Desperate to make a fresh start, Margaret takes on a new identity and heads West, finally stopping in Heartbreak Creek, Colorado, a dying mining town of little interest to anyone. Here, she finds new purpose, beloved friends to replace the family she’s lost, and a home at last.
But two men from Margaret’s past are on her trail. One is seeking vengeance, the other truth. When they both arrive in Heartbreak Creek, she must choose between the town she has come to love, and the man who might finally capture her heart…
Comment: This is the third installment in the Runaway Brides trilogy by author Kaki Warner. I had read the first in 2014 and liked it, but only last month did I pick the second one, which was a lot less thrilling to me. I also had this third one and had some hopes the overall story would end positively and, thankfully, this was more entertaining to me.
In this story the protagonist is Lucinda Hathaway, previously known as Margaret Hamilton, the hotel owner where often the cast of characters reunites. She is an independent woman who cherishes her friends and the life they all have there and is also eager to help develop Heartbreak Creek by investing on the railway. But life hasn't always been easy for her, especially during her childhood, for she lived through things no child should have to. Fortunately, a priest helped her and she became the ward of a widow, who she grew fond of too, and as an adult she wanted the security a marriage can provide for a woman. But Lucinda's choice turned out to be someone she can't accept, and she ran on her wedding day... his business' partner Tait Rylander went after her and once he discovered some things, decided to help her. But now the past is coming back after her...
This story did captivate me a lot more than the second one and the main reason why was the protagonists. I did like Lucinda and Tait and not only as a couple. I've felt that who they were individually, as well as their back stories, made me me root for them a lot more, because their relationship and circumstances somehow made more sense to me.
This is also a story told in a special way. Since it's the third of a trilogy, there is information we already know anyway, but the author chose to write this story in the past. Meaning, we get to see how Lucinda became who she is and what choices in life she did. I'd say the majority of the novel is set when she is about to marry and leave her fiancé Doyle, and we follow up on her adventures in settling down in Heartbreak Creek. Only the last, let's say 25 or 30% of the book are focused on what is happening now, which is to say, after the events we had in the 2nd book. Thus, this is a book about Lucinda's past, and not as much about what she is doing now.
Usually, such methods tend to annoy me. I very much prefer stories set on the now, whenever that is supposed to be, because too much time in a past situation - which cannot be changed - feels boring. It's one of the reasons I don't seek lovers reunited tropes, too long spent on things that can't be undone, but I will admit that in this situation, in this specific book, I was interested in Lucinda and in what had happened and in how she and Tait got to become close in the past. Their romance is captivating and I was definitely rooting for them.
Despite this, I still had the sensation that, once we reach the "now" moment of the overall story, the end did feel a little rushed. I say this because of how things were written, after all Lucinda's HEA was a long time coming as we learn, but having such a bigger amount of scenes which are already over vs the ones we get to follow now, feels unbalanced. I think I might always have this personal perspective of this writing method, even if the story is appealing as this one was.
Lucinda is a brave woman and she deals with what happened to her in a very courageous way. I always felt she was determined and adventurous and she even found a man who can respect her for the things that should mark her as less than perfect, physical beauty aside. What we see of her past and what efforts she tries to have a new life, without regrets, makes her a very likable heroine. Tait, as the hero also worked out quite well for me, and the more we saw, the more he proved to be a worthy partner. I did like the fact they got their HEA.
The last pages, plot wise, were quite summarized and things happen in a very quick manner. If one bears in mind what happened, maybe it isn't that simple, but it was how it read to me. Things happen in a predictable way, but it doesn't mean it's not rewarding to see bad guys punished and our beloved characters reach happiness and stability. The HEA is sweet and with the whole cast more less reunited, made things seem more romantic and sweeter than the rest of the content actually was.
There is an epilogue too, featuring Thomas and Prudence, the characters who have been alluded to become a couple throughout the three novels, but things have not been fully solved for them. I wonder if a novella had been in the author's plans, or another book... I don't think their story needed resolution, but why leave things in the open anyway? I think this option was unnecessary.
It's always nice when a trilogy closes on a strong note.
ReplyDeleteVery true and very gratifying :D
Delete