This new tale set in Whiskey Creek focuses on some of
the
younger people in town. Presley moved away to Fresno for a
couple of years and has just returned. I did find it a
little confusing that Presley is a girl's name, especially
as her ex-boyfriend is called Aaron; I kept wondering if
their mothers had a crush on Elvis.
COME HOME TO ME shows that Presley Christensen partied too
hard in her immature years and suddenly had to grow up when
she found herself pregnant. Since she left without telling
anyone, Aaron Amos doesn't realise that the child is his.
Now a responsible young woman, Presley rejects the
supposition that she's available for drug parties or bed
hopping. She's got certifications, cleaned up an old wreck
of a house, taken on a yoga and massage studio in town. She
doesn't want anything to do with her past friends. As it
turns out, Aaron swears he's grown up too. But nobody who
knows him believes that he's responsible enough to raise
his child.
Presley had a tough childhood and distrusts friendship. For
the sake of her child Wyatt she's come to her sister's
settled community, but she doesn't know how to fit in
here. She last saw Whiskey Creek as a troubled teen;
people are astoundingly pleasant and helpful. Even the ones
who knew her. Another lad, Riley Stinson, offers to build a
reception counter for free. Finding Riley in place, Aaron
who works in a family auto shop promptly offers to paint
the studio walls. Presley's not getting involved with
either of them, but can't deny she needs their help.
Presley's sister Cheyenne also needs some help on a highly
personal matter... she thinks Aaron might be just what she
needs. As she's married, happily, to Aaron's brother Dylan,
this could get tricky. Matters with Presley and Aaron
swiftly revert to something approaching the old days, and I
confess to being disappointed in the lady. But maybe author
Brenda Novak is only reflecting current attitudes. I also
didn't get as deeply into this book as with the previous
books in this series. There are fewer characters to follow
and they all seem obsessed with having babies and whose
child is whose. For someone of that age, in similar
situations, no doubt the scenarios presented in COME HOME
TO ME would be fascinating. As always Brenda Novak makes
her characters feel very real and this adult love story
presents them with plenty of challenges.
Home is where her heart is
When Presley Christensen returns to Whiskey Creek with her
little boy after two years away, she has completely changed
her life. She's made peace with her past and overcome the
negative behavior that resulted from her difficult
childhood. Now she's back in the small town that was the
closest thing to "home" she ever knew—the town where she can
be with the sister who's her only family.
There's just one catch. Aaron Amos still lives in Whiskey
Creek, at least until he moves to Reno to open a branch of
the Amos brothers' auto body shop. And no matter how hard
she's tried, Presley hasn't been able to get over him.
Seeing him again makes the longing so much worse. But she
hopes she can get through the next few months, because she
can't fall back into his arms…or his bed. She's come too far
to backslide now. And there's a secret she's been guarding—a
secret she'll do anything to protect.