Barbara L. (Barbllm) reviewed The Fireman's Homecoming (Gordon Falls, Bk 2) (Love Inspired, No 783) on + 241 more book reviews
I am a fan of Love Inspired romances, and I picked this paperback novel up at a hospital thrift store, which is one of the best places to find used books. The setting is bucolic Gordon Falls, a nice little town with a lake and a diner named Dellios that has great French fries, and where everyone knows everyone else.
Clark Bradens, a reformed bad boy returns home to take a position as a firefighter alongside his father, the retiring chief. Clark has a newfound faith, but it will take more than that for people to change their minds about him.
Melba Wingate has lived in Gordon Falls all her life. Shes currently working from home as this allows for her to care for her father, Mort, who is in the early stages of Alzheimers. When hes hospitalized, he inadvertently blurts out a family secret to Melba: shes not really his daughter. Melba and Clark run into each other at the hospital, and Melba is surprised at her fathers angry reaction to Clark.
Melba tries to unravel this family secret; she assumes that most people in town probably know what happened, and Clark proves to be an unlikely ally. They uncover a decades-old love triangle between Melbas mother, Clarks father, and Mort. I loved this aspect of the book; the author could have simply created a love triangle between Melba, Clark, and another man. Instead she forces them to look hard at their pasts and see the reality behind the gloss of nostalgia.
Reality isnt always pleasant, and there arent any easy answers to be found here. Clark and Melba have to come to terms with their pasts in order to secure their future together. Highly recommended.
Clark Bradens, a reformed bad boy returns home to take a position as a firefighter alongside his father, the retiring chief. Clark has a newfound faith, but it will take more than that for people to change their minds about him.
Melba Wingate has lived in Gordon Falls all her life. Shes currently working from home as this allows for her to care for her father, Mort, who is in the early stages of Alzheimers. When hes hospitalized, he inadvertently blurts out a family secret to Melba: shes not really his daughter. Melba and Clark run into each other at the hospital, and Melba is surprised at her fathers angry reaction to Clark.
Melba tries to unravel this family secret; she assumes that most people in town probably know what happened, and Clark proves to be an unlikely ally. They uncover a decades-old love triangle between Melbas mother, Clarks father, and Mort. I loved this aspect of the book; the author could have simply created a love triangle between Melba, Clark, and another man. Instead she forces them to look hard at their pasts and see the reality behind the gloss of nostalgia.
Reality isnt always pleasant, and there arent any easy answers to be found here. Clark and Melba have to come to terms with their pasts in order to secure their future together. Highly recommended.
