Where She Belongs ~ Review

Where She Belongs

Misty Willow Book 1

by Johnnie Alexander

Shelby Kincaid dreams of recapturing the happiness of her childhood, the happiness that was lost when her grandfather died. But her grandparent's home is owned by AJ Sullivan the grandson of the man Shelby blames for her unhappiness.

AJ more than willing to sell to Shelby but they will have to work around a provision in his grandfather's will. And then there are AJ's cousins who have plans of their own for AJ's inheritance.

Misty Willow is AJ's punishment while it is Shelby's cherished dream. Painful secrets and broken hearts have shaped who these two have become. And one man's manipulation has had far reaching results that are only now coming to light. But is it too late to save those that have come after him and to reset the path they have been following?

Can one ever truly return home?  Shelby is about to find out when she moves her daughters into the home that held such wonderful memories for her.  As she makes a place for herself she wins over the hearts of those around her.  Has she truly found where she belongs?

This is a touching story as the various characters deal with the legacy they have been left.  This is the first book in the Misty Willow series and I'm looking forward to seeing how everything works out. AJ and Shelby are both likable and one can empathize with both their situations.  While AJ's cousins Amy and Brett are unlikable, manipulative, and scheming but when one learns their background it is hardly surprising.  This is a truly intriguing book and one I would recommend to any fan of contemporary fiction.

I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book: Can love redeem a broken past? Shelby Kincaid is ready to move forward after the death of her husband left her devastated. With high hopes for the future, she longs to purchase her family's homestead, Misty Willow, so she can raise her young daughters in the only place she ever truly belonged. She plans to transform the abandoned house into the perfect home of her memories. But she has her work cut out for her. AJ Sullivan never wanted Shelby's family homestead in the first place. His grandfather left it to him as punishment for not following his wishes, and he's let it fall into ruin. AJ's more than happy to unload it to this spitfire of a woman. But even after angry exchanges over the state of the house, he can't get her off his mind. With writing that evokes a strong sense of place and family history, Johnnie Alexander deftly explores the ties that bind us to home--and the irresistible forces that draw us to each other. About the Author: Johnnie Alexander is the award-winning author of Where Treasure Hides. Johnnie is an accomplished essayist and poet whose work has appeared in the Guideposts anthology A Cup of Christmas Cheer. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with her grandchildren, and taking road trips. She lives near Memphis, Tennessee.