For the most part, I absolutely loved Tammy & John Parker's story, but I find I cannot give this book 5 or even 4 stars because I'm so incredibly disappointed in how the author handled the beginning of their physical relationship. I think Ms. Miles missed an opportunity here. John Parker is the perfect hero for someone coming out of an abusive relationship. There was such a great opportunity for Ms. Miles to showcase just how hard it really is for a someone to re-enter a physical relationship after being in an abusive relationship. There are flashbacks. There are times when one has to stop in the middle of sex because of said flashbacks. There's dealing with self-loathing that comes from being upset with yourself for having to stop. There's dealing with being frustrated with yourself because logically, you KNOW that the new person you're with is not anything like your abusive ex, but yet your body still occasionally reacts as if they're exactly like that abusive ex and it interferes with being able to be intimate. However, instead of a more realistic version where Tammy has to deal with flashbacks and self-loathing and being frustrated with herself, we get a less realistic version where she simply "pushes through" her fears and suddenly everything's miraculously okay and amazing. To be able to climax the very first time is highly unlikely. I'm not going to say it never happens, but it's unusual when one is coming from an abusive background. The tension in your body is just too much. John Parker's quiet support, gentleness, and tenderness would've made him the perfect one to help Tammy know that it was okay that she had to stop because of flashbacks and that she didn't have to be upset with herself for those things. To help her realize that it takes a long time to heal from those traumatic experiences, even with the love of a good man. Instead, we end up with a much less believable, almost trite version where she doesn't even deal with these issues. Very, very disappointing.

I also was very surprised that Tammy didn't come flat out and confront Amelia Ann after she realized that her Mama hadn't been the one to betray her. After all, there are only so many "close female relatives" in the family. But, I did enjoy the way her Mama actually stood up to Sterling for Tammy and the reconciliation that is slowly forming there.

Overall, I still enjoyed the book and look forward to continuing on with the series with "Fireflies & Magnolias" when I can purchase it. ( )

For the most part, I absolutely loved Tammy & John Parker's story, but I find I cannot give this book 5 or even 4 stars because I'm so incredibly disappointed in how the author handled the beginning of their physical relationship. I think Ms. Miles missed an opportunity here. John Parker is the perfect hero for someone coming out of an abusive relationship. There was such a great opportunity for Ms. Miles to showcase just how hard it really is for a someone to re-enter a physical relationship after being in an abusive relationship. There are flashbacks. There are times when one has to stop in the middle of sex because of said flashbacks. There's dealing with self-loathing that comes from being upset with yourself for having to stop. There's dealing with being frustrated with yourself because logically, you KNOW that the new person you're with is not anything like your abusive ex, but yet your body still occasionally reacts as if they're exactly like that abusive ex and it interferes with being able to be intimate. However, instead of a more realistic version where Tammy has to deal with flashbacks and self-loathing and being frustrated with herself, we get a less realistic version where she simply "pushes through" her fears and suddenly everything's miraculously okay and amazing. To be able to climax the very first time is highly unlikely. I'm not going to say it never happens, but it's unusual when one is coming from an abusive background. The tension in your body is just too much. John Parker's quiet support, gentleness, and tenderness would've made him the perfect one to help Tammy know that it was okay that she had to stop because of flashbacks and that she didn't have to be upset with herself for those things. To help her realize that it takes a long time to heal from those traumatic experiences, even with the love of a good man. Instead, we end up with a much less believable, almost trite version where she doesn't even deal with these issues. Very, very disappointing.

I also was very surprised that Tammy didn't come flat out and confront Amelia Ann after she realized that her Mama hadn't been the one to betray her. After all, there are only so many "close female relatives" in the family. But, I did enjoy the way her Mama actually stood up to Sterling for Tammy and the reconciliation that is slowly forming there.

Overall, I still enjoyed the book and look forward to continuing on with the series with "Fireflies & Magnolias" when I can purchase it. ( )

Fun read ( )