Return To Emmett's Mill

Home in Emmett's Mill #2

by Kimberly Van Meter

Fifteen years ago golden girl Tasha Simmons had run from Emmett's Mill, leaving behind everyone she loved. Including Josh Halvorsen, her high school sweetheart, whom she'd hoped to marry. She'd never told him the secret that shamed her into leaving. And when Tasha learned that Josh had married and moved on, she'd known the man of her dreams was lost to her forever.

Yet now that Tasha's had to return to Emmett's Mill, she can't avoid Josh, handsome as ever, a single father who hadn't forgotten their love. Or forgiven her for leaving.

Genres: Romance, Harlequin

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely enjoyable second chance romance. Tasha Simmons and Josh Halvorsen were high school sweethearts. They drifted apart after Tasha went to college, got herself a job and later became a rape victim. As a result of that, Tasha ended up joining the Peace Corps. to get away from her hometown and the bad memories, and Josh never knew the reason why. Josh eventually got married, had a kid, got divorced. Now fifteen years later both are back in their hometown of Emmett’s Mill at the same time. Tasha has returned for her mother’s funeral. Josh has moved to get his teenage son Christopher away from the bullying at the school where Christopher used to attend. Tasha and Josh inevitably meet up again, and while the sparks are still there, each thinks that their chance for happiness has already passed.

This was such a captivating and emotional story with so much going on. I really liked Tasha and enjoyed all the drama with her family. Her two sisters and her father feel that she deserted the family when she joined the Peace Corps. Tasha’s relationship with her father is strained since he never believed her about the rape, which was at the hands of one of his friends. All Tasha wants to do is leave again, since being back home brings back too many painful memories. Josh is continuing to have problems with his son who seems to have become addicted to his computer. Josh hopes to rekindle something with Tasha but she seems unwilling, and he senses she’s hiding some secret. The story never failed to keep my interest. The characters really came to life. Overall, a thoroughly entertaining read.

[Karen Mcnicol · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by this author, I came across it looking for another book and I am glad I did. Very well written, not just a love story but a story of two people finding each other again after living their lives and facing some truths.