Keepsake is the first book I've read in this series, and it was a beautiful and emotional read that I thoroughly enjoyed! I'm excited to get my hands on more stories from this amazing world!
Title: Keepsake
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 25th 2016
There's a first time for everything.
Lark Wainwright used to be fearless. Her life was a series of adventures, each one more exhilarating than the last. But her recent overseas adventure was one too many. Now she’s home and in one piece. Mostly. But her nights are filled with terror.
When her best friend offers her a stay at the orchard in exchange for help at the farmers’ markets, Lark jumps at the chance to spend fall in Vermont. But her nightmares don’t stop. Desperate to keep her fragile state a secret, she relies on the most soft-spoken resident of the Shipley Farm to soothe her when her dreams prove too much.
Zachariah is a survivor, too. It’s been four years since he was tossed aside by the polygamist cult where he grew up. He’s found a peaceful existence on the Shipley’s farm, picking apples and fixing machinery. But getting thrown away by your own people at nineteen leaves a mark on a guy. He doesn’t always know what to make of a world where movie quotes are the primary means of communication. Before hitchhiking to Vermont, he’d never watched TV or spoken on the phone.
Actually, there are a lot of things he’s never done.
Zach and Lark slowly grow to trust one another. One night they become even closer than they’d planned. But Lark may still be too broken to trust anyone. When she pushes Zach away, he will have to prove to himself that he's good for much more than farm labor.
Lark Wainwright used to be fearless. Her life was a series of adventures, each one more exhilarating than the last. But her recent overseas adventure was one too many. Now she’s home and in one piece. Mostly. But her nights are filled with terror.
When her best friend offers her a stay at the orchard in exchange for help at the farmers’ markets, Lark jumps at the chance to spend fall in Vermont. But her nightmares don’t stop. Desperate to keep her fragile state a secret, she relies on the most soft-spoken resident of the Shipley Farm to soothe her when her dreams prove too much.
Zachariah is a survivor, too. It’s been four years since he was tossed aside by the polygamist cult where he grew up. He’s found a peaceful existence on the Shipley’s farm, picking apples and fixing machinery. But getting thrown away by your own people at nineteen leaves a mark on a guy. He doesn’t always know what to make of a world where movie quotes are the primary means of communication. Before hitchhiking to Vermont, he’d never watched TV or spoken on the phone.
Actually, there are a lot of things he’s never done.
Zach and Lark slowly grow to trust one another. One night they become even closer than they’d planned. But Lark may still be too broken to trust anyone. When she pushes Zach away, he will have to prove to himself that he's good for much more than farm labor.
I've recently come to love Sabrina Bowen's work and I was excited to get into her newest release, Keepsake, and the beautiful world she had created. Lark and Zach had both been through traumatic situations that made big changes to their lives, both physically and mentally. It was such a beautiful read, where both characters grew into stronger people, and managed to find love on the way.
Lark had recently returned from Guatamala, after being through a frightening situation. She was trying to become the person that she was before she left, but was finding it hard to keep her demons at bay. She hoped that going to spend time at her best friends property, and doing manual work would help her find the girl that she once was. It was sad to see her struggle though, while maintaining a strong front for everyone around her. Zach was the only person who seemed sooth her demons and saw past her tough exterior to the vulnerable girl underneath.
Zach had made his own life after being thrown out of the only home he'd ever known. I loved learning about his past and what he endured, and then to see how he had adjusted after finding Isaac and Leah. I loved his innocence, he was the most kind hearted person, and would do anything for those he considered family. He had feelings for Lark since she visited last spring, and could see the change in her since her ordeal. It was sweet to see him comfort her through her rough nights and to see their relationship grow through these small but huge gestures.
Lark and Zach's relationship developed slowly, because it was hard for either of them to show their feelings, and in Lark's case she was still struggling with what happened. Sabrina Bowen wove this element of the story beautifully, especially since she had to deal with the delicate issue of PTSD. But throughout it all I was glad that Lark and Zach's feelings continued to strengthen as they both grew into improved people. I enjoyed seeing the strong relationships between the others on the farm as well, they all gave greater depth to the story and I'm keen to read the previous stories, as well as the ones I've missed out on so far. I have Bittersweet, and I plan to jump into it ASAP!
Complimentary copy provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review.
This was a big moment between Lark and Zach! They were both unsure of each other's feelings and this kiss straightened everything out!
“I think I screwed up tonight. If that kiss made you uncomfortable, then I’m really sorry. I’ll never do it again. It was overstepping. Maybe I offended you.”
“Offended me,” he echoed. When he finally lifted his chin, the heat in his expression was not what I’d expected.
“Y-yeah,” I stammered.
Zach stepped into my personal space so quickly I didn’t have any time to react. My backside collided with barn wood at the same moment his hand cupped my cheek. In the nanosecond before he kissed me, I took a fast breath and inhaled the scent of hay and clean flannel. Then his hungry mouth took mine.
Oh.
Oh, wow.
Kindle Arc Loc 1878
Hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm
Sarina Bowen is the USA Today bestselling author of steamy, angsty Contemporary Romance and New Adult fiction. She lives in the wilds of Vermont.She is the author of The Ivy Years, an award-winning series set amid the hockey team at an elite Connecticut college. Also, the The Gravity series.
With Elle Kennedy, Sarina is the author of HIM and US.
Other reviews featuring Sarina Bowen
The Ivy Years series
The Year We Fell Down #1
The Year We Hid Away #2
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