Rating: 4.5 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | All Romance | Amazon UK
Length: Novella
Jude Robbins is a British transplant and was lucky enough to find the love of his life in Dr. Martin Andrews. But when Martin was tragically murdered, Jude knew he’d lost his chance and moved to the small town of Sutter’s Bay. The tight knit community is welcoming, but nosy, and while Jude likes to draw attention to himself, he doesn’t like to be the focus of gossip. He seeks his hookups elsewhere, not wanting to get involved with anyone in town and not really wanting a relationship at all. Until the new veterinarian, Rex Warner, appears that is.
Rex is attracted to Jude from the moment they meet. He finds Jude’s outrageous hair colors, makeup, and piercings attractive. When Jude’s cat gets into a fight with a dog, Jude brings the cat into the vet clinic. After Rex checks the cat out and makes sure he’s fine, Rex invites Jude out to dinner. There, Jude admits what happened to Martin, and Rex understands more about Jude. They begin a relationship, and Rex is always patient with Jude. He really understands Jude’s reasons for not being able to fully let Martin go, and he supports Jude completely. That becomes even more important as Jude’s past rears its head, forcing them to revisit Martin’s death and all the issues it brings up. But their love is not conditional, and if Jude can allow it to happen, it will be everything he needs.
Guys this one, and the entire Sutter’s Bay series, has been in my TBR pile for quite a while. And it’s not for lack of wanting to read it that it kept getting pushed aside. There was just always a review book to read or something newer and shinier that enticed me instead. So when TBR Pile Challenge week was proposed, I knew exactly what I was going to read. I’m so happy I finally did. This was a delightful read that gave me the happy satisfaction at the end. It’s technically the second book in the series, but don’t let that deter you; the book works perfectly as a standalone.
I loved Jude from the very beginning, and my heart just ached for him and his loss. But more than that, I admired his strength and his resolve. He had been through something horrific, and what happened immediately after made everything worse. Jude has issues, of course, and it’s no surprise. But what I really liked here was that they were apart of Jude, but they weren’t all he was. He was a wonderfully layered character, and everything about him rang true. His determination to live his life, was never at odds with his insecurities or his worries and fears. They all fit together to make a beautifully nuanced character. I believed Jude wholeheartedly.
Rex was wonderfully sweet and understanding, and he had a huge heart of gold. What made me happy about his character was that he just seemed like a genuinely nice guy, and it never strayed into the “too good to be true” category. Too easily, it could have. Rex could have gone too far and been unbelievable. But while it’s true he had few flaws, he did have a real feeling to him that made it all work. And he was perfect for Jude, exactly the right guy for him and I loved seeing them navigate their relationship. Their chemistry sparked and caught quickly, and they just fit together.
One of the other things I really appreciated was that Jude wasn’t magically fixed by falling in love with Rex. His issues were still there, though Rex helped him work through things instead of Jude having to cope on his own. And Jude is by no means “all better” by story’s end. Given what had happened and how he was treated following Martin’s death, if he had been miraculously issue free it would have seems contrived and trite. Instead, he learns that he can lean on Rex and Rex will support him. It was really lovely to see and made me love Jude all the more.
All in all, this was a quick, heartfelt read with a bit of angst that gave the story depth and reality. The characters, Jude in particular, were nicely developed. The story is character driven, the plot well-paced if a bit predictable at times. I really enjoyed this story, and have no qualms about recommending it to you.
This review is part of our September Reading Challenge Month for TBR Pile Week! Leave a relevant comment below and you will be entered to win this week’s fabulous prize of a loaded iPad Mini sponsored by Dreamspinner Press, as well as our amazing grand prize sponsored by Riptide Publishing. You can get more information on our Challenge Month here, and more details on TBR Pile week here. And be sure to check out our prize post for more about the awesome prizes!
Twice in a Life Time sounds like a beautiful read, something which could turn easily in a comfort read, couldn’t it? Besides, I’ve got a thing for injured cats and vets… Every time my kitten gets ill, I go to the vet dreaming the perfect man will be there for me… No such luck yet, though 😀
Thank you for a great review, Kris
That’s a great fantasy, susana. Hopefully one day it’ll come true. And I definitely think this is one I’ll be reading again. 😀
It sounds like a sweet read. I’m glad that love isn’t a magic wand that instantly fixes everything in this story.
It definitely was a sweet read. And I particularly liked that myself. Jude was definitely better, but by no means perfectly fixed.
I have not heard of this book before. Based on your review, it sounds like one I would really like – complex, real characters and a realistic handling of people’s issues. I am going to go check it out.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
If you decide to give it a try, I hope you enjoy it. Jude was a really great character.
I know it will tug at my heartstrings, but it does sound like a winner!
It does pull a bit, Trix. But it was definitely worth it.
I read one book by this author about 7 years ago & disliked it so much that I deleted it, and have never given her another chance. This review actually has me considering giving her another try. I probably just over reacted because I just checked this book out on Amazon and she has a HUGE backlist. She must be doing something right. 🙂
I’ve had similar experiences with other authors, Barbara. If you want to give Lane another go, this is definitely one you should try.
I love hurt/comfort. I’m adding this one to my ever-expanding wishlist. Thanks for the review!
Me too Lisa! It’s one of my favorite tropes. And this book handles it really well.
Something about the review of this book isn’t really appealing to me, but at the same time going off of the summary alone I feel like it should be… I’ll keep it in mind!
To each their own, Cody. This is just my opinion, and it worked for me. That certainly doesn’t mean it’ll appeal to everyone. 🙂
I’ve never heard of this author but the premise of the book sounds interesting. I’m always up for a little angst.
Yep, there’s definitely angst in here. But not overwhelming. Just enough to give the book some heft.
This one is completely new to me. And I’ve already added it to my wishlist. This kind of story is exactly what I like to read. Lots of angst, well-drawn characters, pets…what’s not to love? Thanks for taking this one off your TBR pile!
You’re welcome. Enjoy it! 🙂
I hadn’t heard of this one before, but it sounds good. Thanks for your review!
I always think it’s fun to discover new books, whether or not I actually get around to reading them. You’re welcome!
Shawn Lane is a great author and I’ve loved her other works but haven’t read any of the books from her Sutter’s Bay series. Thank you for the review!
I really like the point you made about how it’s unrealistic when everything’s solved by love. It has to have something else that’s amazing about it for me to love those ones. I guess I prefer mine like this, where people have problems and let love be something that gives them happiness and strength (and let’s be honest, new problems) and makes the hard stuff easier to bear. That’s more magical to me than problems being instantly solved. Thanks, Kris!
I love that this character gets a second chance at love, and that it is portrayed in a realistic manner. I don’t think I have anything by this author, so I’ll have to get cracking. 🙂 Thanks for the review.
The way you’re describing this novella makes it sound like the story for me right now. I’m in need of some comfort reading and your review makes these guys sound both sweet and reliable as characters go, and when I’m looking for a comfort read if the story is a bit predictable that’s not a negative but the opposite. Part of the comfort is knowing what to expect and what you’ll get. Thanks for the review!
Whislt I’ve read a couple of the authors books and my comments seem to indicate I thought they were fine, light reads I seem to have stayed away for some reason. Maybe I should give her another go with this one, the transplanted Brit appeals.
Thank you for this review! Jude intrigues me and this sounds like a good read. I’ll add this one to my wish list. I’m glad to see that this book works as a standalone even though it is part of a series.
Contemporary isn’t always my favorite genre, but I do love a good hurt/comfort story. I might have to give this series a shot.
Sounds like a good hurt/comfort book. I love me some broken hearted men finding love…
This sounds like an intriguing read. I appreciate it when an author can show a character grieving and then have that character find love again.
I have read this series and enjoyed every book. Jude is a great character. I love his sense of style and flair. And you are right it is refreshing to read a character who isn’t fixed by falling in love. Thanks for the review now I have to go re read the series.
Man, this brings back memories! I read this whole series when they were new releases! Once again I have PDFs to read on my computer because it predates my kindle purchase!