Rafe Donovan, a cop from Cincinnati, is haunted by a recurring nightmare about the death of his high school sweetheart. Those nightmares force him to take leave from his job, seek help, and shelter in Refuge, where he pounds nails for his brother’s construction business. Rafe has no desire to stay in Wyoming. His goal is to get back to being a cop in Ohio as soon as possible.
But then he meets Daisy Riley . . . When he finds her stranded late at night with a flat tire, he’s impressed by her courage. Daisy is equally impressed by him, but as a former victim of violence, she treasures her secure life in Refuge. Together they navigate the road to love — one that’s complicated by Daisy’s troubled best friend, online dating, and the impossible obstacle of 1,600 miles between her home and his.
Victoria Bylin is known for tackling tough subjects with great compassion. In 2016, Together With You, a story of grace and healing, won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award for Best Contemporary Romance. Her other books, including historical westerns, have finaled in the Carol Awards, the RITAs, and RT Magazine’s Reviewers Choice Award. A native of California, she and her husband now make their home in Lexington, Kentucky. Learn more at victoriabylin.com.
My Impressions:
A Gift to Cherish continues the story of Daisy Riley that was introduced in the first book in Victoria Bylin’s Road to Refuge series. Daisy is on the other side of an abusive relationship and safe in Refuge, Wyoming. This novel is a contemporary romance of the best kind. Its focus is on relationships — the good, the bad, and the ugly! With endearing characters and true-to-life issues, A Gift to Cherish is a recommended read.
The book centers on the relationship between Daisy and Rafe Donovan. Rafe is in Refuge to find peace from his nightmares. A big-city cop, he is always on alert and in protection mode. His and Daisy’s romance is sweet, but not without conflicts and problems. I loved how they sought what was best not only for themselves, but what was best for each other. There are other relationships represented as well. Joan, Daisy’s boss and mentor, provides counsel to Daisy, and I loved how Bylin reveals to the reader the source of her hard won wisdom. Chelsea, Daisy’s roommate, is an example of finding love in all the wrong places. The three women’s stories are great examples of what can be oh so right and what can be oh so wrong between men and women.
While A Gift to Cherish can be read as a standalone, I think you really should begin with book 1, When He Found Me, in order to understand just where Daisy has been and why she makes the decisions she does. Fans of contemporary romance with heart and soul will love this inspirational novel.
Recommended.
Audience: Adults.
(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
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