One of the things I like about Bridget E. Baker's books, at least the few I've read so far, is she isn't afraid to tackle topics that others avoid... things that might make us uncomfortable and certainly should make us think.
Mary had a horrible childhood. Her mother chose a career over kids. I think it is important to note that at no point did this read as Baker staying you cannot have both a career and kids. This is simple what Mary's mom decided. As a result of her Mom leaving, her dad checks out of their lives and into a bottle. Mary decides, based on her Mom's actions, that you cannot be a "good" mom and have a career. And Mary makes that clear up front when she enters into a relationship with her boyfriend, who does want kids. After 2 years, he leaves her.
Mary has decided to focus on her career and not a relationship and then she meets Luke. What she doesn't know is that he is a widower and has 2 children. Once she finds out she is upfront with him about it, but they decided to enjoy time together because he and his kids are only in her town temporarily. They will be moving on in a few weeks. And he's not looking for a new wife. He wants to guard his heart from loss.
What neither one of them admits is how strong their attraction to each other is and even when they try to dial things back, it amps up.
Luke realizes they are in love and works to convince Mary that they need to pursue this relationship and that they can over come the obstacles along the way. He wants her to realize that she can be a good mom and still have her career. He never once manipulates her or indicates that she would have to give up her career to be his kid's mom. And Mary really loves kids as indicated by all she does with by volunteering for the sub for Santa program, as well as the sacrifices she makes for her nephew. It truly isn't that she doesn't want kids, she just wrongly believes that she cannot have them and a career and she is choosing the career because she fears she will be like her mom and resent any kids she might have.
There were times this was a painful read. I wanted Mary to see her worth and value.. to see that she was not her mother and that she could have all that she wanted in life. And I hurt for Luke and his kids, who loved Mary and just wanted a chance with her.
One of the reviews I read and some of the comments, indicated that Luke pushed Mary.. and I guess he did but not to force her to be his, but for her to see herself in the right light.. not in the lens of her Mother's actions.
I loved watching Mary work through how she say herself and life and come to realize that she was not her Mother and did not have to follow in her footsteps.
Well done!
