If I was flexible enough, I would kick myself in the behind for starting this story so late. Let me explain, I am a fan of Sydney Logan. I have always enjoyed her FF stories so when she announced she was publishing her first original story I was very excited for her. I jumped at the opportunity of receiving the ARC and dove right in once I had it in my hot little hands. Read non stop to chapter 6 and then was distracted by another story. 

Yes, I have that illness that when waving something shiny in front of my face, I follow. I picked the story up again 2 nights ago and read it non stop to completion. This is where I curse my lack of flexibility.

I was missing a truly wonderful story.

I was completely engaged from start to finish. I was enchanted with the world and characters the author created. There is not one criticism I have. I found the prose completely balanced, the characterizations well rounded, and the context of the story line believable. Even the all consuming, all accepting love the main characters had for one another was embraceable.

Lessons Learned is exactly that, lessons learned. More times than not, a lot of heart break, pain, and misunderstandings accompany those lessons. The story was an emotional roller coaster. I am not usually a fan of the roller coaster but this time I applauded it. The emotional pain the characters dealt with. The ugly head of narrow mindedness and bigotry were prominent. As was love, compassion, healing and acceptance. A lot of emotions were woven through out. Again, wonderfully balanced.

Sarah Bray and Lucas Miller are both emotionally scared by painful pasts, circumstances beyond their control. Both seeking out a new start, peace of mind, and quiet. They meet in Sycamore Falls, Sarah's home town. A place she desperately ran from after HS graduation.

Sarah, orphaned at 16 and raised by her grandmother pushes everyone away in the belief that if you aren't close, if you don't love, you can not be hurt. She severs all ties with her home town and moves to Memphis for college. It is in Memphis as a HS teacher that Sarah faces a horrible trauma. A trauma that pushes her to the brink. She returns to her home town in the hopes of a fresh start and the escape of her demons.

Lucas has his own demons to battle as well. Newly arrived from NYC and a teacher as well, he meets Sarah and quickly together they strike up a friendship that blossoms in to a beautiful love. An easy love filled with understanding and acceptance.

It is while reveling in their new found happiness that circumstances again invade their happiness. Small town living is not always what it is cracked up to be. Not when popular student Matt decides he doesn't want to pretend anymore. The amount of rage, prejudice, bullying and pure hate that ensues takes you on the proverbial roller coaster that you are spellbound by a town you initially loved can veer to hate in a matter of minutes. You know these things happen. Everyday they happen.

These are definitely lessons learned. Lessons how to stand strong in what the heart believes. To stand up to prejudices. To step forward and reach out to some one in need. Some one who needs help, support, understanding, and mostly love. All the while not letting your own demons crush you with the weight of fear.