I Want to Hold Your Hand

Contemporary powerhouse Force sensitively introduces love to a war widow in the second Green Mountain contemporary (after All You Need Is Love). It’s been seven years since Hannah Guthrie’s charismatic husband, Caleb, died in Iraq. She is tentative about moving forward with her life, despite being aware that longtime friend Nolan Roberts is waiting for her. What will be the reactions from Caleb’s parents, her family, and the townspeople of Butler, Vt. if she begins to live again? Nolan was close friends with Caleb, and his feelings for Hannah have grown from friendship to love as he’s watched her bravely recover from her loss. When Nolan finally sees signs that Hannah is opening up to the idea of new relationships, he fights for her, despite not believing he is good enough for her. Hannah and Nolan’s story starts with serious, sad issues, and their chemistry and relationship are genuine and passionate enough to pull them through. (June)