Julie had suffered from a messy breakup from her fiancé after finding he was having an affair. As a Christian, she was adamant about keeping herself “clean” before marriage. While seeing a counselor named Kent (supposedly a ‘Christian’ counselor), he suggested that they get together and satisfy her sexual pent-up desires. After that, she was assured that it would all seem better.

Imagine how she felt when she met the new guidance counselor at her beloved church, Dave, who was a widower with a four-year-old daughter, Erica. The single women of the church doggedly followed him around. It was hard for her to believe that he chose her as a friend and, later, for more. Would her skepticism and lack of trust in counselors make or break their budding relationship?

This emotionally charged story is multifaceted and deeply involved. There are a myriad of circumstances which the book explores. There are no dull moments or places that drag, manuscript wise. Ms. Karen Cogan has done a good job of coordinating her main characters with the extra cast necessary to complete this storyline. The characters are so real it is impossible to not get involved. The subordinate cast is no less credible.

Along with the main storyline of Dave and Erica and Julie, there is the story, intertwined, of Julie’s brother, Roger, his wife, Gina, and their four-year-old daughter Amy. The author uses these people, along with church members, to weave a very interesting, fast-paced story about how even Christian people are human and can make mistakes. Her way of linking the action into the plot is done in a great way. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and, even though I shed some poignant tears, I recommend it highly to everyone who enjoys reading an inspirational romance with great emotion.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Sweet

Reviewer: Brenda Talley
January 21, 2008