Sheridan comes back to the hometown she fled right after high school to look after her father who fell and broke his wrist and ankle, cause of fall unknown. So while they are awaiting tests and the results, she uncomfortably waits, trying to find a home health aide for her father, who she calls by his first name and avoid the rest of the town folk, mainly Ridge Sutton, a high school brief crush, bane of her existence and the reason she fled town right after high school, right after her mother's funeral.
Enduring an almost inhuman incident, both emotionally and physically the night of prom set up by Ridge's girlfriend and Ridge and his friends. She is off to college and now a famous award winning author about women and empowerment. Her third book just hit the best seller list, her agent is bugging her to wrap it up back home, so she can fulfill her author duties and she wants to get the hell out of Dodge after already running into Ridge twice, she's had enough. She barely speaks to him and he can't figure out why. He "thinks" it's something to do with prom night, but since he doesn't remember the night himself, hard to say. He's now the town mayor, he's also a single dad with sole custody of his daughter after her mother dumped her off on his door step. He allows his mother to help out with her and the woman hasn't just got a stick up her backside, she's got a log. I was appalled at some of the crap she pulled. (Great writing Denise!!)

Sheridan and her father own the land where the town levee is, due to current rainfall and the river level, the levee will breech flooding the town and it's residents. Her father has been approached to sell the land, which he's kind of pushed off and when it's brought up again in front of Sheridan, she reminds her father that he can't sell without her, she owns part of it too. The land had been in her mothers family for over 100 years. She refuses to sell because it's the last bit of her mother and their heritage.

There are several subplots in this story, the land and the levee. Ridge and Sheridan. Sheridan and Ridge's daughter. Town folks and family and then there's the gang from high school including one culpable friend of Ridge's who is now the town attorney and a serious drunk and his absent for now ex wife. This is small town at it's worst and best. Although the best is tough to see, it's there in bits and pieces.

Despite all this going on, Denise has crafted a great story that is so well written, you keep turning the pages, there are so many things that she manages to keep on edge. Me, I kept wondering when things would topple, surely they would... nope. Not when you think they will. Sheridan was extremely well written, I thought Ridge could have used a bit more depth, but hey, he's a man.... his daughter was a peach and really made the book special. When the book hits high gear it moves fast and well. Right down to the very end.

All in all I loved this book. I'd highly recommend it and it's a keeper. Great book Denise, I loved it!!
4.5 Stars from me.

**I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book**