REVIEW: Keepsake by Sarina Bowen

Keepsake is the third story in Sarina Bowen’s True North series, set in rural Vermont in a farming community, and specifically focusing on the people who work at the Shipley Farm. The first two stories in the series were excellent reads, and while the first story, Bittersweet, was a second chance romance with lighter themes, the second story, Steadfast, took a more serious look at addiction and its consequences. This one also has a more serious tone to it, with the characters of Zach and Lark having personal demons to contend with that can either make or break their relationship.

Zach comes from a very unique background. He was brought up in a polygamous religious cult, one that kicked him out unceremoniously when he’d barely reached adulthood. He managed to make his way to some ex-cult members who’d escaped the restrictive lifestyle and who had set up a farming operation in rural Vermont. With their help, he’s adjusted to being in the real world, and gotten a job as a farm hand at the Shipleys. He’s made solid friendships with the Shipley family, though he still worries that at some point they’ll have no more work for him and he’ll be once again out on his own. He’s a quiet, reserved man with a strong work ethic. His compassion is key to his character and it definitely shows through in his reaction to the arrival of Lark on the farm.

Lark is a friend of May Shipley’s from college. She’d been working for a non-profit group in a third world country when she was kidnapped and held for ransom. Though she was rescued, she’s still traumatized by what happened. Her naturally worried and overprotective parents mean well, but she needs some time and space to herself, where she can just adjust to day to day life again. May’s offer for her to come to the farm to help them out with the weekly farmer’s markets during harvest season is just what she needs, and she certainly isn’t afraid of some physical work to get her mind off her mental troubles. At night though, her nightmares are constant, and Zach is the one who overhears her cries in the bunkhouse where they both have rooms, coming to her aid. Night after night, he’s a consoling and patient figure. Though he’s attracted to her, he makes no moves to expand their relationship beyond friendship, his own sexual experiences very limited due to his upbringing. It’s Lark who turns to him first for more than just words, and a heated affair begins. But Lark’s mental state is still very fragile and the clock is ticking on their time together. Will what they’ve started end before it’s even begun?

Each story in this series has been very different but very enjoyable. I found Lark’s struggles to cope with her PTSD quite touching, while admiring her strength and fighting nature. While the time she spends at first with Zach and at the farm is a bit of escapism, it’s clear that just saying that she’s doing alright is not actually helping her to cope with what happened. Her memories of her kidnapping and month long capture are hazy and indistinct, but in her dreams they become more clear and hiding from the truth soon becomes impossible. Despite this, the story does not have a depressing feel. Rather it’s a testament to the human spirit what one can survive. This is also visible in Zach’s character as he tries to balance how he grew up with the understanding that it wasn’t the normal childhood experience of those around him. He’s able to take the good natured teasing of the other farm hands in stride. I really enjoyed Zach and Lark together and how they come to rely on each other, even as they are aware that this is a short term relationship with Lark having every intention of returning home. They are very resilient people and they share some steamy scenes that cement their emotional connection.

The Shipley’s family bond is strong and even when there are conflicts, they deal with them well. May and Lark’s friendships takes some surprising turns in this story too. I like all of the secondary characters and there is a good mix of humor and lighthearted scenes to go with the emotional ones. This story kept me up reading into the wee hours to see how it would all work out for Lark and Zach and I was very satisfied with their happy ending. I look forward to reading more of this series!
 

Book Info:

Publication: Oct 25 2016 | Self Published | True North #3

There’s a first time for everything.

Lark Wainwright used to be fearless. Her life was a series of adventures, each one more exhilarating than the last. But her recent overseas adventure was one too many. Now she’s home and in one piece. Mostly. But her nights are filled with terror.

When her best friend offers her a stay at the orchard in exchange for help at the farmers’ markets, Lark jumps at the chance to spend fall in Vermont. But her nightmares don’t stop. Desperate to keep her fragile state a secret, she relies on the most soft-spoken resident of the Shipley Farm to soothe her when her dreams prove too much.

Zachariah is a survivor, too. It’s been four years since he was tossed aside by the polygamist cult where he grew up. He’s found a peaceful existence on the Shipley’s farm, picking apples and fixing machinery. But getting thrown away by your own people at nineteen leaves a mark on a guy. He doesn’t always know what to make of a world where movie quotes are the primary means of communication. Before hitchhiking to Vermont, he’d never watched TV or spoken on the phone.

Actually, there are a lot of things he’s never done.

Zach and Lark slowly grow to trust one another. One night they become even closer than they’d planned. But Lark may still be too broken to trust anyone. When she pushes Zach away, he will have to prove to himself that he’s good for much more than farm labor.