Backward Glance by Robyn Carr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sweet Little Romance IF You Can Get Past the Heroine’s Secret

FINAL DECISION: I liked this story but had to put aside my dislike for the heroine’s past actions and secrets. Carr always writes such good stories about small towns and the personalities that inhabit them.

THE STORY: Leigh Bracken, a genius scientist, has come home to care for her mother who claims to be ill but ends up running into her old flame, John McElroy instead. John has a handyman business and is doing work for Leigh’s mother. Five years ago, the two had a relationship that ended badly with Leigh’s inability to communicate on a social level and John’s feelings of intellectual inferiority.

OPINION: This novella is at times sweet and funny as the two opposites have such a strong connection and so many misunderstandings. Leigh’s mother and her friends are also a hoot as they try to bring Leigh and John together.

My complaint about the novella is a spoiler:

Leigh had twins by John after their affair and yet she doesn’t tell him in the intervening years nor does she tell him when the two renew their relationship. I have a real moral problem with that. The redeeming part is that John and Leigh end up specifically addressing the issue.

I really enjoy the small town characters that Carr includes in her stories and this novella has fun characters in funny situations.

WORTH MENTIONING: BACKWARD GLANCE was originally published as part of the anthology TO MOTHER WITH LOVE.

CONNECTED BOOKS: BACKWARD GLANCE is a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3 stars.