Pre-Owned Along Came Love: Then Again, Maybe (Paperback)

"Now she understood how razor-sharp her words could be, wounding without even a direct hit. But she also knew how one well-placed word of kindness could burrow into a person and unfurl courage, confidence, and beauty they didn't even realize existed inside of them. She could destroy or build others up." This is my first book by Susan Tuttle and I can't believe I haven't read her books until now. Filled with lovably real and broken characters, witty and clever dialogue, raw and palpable emotions, and snippets of wisdom that beg to be pondered, the book hits all the right spots and will settle in your heart. Now I need to go back to the first book in this series to catch up on the details of Belle's sister Penny's backstory with her darling hubby Jonah. Though it's the second book in the series, it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone. I'm sure the Belle in this book is very different from the first book, having gone through trials and tribulations that humbled and grounded her. This new Belle is determined, focused, compassionate, tender, and brimming with love and thankfulness. The Micah who returns to town for a second chance with Belle and his daughter is also new and improved. Micah is a sweetheart - a man now committed to real love that follows through with actions and sobriety, tender-hearted, hard-working but still haunted by his past and feelings of inadequacy. His persistent and patient pursuit of Belle is endearing and heart-warming. A glimpse into the life of an obstetrics resident in training through Micah's eyes is fascinating. The theme of true forgiveness and reconciliation is powerful and moving throughout the story. The author handles such tough topics like alcoholism and dementia with care and thoughtfulness. The plot moves at a good pace and a few surprises along the way add extra doses of tension and anticipation to the well-plotted story. If you enjoy a well-written contemporary romance with meat on its bones to chew on for a while, you will absolutely love this book. I received a copy of the book from LPCBooks via JustRead Publicity Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.