Here With Me by Tia Louise

 

A Review by Wendy

 4.5 The Love Was Always Real Stars
* * * * 1/2

 Spoiler Free

Tia Louise has this ability to write sincerely, from the heart and it always rings true. Part of the reason for this sense is the truth behind her words and the stories she tells. Ms. Louise has a very long history of presenting realistic characters who have been in the service. She has the ability to draw the reader in highlighting the severe conditions these brave men and women may have as unwanted war souvenirs be shown how difficult they are. She will couple all of these challenges with couples that will make your heart sing.

Here With Me is another wonder. This takes us back to the family peach orchard where Noel, Leon, and Sawyer grew up. They started out as this sweet grower's family, part of the farming community and knowing they were loved.

Sawyer was the eldest, had a strong relationship with his parents and also had a desire to travel and see the world. He would spend happy times with his friends and all was good...Until it wasn't. Life decided to throw some ugly curves and Sawyer became a sixteen-year-old man in an instant.

Mindy lived not far from Sawyer's family and Noel was her best friend. She was about 6 years younger than Sawyer but that did not stop her little heart beating faster when he was around. On that fateful day, Mindy was upset because she was experiencing a Mean Girl Moment. Sawyer saw her by the side of the road, sad and forlorn, and stopped his truck. He listened to her questions about why girls can be so cruel and gave her the truth...that she was going to be beautiful and they were jealous.

It was the bonding moment between Sawyer and Mindy. She was there giving her strength to him during his difficult moment. Mindy proved to him through the years she was there for him over and over again. Sawyer was there for her too but he also fought the need he had for her. He knew she was not meant to be stuck in a small town without a way for her to display her artwork and talent. Sawyer was not going to hold her back. He cared about her more than that.

Time passes and Sawyer goes into the service with his best friend. Both came back with demons, but one of these men learned how to handle them and found love. Sawyer had love in his heart but his demons told him to keep away from the only one he wanted, Mindy.

This is a multi-layered tale. You have the signature crafting and storytelling Ms. Louise is known for...you will want both of these people together. They don't just go through the motions and then poof, hea. Instead, you have an arc of what our Sawyer needs to handle and what Mindy decides what she willing to accept and what she won't.

I liked it wasn't easy. I liked these two needed to work out who they were alone and then together. And...I loved it when they came together...as young love, again after a taste of the world. The chemistry felt real.

All of the families are there and a hint of another character who will have his story told at some time...whenever Ms. Louise gets to it I am there.

About Tia Louise

Tia Louise is the USA Today best-selling, award-winning author of 20 sexy romance and romantic suspense novels.

After being a teacher, a book editor, a journalist, and finally a magazine editor, she started writing love stories and never stopped.

Louise lives in the Midwest with her trophy husband, two teenage geniuses, and one grumpy cat.