A Better Man

In Candis Terry's new series we meet the Kincade family. They have recently lost their parents, but with the lost they gain a vineyard and a family secret. Candis certainly knows how to hook a person in on a series, especially when their is a family secret involved. By the end it sure sounds like doozy. It seems like there's a scandal a brewing. By the end of the story we are hitting the tip of the iceberg. Of course now I'm sucked in wondering what could this secret involved and how it impacts the family.

When we start the story, the family has been going the separate ways for sometime, it's amazing how a tragedy can bring everyone together. Each of the siblings have to find a way back home in a sense. I mean they all have to reconnect and become a family again. First off is Jordan. He's the first to really leave the nest and never looked back, so when he returns everyone is waiting for him to say adios. However, he remembers how they use to be, and he aims to fit back into the family. Fifteen years is long time to try to reconnect with family. Even some of the members have a chip on their shoulder. He has to work hard to earn his sister's trust, after all he's never been part of her life. He has a lot to make amends. Not only with her, but with her teacher Ms. Diamond.

Lucy Diamond is Nicki's teacher, but Jordan and her had past. There wasn't anything romantic about these two when they hung out together, but Lucy thought there could be after all he did ask her to a dance. Then again she was use to be rejection, when he stood her up. Now Jordan would like to get back into her good graces cause he did actually liked Lucy in high school.

A Better Man is a great start for Candis Terry's Sunshine Creek. I did like the fact we have a family secret that ties all the books together. We have a fracture family that needs to mend after all these years, and hopefully will be stronger in long run. We have one family relationship that is on the mends. Of course there is romance. We see the banter between Jordan and Lucy. I could relate with Lucy. You have the popular jock, and invisible girl. She doesn't understand why Jordan would want to be with her. Overall, a pretty good story. Plus, there is one scene that totally made me melt, actually a couple. Those who love Candis's previous books will enjoy A Better Man and Kincade family.

This story was so much fun to read. I found it impossible to put down once I started. Jordan and Lucy knew each other in high school, and after he asks her to a dance and never shows, Lucy picks up and moves on with her life. She becomes a teacher and when Jordan's little sister becomes a sullen, angst-ridden teen, Lucy contacts her brother for a conference, but the brother she wasn't expecting appears. Jordan had left his home behind for his NHL career and had not been around much, turning his sister into a brat in his presence. There ends up being quite a few layers to the story to keep your attention. Jordan is pretty yummy, even if at times he does a few bone-headed things. You still cheer for him to do right by his family and Lucy. His NHL career really makes him even yummier; I cannot resist a man in a hockey uniform. Lucy is a character you just want to be your best friend. It's obvious she cares deeply for those in her life. She is the teacher that you wish all of your high school teachers had been, so caring of her students and their well being. There is great chemistry and an interesting story. If you like contemporary romance, you should enjoy this tale. I received a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

Finally I start a Candis Terry series at the very beginning… one of my ‘ooh I must’ grabs for contemporary romance. In this new series, Sunshine Creek Village, we get to meet a whole new family, and dive into the world of her making with A Better Man.

Jordan spent most of his life dreaming of the ice and away: now a hockey star with his own set of commitments and issues, he’s thrust back home with the news of his parents’ death. Returning home to reconnect with his brothers (four) and seventeen year old baby sister. While Jordan loves his family, he’s been away chasing his own dreams which has created some distance between them all, and the anger he experiences from his sister Nicole (aptly nicknamed Baby Dragon) confuses and hurts him.

Lucy never really left Sunshine Creek and now works as a creative writing teacher at the high school. Years ago she, like others, crushed on Jordan and was sorely disappointed. That, a difficult childhood and some decisions made with the inexperience of youth left her with one failed marriage and a serious guarded nature. While she’s concerned for Nicole, and wants to help the girl deal with everything on her plate, seeing Jordan some 15 years later was not in her plan.

So many different elements come into play in this story: the family members (particularly Nicole) who felt abandoned by Jordan’s leaving. Jordan’s own lack of effort, not in a malicious way but in thinking ‘it’s family- they’ll always be there’ attitude. The struggles with the vineyard and running a business, the grief over the loss of their parents, Lucy’s trust issues, the budding relationship between Jordan and Lucy, and the questions behind Nicole’s anger and acting out. Each element is completely real and tangible: you can see the why and understand where it comes from, but then you always have other ideas of what should be done. Then, as the story unfolds, it is apparent that Terry has not only thought through ALL the possible options, but, it couldn’t have worked so well had any other choice or direction been taken.

Jordan and Lucy are wonderful: she needs reassurances and honesty. Jordan is not the most intuitive or insightful, he needs more plain speaking and decided answers. This pushes Lucy to actually think about, and truly decide what is important for her: and put it into actual words. When you add in the family dynamics and the moments with Nicole, the story is so full it could burst, in all the best ways! Heart, redemption, resolution and hope all combine to start us on the journey with the Kincades.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.