Feeling a rare mood of happiness, Lucy McTavish decides to wear a old vivid red suit instead of the fashionable black she had gotten into the habit of wearing. Since the death of her beloved childhood friend and fiancé, Daniel Brown, she had cut herself off from the carefree, ruddy-cheeked country girl she used to be.

Despite a lot of unhappiness in her life and her mother's depression, Lucy had always been happy to go to the Homewood farm in the English countryside. Daniel had been a steadfast friend since they first met as children. Then, when their feelings for each other burst into strong flames of love, he had promised that he would never leave her like others had abandoned her in the past.

But, tragically, when Daniel could not longer be with her, she totally cut herself off from those ties of love and fell into a totally different crowd and lifestyle with the dangerous Alex Lyall.

Feeling the freedom of the red dress and savouring the delicious smell of the rain soaked grass in the sunlit park, Lucy starts running. Tripping on a branch, a man jogging by rescues Lucy and they both feel a strong and instant connection of having met before.

Then, getting on with her day, Lucy runs out into a break in the traffic, but this time, despite his fast action, Lucy's new found friend can't rescue her. Will fate let him be third time lucky?

While several Hollywood movies have had a heart re-connection theme, Eleanor Jones has skillfully developed a new and interesting twist. With a strong plot, she had developed several very strong characters and how they deal with life's adversities and find the means to carry on. While there are times when you just want to shake Lucy from some of things she does to cope with her anger and grief, you will find this a gripping and affirming read. A real pager turner!