Spring Valley

I'll jump at any chance to read one of T.L. Haddix's books, so when I saw this pop up on Netgalley I jumped on it. Even though I have been reading at a snails pace lately. I still has the book wants!

This stories characters were new to me. I don't know if it's because I have old lady brains and forgot them or I missed a book that they were in. (I haven't read all her books yet)
The main hunk of man is Caleb Walker, a veterinarian who has not had the best family life but is happy in his job and family now. Then walks in Brooke. She is the local judge's daughter and she starts working at the clinic that Caleb works at.
This book does move faster on the romance than the other books that I've read in the series, but it is a novella so there is that.
I didn't mind the jumping right to the bangie-banging.
I did like this sweet little book but I did miss a longer storyline because I do think that is when this author shines. She makes you so attached to the characters that you just want to pack your bags and move in them.

I have read all of the Firefly Hollow series so I was excited to see this new novella in the series.

This story revolves around Caleb Walker who is a Veterinarian in a small town. Many of the people in town look down on Caleb and have lumped him together with his immoral and trashy biological parents. Caleb also feels that he is a less than desirable catch because of who his biological parents are. Brooke is a sweet (but not too sweet) young lady that also works at the animal hospital that Caleb does.

The couple have a quick but believable romance amid issues that come up from people judging Caleb unfairly and issues that just come up in life. While there is drama in the story, it is not annoying drama. There is no cheating or love triangle or other angsty craziness in the story.

While this book is part of a series there is no need to read the other books before reading this story (though, I recommend reading the series.) I hope this series continues as I have enjoyed it a lot and I would love updates on all the extended family in the series.

I enjoyed reading this book. It is a clean romance with some twists and turns. It shows that you can over come what was less then a good early life with parents that were less then good parents, to better yourself and find the love that you thought you did not deserve. The character were good people. I recommend this book.

Caleb is a small town vet who is thrown together with Brooke by his family. Their journey toward their happiness begins to survive what life throws at them. Really liked the family and small town characters. Will be revisiting other books in series.

Ebook from Netgalley and publishers with thanks.

My Rating:

4.5

Favorite Quotes:

Oh, Caleb. I know who you are. I know exactly who you are. I'm just not sure you do.

Every muscle in her body felt smooth and relaxed as though she could turn to water and swim across the universe.

I didn't know how much I wanted to belong to someone until I did.


My Review:

I am new to Ms. Haddix's gift for words and was stunned to discover I was reading book eleven of a series. Spring Valley was a quick, sweet, relevant, and touching story. Caleb was sweet and a soft-hearted vet who felt tainted by his biological parents' poor choices. The writing was engaging and the characters were endearing and adorable. This novella gave me a pleasant taste of Ms. Haddix skill level and enticed me into wanting to read the other ten books that preceded this one and any others that will follow.

Caleb Walker or Walker as he was called. Was a veterinarian. His mother was forever trying to Caleb’s father to marry her. When Caleb was thirteen his mom dropped him off at a guy’s house she kinda knew . Walker thrived under his foster parents guidance and love. Walker had built a wall around her heart as he had a few relationships when he was younger. But they didn’t work out. Brook worked as a receptionist in the office Walker worked in and she was crushing on Walker. Then Walker and Belle were set up to be at a party togetherbut walker had an emergencey when Belle - Rachel and her father’s dog. Butt Walkler couldn’t save her and he felt bad. Later that evening Brook goes to walker’s home and spends the night.
This was a good story and I enjoyed it. The plot was good as was the writting. I really liked the characters and I was happy to see Walker and brook iron out there problems. I loved the ins and outs of this storyt and I recommend.

3/5
Brooke and Caleb’s love story.

Easy reading, but I wonder why it’s only a novella, why not an entire novel?
It kind of ruined the reading experience for me: a little too short, but the love story was beautiful, though.
The length was just a little frustrating.

I believe Brooke ad Caleb deserved a whole novel, lie the previous couples in the series…

But all in all, the story was sweet, and if you’re new to the series, it could be a great “sneak peek”, a good way to dive into it.