Reese, a blueblood, married Sarah, a half-white/half-native American when they were barely of legal age and had a son that was diabetic upon birth. Reese was disowned due to his marriage, and was working multiple jobs trying to make ends meet. Sarah, hiding her pregnancy, chose to leave her husband and child to let his family take him back, when her mother-in-law offered her the devil's bargain. Twelve years later, the kid's a teenager and getting self-destructive because Reese is about to marry for convenience and get into politics, neglecting his home life and his son. Sarah chose to get involved in her son's life, even if she had to pretend to be a stranger... and when the truth is revealed, Reese and Sarah must confront their past and possibly rebuild their future.
While the emotional swings are very poignant and almost tear-jerking, there was also a lot of pride and honor, as each doing what was right based on their own beliefs, and they don't always match. When Sarah chose to get involved with the kid Drew's life to help the kid cope, Reese's first instinctive reply is "no". All he remembered was the betrayal, for she did a great acting job twelve years ago pretending to be leaving for someone else. Twelve years later, he was still reacting emotionally rather than logically upon seeing her. This is both dramatic... and yet not very logical for someone supposedly mature enough to run for state office.
The darkest hour was pretty dark when secrets were revealed ahead of schedule. However, grand gesture was too far delayed (months later) in book time resulting in a bit of exasperated "what's taking so long!" reaction. Still, it's an emotional journey and a reminder that love takes many forms.
Category: Contemporary
Primary Plot: Woman who chose to leave her husband to save her son (and carried a secret daughter) have to go back twelve years later to help her son... without revealing her real identity
Tropes: secret baby, reunion, enemies to lovers
Overall Rating: 4/5
