The Sweetheart Secret by Shirley Jump – a Review

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Description:
Colton Harper, Rescue Bay’s resident physician, gave up his wild ways years ago, in exchange for a straight and narrow life. But then a one-night stand comes back to haunt him when the intoxicating woman he left behind shows up in Rescue Bay.

Once upon a time, fiery Daisy Barton was Colt’s wife—and still is, thanks to a paperwork glitch. Now she’s here in Rescue Bay, with a once-in-a-lifetime chance at a fresh start—renovating a crumbling B&B. The catch? The loan she needs requires her �husband’s” financial backing.

Colt wants to turn Daisy away, but when he sees her coax a smile from his cantankerous grandfather, Colt realizes maybe she can help him, too. It’s the perfect arrangement—until the sparks start flying. Suddenly Colt realizes he’s still head over heels in love with Daisy, and that he’ll have to risk everything…or risk losing her forever.

Review:

The Sweetheart Secret by Shirley Jump is the 3^rd book in her Sweetheart Sisters series. This is the first time I have read Shirley Jump and I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this story and her writing. So much so that I will have to find time to go back and read the first two books in the series.  

Daisy Barton is our wonderful heroine, who was a joy to read throughout this story. She returns to Rescue Bay, Florida to fulfill her dying aunt’s wishes to renovate her B & B back to its former glory. Daisy’s first stop will be to visit her ex-husband, Colt.

Colt, the local doctor, is our hero, and he is not happy to see Daisy return. Though he still cannot control his feelings for Daisy, he firmly believes she is not the right woman to settle down with. Of course, there a small detail, like him not putting through the divorce papers years before. So they are still married to one another, and Daisy is dangling signing those divorce papers to get him to help co-sign a loan to renovate the B & B.

In this mix is Colt’s grandpa, who lives with him and hardly talks to him. Emma, Daisy’s cousin, whom she is trying to get to come back to Rescue Bay to run the B&B, when its ready. Then there are the Sweetheart sisters, especially Greta; three elderly ladies who plot to bring couples together. There is also a cute dog that Daisy and Colt’s grandfather bring home, Major or as Colt calls him, Major Pain.

What follows is a wonderful delightful story, with some great characters that are fun to follow along in this story. Daisy knows she still loves Colt, but he hurt her years before when he left within days after they were married. She will eventually find out why he left, never to come back. Can she get past the hurt, and trust him love her and stay with her? Colt has never gotten over a tragedy that changed his life, as well as his grandfather’s. Will Colt ever get past his frozen heart and fears to allow himself to love Daisy?

The Sweetheart Secret is a sweet slow rebuilding of a romance that is a few obstacles in the way. This wonderful story was truly a fun and enjoyable book to read. I loved every moment of it, and I think you will too.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher