A GIFT TO CHERISH by Victoria Bylin, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas
A Gift to Cherish is the second book in Victoria Bylin’s Road to Refuge series. It can definitely be a stand alone novel, but it was fun to revisit some of the characters from the first book, When He Found Me. I enjoyed traveling back to the town of Refuge, Wyoming and meeting some new residents. Rafe Donovan is a caring, courageous hero who is troubled by PTSD from his past and is in Refuge helping his brother with his construction business while trying to recover. Daisy Riley has a troubled past complicated by abuse and violence, but she is an admirable heroine as she tries to turn her life around. I loved the interaction between the two characters and enjoyed seeing their relationship grow.
Bylin isn’t afraid to tackle some tough subjects, PTSD, abuse, online dating hazards, addiction recovery, but she does so with sensitivity and compassion. A Gift to Cherish is a beautiful story of forgiveness, redemption, personal growth, hope, and courage. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author. Her books are always compelling and inspiring.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
BackCover Blurb:
When Daisy Riley arrives in Refuge, Wyoming to live with her brother and his family, she intends to stay forever. A victim of violence in Los Angeles, Daisy craves stability, peace of mind, and safety. Her hope comes true when she lands a job as a personal assistant to Miss Joan Prescott, the owner of Cottonwood Acres, a historic ranch that once served as the set for a famous TV show. A retired college professor, Miss Joan has secrets and stories of her own, including a very unusual project that requires Daisy’s skills.
Rafe Donovan, a cop from Cincinnati, is haunted by a recurring nightmare about the death of his high school sweetheart and his failure to save her. Because of the nightmares, Rafe takes leave from the police department and seeks psychological help. He finds shelter in Refuge, where he pounds nails for his brother’s construction business. But he has no desire to stay in Wyoming and plans to return to Ohio as soon as possible.
When he finds Daisy Riley stranded late at night with a flat tire, Rafe is impressed by her courage. Daisy is equally impressed by him. Together they navigate the road to love—one complicated by the arrival of Daisy’s troubled best friend, online dating, and the impossible obstacle of 1,600 miles between her home and his.
AUTHOR NOTE: This story is about our current dating culture, including the risks of online dating. It also looks at the social mores of 1970s and how those values impact us today.
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I love this cover and after reading Winnie's review, I'm definitely on the lookout for this story!
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