At a glance
In a Word, Yes
Christian women's fiction
In a Word, Yes
Single mother Lucy Montgomery has rebuilt life in Charity Falls around firm boundaries, predictability, and raising her autistic son after a painful marriage. Local police officer Wyatt Hayes gently challenges the risk-free routine Lucy has begun mistaking for healing. At the same time, Lucy's well-known mother Carly must confront the distance between her public ministry and the daughter and grandson she has kept at arm's length. This contemporary women's fiction novel combines small-town romance, mother-daughter reconciliation, disability-aware family life, faith, and the difficult difference between healthy boundaries and fear.
Paired for this story
Jump to the pours ↓Portuguese Rose Lemonade + Sloe Gin Fizz
Choose your bookseller
Find the Book
Print retailers offer a search when an exact edition is unavailable. Kindle links open a specific edition. Audiobook links may open an edition or a search.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Book Bartender earns from qualifying purchases. Bookshop.org links also earn us a commission on qualifying purchases. Your price is not affected. Read the full affiliate disclosure.
No surprises at chapter twelve
Content notes
Divorce and single motherhood; autistic child; estranged mother-daughter relationship and regret; emotional risk and family reconciliation; Christian faith and friends-to-more romance.
Alcohol-Free Pour
Portuguese Rose Lemonade
A bright, refreshing sip suits romantic anticipation and a little escapism.
What you'll need
- 1 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice ↗
- 1/2 oz rose syrup ↗
- 5 oz cold water
- 4 raspberries ↗
- Ice
How to mix it
- Muddle raspberries lightly with rose syrup. Add lemon juice, cold water, and ice; stir well.
- Garnish: Raspberries and lemon wheel.
- Glassware: Highball glass.
Shop glassware & tools
We earn a commission from qualifying purchases through these Amazon links, at no extra cost to you.
Highball glass ↗Muddler ↗Cocktail Pour · 21+
Sloe Gin Fizz
For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.
A crisp botanical pour suits romantic anticipation and a little escapism.
What you'll need
- 2 oz sloe gin
- 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice ↗
- 0.25 oz simple syrup, adjusted to taste ↗
- 2–3 oz club soda ↗
- Ice
Shop the spirits 21+Search Total Wine for Gin · 21+ ↗
How to mix it
- Shake sloe gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice, top with club soda, and stir gently.
- Garnish: Lemon wheel.
- Glassware: Highball glass.
Shop glassware & tools
We earn a commission from qualifying purchases through these Amazon links, at no extra cost to you.
Highball glass ↗Set up the bar cart
Shop the Barware
Find the glasses and tools for your next pour.