Wildflower Road by Janine Rosche

Wildflower Road by Janine Rosche ISBN-13: 9780593100523 Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Berkley Books Released: October 13th 2020

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
After her husband's tragic death, Ryann Marie Ashcroft's only remaining dream is to save her family's struggling mountain resort. And the last person she wants to rely on is a brooding stranger with secrets of his own.

Nicknamed America's rock-and-roll pastor, Shane Olson arrives in Montana after a viral video destroys his marriage, his ministry, and his reputation. Working side by side on the banks of the Madison River, he and Ryann get a second chance at love. But not everyone wants to see their happily ever after.


My Review:
Wildflower Road is a contemporary romance. It's the second book in the series, but it works as a standalone novel. This is one of those "if it can go wrong, it does go wrong" type novels. Ryann's husband committed suicide and his brother is partly to blame (though only he and Ryann know this). Unfortunately, that brother is trying to force a relationship on Ryann, and he has the wealth and influence to destroy her family's resort if she doesn't cooperate. Shane has taken the full blame for the actions committed by himself, his best friend, and his wife. He's the one caught on video angrily attacking his best friend, after all, and he refuses to expose their sins against him and the church even though it would generate sympathy for his actions. He's been vilified and is having trouble starting over, so he's thankful for job as a cook at the resort.

The main characters were complex, well-developed, and reacted realistically to events. Ryann felt like she was being punished for not better supporting and saving her depressed husband. Shane felt like his angry, violent outburst was practically unforgivable and was broken by the betrayal of people he trusted. Both helped build the other one back up and helped them to heal and hope for a better future. Their friends helped them to deal with the brother-in-law, but it seemed like an impossible situation until nearly the end. There is no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this intense novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.