A little slow reading. But quite a nice love story.

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This was a very good book. Most of the books I have read by this author have wonderful reads. The characters were strong and interesting. The story was a mixture of past and present and held my interest. I have recommended this book to friends.

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I have been looking for another Dallas Schultz book since I read Substitute Wife, which was a favorite book of mine. SW just hit the right chord for me, I have seen some mixed, average reviews for SW, but I loved it. Loving Jessie was very close. Loving Jessie was an easy, feel good book, with rich characters and no villains just a few bad choices. It starts out so light and fun, but becomes serious and much deeper.
Can you ever go home again? That is the question the hero, Matt Latimer, is going to find out after being shot in the shoulder on location of his war zoned photo shoot. He comes back to tiny Miller's Crossing looking for family connections knowing he has only a recluse, protective brother and bad memories of his abusive and alcoholic parents. As he returns home he first sees the tag along girl from his youth, Jessie Sinclair. Jessie, even though 9 years younger, adored Matt and his best friend Reilly and followed them everywhere and they reciprocated her feelings. Jessie although cared for both Matt and Reilly, fell madly in love with Reilly - although never letting him know and Reilly never noticed. Reilly is the local big shot of the town, UCLA football player (as was Matt), of a prominent family who married a beautiful beauty pageant queen and broke Jessie's heart. Reilly is clueless of this of course and therefore not a bad guy, but another engaging character.

First thing Matt notices on his return is Jessie is a beautiful woman, no longer the scrawny kid that he had to carry and save from their many adventures. Reilly was always Jessie's ideal heartthrob, but Matt was the one who took care of her, sacrificed for her and protected her. Jessie was a breath of fresh air, so likable and comfortable with everyone, as well as very grounded. I loved how she would ramble when she became nervous and Matt loved it too. Since she was raised by her loving grandfather and no longer has any living relatives she wants a baby. Family is so important to her and after a passionate kiss from Matt that came out of nowhere, she decides he will be the father. She makes him a proposition and he counters with marriage.

This changes everything and it was wonderful to see how Jessie and Matt accomplished going against the norm by marrying first courting second. Reilly is confused by his best friends' changes in relationship dynamics and begins to see Jessie differently. He also has problems of his own in trying to save his marriage.

The story did have some emotional elements, but I felt the conflict was resolved and forgiven too quickly and would have liked to see a little more resistance. Besides the quick resolution, there were times where I found myself caught in a too detailed description about something irrelevant especially as you were getting to the good parts- I skimmed those details to get to the meaty dialog. All this being said I felt it was a very satisfying read that had its choke up moments and would recommend it to anyone who liked Substitute Wife.

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Life has lost its focus, so Matt is heading back home to the town where he grew up. But his homecoming will propel him into the complex territories of friendship, loyalty and love. Jessie wants a baby and must choose between what once was and what might still be. A heart-warming love story.

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