The stakes can’t be higher…

When high-powered investment banker Ava McCarthy returns to the Butterfly Lake Lodge for her mother’s seventy-fifth birthday, the moment is bittersweet. The beloved family retreat—steeped in memories of childhood and sisterhood—will soon be sold, and this may be their final celebration within its walls.

What she never expected was that her parents would hire Hunter Beckett — the man who broke her heart and secretly fathered her daughter — to broker the sale.

Hunter didn’t come just for the commission. He arrived determined to set things straight with Ava, but when he spots a photo of a young girl in a ballet costume at the lodge, the resemblance hits like a thunderclap. She’s his.

Now, old wounds, regrets, and fierce emotions reignite as Ava and Hunter confront their past. She can’t forget how he hurt her. He won’t walk away from his child—or the chance to finally build a future with the woman he still loves.

Titles in The McCarthy Sisters series include: Wish Upon a Christmas Star ~ The Wedding Twist ~ The Love Plot ~ Traces of You ~ One Last Christmas Wish ~

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title:  Traces of You
Series:  The McCarthy Sisters #4
Author:  Elle Douglas
Published:  September 2, 2025
Publisher:  Tule Publishing
My Rating:  4 stars

Traces of You is the fourth title in The McCarthy Sisters series, featuring Ava and Hunter, along with their daughter, Samantha (Sam).  Almost a decade ago, Ava and Hunter were a young couple in love when two decisions made at the height of differing events sent them on separate paths.  All these years, Ava has felt righteous anger and justification in her decision.  Hunter’s world spiraled out of control as the result of one seemingly careless or casual decision, a choice that would haunt not only him but his sister as well.  Today, fate or karma, has their paths cross once again as Ava’s parents contemplate the sale of the lodge where the sisters have grown up, and returning visitors have enjoyed all the seasons.  Hunter is the real estate agent handling that sale. Decisions must be made.  And several of those decisions are about to change lives forever.

I enjoyed Traces of You by Elle Douglas.  It’s a well-written, emotional romance where two people get the chance to fix the mistakes of the past.  And, yes, there were mistakes, information that wasn’t given, choices made that might have been different if the timing had not been at the moment of a devastating event for Hunter.  I adored young Sam; she’s beguiling, wise beyond her years, and steals scenes from the grown-ups often.  If you love a second-chance romance, with believable circumstances and realistic people, then you’d enjoy this story.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review, giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon (affiliate link)