a lot of graphic heterosexual sex. The characters are well written and believable, and there is a lovely mother daughter relationship between Sophie and Logan.

The relationship newt was both the characters was written well.  Sophie and Nora instant attraction is visual. I was expecting a different ending, however you didn’t see the twist and turns within the story.

Melissa Lenhardt has a wonderful free flowing writing style that made this book so easy to read and kept me turning the pages. 
In their teens Nora and Sophie were best friends but something happens to split them apart which forces Nora to leave her hometown and everyone behind. When her father dies  Nora returns  home for his funeral and old passions are rekindled leaving Sophie to decide whether she should choose to change her life forever. Will Nora leave again or can she convinced to stay and erase the painful memories of the past? A beautifully and sensitively written  love story.

A typical love story from Mills & Boon, or would be if the lovers were not of the same gender. Being British, I did not always get some of the American references (to food etc) .I do however appreciate that Texas is quite conservative and the religious aspect of the town in which the story is based. The lesbian relationships made this an interesting read and the response of the community about the relationships in the book was fairly well explored and fairly believeable. 
As so often in books, and life, there seemed to be a fear of what people would think and communication problems about feelings and important issues which predictably  went better than expected once brought into the open. I`m still asking myself whether attitudes to homosexuality were so biased and old-fashioned in 1995 ? I would have thought not, but I was not in the American deep south, so I can't offer an opinion about that.

This story was light reading on the whole, despite the couples problems, I normally prefer something more literary.  I would read more from this author, but need something with more to it for my next read

Thankyou to Net galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

A lovely story of love, loss, friendships and family.

I really enjoyed this book, I really don’t want to spoil it for everyone by saying too much, other than you must read this!
If this isn’t normally your type of genre, give it a chance. 
I love the way the author deals with what can be sensitive issues. The characters and locations in the book are described really well and you feel like you are there and get to know all the characters. As the story develops you learn more about why certain characters behave in certain ways and you fall in love with them even more.
I loved all the characters in this (well most of them!) and felt this could be a real life story. I loved their interactions with each other making it feel all the more real. 
I loved that although some bits may be a little predictable, the ending wasn’t (but maybe the way I hoped it would be!) 

A lovely tale that will stay with you, even after you finish the last page. 


Thank you to Netgallery, the publishers and most importantly the author, for the chance to read this book, in exchange for an honest review.

I don't know how to express my feelings about this book without leaving accidental spoilers, so this is very brief for how much a I loved this story. 

I would definitely read other books by this author and would 100% recommend this book to others. Such a wonderful story.

The book begins with Nora returning to her home town Lynchfield after being away for almost 20 years.  Her father Ray had banned her, and she returns for his funeral, and to catch up with her family and friends.
Her sister Mary immediately takes a hostile attitude towards her, and Nora herself feels bitter towards her family and old school friend Sophie, her only friend her aunt Emmadean.  There are secrets from the past which unfold throughout the story.
Initially, I found it difficult to get into the story as there are quite a few characters introduced in the opening chapters, and it takes a while before you get to know them.  The book is descriptive and well written, but initially it was difficult to empathise with Nora as she seems resentful and unwilling to make amends, although as her background is explored it becomes understandable.  Mainly written from Nora’s viewpoint, you gain clearer insight when Sophie adds her perspective to the story.
This is a powerful, compelling story about renewing relationships, friendships and family expectations, being true to yourself in who you are, and acceptance.  This courageous story also addresses complex issues which are still common today, and is definitely worth reading.

Nora returns home after years away from her estranged father and now at his funeral the air is thick with rumours about her visit. She feels completely changed from the teenager who abruptly left but her small town still encapsulates her past. Emotions and gossip run deep, especially when Nora is reunited with her old best friend Sophie and her husband, Charlie, Nora’s ex. The two people that everyone assumed Nora ran away from when she joined the military and they’re all watching with bated breath at their reunion.
I love how flawed and relatable all of the characters are and I was very surprised that this was a Mills & Boon book (not my usual go-to genre) but Melissa Lenhardt has written a beautiful LGBT story which I enjoyed immensely.
The dynamic between Nora, Sophie and Charlie varies on their environment and demonstrates how much impact outside forces can have on a relationship despite the love that exists there. This is a book which illustrates how deeply first loves can shape us and how it is never too late for forgiveness, hope and acceptance.

I really enjoyed this book, at first I wasn't sure about it but the longer it went on, the more I got drawn in until towards the end where I was desperately turning the pages to find out whether I was going to get the happy ending I was craving.

Nora and Sophie's chemistry is so palpable and their longing fills the story with a sense of barely suppressed need that kept me up late at night unable to put the book down. I loved their relationship, and it was such a fascinating exploration of being closeted and the bravery it takes to be true to yourself in a deeply conservative environment.

Nora has never looked back since leaving her home town. She has come home now as her father has died. She has to face  ex-boyfriend Charlie, and best friend Sophie.  Sophie appears to have a great life. She is married to Charlie, has a daughter Logan and a successful career but her life isn’t a great as it appears and when Nora comes back their lives collide again. 

This book is a story about a friendship that develops into something more between two young women but certain issues spilts them up but they meet up again when older and nothing with stop them colliding this time.

The story was little slow to start but it did get going and the author weaves a heartfelt love story between two people and how they find their way back to each other. 

The author addresses various topics in the books. 

I never read a book from Mills & Boon so this one was a first from the publishing company. 

I received a ARC from Netgalley and Mills & Boon an objection review,

I found the writing to be a bit clunky and it wasn't my typical read. i did finish it but wouldn't hurry back to read another.

When her father dies, After eighteen years away, Nora returns home  to attend her dad's funeral; the dad who had sent her away after finding her in bed with her best friend Sophie. Sophie is now unhappily married to selfish pig Charlie (Nora's ex-boyfriend) and has a daughter Logan. Despite her unhappiness Sophie is hoping to protect her new life and hopes Nora's stay is short. However, your first love isn't easily forgotten and what will happen when old feelings return?
A really great emotional read - I certainly shed a tear at the end. There were some great moments and some thoroughly unpleasant characters (Charlie and Brenda) and a real emotional journey. A fantastic read.

Nora returns, after 18, years, to her small home town in Texas. How will her friends, family and lovers react. Why did she leave? Is it a mistake to return? Is she the same person, are her former friends and lovers the same people? An enjoyable love story with surprising twists.

This book was slow to start but once the story became apparent I was routing for Nora to get her girl.
Sophie was obviously trapped in a loveless marriage and had been driven to drink by living a lie. I really felt for her as she had been manipulated by her husband who was a bastard. He had played away but still wanted the church going wife so he could play at being a politician.... “Sound familiar!”
I was waiting for Logan their daughter to wake up and smell the coffee and thankfully she did but not before time.
I also really hated Brenda Sophie’s mum, she was a bigoted bitch who had helped keep the lovers apart for so many years. She deserved the slap and ostracisation she was going to get.

This arc copy was provided in exchange for a honest review for netgalley.

Nora returns to her childhood home after eighteen years, for her father’s funeral. She was sent away from her family when she was caught in bed with her best friend Sophie.

Sophie is now married to Charlie who used to be Nora’s boyfriend and has a daughter Logan. When Sophie sees Nora again all her old feelings for her return. 

This is such a beautifully written love story. The turmoil of Sophie living a lie and trying to hide her feelings for Nora, growing up in a religious small town where being gay is frowned upon and considered a sin. 

I was so completely hooked with this story and absolutely loved the two main characters. I may have shed a tear at the end!!

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

Two women, separated upon disclosure of their relationship. 
When her father dies, Nora returns home after eighteen years to attend his funeral; her father had sent her away after being found in a compromising situation with Sophie, her best friend.
At the funeral, she comes face to face with Sophie, who is married to and has a daughter with Charlie, Nora's ex-boyfriend.
A well-written story of sexuality and honesty, with two women, ultimately able to show their deep emotional love for each other after decades of hiding their true feelings. 
I want to thank NetGalley, Mills & Boon and author Melissa Lenhardt for a pre-publication copy to review

I have to admit that this was not the usual love story scenario that I read, but it had me enthralled to the very end.
To imagine that this scenario has taken place all over the world for so many years, but not always ending in this way, saddens me because everyone deserves to love and be loved.
I hope that this book hits across the generations, making them think just that little bit more.
I certainly will be telling people to read it, and many are in book groups of some kind.
Well done on writing such a sensitive love story

I enjoyed this book. I loved the different themes it explored; sexuality, homophobia, alcoholism and Trumps America. I also loved the relationship between the female family members- such as Nora and her Aunt and Sophie and her daughter. My only issue was that at the beginning it felt a little slow.

Form the beginning, I was captured into the story of two women, torn apart as young girls, upon discovery of their forbidden love, and how they cope with being thrown together again eighteen years later.
Nora finds herself back in her hometown after eighteen years of exile, sent away by her father, after she was found in a compromising situation with her best friend Sophie.
Sent off to join the military, Nora comes to terms with her feelings, and her attraction to both men and women, as Sophie is left back home, building her own perfect future.
The twists come hard and fast, as her father dies, and she returns for the funeral, to come face to face with her childhood love, Sophie, who is married to Charlie, who used to be Nora's boyfriend.
Confused?
It will make sense once you read.
This is a beautifully told story of love reclaimed, and two women finally being able to be themselves, after decades of hiding their true selves. Set in a town filled with strict religious beliefs, and a whole new generation to think about, along with the older people, who see same-sex relationships as the ultimate sin, there are so many layers this story peels through.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Mills And Boon for an ARC, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Despite not being a fan of people never getting over their first love stories, I really cared about what was going to happen with Sophie and Nora and found myself reading on and on late into the night to get to the conclusion. That was only once the book started going though. I nearly quit reading in the first quarter of the book, as it was trying to make the reveal of who Nora's love interest was a huge surprise. It seemed regressive to make Nora fancying *gasp* a woman! a reveal in a romance book which is supposed to be making the genre more diverse and inclusive.