Barbara L. (Barbllm) reviewed Reunited Hearts (Men of Allegany County, Bk 1) (Love Inspired, No 630) on + 241 more book reviews
Reunited Hearts is one of two books in the Love Inspired collection that utilize my least favorite romance novel plot device: the hidden baby. Alyssa Langley bore Trent Michaels son and now lives in Jamison, New York, where she runs her fathers restaurant. Her perfectionist father is recuperating from a heart attack.
One of the facets of the hidden baby storyline that has always bothered me as a single parent is that the mother usually cares for the child alone without any help from the father, and in Alyssas case, lives near poverty. Its never mentioned whether or not she gets Medicaid, and obviously getting child support is out of the question. Considering how difficult kids in poorer families have it, it seems silly to me to not take advantage of whatever help is offered.
Trent Michaels doesnt know that hes the father of Alyssas football-playing son, Jaden. Marriage to an abusive man named Vaughn also gave her an adorable preschooler named Cory. When Trent finds out, his anger is palpable, and its hard to sympathize with Alyssas decision. Trent was going to West Point, and according to their rules, cadets may not marry nor father children; all their attention should be on learning the basics of soldiering. Alyssa gave Trent his dream of being a soldier, but he doesnt see it that way.
So, they meet up again and Trent becomes Jadens football coach for a while. Trent also runs Walker Electronics, and hopes to snag a military contract so that residents of Jamison will have jobs in his factory. Alyssa runs into problems at the restaurant with the surly chef, Rocco. Why doesnt she simply remind Rocco that she is the bosss daughter and if he causes her trouble, he can be certain that Dad will know about it? Again, she has leverage here but doesnt do anything with it.
The story flows along nicely, with Jaden getting acquainted with his father and with Alyssa and Trent renewing their relationship. Despite the plot contrivance, I found myself liking this tale.
One of the facets of the hidden baby storyline that has always bothered me as a single parent is that the mother usually cares for the child alone without any help from the father, and in Alyssas case, lives near poverty. Its never mentioned whether or not she gets Medicaid, and obviously getting child support is out of the question. Considering how difficult kids in poorer families have it, it seems silly to me to not take advantage of whatever help is offered.
Trent Michaels doesnt know that hes the father of Alyssas football-playing son, Jaden. Marriage to an abusive man named Vaughn also gave her an adorable preschooler named Cory. When Trent finds out, his anger is palpable, and its hard to sympathize with Alyssas decision. Trent was going to West Point, and according to their rules, cadets may not marry nor father children; all their attention should be on learning the basics of soldiering. Alyssa gave Trent his dream of being a soldier, but he doesnt see it that way.
So, they meet up again and Trent becomes Jadens football coach for a while. Trent also runs Walker Electronics, and hopes to snag a military contract so that residents of Jamison will have jobs in his factory. Alyssa runs into problems at the restaurant with the surly chef, Rocco. Why doesnt she simply remind Rocco that she is the bosss daughter and if he causes her trouble, he can be certain that Dad will know about it? Again, she has leverage here but doesnt do anything with it.
The story flows along nicely, with Jaden getting acquainted with his father and with Alyssa and Trent renewing their relationship. Despite the plot contrivance, I found myself liking this tale.
