There’s complicated. And there’s Rowen Sterling. That is an understatement! As with other Nicole Williams books, there is a really great character lead and the supporting cast is bigger than life. Rowen has just been bad news from the beginning. This is not a result of anyone other than her own mother. What an awful way to treat a kid. Her Mom sends her to live with a good friend in an effort to set her on the right path. Any other time, this would have been a great idea, now it is not. The anger and pain she exhibits is a direct result of her mother resenting her. The only thing Rowen wants is to go to art school so she agrees to go to Willow Springs Ranch to work so her Mom ill pay for her schooling. That right there is the only reason Rowen has to survive and exist. Thrive is not even part of her vocabulary.

After a long bus ride to Montana, Rowen is greeted by Jesse. He is her ride to Willow Springs. Right away he is intrigued and then you find out later it is her appearance She is sort of punk and goth and uses that to hide who she is. She even wears color contacts to cover up her bright blue eyes. Jesse actually wants to get to know her. At first I thought well Lord he is in Montana who else has he got to talk to right? He is lonely, then it comes to realization  he is genuine and a nice guy. The reveal as to why he is the way he is comes out. There is more than one reason.

The family owns a farm. Neil and Rose have Jesse the eldest, Lily, Hyacinth and Clementine. Very unique and adorable names. There is a part where Rose says that Peony was not an option. I laughed out loud over that one! Rose and Kate are college friends and complete opposites. Rowen doesn’t get how she can be best friends with her Mom. This woman loves kids, is nurturing and even home schools them year round.  Kate on the other hand is an evil mother   a new boyfriend every month. Other  than the men in her life she cares more about her clothes than Rowen. This a where the book gets really emotional. It deals with a lot of complex issues that have been brushed off.

All of her secrets do eventually come out. No spoilers but I will say there are a few reveals that make up for the unknown. The story behind Rowen is deep. She tries, but is not optimistic and thinks her future will be trashed. It goes to show that not everyone can be a mom and more importantly not everyone wants to be a mom.

 Yes Kate meakes me ill!

The character development takes a slow and steady pace throughout the book. The reveals are fabulous! You will see what shapes Rowen, Jesse and the minor characters like Josie. It was just a fabulous book and a must read. I know it will appeal to just about everyone. I know I took away another life lesson about how parenting is hard, and sometimes a little hurt wont heal. Be kind, loving and nurture your kids! PLEASE read this

READ IT

 

 

About the Author

I’m a wife, a mom, a writer. I started writing because I loved it and I’m still writing because I love it. I write young adult because I still believe in true love, kindred spirits, and happy endings. Here’s to staying young at heart *raises champagne glass* . . . care to join me?

 

Author social media links:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/nwilliamsbooks

Blog: http://nicoleawilliams.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nwilliamsbooks