Harlequin has a new line called Heartwarming, which sounds very interesting. If you have missed books by your favorite authors, or are new to Harlequin books, this works to your advantage. However, be sure to check the copyright pages, because when I started writing the review, I discovered that this book is a reprint of Temporary Arrangement published in 2006. The Harlequin Web page states that the line is: “Wholesome editions of refreshed romances that celebrate traditional values and true love” – or to call a spade a spade, these books are reprints published with new titles.

Abby Cahill has taken a temporary position as interim director of nursing at a small hospital in Blackberry. After receiving her BSN in nursing, Abby continued her education, and elected to teach nursing at the college level. After her engagement ends she accepts a new teaching position for the fall. After hearing about this position from an old classmate, she feels that this is the perfect filler job. It will give her both administrative and clinical experience. She arrives all ready for a great summer, but after she arrives she discovers her apartment complex is closed due to a fire. Since the town’s population triples during the summer, the only place she can find to rent is a room from a cantankerous old man. He soon kicks her out, leaving her with no place to stay.

Ethan’s hopes for a wonderful summer with his son have hit a major snag. His son, Keifer just arrived and the very next morning he sees his dad almost lose his arm in an auger accident. If that is not bad enough, the local doctor wants to transport him to a larger hospital because nerves and tendons are involved, and there is the possibility of him losing function of his hand. He doesn’t have any type of childcare set up, since he was planning on taking the summer off. So at the hospital, Abby offers to watch Keifer, but Ethan refuses since his first impression of her is very unfavorable. But given the choice between Abby caring for his son or Keifer staying in emergency foster care, he acquiesces.

On the way to Ethan’s house, Abby tears up her car’s transmission and gets stuck in the mud, encounters a wolf, braves a thunderstorm that causes the electricity to go out, finds that the family dog has given birth to puppies, and the farm animals are out of their pens. Keifer is not too excited about coming home with a stranger either.

After leaving against medical advice Ethan arrives the next morning to find Abby and Keifer attempting to round up the livestock. Someone cut the padlocks and opened the gates. When it is time for Abby to leave, Keifer earnestly attempts to convince his father that she should stay at their house. However, since she reminds him of his ex-wife, with her bossy ways and professional ambitions, he is not convinced. But after he is almost hospitalized again, he calls and offers Abby a place to stay.

As the summer unfolds, a series of unexplained incidences continue to plague both Abby and Ethan. Someone is trying to discredit Abby at the hospital, and accidents continue to happen at Ethan’s farm.

Abby and Ethan are both admirable characters. While they do all the right things, in the end they didn’t really excite me. Also the author didn’t convince me of the chemistry between the two. In fact the whole relationship-building just seemed off to me. Keifer wants Abby to stay at his house after she spends the night with him. But the author doesn’t include scenes illustrating their bonding. Sure they talk, and attempt to do the chores, but I never understood why Keifer liked Abby so much so soon. Keifer and Ethan only spend holidays and the summer together and their interaction is more about doing things then talking. Again, I didn’t feel the closeness between father and son.

The mystery surrounding the incidences is certainly realistic. I can imagine this truly happening. But again, it is not extremely suspenseful or compelling. Since I enjoy relationships over mystery, I found myself wishing that the pages spent on the mystery were dedicated to the romance.

While not a bad book, with a competent heroine and hero, obligatory children and pets, this book missed the mark on heartwarming. Unless Ms. Rustand is a favorite author, I recommend giving this book a pass.