I know that I like a romance when I not only enjoy the story while reading it, but genuinely feel happy thinking about it afterward. Deborah Fletcher Mello’s latest book accomplishes just that. She introduces readers to a number of really likable characters and creates a world that is very memorable. This is my first Kimani romance, but if they’re all this good, it certainly will not be my last.

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Talisa London first meets Dr. Jericho Becton at the hosptial where she is undergoing an emergency appendectomy. Though she sees him only briefly, his intense blue eyes make quite an impression on her. This impression is so strong that when she later meets him at a charity benefit, she recalls who he is and is quite drawn to the handsome surgeon. Jericho is likewise instantly taken with Talisa and determined to find out who she is.

Though Jericho tries several times to contact Talisa at home in Atlanta, it is not until the two find themselves volunteering in Uganda that their paths cross again. Just as before, Jericho is drawn to Talisa and when he witnesses her quiet strength in dealing with the difficult situations they face in Africa, he finds himself falling for her.

One thing that makes this book stand out right away is its realistic portrayal of the characters’ values. This is one of the very few books I have read outside of inspirational fiction where characters actually show and talk about religious belief. There is no conversion message here, simply a showing of how faith fits into Talisa and Jericho’s lives. While there is not a lot of talk about religion, it is obvious that church is a part of their lives and Talisa even works with college students at a local Wesley Foundation (Methodist campus ministry) office. I found it refreshing to see an author show the spiritual side of her characters.

I also appreciated how Mello was able to work such a rich story into such a small book. Much time is given to the development of Talisa and Jericho’s relationship (some of which is pretty moving stuff), but we also get to see a picture of the work they do in Uganda. While this book is not particularly graphic, Mello does provide information about the AIDS crisis, instabilities in the country, and other issues that make Talisa and Jericho’s work among the refugees difficult and, at times, quite heartbreaking.

Lastly, I also enjoyed meeting Talisa and Jericho’s friends and family. It is refreshing to meet characters who do not exist in a vacuum. Watching Talisa and Jericho interact with one another is enjoyable, but seeing them with their parents, friends and other important figures in their lives lets readers see where these two people come from as well as seeing how they are brought together.

While this is a very rich story indeed, there are some loose ends in the subplots that do not quite tie themselves up, as well as a few spots in the beginning in which the plot seems a bit jumpy, so it takes a little time to get into the story. However, the characters are very likable and the story provides on of the richer series romance reading experiences I have had in quite a while.