Strong Writing + Interesting Characters + Plot which Needs Some Improvement = Pleasant Reading Experience
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book at NovelReviewers.com in exchange for an honest review.
I have to admit that, being from the Rust Belt, I'm partial to books that reflect its beauty instead of presenting it as a stark and dreary industrial cemetery full of blight and despair, without even a spark of natural beauty to redeem it. Williams described the beauty of the Great Lakes state, and did so in a way that elevated the landscape beyond a mere backdrop to an actual community member and a tangible character in the storyline. Due to its strong influence on the storyline, readers learned more about the main characters by looking at the environment through their minds' eyes.
Williams' writing is strong enough, and her characters are interesting enough for me to read the next two books in the series. My only hope, however, is that the characters and the plot have a bit more depth in the next two books. There just wasn't enough in the plot to support the level of angst Colette repeatedly expressed over her budding relationship with Ian. I just didn't get it. Their mutual attraction and sexual tension were clear. But her angst over not knowing everything about him right away, and about where he planned to settle down was baffling to me. It's also possible that Ian was just as obsessive about Colette's phone calls and/ or the time it took to get to know her. However, if that was the case, the reader was never privy to it. Granted, Ian was hiding something which seem to primarily occupy his thoughts, but her lack of trust in him and fear of the future had less to do with Ian appearing untrustworthy, and more to do with lingering pain from her past relationships. I just found the constant remuneration rather annoying and unbelievable. I could believe the connection, and even the possibility of falling so hard so quickly, but their interactions just didn't seem to support the trajectory of their relationship or the depth of Colette's angst about the relationship.
While these issues didn't keep me from liking the book, they did keep me from loving it, especially given the strength of William's artistic talent. Williams' development of the supporting characters and familial relationships was so strong that I'm eager to read more about this family. I hope to see continuous improvement in Ian's relationship with his brother. I hope Colette's brother gets up the nerve to pursue to his longtime crush. And since I care about the town (will we see the camels in book 2?), main characters, and their future, I'll definitely read the next two books. I'd suggest the same for anyone who's interested in a easy reading romance.