I'm bummed I didn't like this book. The Door County setting held a great deal of promise.

In fairness, someone out there liked this book. It won a Reviewer's Choice award from Romantic Times. It was also garnered a five star review in The Romance Reader. Obviously, there are different tastes out there (and I'll admit that Americana doesn't usually do much for me).

When I'm introduced to a new author, my first question is always, which well-known author compares to this author? I'm hesitant to say Pamela Morsi and Lavyrle Spencer. Because I've known folks who liked Morsi but not Spencer & vice versa. Mittman is in a wonderful class all by herself. Her style and her way of telling a story is down-to-earth, heart-wrenching yet warm and folksy with a touch of sensuality to boot! Most of all, it's easy to read and from the first word, it draws you in and holds you until the very last page, the very last word. (I love Spencer but Mittman is not as wordy as Spencer, thank goodness!)

It took me a while to find a copy of this book and by the time I got it, it had been recommended to me several times and rated five hearts (and such) by more than one professional romance book reviewer on several websites. Therefore, I did have high expectations. I was not disappointed and I'm happy to report that all the praise was well deserved.

The first chapter had my stomach in knots. But at least I wasn't bored. I usually prefer the man to fall in love w/the woman first and spend the rest of the book making her fall in love w/him. Well, this book starts off the opposite way.

What I love about this book is how it fools you and lets you think it's about a push over woman who is content to be a doormat for a guy who is emotionally dead. After the first chapter, I was convinced it was going to be one of those Grapes of Wrath sad stories about suffering and more suffering on the woman's part. I couldn't have been more wrong.

This book was easy to read but the story is complex and Ms. Mittman handles it so wonderfully that all you can do is hang on and stop speculating about what's going to come next and just enjoy the ride.

The editorial review about the story content tells you what the book is about. But I just wanted to make sure that not only will you enjoy the story line but the tone as well. Story is great but it's only as good as the story teller. Two people can tell a story or a joke but one is obviously better at telling the story or joke. Ms. Mittman is one fine story teller. She had me clinging onto her every word and turning the pages. A sure indicator of a keeper!