Review of Snow Fence Road by Phyllis Edgerly Ring

[Barbara Ann RS]

“You have to believe what your heart loves, what it wants. As hard as you can, with everything you’ve got. That’s the way love comes into the world.”

            -Andy Hollinger from Snow Fence Road

If you are looking for a touching romance novel to curl up with by a roaring fire during the winter holidays, then consider Snow Fence Road, a beautifully written, poignant love story about two lonely individuals who struggle to move beyond their painful, guilt-ridden past to find a second chance at love.

I felt such empathy for both Evan and Tess who have each chosen the small village of Knowle, Maine, to find refuge and purpose after losing a significant other.  When they officially meet the summer after Tess’s fiancé’s death, I could see such potential for them to find happiness together.  Tess is a kind-hearted, compassionate woman who has decided to leave her nursing career and make a fresh start by becoming co-owner of the Spinnaker Inn, a place that holds fond memories for her and Andy, the man she planned to spend the rest of her life with. Unfortunately, the weight of her own guilt keeps her from truly moving forward even though she now works alongside Claire, a close family friend.

Evan also has a close connection to Claire, and, in such a small town, it is inevitable they will meet. However, both have suffered so much emotionally that a blossoming romance between them is almost unimaginable. Inch by inch, though, they begin to take baby steps toward each other, becoming acquaintances, next friends, and then all that is left is to take the next big step into a solid, emotionally satisfying relationship.  By this point, I have my fingers crossed that they will put the past behind them and embrace their burgeoning love that promises such hope.

Evan is a man who has lived the past five years tortured by guilt over the circumstances of Celia’s death shortly before their marriage was to have taken place.  Evan has never revealed the truth about what really happened on the seaside cliff that led to his fiancée’s death and his own crippling fall.  Tess is initially conflicted about Evan, the gentle, handsome man who has captured her interest versus the type of man the media has portrayed him to be after the tragic accident. Fortunately, Tess is not the type of woman to form opinions based on hearsay, and as she gets to know Evan, she begins to see a kind, generous man who is capable of so much love if he can just let go of the pain and grief that consumes him. 

Inadvertently, Tess becomes involved in circumstances that push hidden and long buried secrets to the surface. The truths revealed are painfully shocking, but they have to be acknowledged and addressed by all parties involved before any real healing can take place. A central question in the story is whether Tess and Evan can make peace with their past and find the forgiveness they need to start a new life together.

This is a sweet, clean well-written romance that will warm your heart and leave you with a smile by the end.

I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review. 

Link to Review

http://sunmountainreviews.wordpress.com/2013/12/22/review-of-snow-f...