True North Series Book 2: Steadfast by Sarina Bowen

 

Truth North Series Book 2

She’s the only one who ever loved him—and the only one he can never have.

Jude lost everything one spring day when he crashed his car into an apple tree on the side of the road. A man is dead, and there's no way he can ever right that wrong. He’d steer clear of Colebury, Vermont forever if he could. But an ex-con in recovery for his drug addiction can’t find a job just anywhere.

For Sophie Haines, coming face to face with the man who broke her heart is gut-wrenching. Suddenly, he’s everywhere she turns. It’s hard not to stare at how much he’s changed. The bad boy who used to love her didn’t have big biceps and sun-kissed hair. And he’d never turn up volunteer in the church kitchen.

She knows it’s foolish to yearn for the man who returned all the heartsick letters she wrote him in prison. But the looks he sends her now speak volumes.

No one wants to see Sophie and Jude back together, least of all Sophie's police chief father. But it's a small town. And forbidden love is a law unto itself.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29087455-steadfast

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Jude's story and boy was it a good one! We met Jude in the first book and he was trying to gain footing after completing rehab after he was released from jail. With the season at the Shipley farm being over, he heads back home where he will be tested to keep up his streak of being sober. What he doesn't expect is for the love of his life to still be in Colebury. Sophie hasn't really moved on from the accident that took her brother's life and her ex-boyfriend's involvement. She just wants the truth of what happened and for Jude to look her in the eye after breaking her heart. Their paths cross and the pull between them is still strong. But there is so much that still threatens to keep them apart. Jude doesn't believe he deserves Sophie and he is still struggling with his cravings. Sophie decides to look more closely at the accident and her father's wrath is beyond scary and threatening. It's a hard journey for both of them, but they learn that being together is worth fighting for. I really loved this story. Lots of twists and turns to this one. Looking forward to the next book in the series!