[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and William Morrow Paperbacks in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
Summary
Four years ago, Evangeline was pulled over while hauling hay for the family ranch. She didn’t know there were stolen bottles of rare wine hidden in the hay. But after her arrest, she had some time to think and started putting the pieces together. It was clear someone she loved was moving the stolen wine. So she plead guilty and took the fall. And spent four years in prison for a crime she didn’t commit.
On her second attempt at parole, the arresting officer shows up to push through her application – her father has died and she’s needed at home. Overwhelmed with grief, she arrives home only to find her family turned against her. They blame her for everything – her father’s poor health, his drinking, his death, and the struggles at the ranch. Their anger lashes out at her over and over again. Her only hope for escape – because she certainly can’t tell them the truth – is to help the police take down the people ultimately responsible for the stolen wine – a crime that has continued for four years. If she helps, her record will be expunged and she’ll be free to take her prison-earned degree and set up a new life for herself – somewhere else.
Review
This was terrific! Part romance, part suspense, this is a family story while also being the story of Evangeline finding her place, her voice, and her “power” after everything she has been through.
When I think about the beginning of the novel from the perspective of the ending, I see how much Evangeline grows – how she settles into herself and her new life. She stands there and takes her family’s abuse early on. It was infuriating how awful they were to her, how hateful. And I felt that way even before I knew why she went to jail. I couldn’t sympathize with her because of the truth (yet), but I still knew their treatment of her was appalling. And Evangeline took every bit of it. She kept her head down and started working her plan to rebuild her life.
Once the truth comes out, the focus of the story shifts to the suspense. Who is really responsible for the crimes? How can Evangeline get to the truth so she can finally be free? And how can she keep herself safe while taking the bad guys down? I loved how all of this was handled.
Then Evangeline needs to deal with the fall out of everything that has happened. Her father’s will put her in charge of the future of the ranch. With her brothers pulling on her like she’s the rope in a tug of war, she has to decide who to listen to and how to proceed. And taking down the bad guys has repercussions, too. And the reader starts to wonder if there is any space in Evangeline’s life to get what SHE wants and needs – her business, her identity, and maybe even a relationship that gives her space to be herself and also feel seen and valued and loved.
This one is a home run! Don’t miss this – I highly recommend it! (Language, sex)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥½