Welcome back to Whiskey Creek in number six of Brenda Novak's series that takes place in a somewhat-small, quiet town with residents you will definitely come to know and love. In COME HOME TO ME, I got the chance to catch up with some of my favorite people--oops characters--Cheyenne and Dylan from book two, When Snow Falls. As is the case in any of Novak's series, each stands on its own merit, but I would be remiss in not saying that I have read each and every one of the Whiskey Creek series and loved every page. COME HOME TO ME is no exception. Brenda Novak takes time to remind us that her characters come with a past, but with the strength she imbibes in them, they manage to land on their feet--which is no small feat--no pun intended.

The last we knew about Presley Christenson was that she left Whiskey Creek with her tail between her legs. She had been mortified to admit that her relationship with Aaron Amos, one of the bad boy Amos brothers, was a strictly one-sided infatuation. No matter that she had done everything possible to throw herself at this man, he made it crystal clear she didn't hold a place in his heart. Presley knew all along that Aaron pitied her and felt badly about how difficult her life had been. But there came a time when his pity shamed her. Her opinion of herself was in the gutter, thanks to her mother Anita. Presley knew nothing about normal or nurturing families. Hers had been a study in dysfunctional.

So for two years Presley licked her wounds, lived away from the only place she had known, and apart from the only person who really cared about her, her sister Cheyenne. Cheyenne and her husband Dylan knew that it was important for Presley to get her act together. But the real catalyst in Presley's recovery was the birth of her son Wyatt.

Wyatt gave her someone to love with her whole heart and who loved her back unconditionally. Her baby didn't see the girl who made bad decisions with her life. Wyatt saw her through the eyes of a child, and for once in her life, Presley shined.

Her decision to return to Whiskey Creek wasn't without reservations. But she knew this was the place to bring up her son, and even if she had to face people whose memories of her were less than gracious or complimentary, it was all about Wyatt. But moving back meant coming face-to-face with the man who had dismissed her feelings several years ago, and now she has an even more important reason to keep her distance.

Presley's self image was tarnished. She can't appreciate how her image has changed after taking control of her life. She's reluctant to accept any praise, especially from the one man who had made her run. But the heart doesn't always have the sense to protect itself from additional hurt and pain. And while making amends and facing down her demons, Presley finds herself once again attracted to the one man with the ability to cut her back down to size.

The problem with small towns is that is it practically impossible to avoid running into people, and running into Aaron has become a somewhat daily occurrence for Presley. The question is whether or not it is by accident or if Aaron has some ulterior motive for keeping Presley in his sights. The game is on and the prize couldn't be higher.

When I started COME HOME TO ME I questioned just how Brenda Novak was going to get past all the ever present angst. These characters had so much baggage it seemed as if there could never be an amicable solution. I didn't give Novak the credit she so richly deserves. Time-and-time again Novak treats us to a story that compels us to stick around for what is surely going to be a rewarding end. But in a Whiskey Creek novel we also know that we will meet up with these characters again and be treated to a view into their new lives. I've already got number seven on my reading bucket list.