REVIEW: Harvest Moon by Sharon Struth

In Harvest Moon (Blue Moon Lake #2) by Sharon Struth, do virtual romances have a happy ending? Although Trent Jamieson doesn’t believe love can be found online – at least for him – he’s tempted by the woman he’s been sharing his adoration of music with. If only she’d agree to meet with him in person. Soon enough, he finds his wish may have been granted when he meets Veronica Sussingham – a woman that shares a similar past to his online mystery woman. Is it possible she’s the one sharing her shattered past with him?

I love a good chance encounter story, and Ms. Struth has penned an engaging, fast-paced one in this second book of her Blue Moon Lake series. However, I did find this story slow to get started until Trent meets Veronica. And then when they come face-to-face for the second time, which was quite a memorable moment as they each assume the other is their respective date.

He stumbled back a few steps, his mouth agape and brows furrowed. “You’re not Angie.”
“Well, you’re not Jim! How dare you touch—“
“Calm down. I thought you were my date.” He blinked a few times. “Hey, I know you. From—“
“The elevator.” Her head spun as she stared into his crystal blue eyes. His gaze swept her from head to toe, making his dark lashes flutter. “Thank God you kept your lips to yourself then.”

The dialogue definitely kept me entertained; as Trent does everything he can to get Veronica to trust him. Such as getting her to sing with him (of which, the song was a perfect choice for the pair), the marco-polo type game they play involving a bottle of wine, and him teaching her self-defense to help her realize that she shouldn’t let her shattered past continue to rule her. That she has the power to overcome anyone that dares to take advantage of her again.

I really enjoyed both characters as they have pasts that continue to haunt them. Although, Trent has finally gotten his life the way he wants it, instead of continuing down the path of self-destruction he was on. He’s benevolent, trustworthy and determined to show that he’s changed, especially since he wants a relationship with his birth mother, which proves difficult because of her husband and his attitude towards Trent. Still, Trent doesn’t back down from a challenge, and his tenacity to fight for what he wants was what I liked most about him, as that was the sort of man Veronica needed.

While the heroine, she’s strong and brave by revealing her secret in their online communications. As it helps her begin to heal from her harrowing past, and aids her in beginning to trust a man again. She’s also very determined to learn the self-defense moves Trent wants to teach her once she gets over her initial hesitation. She never wants to feel vulnerable again, especially since she’s determined to face the man that turned her life upside down.

As for the secondary characters, they were just as delightful as Veronica and Trent. They certainly want to see this couple together, considering the intense chemistry they continue to witness between the pair. An intense chemistry that eventually spills over onto the pages in some lightly-detailed sex scenes, which prove how much Veronica has come to trust Trent; because if she didn’t, she’d never allow him to get up close and personal otherwise.

In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and I loved the way Ms. Struth wrapped it up. Trent definitely proves his love for Veronica in a way that would make a lot of women envious. Who doesn’t love a man that sings, especially to the woman he loves? I would recommend Harvest Moon by Sharon Struth, if you enjoy small town romances.

Book Info:

 December 22nd, 2015 | Lyrical Shine | Blue Moon Lake #2

Getting past the librarian’s guard…

Trent Jamieson isn’t one for virtual romance, but there’s something about the intriguing woman he meets on the Internet he can’t resist. Then the small town bachelor discovers the mystery woman who shares her secrets with him online is the laced-up librarian in his self-defense class! Veronica Sussingham may just be his toughest student yet. Because how can he show the vulnerable beauty that some men are worth letting your guard down for?

Veronica returned to her hometown seeking shelter for her shattered spirit. The last thing she needs is a blue-eyed charmer who wants to show her how to live—and love—again. Then she discovers Trent is not just another admirer, but a man who knows her deepest secrets. Now Veronica must choose between running from her past—or finding future happiness with the kind of man she swore she’d never fall for…