Saving Jake by Sharon Sala – a Review

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Description:
There is always hope

After eight years in the Marines, Jacob Lorde returns to Blessings, Georgia, with no plans other than to hole up in his empty house and heal what’s left of his soul. But with a charming next door neighbor and a town full of friendly people, keeping to himself is easier said than done.

As long as you can come home
Laurel Payne understands far too well what Jake is going through, after witnessing her late husband experience similar problems. She’s in no hurry to jump into another relationship with a complicated guy, but their attraction is undeniable-and perhaps exactly what both of them need.

Review:

Saving Jake by Sharon Sala is the 3^rd book in her wonderful Blessings, Georgia series. 

Jake Lorde, our hero, is a marine suffering PTSD nightmares, and he comes home to Blessings, Georgia to stay.  He has decided to fix his house up, as his father died awhile ago. Jake meets many of the neighbors when he arrives to welcome him home, giving him many fond memories of Blessings.  But at night, when he falls asleep, Jake suffers terrible war time nightmares.

He meets Laurel Payne while walking home in the rain, and she offers him a ride, since they are neighbors.  Laurel plans to keep her distance from Jake, as she herself has her own issues having lost her husband to a suicide, as he too was a former soldier unable to cope with his memories. Laurel has a cute daughter, Bonnie and works various cleaning jobs to be able to pay the bills.  Laurel also suffers from terrible taunts from her in-laws, who erroneously blame her for her husband’s death.

Bonnie will be the catalyst that will slowly bring Jake and Laurel together; first in friendship and then with love.  Bonnie was adorable, and I really enjoyed her.  Most of all, I loved Jake and Laurel.  They both were two damaged people, who forced themselves to live their lives, despite the ugly scars, and the three of them will help each other fight off the darkness together and bring in the light they so deserve.

What follows is a heartwarming story of two people whom you liked from the start, and rooted throughout the whole book to get together and be happy.  Laurel had a tough time, but her love for her daughter kept her solid.  In time, her in-laws realize that the mother (villain #1), who forced them to blame Laurel was wrong, and it was nice to see them make amends.  Jake was a great guy, and slowly he began to depend on seeing Laurel and Bonnie, as it always lifted him up.  He had to deal with a stalker (villain #2) who was bent on hurting him or anyone close to him.  There were some exciting and scary moments near the end that will bring them together even more. 

Sharon Sala wrote a fabulous story that had us hooked from the start.  She also gave us three wonderful characters, and that is a strong point in liking the story.  Jake, Laurel and Bonnie made this such an enjoyable story, even with the hard times they endured.  If you enjoy a sweet romance, with some deep psychological issues, and wonderful characters, not to mention a small town atmosphere, then you should read this series.

Reviewed by Barb

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