This Heart of Mine (Whiskey Creek #8)
by Brenda Novak
First love. Second chance?
As the daughter of a hoarder, Phoenix Fuller had a tough childhood. So when the handsome, popular Riley Stinson became her boyfriend in high school, she finally felt as though she had something to be proud of. Phoenix was desperate not to lose him—especially once she found out she was pregnant. Yes, she might have acted a bit obsessive when he broke up with her. But she did not run down the girl he started dating next!
Unfortunately, there was no way to prove her innocence. Now, after serving her time in prison, Phoenix has been released. All she wants to do is return to Whiskey Creek and get to know her son. But Jacob's father isn't exactly welcoming.
Riley doesn't trust Phoenix, doesn't want her in Jacob's life. He is, however, ready to find someone to love. And he wants a good mother for his son. He has no idea that he's about to find both—if they can forgive the mistakes in their past…
As the daughter of a hoarder, Phoenix Fuller had a tough childhood. So when the handsome, popular Riley Stinson became her boyfriend in high school, she finally felt as though she had something to be proud of. Phoenix was desperate not to lose him—especially once she found out she was pregnant. Yes, she might have acted a bit obsessive when he broke up with her. But she did not run down the girl he started dating next!
Unfortunately, there was no way to prove her innocence. Now, after serving her time in prison, Phoenix has been released. All she wants to do is return to Whiskey Creek and get to know her son. But Jacob's father isn't exactly welcoming.
Riley doesn't trust Phoenix, doesn't want her in Jacob's life. He is, however, ready to find someone to love. And he wants a good mother for his son. He has no idea that he's about to find both—if they can forgive the mistakes in their past…
Phoenix went to jail at 18 years old for a crime she didn’t commit.
17 years later, she is out, and trying to start a relationship with the son she has never known.
Wow, this book was brutally wonderful. Hands down one on the best I have read in a very long time.
Being the daughter of a reclusive obese hoarder guaranteed Phoenix’s status as on outcast. But it didn't stop Riley, from falling in love with her. Unfortunately, family pressure caused Riley to break it off. Then the unthinkable happened. Phoenix, having lost her virginity to Riley, soon realized she was pregnant. She didn't know how to tell him, was scared and alone. Then Riley starts dating Lori, the daughter of a prominent family. One night a horrible accident caused by Phoenix’ s friend Penny lands Phoenix in prison for vehicular manslaughter, despite her please of innocence. Phoenix goes to prison for 17 years.
By this point in the book I was already hooked, but it just kept getting better. The story circles around Phoenix getting out of prison and trying to connect with a son she has never known. Jacob is 16 years old and has been raised by Riley. Jacob is such a sweet , pure boy and he just made my heart melt. He was so open to her affection and immediately believed in her innocence. Riley on the other hand, wished she would have stayed away and never come back to Whiskey Creek.
Phoenix is determined and strong, and as the reader you just want such good things for her. Even after all the years in prison, she is not bitter. She is kind and proud and is determined not to show any affection toward Riley for fear he will take it the wrong way and she might lose the chance to know her son. Even though he is the only man she has ever been with, and still holds a torch for him, she acts uninterested.
As the story progresses, Riley see’s that Phoenix is more than what he was told as a confused 18 year old boy. He sees her inner strength and begins to feel those old flames again. *Sigh
Riley confuses Phoenix when he makes advances, and she basically tells him
“ It's ok you didn't love me the way I loved you, I was young and didn’t know that’s what boys said to girls.” (Paraphrase)
This is such a beautiful love story, but not only that, it is the story of a mother, a story of forgiveness, and a story of strength against adversity.
I absolutely could not put this book down. I wanted such good things for Phoenix, and for Riley for that matter. He fought such an internal battle, it made my heart hurt.
It was such a great HEA, that was even better for all the adversity.
*Advance copy given by the Author for an honest review.
17 years later, she is out, and trying to start a relationship with the son she has never known.
Wow, this book was brutally wonderful. Hands down one on the best I have read in a very long time.
Being the daughter of a reclusive obese hoarder guaranteed Phoenix’s status as on outcast. But it didn't stop Riley, from falling in love with her. Unfortunately, family pressure caused Riley to break it off. Then the unthinkable happened. Phoenix, having lost her virginity to Riley, soon realized she was pregnant. She didn't know how to tell him, was scared and alone. Then Riley starts dating Lori, the daughter of a prominent family. One night a horrible accident caused by Phoenix’ s friend Penny lands Phoenix in prison for vehicular manslaughter, despite her please of innocence. Phoenix goes to prison for 17 years.
By this point in the book I was already hooked, but it just kept getting better. The story circles around Phoenix getting out of prison and trying to connect with a son she has never known. Jacob is 16 years old and has been raised by Riley. Jacob is such a sweet , pure boy and he just made my heart melt. He was so open to her affection and immediately believed in her innocence. Riley on the other hand, wished she would have stayed away and never come back to Whiskey Creek.
Phoenix is determined and strong, and as the reader you just want such good things for her. Even after all the years in prison, she is not bitter. She is kind and proud and is determined not to show any affection toward Riley for fear he will take it the wrong way and she might lose the chance to know her son. Even though he is the only man she has ever been with, and still holds a torch for him, she acts uninterested.
As the story progresses, Riley see’s that Phoenix is more than what he was told as a confused 18 year old boy. He sees her inner strength and begins to feel those old flames again. *Sigh
Riley confuses Phoenix when he makes advances, and she basically tells him
“ It's ok you didn't love me the way I loved you, I was young and didn’t know that’s what boys said to girls.” (Paraphrase)
“I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“At that age…”
“Don’t make excuses for me, I knew what love was, and I was in love with you.”
This is such a beautiful love story, but not only that, it is the story of a mother, a story of forgiveness, and a story of strength against adversity.
I absolutely could not put this book down. I wanted such good things for Phoenix, and for Riley for that matter. He fought such an internal battle, it made my heart hurt.
It was such a great HEA, that was even better for all the adversity.
*Advance copy given by the Author for an honest review.
Moonlight 
