There's something sad about the third book in a trilogy. Thanks to Amanda Cabot's work A Tender Hope feels a little bit like saying goodbye to old friends with the characters and town of Cimarron Creek.
While A Tender Hope functions as a stand alone, filled with the romance and criminal mystery that has woven through our time in Cimarron Creek, Cabot has crafted a trilogy that stands stronger together. Cabot isn't afraid to plan long-term and a good portion of A Tender Hope's satisfaction comes from the resolution of plots begun in A Stolen Heart.
Aside from the resolution of stories including Bertha's family and the ever-changing love life of Nate Kenton, A Tender Hope centers upon the stories of Thea Michener and Ranger Guthrie who are both drawn to Cimarron Creek following the murder of Thea's husband. I really enjoyed Cabot attention to pacing and emotion within this main plot. Thea's grief reads so earnestly as she struggles to reconcile who Daniel was and what that means for her future. Guthrie's confusion on his own feelings also read true and made me chuckle that his moment of clarity came with a conversation with Nate.
It, like so many moments in the novel felt like the town and relationship were coming full circle.
Again, Cabot has built up her wonderful cast of characters. I appreciate how those introduced in early novels are not discarded but built further in later books. In a small town series throw away characters stand out like a sore thumb and Cabot really seems to strive to give each character their own purpose.
I did feel the pacing faltered slightly at the end where the climactic scenes took on more of a rushed tone.
Cimarron Creek is not a fast paced, edge of your seat read. It's more like coming home to friends. I would definitely recommend taking the time to read all three, in order, so that one can fully appreciate the characters and town Cabot has crafted.
4 out of 5 stars.
I received this book as part of the Revell Reads Tour.
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