C Jane Read : You're Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Releases: Dec. 12, 2017
320 pages

About the Book:

Who knew fate could twist a tragedy into a second chance at love?

Samantha Winters lives her life the way a good accountant should—measured, deliberate, and safe. After watching her father die in a tragic skiing accident, she decided never to allow risk into her life again. But she didn’t count on falling for Nick Chastain, who embodies everything she doesn’t want in her safely constructed world.

Against Samantha’s warnings, Nick plans a dangerous kayaking trip over spring break. Furious that he’s so careless with his life, she ends their fledgling relationship with harsh words.

Two years later, Samantha is desperately in need of a change. When she learns her grandmother has had an accident and is in need of a caretaker, Samantha quickly packs her bags and heads to Thunder Creek, Idaho. But nothing could prepare her for the surprise awaiting her in her grandmother’s hospital room . . . Nick.

With the charming backdrop of small-town friends, beloved cousins, and a whole church congregation rooting for them, can they set aside the disastrous ending of their first try at love? Has Nick changed enough to meet Samantha in the middle—and can she realize that a risk in love might be worth taking?

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“Life is full of chaos, no matter how hard you try to keep it in order.
You have to live it the best you can.”

This is the first book I’ve ever read by Ms. Hatcher and it will not be the last. I really enjoyed her writing style. I was easily immersed into the setting and quickly connected with the characters. The story focuses on second-chances, facing fears, finding happiness and contentment.

Sam comes to Thunder Creek to look after her grandmother as she recovers from a fall and unexpectedly runs into her ex-boyfriend who lives here now. Nick is a changed person from who he was 2 years ago, since coming to Thunder Creek he has begun to find peace and the fresh start he was looking for. But when Sam arrives in town he realizes how much more he wants, he fights his feelings of wanting to be with her or staying away because he doesn’t deserve her. Their previous relationship ended abruptly and neither was expecting to cross paths again, but now that they have they realize they still care for one another. Can they overcome what tore them apart in the first place?

I enjoyed the flashbacks to memories of their previous relationship, it allowed me to really understand the hurt, the fear and the attraction they once experienced and what brought them to where they are now and why they acting they way they were. With the influence of their friends and family, Nick & Sam learn to trust God. Nick once was self-centered but now God and others are his focus. The change in him may be obvious to readers, but can he get Sam to see he has changed, is it worth trying?

Each character had their own presence and personality; no two characters felt the same. I found myself easily connecting with Sam, as I could see myself in many of her feelings and actions. I enjoyed the secondary characters just as much as the two mains. There were just a couple things that irked me about the story, one was just when they had agreed to go slow they take a huge leap and second the epilogue story felt like it came out of nowhere.

This story will have you encouraging Sam to embrace change and to overcome her fears, along with cheering for Nick to embrace the second chance he has been given. I was left with my heart feeling happy. I look forward to reading more by Ms. Hatcher.

“Not trying is worse than trying and failing.”

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley;

opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)