Rita Award–winning novelist Raney (Beneath a Southern Sky
) pens a lackluster romance that never quite takes off. Maggie Anderson leaves behind an abusive boyfriend in New York and strikes out for new territory. Taking the pseudonym "Meg," she finds refuge in Clayburn, Kans., population 1,250. The proprietors of the Wren's Nest Inn are as cute as Mr. and Mrs. Claus (and, predictably, twice as sweet) as they help Maggie get back on her feet. Handsome Trevor Ashlock still mourns the loss of his wife and young son, but it won't be a surprise to readers that Meg may be the ticket to his recovery. But first, she has to come clean about her past. Trouble spots include characters that are never fully developed and a thin plot line. Meg spends too much time wringing her hands over her past and her lies, while the long-suffering Trevor is almost saintly as he never loses patience or makes demands. The wordy, sentimental prose often falls into romantic clichés; "Being here like this, with Trevor, made her feel something she'd never felt before." The ending, despite its intended drama, feels far-fetched. While readers may appreciate the hopeful themes of unconditional love, faith and forgiveness that run through the book, the plot and characterizations don't meet Raney's usual standards. (Feb. 6)
