Her Montana Brand (The Brands of Montana, #1) by Paula Altenburg

Her Montana Brand (The Brands of Montana, #1) Reviews

• 
  Elaine

  This is a heartwarming second-chance romance with a feisty lady who has a secret difficulty that she always tried to hide by acting up whilst in High School. Damon was her sweetheart then, knowing about and helping her until she left without any explanation.
  
  Failed actress Jess Palmer is returning to Cherry Lake after ten years. She has some happy memories about living there but some traumatic ones, too. She’s going there now to see her Grandfather after her much older partner, John, sadly passed away leaving her with her clothes, shoes and very little cash. The first person she renews contact with is Damon Brand - the one who declared his love for her shortly before she left him naked at the side of the road!
  
  Although her grandfather agrees to let Jess have her inheritance early to make a fresh start on her life, he’s only prepared to do so after she’s found herself a job that she keeps working at for six months - and not with any of the family. What a challenge for her, it will certainly call on her acting skills to convince someone to give her a job especially as she was something of a wild child when in high school there! The only person who will give her a job is Damon… Will this be the chance for him to get revenge on her for ten years ago? How will they feel about each other now? Will they have any chance of rekindling their youthful love now they’re ten years older? What will Jess do once she has her grandfather’s money?
  
  This is a story with great characters reconnecting in a small town situation. All the angst and turmoil of teenage relationships, maintaining personal images and denigrating those perceived as being more able are all revisited in this well written end engaging story. Whilst some of the characters from the earlier books in this series are also in this one, the book works well as a standalone, too. A great small community romance to escape into!
  
  Secrets of Cherry Lake series
  Prequel: Small Town Secrets by Roxanne Snopek
  Book 1: The Secret Son by Joan Kilby
  Book 2: Her Secret Love by Paula Altenberg
  Book 3: Her Secret Protector by Roxanne Snopek
  Book 4: The Secret Bride by Jeannie Watt
  
  Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley, too, for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for this, an honest review.
• 
  Bette Hansen

  Loved this one! It's a story filled with hope and forgiveness, doubts and insecurities, and in the end love. Great writing and characters make this one you don't want to miss!
  
  Damon Brand is happy and content even if his family and friends are driving him a bit nuts. The last thing or person he ever expects to see is Jessica Palmer back in Cherry Lake. Back she is though and since he can't seem to say no to anyone, even Jessica, he ends up hiring her to work for him.
  
  Jessica Palmer is back in Cherry Lake, hopefully not for long. Her Grandfather, however, has different plans. If she really wants the money she's asking him for she needs to prove herself to him. Get a job and stick with it for six months. Problem is she's a little lacking in the skills department. When she's sees a glimmer of an opportunity to work for Damon, she bulldozes her way in. Maybe in someway this will make up for the terrible way she treated him when they were younger.
  
  Sounds good right? I definitely recommend this one.
• 
  Coco.V

  🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/28/2019)! 🎁
  
• 
  Marsha Keeper Bookshelf

  
  First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
  
  Jess returned home to Cherry Lake a broke woman.. broke not broken. There was a huge difference in her mind, and perhaps in reality as well. She’d been so sure her career as an actress would take off. It hadn’t, mainly because of a learning disability that her parents had never acknowledged and she had learned to bluff her way through. Jess couldn’t read very well, so that the parts she’d read for would often have scripts handed to her on the spot she had no time to memorize the lines… so the parts that she might have been brilliant at were beyond her reach. Of course, it was just her luck to pull into a self-serve gas station with no knowledge of how to pump gas and it ate almost all of her remaining cash. It was also her luck to pull into the gas station where the one man she’d hoped to avoid was working. Damon. The one man she’d hurt the worst on the way out of Cherry Lake.
  
  Damon reluctantly let Jess have a job at the cash register in his business. He didn’t consider himself a vindictive man, but he did manage to give Jess some pretty nasty duties as his daytime help. Like cleaning the restrooms. Yeah, not vindictive – much. Jess surprised him. She didn’t fuss, she put up with the cross examinations of the townsfolk who happened on purpose to drop by Damon’s place. With a smile and sheer guts she was polite and cheerful no matter how nasty the comments. She had matured beyond what Damon had expected, yet she carried a sadness with her that slipped through when she thought no one was watching her.
  
  Her Secret Love is a charming tale of a woman who bluffed her way through her youth, desperate for her parents attention she did every outlandish thing she could think of and then some to catch their affection.. It didn’t work and in fact backfired on her. Back on that night when she had humiliated Damon she was scared. Scared about how he made her feel, scared at what he thought she was…perfect. She was so far from perfect and she knew it so she ran. It’s a story of a woman coming into her own, realizing her own worth and ability to take care of herself in a very difficult situation. And a tale of two people once in love working their way through the wreckage of the past to a possible future. It was touching, happy and sad combined so well that even when Jess was at her happiest, the veil of sadness could still be felt by the reader. Jess is a complicated woman attempting to rewrite herself in front of a town, family and a lover who don’t really expect her to succeed but will rally behind her when she proves them wrong.
  
  Damon and Jess were such a heart wrenching couple. With their past there was a lot to overcome on both sides. And they both did that with dignity and laughter. A sweet love story, a little bit complicated with a satisfying ending that pulled all the past and present threads together. I enjoyed Her Secret Love and would not hesitate to recommend this addition to the Secrets of Cherry Lake series.
  
  *I received an e-ARC of Her Secret Love from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
• 
  Sue

  In Her Secret Love (Secrets of Cherry Lake #3) by Paula Altenburg, coming back to Cherry Lake is not something that is high on Jess's to do list. But left almost penniless and with no where else to go, Jess has no choice but to return. Home to her grandfather who is the only person she thinks will help her. His help comes with strings though, and Jess ends up having to stay in Cherry Lake a lot longer than she wants to. Not only that, but she has to find employment and prove that she is capable of working, instead of just taking her inheritance and running again. Unfortunately, small town Cherry Lake has a long memory, and the memories they have of Jess are not nice ones.
  
  Help comes from an unexpected person...someone Jess probably hurt the most all those years ago. Damon still feels the hurt, betrayal and pain from all those years ago. But he's willing to give Jess the chance, a surprise both of them. As they spend more time together, going from uncomfortable, awkwardness to really enjoying each other, they seem to bring out the best in each other...but is it enough? Or will Damon's heart be broken again?
  
  These two main characters and their second chance is a tumulous road to travel. I didn't know how things would end up. Jess is determined not to stay in Cherry Lake, and Damon's life is there. I wasn't even sure if I wanted these two to be together. Jess really has not been a nice person. And though she had her ways for acting the way she did, it seems that it became so ingrained in her it just became who she was. I understand she has her difficulties and issues, but she was a difficult character for me to connect with. She did grow on me and she was certainly a believable character, but it took her a long time to grow up. I really liked Damon. Even though he hasn't quite forgiven Jess for the past, he's trying. He's responsible and really feels a huge responsibility for others. Often at the cost of what he'd like in life. He's a hard worker, and just came across as a genuinely great guy who everyone would want to be around. He looks past the surface that Jess has mastered, and sees more than anyone else. He really seems to get her and he genuinely cares for her, which I found very heart warming. Their journey is an interesting one, and even if I didn't care a great deal for Jess she is a good heroine in Her Secret Love. In her own way she is just as good for Damon as he is for her. Both of these characters really grew and developed well, especially Jess.
  
  I liked being back in Cherry Lake, and I liked how Paula explored the various dynamics of life in a small town...the ups and downs. I liked the various family dynamics that are involved in this story, even if we didn't actually see a lot of Damon and Jess's families they certainly have a significant impact on their lives past and present.
  
  Her Secret Love is part of a series, and some characters we've seen in previous books, but this book can definitely be read as a stand alone.
  
  Her Secret Love is well paced, easy to read and feel a part of. I'd recommend it to any romance reader.
• 
  Janine

  An emotionally charged story.
  
  After a failed career as an actress, Jessica Palmer returns to Cherry Lake in hopes that she can claim her inheritance from her grandfather early. Her plan is to take the money and start over anywhere but Cherry Lake. But she is told she has to stay for six months and get a job.
  
  Damon Brand hadn’t seen Jessica in ten years. He had a crush on her back then and he thought he was over her. But seeing her again brings back lots of memories.
  
  In a small town, people aren’t so forgiving and no one wants to hire Jess. Damon decides to give her a chance and hires her to work at the gas station. He had one stipulation. Jess must wear shorts and a t-shirt to work. Hopefully he wasn’t serious. Jess knew it was payback for what happened ten years ago. Will working together rekindle what Jess and Damon once had or will Jess hightail it out of town the first chance she gets?
  
  I enjoyed Jess and Damon’s story and Jess’s reunion with the people from her past and how she redeems herself.
  
• 
  Shari

  The last thing Jessica wants in her life is to return to Cherry Lake, with her tail between her legs. Broke and homeless she turns to her Grandfather Nate for help. He is willing to help but only if she stays in Cherry Lake for six months and works during that time. Finding a job was a little bit harder than she though, she burned many bridges when she was younger. Damon, owns the town garage shop, whom is willing to hire on Jessica. They were so called friends in high school, until one night and that did not turn out well either, a secret.
  
  During the six months, it was wonderful to see how Jessica redeemed herself and how Damon and Jessica grew together. This is a well written book and a great addition to the Cherry Lake Secrets.
  
  I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
• 
  Heidi Pergolski

  Jess is back in town. Failed actress from LA, wants the rest of her inheritance to start over again. However, her grandfather has something to say about that. She will get the inheritance given she finds and maintains a job for the next six months. Unfortunately for her, the only person willing to give her a job is Damon. He is the owner of a gas station and her first love. The problem is, she didn’t leave things on good terms. Can she stick it out for the next 6 months or will she fail at this too?
  
  This was the first story I have read by Paula and thought it was quite enjoyable. It seemed a bit drawn out in addressing the incident between Jess and Damon; however that did not kill the story for me. I loved the banter between Jess and Aaron too! This was a great read in a fantastic series!
  
• 
  Nila

  A well written contemporary romance, with a sassy believable characters!! Loved it!
  Jess palmer leaves Cheery Creek and also leaves local "It Boy" Damon in a very compromising position one night. Naked and having to find a ride home, his rep ruined. When she returns and finds that she was not the only one left hurting that night.
• 
  Sandi Ramirez

  I have fallen in love with Sweetheart, Montana
  
  This is the second book based in Sweetheart, Montana that I have read and I am officially in love with this fictional town. Not far from Bozeman, this town seems to be the typical small Montana town. Everyone knows everyone's business...some even before yourself.
  
  This is Damon and Jess's story. High school sweethearts that are separated for years. Then years later the female Jess returns to town and works endlessly to correct her past. OH Hotness Damon! Author Paula Altenburg knows how to write us a wonderful story that lets us see the struggles that Jess had and caused her to think she had to leave town the way she did...and boy did she do that in a big ole way.... and Damon oh Damon. This is a guy who could steal my heart. Will he steal hers again and can she get his or does she want to? Will the town accept her back and will she want to stay?
  Lots of questions and all the answers lie in Sweetheart, Montana. A really great place to visit.
• 
  Sandy

  Sweet, enjoyable, good story, HEA
• 
  Sue

  Montana second chance romance. Loved it.
• 
  Shelagh

  The more I read of Cherry Lake the more I love it. This series is an absolute winner! This book is every bit as good as the first two and I am hanging out for more!
  This is the story of Jess Palmer, ostensibly the spoiled little rich girl, and Damon Brand, whom her family regarded as being from the wrong side of the tracks and therefore not good enough for her. Damon is a sweet, generous, caring man. Fiercely proud, he has a thing about not taking charity, having been on the receiving end of it after his father died when he was just a teenager, leaving Damon as the man of the house to care for his family.
  Damon loved Jess through her teenage years although he's not sure he can forgive her or trust her again. Ten years earlier they'd been making out in a cherry orchard when she drove off with his clothes, leaving him humiliated after being forced to hitch a lift home buck naked.
  Jess has a reading disability which her parents would never acknowledge. They wanted her to be a perfect little princess who could be trotted out and put on display when it suited them. She's acutely conscious and ashamed of her disability. Jess spent her teens doing outrageous things, picking on people and generally making herself unpopular in a bid to get their attention, so she's hardly received with open arms when she returns to Cherry Lake as an adult.
  I love Cherry Lake. It's a small country town with people in it who care about each other, others who want to know everybody's business and those who like to keep to themselves. I live in a similar community so I can relate and felt right at home from the first.
  I liked the character development. Damon's passion for his craft is described beautifully, but you also get an idea of the niggling insecurity he feels in case people don't like his work. He's been sending it to Missoula to sell so if it's not well received the failure won't be on his doorstep. He's struggling a little financially but is always there to help others.
  I liked the way Jess was portrayed too. Her desire to please Damon and not be a burden to him is touchingly demonstrated through her willingness to clean up the disgustingly dirty men's toilets, and her anxiety about paying him for repairing her car.
  The plot is believable and definitely a page turner. This is the first time I've read Paula Altenburg and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work. Recommended!
• 
  Book Gannet

  4.5 stars. Oh, Jess. There was so much about her that I expected to dislike, yet somehow, someway, I ended up really liking and admiring her. Yes, she’s a spoiled little rich girl in so many ways, who grew up as the mean girl in school, cultivated quite the reputation amongst the boys and thoroughly humiliated the teenage Damon, and yet there’s so much more to her than that. Not least her dyslexia that she’d been taught to feel so ashamed of. She’s also surprisingly loyal and when she loves someone, it seems there’s very little she won’t do for them.
  
  Coming back to Cherry Lake isn’t easy for her, not least because her big dreams of becoming an actress haven’t been realised. It doesn’t help that everyone thinks she was some rich old guy’s mistress and has now been dumped. Well, she was an old guy’s mistress, but there was so much more to her relationship than the money and no one realises that she’s actually heartbroken at his death. Now she has nothing but memories and heartbreak, which is the only reason she’d ever go home to Cherry Lake. So when her grandfather insists she hold down a job for six months before he’ll give her her inheritance, she has no choice but to agree.
  
  Luckily Damon is on hand to prove what a great and gorgeous guy he is. And he really is. Gas station owner and mechanic, he’d be easy to dismiss as a small town guy who never lived up to his potential. But Damon’s also a talented artist and seriously loyal to his family and friends, none of whom seem to deserve it. He, more than anyone, has good reason not to want Jess back in town, yet he’s the one who offers to help. He’s a genuinely good guy and it’s impossible to see how anyone could resist him.
  
  At heart this is a lovely second chance romance between a man who can’t say no and a woman terrified of saying yes. Neither of them are good at asking for help, both of them feel things deeply and get hurt too easily, and both are hugely likeable. Their road to romance isn’t the easiest, but it’s also sweet and satisfying and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about them. Another enjoyable offering from Cherry Lake. I can’t wait to read the next one.
  
  (I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
• 
  Sarah

  Damon has lived his whole life in Cherry lake he now owns his own garage and his life is crazy at times and he yet he still thinks back to his high school days and the fun he had with a saucy blond who just rolled into town and reminded him she once back in the day left him high in dry. He really is not to surprised to see her after all the gossip he has heard but he could careless about the what he wants to know is what happen 10 years ago that made her run. Jess is back in town and hopefully not for long she has literally lost everything and has no where else to go except back to one place she swore she would never go back to and she was sure she left enough burnt bridge in her wake. Now as she's home she needs to convince her grand father he needs to give her money and she will hit the road she just never expected it to come with rules. She is not stuck, no money and rules to follow and she has so deal with her high school crush and love of her life Damon. She knows he hates her and knows he will be the last person to help but she hopes and prayers she can start proving herself and mending those bridges but when she hears the gossip she is wondering if she should go ahead and leave and find another way for money or stay and face it.
  I have really enjoyed this series so far I love the crazy quirky of at least one of if not more then one character in each book it really sums up the small town of Cherry lake. I think is this book the only thing I had a hard time with was it dragged a little bit and seemed whiney sometimes. Over all I loved the story and it flowed well, , the slowness is really not that bad and it seems to be towards the beginning for only a few pages I would give this book a 3.5 star almost a four because of that. If you have enjoyed the other books in the series then you won't regret grabbing this one and following the fun characters through all of Cherry Lake.
  
  Disclosure: I received this book free of charge from the publisher, but this review consists of my honest opinions, not influenced in any way by the author or publisher
• 
  Trish Schuetz

  I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
  
  I really enjoyed this book. I had not read any of the author's work previously and thought she did a good job with the story. The two main characters each have their own set of problems. Damon is so focused on being responsible and being a support to his family that he neglects himself to a certain extent. Jess is the opposite. She appears self-absorbed and haughty when she is actually quite insecure and has low self esteem. This false persona is her shield against incurring more hurts than she has already suffered in her life. Sure, she brought a lot of those on herself but then most young people travel at least partway down that road. Jess wants to be a better person and this becomes evident as the story progresses.
  
  She hasn't been back to this town since high school--a memorable time of life for most of us. I could empathize with her in a lot of what she suffered. Because of her past bad behavior, people's attitudes seem to be trapped in time. Jess has grown and matured since leaving town but that's not what they remember. Her past behavior bites her in the butt and the only place she can get work is at Damon's garage...albeit a bit of a devious approach if her grandfather were to find out.
  
  The progression of the story is interesting. There are several secondary characters introduced in this book. The one that bothered me the most was Tony. I kept waiting for him to do something nefarious to Jess. He seemed the perfect 'villian-in-waiting'. His moral code and personality need a lot of work. I think he'd make a good book down the road to add to this series. One can almost glimpse redeeming qualities in him, but you really have to use a magnifying glass.
  
  All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a sweet story and I look forward to reading more of the author's works.
• 
  Books and Spoons

  What an emotional, heartwarming story, that completely won me over.
  I love Jess and Damon, both as individuals, and as a couple.
  Damon is working hard, both with his art and with his service station, he is supporting his family, even at times his friends, and doing the responsible thing, so his family would never go without again.
  Jess was a troubled soul in high school, she had no filter, said things that were harmful, to cover up her over insecurities, things she saw as a failure in herself.
  What she really wanted, was some attention from her parents, and to be accepted, even though she made it difficult at times. Now she is back, and needing help like never before. And Damon is the only one, who accepts her, takes her in, and helps her out. Even after all the history they have together, that didn't end well at all.
  There were so many deep issues here, the need for acceptance, Damon's family struggling and his sacrifices to make it all work out, and Jess, how her dyslexia had affected her all her life, how she had been misunderstood most of the time. No, she's not perfect, but then again, who is?!
  Together Damon and Jess are adorable, they have passion, attraction, and also much deeper connection between them. They get each other in a unique way that only close friends do, and are there for each other when needed.
  I am loving this series so much, I think each story is just getting better, the more we get to know the folks of the town. They are genuine, honest to the fault, with the typical small town gossip. But what I love even more are the couples, how they respect, admire, and adore each other, and take their time to fall in love, without any big drama and angst beyond what life gives you anyway. These are stories that warms your heart, and makes you smile, and leaves you all in a happy state of mind.
  Jess and Damon are a great example of this, with their friendship, life goals, and the way they cherish each other
  ~ Five Spoons
• 
  Jen

  Read the full review on
  Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
  
  Note: This ARC was provided by Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
  
  Jess isn't exactly the easiest person to like, what with her coming off as rather high maintenance and being something of a bitch and a bully when she was a teenager. I found myself thinking that Damon deserved someone better than her, especially after what she did to him all those years ago. He was the one person to see and accept her for who she really was and for her to treat him that way was just inexcusable. Fast forward to ten years later and he's just as nice a person as he was before. The way he sees his life is interesting and it just reiterates how worthy he is to be on the list of all-time best book boyfriends. But even with all of Jess's faults, the story really is her journey of trying to find her place in the world she's in.
  
  I'm three books in and I can honestly say that I've loved each one and this series is quickly becoming a favorite this year. Maybe it's a case of insta-love. Haha. There are still two books to go and the bar's been set quite high by the three that are currently available. I have expectations and I'm going to keep my fingers and toes crossed that the two other books are going to knock them out of the park. I thoroughly enjoyed Jess and Damon's second chance romance and want to give a special mention to Nate Jackson, the family patriarch, whose presence is felt each and every time he appears. Her Secret Love gets five stars. ♥
• 
  Kerry Croucier

  Jess Palmer burned all her bridges on her way out of Cherry Lake. She had big dreams of being an actress and had no intention of ever returning. Now, with no career, homeless and down to her last few dollars, Jess limps back into town in a car not fit to be on the road. Hoping to get in and get out quickly with her inheritance, the last person Jess hoped to see was Damon Brand, the one person she hurt the most.
  Damon spent his life in Cherry Lake and is finally on the verge of success. An artist, he bought a gas station for the job stability. He has finally gotten over Jess, too...or so he thought.
  When Damon is the only one to give her a chance at fulfilling her Grandfather's requirements, Jess rolls up her sleeves and surprises everyone, including herself. Maybe Cherry Lake wouldn't be a bad place to stay, especially if Damon is ready to forgive her.
  A heartwarming story of second chances, we also see how people's perception and acceptance can shape a person.
  Jess was such a fun character, I loved watching her find herself and her place. She was so much more than people believed and I loved that, despite everything, Damon gave her a chance. Speaking of Damon, who wouldn't want a guy like him? A genuine good guy who cares about his friends. Put these two together, and they are a lot of fun to watch.
  I also loved seeing the secondary characters, especially Pansy and Nate. This was a fun afternoon read!
  *I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  JG

  Her Secret Love is part of Tule Publishings new series Secrets of Cherry Lake and like those other fantastic series, the stories centers around the people of Cherry Lake. Here we meet Jess Palmer whose driving back into town after ten years without anything to show for it except designer clothes and an old car about to give out any time. Unfortunately for her the first person she meets is Damon Brand, her former bestfriend, her almost first and the boy who she unnecessarily humiliated. Ten years has passed since he last saw Jess, but not everything has been forgotten nor forgiven. She's still the same snarky Jess but why is he seeing vulnerability rather than holding on to the hurt his suffered. Pretty soon, she's finagled a job off him and they're back to the rhythm of their old friendship. The only difference is will they be brave enough to acknowledge what they've always known ten years ago?
  
  Oh how I love reading this novella. This was a short but oh so sweet friends to lovers/first love/second chances story that just tugs at your heart strings, makes you laugh and smile and just gives you all that feel good emotions. Its not fluffy, in fact what Jess and Damon had gone through is at the core very sad but this book is tempered with humor and self reflections that makes it a wonderful romance. Jess was just delightful, a mean girl with a heart of gold and Damon is always going to be the good guy who everyone apparently takes advantage of. But together they're just perfection.
  
  *ARC provided by the publisher thru NetGalley*
• 
  Melissa Morr

  Jess Palmer wild child of Cherry Lake left Damon Brand 10 years earlier bare assed naked at side of the road as she stormed down the road for saying the wrong thing to her, now she is back in town broke & tail between her legs asking her grandfather for her inheritance early, he agrees but has stipulations to it she must find a job & stay in Cherry Lake for 6 months, she knew this was going to be a challenge since she burned all her bridges when she left. All work no pay Damon Brand a gas station/ auto garage & metalwork artist, renders to Jess's plea to work for him & get a little payback for what she did to him 10 years ago. This was a great second chance at love story both Jess & Damon was both fighting their feelings for each other, not giving in to telling the other their true feelings until an interferring in a good way steps in. If you are looking for a good second chance romance this one is it.
• 
  Linda Walters

  This story was an emotional one. There were plenty of wounds to go around when it came to Jessica (Jess) and Damon. I liked both Jess and Damon, even as different as each one was. Jess was the flighty appearing one. She felt deeply but also had deep insecurities. Damon was the intense, hardworking, responsible one. She brought light and fun to things and Damon was so busy he almost had no time for fun. I had to give Jess credit for grit staying in THAT town. Yes, I know she was desperate but man there were some humiliating times for her. She did rise to the occasion many times, often showing her own unique style. There were also more than a couple times that the story made me smile as well.
  
  
  I received a ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Christine

  This was an emotional read for me. Brought back memories of school and not fitting in and the running wild behavior. Sometimes I think back and wonder what I was thinking and that one day maybe it would make for an interesting read. Jessica is not afraid to jump in over her head and to give her all. (I can relate to that). After losing her love, she returns home to Cherry Lake and is accosted with so many memories from her past, especially when she runs into Damon. Damon has not seen or spoken to Jess in over 10 years, yet there is still a connection- even after what she did to him.
  
  I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Gina Smith

  A book in the engaging Cherry Lake Series. Each book is a stand alone story. This story is about Jesse who returns home to see if she can get her inheritance from her grandfather. She is heartbroken after her much older lover has died and now she is out of money and options. Her grandfather consider giving her the money but is requiring her to stay in town and work for 6 months to prove she is responsible. The only job she is able to get is at her old high school boyfriend Damon's garage. What will happen when spark ignite between them? A sweet well written romance.
  * I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Isha Coleman

  Jessica left Cherry Lake because she never felt like she belonged. So when the chance presented itself she hightailed it out. Now ten years later she is back. Damon is the guy she left behind with a broken heart. I have to be honest at first introduction, I did not like Jessica very much. But as the story went on and explained some of the backstory I developed a better understanding of the character. In hindsight she had to leave to keep her sanity and maybe it helped her to grow up some. Her Secret Love is a story of finding your voice, speaking your mind, growing up and moving on. I liked it.
• 
  Paula Pugh

  Jess Parker and Damon Brand had a trusting relationship and friendship as teens but she ruined it all by leaving him naked in an orchard by running away and destroying his trust. She's returned to Cherry Lake, broke and heart broken. She makes a deal with her grandfather to gain early access to her trust: work steady for six months in Cherry Lake. She whittles her way into a job at Damon's car garage and life for both of them begins to radically change.
  I liked this sweet romance because both characters were trying to do something good and unrewarded for each other.
• 
  Renae

  My heart just breaks for Jess, to be so misunderstood. Damon had so much faith in her and is able to see under her armor, even when she broke his heart so long ago.
  
  It's hard to turn a new leaf, but Jess is willing to work hard at it. I love how Paula liked Damon to her anchor, more truer words couldn't be said.
  
  Sometimes everyone needs an anchor.
  
  Received an ARC for an honest and fair review.