Make You Feel My Love

In Hatcher’s plodding latest (after How Sweet It Is), two people with painful pasts help each other recover. Chelsea Spencer arrives in a small Idaho town to help her injured aunt, Rosemary, take care of her antiques shop. She’s also fleeing an abusive and controlling ex-boyfriend, whose treatment of her recalls abuse by her controlling father. Her only comfort is praying for answers about how to move forward. Meanwhile, actor Liam Chandler is settling into a cabin on the edge of town, grappling with the death of his brother, and questioning God’s plan for him. When the two meet and a mutual attraction grows, Chelsea is hesitant to get involved. But after Chelsea finds a violin belonging to one of Liam’s ancestors, the two begin working together to learn about the Chandler family’s history in the area. They unearth the story of Cora, the owner of the violin who fled to the town in the late 1800s to escape her controlling father and his demand for Cora to marry a strategically selected wealthy suitor. Unfortunately, segments hopscotching between Chelsea, Liam, Cora, another of Liam’s ancestors, and Liam’s journal make for confusing reading. Liam and Chelsea’s relationships with their faith and each other are the narrative’s heart, meanwhile, but the many ruminations bog down the plot. Fans of contemporary inspirationals will be disappointed. (July)