Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Review - - Cody's Come Home

Cody's Come Home
By Mary Sullivan
Publisher: Harlequin Superromance
Release Date: April 5, 2016

  

Ten years ago, Cody Jordan left his small hometown of Accord, ready to set the world on fire. Now he's back, a broken man, devastated by the death of his baby and the end of both his marriage and career. His life is in shambles and he has no idea how he's going to climb out of the downward spiral it has become...or if he even wants to. When his childhood friend goes missing then becomes the target of a deadly stalker, Cody comes to the rescue. But will reuniting with the woman with whom he has always shared a special bond be enough to pull him from the depression that has overtaken his life? And is he ready to let her adorable daughter into his heart when it's still broken from the loss of his own precious child?

After her stifling, five-year marriage to a controlling man ended in divorce, Aiyana Pearce returned home to forge a new independent life and career. The nature photographer has always felt safe hiking the mountains surrounding Accord until the day a stalker with a rifle changes everything, leaving Aiyana and her friends looking over their shoulders and wondering if the traumatic events that changed their lives years ago have come back to haunt them a second time.

Cody and Aiyana were good friends when they were young and, one summer, were almost more. The feelings were there but, knowing she was too young, Cody never acted on them. Now that fate has brought them back together, will it give them a second chance?

Cody's Come Home is the first of Mary Sullivan's books that I've read. It won't be the last.  I was drawn into the story and characters, Cody and Aiyana in particular, from the beginning of the book and they all held my attention to the very end. Secondary characters added to the richness of the story, hinting at possible future stories without drawing focus away from the primary characters of this book. The suspense thread was well constructed and even though I figured out the stalker about mid-way through the book there were still enough unanswered questions to keep me guessing until all was uncovered near the end. But, while I enjoyed the suspense, it was the emotional journey of Aiyana and, especially, Cody that endeared me to these characters and their story. Sullivan takes her time with these characters, realistically showing Cody's grief in all its stages (including a powerful scene in the final chapter) and giving both Cody and Aiyana the time they need to heal individually before opening their hearts to the possibility of love and a life together. I especially enjoyed Annie, Aiyana's adorable young daughter, who brought the light and love that only an innocent child can and was instrumental in healing Cody's heart. She steals the final scene of the book and had me grinning with joy while wiping tears from my eyes, confident in a happy future for these three.

I highly recommend Cody's Come Home and hope Ms. Sullivan will bring us more stories from Accord. If she writes it, I'll be buying it.

~PJ


Do you enjoy Harlequin category romances? 

Do you have a favorite Harlequin line? (I love Superromance!)

Have you read Mary Sullivan's books yet? 

I'm giving away a Kindle copy of Cody's Come Home to one randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on today's post. The winner will be chosen from all comments left before 11:00 pm, EST, April 14th. 


5 comments:

  1. Every so often when I want something quick to read, I pick up a Harlequin. I used to get them in the mail when the Presents line first started. Anne Mather, Violet Winspear, Carole Mortimer, and Janet Dailey were a few of my favorites. Then Silhouette came on the scene. The Intimate Moments line was my favorite, especially Linda Howard. Those I got in the mail as well. Lately I've been reading a lot of Harlequin Romances for something on the sweet side and I also enjoy the Love Inspired Suspense.

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  2. I do love Harlequin's Super Romance and Romantic Suspence. Sorry I have not read you before and look forward to reading this book.

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  3. I do enjoy reading Harlequin category romances. No absolute favorite. I have Mary Sullivan on my reading list.

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  4. I love Harlequin category romances especially the Blaze, Desire and Presents lines. I will read most of their lines.

    I have not read Mary Sullivan's books.

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  5. I've been reading Harlequin's for years. I've subscribed in the past to Presents, Intrigue and Blaze lines. I have not read any books from this author yet but I do enjoy the Super Romance line.

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