Her Secret Hope (A Season in Pinecraft #3) by Shelley Shepard Gray

 

Almost two years after Lilly Kurtz first traveled to Pinecraft, Florida, with friends, she's decided to make a fresh start there. She's ready to be new-and-improved Lilly, a Lilly without a past, a Lilly with no secrets. At first, everything goes well. She gets a job, her coworkers feel like family, and she enjoys reconnecting with her friends. But it turns out the past is reluctant to be left behind.

When Lilly meets hardworking farmer Eddie Byler, she can't get him off of her mind. But then she discovers that Eddie actually lives just a few miles from her hometown in Ohio. Lilly knows that he's not going to like it when he finds out what secrets she's been running from. And she knows she could never follow the man she's falling in love with back to a place where she's never felt accepted.

Will Lilly have to give up on love in order to find peace? Or could it be that love is actually the solution to all of her problems?

My thoughts:

I was curious to see how this novel would compare to the first two books in the series. It was much better in my opinion and that was largely due to Eddie Byler and his grandmother, November.  Two new guests staying at the Inn where newly hired Lilly works and resides.

Lilly has longed to escape her past and ties to her Ohio hometown, but that’s not meant to be when she discovers Eddie lives a few short miles from her hometown.  If you are expecting a jaw dropping secret about her past, you won’t find it in this novel, it’s kind of sad, but not the big deal she thinks it is.  I felt sorry for her about an incident involving her at work, I thought she was treated unfairly and was happy with the support she received.

Overall, this is an enjoyable quick read, perfect for all ages and a nice addition for readers of Amish fiction.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley.  Opinions are my own.