Title: Her Hopes and Dreams
Series: Ardent Springs #4
Author: Terri Osburn
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: November 15, 2016
Publisher: Montlake Romance
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:
As a newly single mother, Carrie Farmer isn’t quite ready to jump back into the dating pool in Ardent Springs—especially since her last marriage was such a disaster. But if anyone could entice her to wade in a bit, it would be her hunky neighbor, Noah Winchester. He’s the perfect man: strong, protective, and smoking hot. But her eyes have deceived her before, and she’s no longer willing to hand over her heart so easily.
After completing several tours in the Middle East, Noah returns to his hometown a very different man. The former soldier’s plan to rest and relax is soon waylaid by the intriguing woman next door and her heart-stealing little girl. Something—or someone—put shadows in Carrie’s lovely eyes, and he’s determined to clear them away. But when hidden demons can no longer be ignored, the couple gets a reminder from an unexpected source that love truly can conquer all.
Titles in this series include: His First and Last – Our Now and Forever – My One and Only – Her Hopes and Dreams
Sometimes wonderful things can blossom form an ugly place. Understanding, acceptance and a bit of risk taking can make a world of difference in any person’s future. Separating perception from reality isn’t always easy, but the rewards for seeing situations clearly can be simply amazing.
Noah and Carrie get off to a very rocky start. He’s recently returned from war and wants nothing but peace and quiet. His experiences never seem to give him rest and for him PTSD is a very real monster that he has not conquered yet. She is standing on her own now, finally out from under the control of an abusive husband. She’s learning her own capabilities, but she has a ways to go yet before all of her strength returns. It’s not easy to trust and take risks with emotions for either Noah or Carrie. Yet the possibilities are so very tempting.
Her Hopes and Dreams is such an emotionally charged story. And it has to be considering the underlying issues both Carrie and Noah face. Two people damaged by life and circumstance have the possibility of a better future together. But they have to get past what is on the surface for everyone to see and understand the man or woman beneath.
Their relationship was very believable and slowly changed as each began to understand history, circumstances and what reality truly is for each other. Of course, there are issues – this is after all small town living – but the resolutions were nicely done and completely realistic. Yes, I know I’m being vague, but this is one of those stories that you should be experiencing firsthand – even if you haven’t read the earlier books in the series.
If you’ve followed Ardent Springs, then you’ll meet up with some old friends. If this is your first trip, sit back and meet some really nice folks who will tempt you into going back to the beginning of the series to catch up. Either way, Her Hopes and Dreams delivers an endearing couple with issues to face and trust to build. It’s believable, most definitely worth a box of tissues and will leave you wanting more… and isn’t that what a good story should do? I would recommend this story and series to any Romance reader who needs believable situations, realistic characters and a good, solid romance.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this novel. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this story.*
Available for the Kindle
