BACK IN THE GAME by Erin Kern

Publisher:     Forever
Published:     October 31, 2017
ISBN:        978-1455536009
Genre:      Contemporary Romance
Format:     Print
Obtained via:  Publisher
Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  myreviewbooks@aol.com

FOUR HEARTS

 

Stella Davenport danced to acclaim but after an injury to her knee, her days on stage are done.  Her dreams have not gone entirely by the wayside.  Now in Blanco Valley, Colorado she has a dance school that teacher more than dance. She’s made friends and become part of the community.  But beneath the surface lurks a painful secret, one that keeps her at arm’s length from those who could and do love her.

Brandon West married young when he and his high school sweetheart, Trish, got pregnant.  While Trish took off to live her life as she wanted, Brandon raised their son, Matt.  For so many years it has been Brandon and Matt—and after Trish hurt them both so badly, Brandon is not inclined to let another woman into his life.  Even with Matt about to leave for college and pursue his dream of a football career, Brandon just cannot open his heart.  The thing is, even after his disastrous date with Stella two years ago he cannot keep the woman out of his mind.  
 
Can two wounded people overcome their pasts and find the way to each other and true love?

Erin Kern’s first book in her Champion Valley series, WINNER TAKES ALL was a super read.  I couldn’t wait to pick up her newest, BACK IN THE GAME and it was well worth the wait.  What a super read.

Some of their one liners cracked me up.  Kern’s characters are multi-dimensional, including her secondary characters.  They help flesh out the story and several grow and change in their own way.  There are moments that bring readers up-to-date on Blake and Annabelle. 

Writing two people who have been hurt in the past and unable to let go and trust again could have fallen into a morose story.  While both Matt and Stella do ruminate about their pasts, Kern blends happy times and gives them both a sense of humor as they battle their inner demons.  She tells a truly romantic story.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.