When They Met Again - Leslie Gould

Adam Slaybaugh is instantly attracted to Joanna Grebel when they meet on the way to a wedding. But Joanna is wary of Adam's interest, and fears he is like her unpredictable and impulsive father. She doesn't believe in love at first sight, and as a reader of classic romances, she knows she wants her true love to be based on friendship first. When she meets Jacob though, her attraction to him is instant. But their relationship is turbulent and rocky. 

Then Adam returns to her home town... 

I really like Leslie Gould's writing. She creates a lovely environment for her characters. I loved the decades-long friendship circle of Becky, Lu, Elaine and Rhoda. I REALLY love the beautiful relationship between Becky and her husband Ike - not to mention the story of how they met! Joanna's connection with her grandmother Lu is very sweet and not at all in a saccharine way. 

I enjoyed reading about the developing friendship circle which Joanna is part of. 

I almost cheered for Rhoda when she stood up to her overbearing son's demands at last, and when she realised how much her granddaughter Joanna means to her. It was good too to see the character development of Joanna's distant Mamm.

I could've shaken Joanna a few times though. For someone so kind and perceptive, her reaction to the discovery about her letter-writer seems overly strong. As does her determination to continue to be 'miffed' about it. I honestly couldn't understand that AT ALL.

A good read, overall. I've docked it a star because the ending felt abrupt. I liked the last letter, and would have liked to have a bit more of a rounded conclusion. I felt a bit short-changed with just the final scene on the stairs.

I read a pre-publication version supplied by the publisher. No review was required. All comments and opinions above are entirely my own.