Today’s my stop in this book tour, and I am happy to tell you my thoughts about this second instalment in the Cardinal Creek series.
MY RATING:
Synopsis:
He’s a firefighter haunted by tragedy; she’s a nurse who never stopped loving him. Jon and Katie find themselves drawn back together, bound by shared history and the promise of healing and hope.
Jon Clemmons, a devoted firefighter, carries the heavy burden of guilt from losing his sister in a tragic accident. His pain runs deep, and he’s learned to keep others at a distance, afraid to let anyone see his scars.
Read More:
Katie Deluca, a compassionate nurse, and Jon’s first love, has her own wounds, but she’s never stopped caring for him. When they’re reunited at a family wedding, old sparks reignite, and with them, old hurts that need mending.
As Jon and Katie draw closer, Jon’s troubled past, family secrets, and a volatile temper threaten to unravel the bond between them. Katie’s unwavering love gives him hope, but fears of reliving their painful past linger.
Will they find strength in each other to break free from the grip of old grief, or will their love slip away once more?
- Pages: 284
- Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
- Publication date: March 25th 2025
- Format: Kindle, Paperback
- Source: Xpresso Book Tours
PURCHASE LINKS:
AMAZON
THE REVIEW:
Although I have not read the first book, I had no issues understanding what happened prior, as the author did a great job of recapping the key events from the former book.
I would start off by saying that this book tackles very heavy and triggering topics for some. Please check the trigger warnings before diving into this one, so you can avoid reopening old wounds. There is nothing explicit per se, but definitely might not be ok with some people.
We follow Jon as he spirals out of control after the tragic death of his sister. This was a character with a lot of depth and complex feelings and traumas. The author managed to create a multifaceted and relatable male protagonist that, unfortunately, many people can see themselves in. I really enjoyed his side of the story with his struggles and the complexity of his family, especially the relationship between him and his father, made my skin crawl. The struggle with grief and how he dealt with it was so touching, infuriating at times, but I could not blame him. Had I been in his place, I would have done the same, and for his dismay, it was not only the grief torturing him…
Katie was an OK character, I would say, she too had her own fights to fights but did not stand out as much as Jon. There were a few things that connected us, and I appreciated this representation of women my age! It was really refreshing not reading about a 20-something-year-old for once! Her love for Jon was palpable and admirable, the way she navigated their turbulent partnership.
Their relationship was full of ups and downs and doubts, due to the issues Jon was facing and the demons he had to face and beat, but their love for one another was strong, and you can see how much they cared for one another. I applaud Katie for sticking with Jon through thick and thin and for not giving up despite the difficulties thrown her way.
The topics about alcoholism, the abusive relationship, loss and grief felt very realistic, and it is sad that to many people this is their reality, and some are not that lucky to have a support system, and unfortunately, they keep going in a vicious circle.
Angie’s writing style is easy to follow, approachable and comfortable. She creates vivid descriptions and offers realistic life scenarios, although fictitious.
Overall, this was a solid 4-star read for me. I wish we had seen more of what happened to his father and his mother. Additionally, I was expecting to get to experience more of Jon and Katie’s life together after they had settled down… we had a glimpse in the Epilogue only…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Author Bio:
My journey as a romance author is deeply rooted in my personal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. The profound impact of the losses I have endured, including the passing of my grandparents and my parents, has shaped my perspective on life and love.
My own love story is one of healing and finding joy after heartache, and it mirrors the themes I explore in my novels.
As a survivor of grief and a believer in the power of love, I channel my experiences into crafting stories that resonate with the complexities and triumphs of the human heart. My writing is a testament to the idea that love can emerge from the most unexpected places, offering hope and healing. The one thing that can be learned from grief is that it’s a very personal experience and isn’t the same for every person.
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Lin's Perspective 
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