"warm wonderful welcome back to Shady Grove"
Reviewed by Sandra Wurman
Posted November 13, 2014
Romance Contemporary
Welcome back to Shady Grove filled with some of the
most
lovable and unforgettable characters you would find in a
small town. Beth Andrews has favored us with memorable
characters in so many of her books and once again we are
delighted to revisit some of my personal favorites.
CHARMING THE FIREFIGHTER is about people finding the part
of themselves they lost somewhere along the road of life.
Through sharp witty and sometimes biting dialog between
characters and as though reading their minds Beth Andrews
teaches us so much about them. We become quite attached
and vested in the outcome.
Penelope Denning was having a bad day -- well to be
perfectly honest recently most days were pretty difficult
for this single mother of a teenager. She frantically
searches for some peace and control in her life. A life
that has basically revolved around her son Andrew and
seems to be spirally out of control. Penelope and Andrew
came to Shady Grove for a new start and in a small town
it seemed possible to find some semblance of calm and
belonging.
Andrew was a challenge most parents would face with
dismay. A change in venue is not always the cure for deep
seated problems.
Having devoted much of the last several years to Andrew
with special attention to keeping him healthy Penelope
found her habit of compartmentalizing her life with order
and structure, which was so important to her, difficult
to maintain. Parents with children with life threatening
health problems often find themselves totally focused on
the child to the detriment of their own lives. For
Penelope her marriage and social life took the hit.
Fears regarding Andrews health crippled any semblance of
a normal life.
Now a teenager Andrew has many battles to face -- the
usual demons of teen years, peer pressure -- girls. Let's
not forget anger at his parents' divorce and the move
away from home and friends.
Andrew was a pot waiting to boil over and the unfortunate
target for all his anger and angst was his mother.
Penelope winds up internalizing all Andrew's anger. What
did she do wrong? What was she doing wrong? What happened
to her loving relationship with her son?
Penelope needed to place the blame on someone -- even
though she saw how curt Andrew was to her -- she hesitated
putting the blame on him. When there was even a glimmer
of civility she jumped at the chance to hold onto that
moment.
How sad -- Penelope was such a sad depressing person --
her
son kept her at arm's length -- he lied -- he fed her
insecurities -- he punished the one person who loved and
cared throughout his illness. That was the problem -- his
mother was a constant reminder of a time Andrew wanted
desperately to forget.
What could possibly help these two wounded souls.
Help sometimes comes at the most impromptu moments and
for Penelope -- Leo Montesano not only answered the 911
when she accidentally blew up her grill but along with
her young neighbor Gracie became Penelope's savior.
Here's where we get to the genius of Beth Andrews. Just
when we can't stand any more of the whining she wins us
over to her side. Andrews's art of conversation has never
been better than with Penelope, Gracie and Leo. And let's
not forget the unforgettable Montesano family. Their
banter will absolutely make you laugh out loud. Their
humanity will move you to tears.
Beth Andrews manages to soften the much regimented
straitlaced Penelope in CHARMING THE FIREFIGHTER and
transform this leading character from sad and cynical to
gaining much needed confidence right before our eyes.
I never turn down the opportunity to read one of Beth
Andrews books and CHARMING THE FIREFIGHTER is destined to
make this talented author many more eager fans. The
Shady
Grove series is a charming on going legacy of
heartwarming stories -- each definitely has the merit to
stand on its own. CHARMING THE FIREFIGHTER is a wonderful
additional to an already amazing series.
SUMMARY
Look who she attracted! One glance at the hot firefighter who responds to a
misguided 911 call and Penelope Denning knows she's out of
her depth. Leo Montesano is a charmer with an exciting
career. She's an accountant focused on getting her son
through his teenage years. Yet Leo is definitely pursuing
her. How can she possibly resist? As the attraction between them ignites, Penelope discovers
a
wild side she never knew. The passion makes her think
about
a future beyond this affair - until her real life
interrupts. And when she's convinced she must choose her
son
over romance, Leo does something she never expects!
What do you think about this review?
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