Feature book: Grace Under Fire

Grace Under Fire by Jennifer Raines
Subgenre: contemporary romance
Release date: 7 Feb 2023
Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
Format: ebook and paperback
Length: 252 pages
RRP: $5.79 (ebook); $20.68 (print)
Farming and tradition. That is what Grace Anderson has, and wants, to hold on to. She would be the fifth generation to take the reins of the family farm. Then Ryan Willson returns home.
Grace has ideas and is developing different organic cheeses using the milk from the family dairy farm. Her mother has been ill and is not getting better, so her father wants to take her away to a better climate hoping she will get better.
Grace and Ryan have to face each other. Their meetings seem to be a little strained as they try and repair their relationship. Grace was Danny’s best friend. Danny was Ryan’s brother, and at Danny’s funeral, Grace didn’t understand why Ryan shut himself off from others and has blamed him for his attitude at the funeral.
Now her family farm is under threat and Ryan is the central suspect. Yet she implicitly trusts him as he is someone she needs to work with to retain her dream. Every time she turns around, Ryan has helped her both overtly and subtly. She doesn’t know what to think. But it is what she feels that is becoming more and more evident. And Ryan needs to show her what he feels, and it is not all business for him. And just when it seems things are finding a balance, someone is determined to disrupt and destroy everything. Both are trying to continue to make Grace’s dream come true, but their personal lives are a mess. Will business win over personal?
On one level, this story shows what the rural sector endures (and we really should show more appreciation for their efforts). It is what the farm owners need to do to keep their property going for future generations and our food stores.
On a higher level, this story is also about redemption and lasting love. How the buds of love were made in youth and were rekindled in adult life to become fully blooming flowers. It shows how this couple could overcome adversity and doubt to find their HEA.
The chemistry between Grace and Ryan is evident. It is a slow boil as they need to get past the hurt they have done to each other so they can let the attraction run its course.
This story was a relaxing read.
reviewed by Heather
A review copy of this book was provided by the author.