Book Description:
Michael Galloway has always believed freedom means living life on his own terms. His career is dedicated to saving the environment and teaching others the importance of taking care of the earth, rivers, and oceans. He’s building a life with no room for complications. Especially in his love life.
Then tragedy turns April Yancy’s world upside down.
After her husband’s death, April discovers he’d been hiding devastating secrets, leaving her buried in debt and struggling to protect her children’s future. The last person she expects to come to her rescue is Michael—the man who shattered her heart years ago.
Michael has few regrets, but hurting April back in grad school still haunts him. When her situation grows desperate, he devises a risky plan to help her rebuild her life…even if it means jeopardizing his carefully guarded independence.
Accepting Michael’s shocking offer could cost April more than her pride. His resistance to her faith clashes with the convictions she holds dear, and trusting him again feels impossible. Yet as doors keep opening and her prayers keep nudging her toward him, April begins to wonder if God is offering her a second chance at more than survival.
An emotional second-chance love story of forgiveness, redemption, and unexpected faith.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading Until April, a contemporary romance with women’s fiction themes in Janet W. Ferguson’s Coastal Hearts series set on Dauphin Island, Alabama. Michael is a marine educator who wants the freedom to live his life without being shackled by family and other responsibilities. He’s carrying emotional baggage from his childhood experiences managing his mother’s mental health condition that’s an ongoing concern for their family.
April is dealing with a heartbreaking situation and too many financial problems. Her dysfunctional extended family won’t help her or her adorable three-year-old son. It’s April’s church family who step in and provide support, comfort and guidance as she relies on her faith and navigates tricky situations with limited options.
April was estranged from Michael, her college friend, until an unusual set of circumstances draws them back into each other’s lives. Their sweet romance is complicated and they’re forced to deal with issues from the past and confront uncomfortable truths.
Michael is a skeptic who’s surrounded by believers who challenge him to consider faith matters. Multiple characters are struggling with grief and loss. Redemption and forgiveness themes are explored in the story.
I loved experiencing the coastal environment and marine life with the characters. I recommend Until April to contemporary romance readers who like second chances and single parent romances with a twist on the friends-to-more trope, family drama, women’s fiction themes, grief and loss, supportive small town church communities, and strong faith elements in the story.
Many thanks to the author for the advanced reader copy.
