Believe in Me
Grade : B+

One way that I judge a book is by whether I find it easy to put down or if I resent anything that cuts into my reading time. Believe in Me by Laura Moore is a book that I did not find easy to put down. And when I had to stop and do necessary housework, the book stayed on my mind. Even with interruptions, I started the book Monday afternoon and finished it Tuesday.

Believe in Me comes second in the Rosewood series. I did read the first book, but this book can easily stand on its own. The books are about three sisters, each the heroine of her own book, who all return to Rosewood, the family horse farm in Warburg, Virginia. While pregnant with her third child, Jordan Radcliffe discovers that her husband is having an affair. Even though she is devastated, when her husband begs for a second chance she agrees. After ten months of weekly couples therapy, the marriage is still not back on track.

After both agreeing to spend quality time together, as if on a first date this upcoming weekend, Jordan is again traumatized to discover that couples therapy has been a sham; her husband never stopped seeing the other woman. Jordan files for divorce and moves home to Rosewood. After the divorce she is busy with her children, but wants to do her part in putting the estate on firmer financial ground. She decides to re-start her career as an interior designer. One of the first people that she meets is Owen Gage, an architect who has bought a neighboring farm for house flipping. Owen feels badly that his company received a contract for a job that Jordan designed, so he offers her the job of decorating his house. The sexual attraction is immediate between them. Owen is not the type to settle down, especially with a woman who has three children. Jordan just wants to feel attractive again, and break out of the timid shell that has settled around her since the divorce.

For readers who haven't read Ms. Moore's books before, her books are longer and the pacing a little slower then a lot of romance novels because they are entrenched with horse lore as part of her world building. As a non-horse fanatic, I wasn’t bored, enjoying the snippets about training colts, grooming, etc., since those touches immersed one more in the fictional Rosewood.

What made the book so emotionally satisfying to me was the development of the relationships. The one between the Owen and Jordan starts out slow but showcases the character growth of both. Many times mental lusting jars me out of the story, but with the slower development of the romance, it felt natural and the love scenes are sensuous. The children also feature prominently in the story. As an only child, Owen knows nothing about children and his discomfort around them is humorous. Also, I was captivated by Jade, the troubled younger sister.

If you looking for a story that will draw you in and warm your heart, then Believe in Me is a perfect choice.

Reviewed by Leigh Davis
Grade : B+

Sensuality: Warm

Review Date : March 15, 2011

Publication Date: 2011/01

Review Tags: Virginia divorced horses

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Leigh Davis

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