Her Secret Love (Secrets of Cherry Lake Book 3) by Paula Altenburg

Synopsis:

Whoever claimed it’s better to have loved and lost has never met Jess Palmer.

Small business owner and metalworks artist Damon Brand finally has his future in sight when his past rattles into town in a broken down car stuffed with designer clothes and sky high heels. The last time he saw Jess, he declared his undying love. In return, she stranded him by the side of the road, taking his boots, pants and the tattered remnants of his heart.

So much for the bright lights of LA. Failed actress Jessica Palmer arrives back in Cherry Lake, Montana homeless, destitute, and desperate. She’s hoping her grandfather will let her have her inheritance early so she can make a fresh start—anywhere but Cherry Lake. No deal. She has to stay for six months and get a job to prove she’s matured. Not easy in a town where she flamed all her bridges in order to flee a wild child reputation and her high school sweetheart.

With every door that’s slammed shut in her face, Jess grows more determined than ever to prove she’s changed, even if it means she must turn to her first love, Damon, for a job at his gas station. Surely 10 years is enough time for him to forgive and forget…



My Review: 

An emotionally charged story.

After a failed career as an actress, Jessica Palmer returns to Cherry Lake in hopes that she can claim her inheritance from her grandfather early.  Her plan is to take the money and start over anywhere but Cherry Lake.  But she is told she has to stay for six months and get a job. 

Damon Brand hadn’t seen Jessica in ten years.  He had a crush on her back then and he thought he was over her.  But seeing her again brings back lots of memories. 

In a small town, people aren’t so forgiving and no one wants to hire Jess.  Damon decides to give her a chance and hires her to work at the gas station.  He had one stipulation.  Jess must wear shorts and a t-shirt to work.  Hopefully he wasn’t serious.  Jess knew it was payback for what happened ten years ago.  Will working together rekindle what Jess and Damon once had or will Jess hightail it out of town the first chance she gets? 

I enjoyed Jess and Damon’s story and Jess’s reunion with the people from her past and how she redeems herself.