I liked this story. The feelings and emotions that each of the main characters revealed to us seemed real and understandable. One of the best lines in the book for me was when Keith was trying to understand and come to terms with fighting with God over why things happened in his life the way they did: "Somehow I've come to accept that sorrow and loss are part of living in a fallen world. I don't like it, but there it is."

Keith Castle and Katie Brannigan were inseparable growing up. But shortly after Keith buried his mother he left town abruptly with no explanation and stayed away, with 5 years of silence. Now he is back and wanting to renew that special friendship they once had, but Keith is harboring a tragic secret from his past that he can't seem to let go of or share with his best friend Katie. Katie has to finally admit she loves Keith, but can they ever share their heart with each other and find real and lasting love.

There were other characters in this story that I also enjoyed getting to know. Very few people go through life without heartache and sorrow, but it is what each person does with those situations that mold them into the person they are. I appreciated how this author shared a little of her struggles through the people in this book.

There is another book, "Snow Swan", that will follow one of the characters from this story, Toni, and tell her story, although I don't believe either of these books would be considered as a "series". ( )

While not a "series" per se, this is the first of 3 novels set in Portland and involving some of same characters.