Secrets by Robin Jones Gunn

My Thoughts:

Robin Jones Gunn is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.  I love her sense of humor, her endearing characters and the lovely way that she weaves the Lord into her stories.  A few weeks ago I reviewed Sisterchicks in Gondolas (LOVED it!) and then I decided to give the Glenbrooke series a chance.  Secrets, the first book in the series, takes place in the peaceful town of Glenbrooke, Oregon. Jessica Morgan (or is it Jessica Fenton?) is hoping to get a fresh start here as she's running away from something or someone.  Hmmm....  We don't know the answer to this until the very end, which keeps you wondering- and reading!  The beginning literally starts with a bang as Jessica is in a terrible car accident.  Then, into her life walks Kyle- a handsome firefighter and local knight in shining armor. :)  

I enjoyed so many things about Secrets. Glenbrooke, Oregon is charming and full of wonderful people.  The way the locals welcome Jessica is amazingly touching.  Such kindness and grace! (Groceries appearing at Jessica's doorstep when her cupboards were bare?? This almost had me in tears!)  I adored Teri, the kind Spanish teacher, that witnesses to Jessica.  She's honest and caring and wants so much for her friend to know the Lord.  The mission trip to Mexico allowed her to shine!  Wonder if there will be a book in this series written about her?  You'll all fall in love with Kyle Buchanan!  He's a wonderful role model, a perfect gentleman and his dream is to help others.  Wow.  I even enjoyed hating Charlotte Mendelson, the hard nose, hateful principal.  She made a spiteful enemy and every good book needs one!  The only person I had a problem with was the main character, Jessica.  I found her to be a bit difficult to care for and understand.  Even after finding out her "secret" I found her to be lacking.  Despite this, I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!  Glenbrooke is a dreamy place to escape to.  If only such a place truly existed...

More about the book...

Beginning her new life in a small Oregon town, high school English teacher Jessica tries desperately to hide the details of her past. Yet two individuals remain determined to discover the painful truth: the jealous woman who is Jessica's immediate superior, and Kyle Buchanan, a handsome, compassionate paramedic and dreamer. Will Jessica's past destroy her future? Or can she find a deeper peace that will end her need to keep Secrets?

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.*