Review — Keepsake by Sarina Bowen

Keepsake by Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #3
Also in this series: Bittersweet, Steadfast, Bountiful,
Genres: New Adult, Romance
Review Copy Provided By: Author


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Lark Wainright used to be fearless. She led her life as a series of adventures, each one more exhilarating than the last. But her last overseas adventure was one too many. She’s safe now, but her family is still consumed with worry and 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 into her little car and heads to Vermont. But her night terrors 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. He’s good with animals, and he’s good with his hands. 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 more than farm labor.

I was provided a review copy; this did not influence my opinion of the book.

Keepsake is the third book in the True North series. A series with heart, it deals with life’s struggles, love, and self-acceptance. It is sexy and realistic.

Keepsake was no exception. 

Lark escapes to the Shipley’s farm in Vermont. She needs to get away from her parents who exercise their concern for her in control and unending questions. The guilt she feels for causing other’s to worry is the last thing she needs. Her memories of her trip to Guatemala hold enough monsters to pull her under.  Having been friends with May since college, she was like family to the Shipley’s. Lark hoped the farm life and her extended family would help slay her dragons for good.

We have known Zach since the beginning of this series. He had been tossed out of the cult he’d grown up in and forced to live on his own in a world he knew nothing about. He didn’t have modern things like television or cellphones, let alone enough food to sustain him. He hitchhiked his way to Vermont to live with another couple who had escaped Paradise Ranch. Isaac and Leah now owned their own ranch and wanted it to be a safe-haven to those who needed it. Soon Zach moved in with the Shipley’s to work on their farm. He was a hard worker. Working hard made him needed and hopefully, indispensable.

What starts out as mutual attraction, soon turns to unwavering support and love. Zach’s protective nature has him at Lark’s side, comforting and soothing away her demons. In Lark, Zach finds he is worthy of love.

As always, I really liked Bowen’s story and characters. Zach was vulnerable without being weak. Lark was strong in her weakness.

 

I hope Sarina Bowen gives us more in this series!

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