When Love Arrives

When Love Arrives: A Novel 

Misty Willow #2

Paperback, ebook

September 20, 2016

by Johnnie Alexander

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Revell 
• ISBN-13: 978-0800726416

An Unlikely Couple Struggles to Reconcile the Burdens of Their Past

Dani Prescott came to the children's hospital to spy on Brett Somers--so how did she end up on a date with him? Weeks earlier she'd seen an interview in which he blamed her mother for the plane crash that had killed his parents. But the crash had killed her mother as well, so Dani can't believe the story Brett's trying to sell to the media.

Vowing to find a way to discredit the privileged--and maddeningly handsome--Brett, Dani has been following him and taking photos, hoping to find something she can use against him. But when she catches his eye instead, she quickly finds herself offering up a fake name and agreeing to a date. Brett knows this mystery girl is hiding something--but he's got his own secrets to keep. What will happen when he discovers who she really is? Will Dani and Brett look beyond their own heartaches to discover a love that could heal their deepest pain?

Fresh, flirty, and fast-paced, When Love Arrives is an engaging story that will have readers falling in love with the characters as they navigate the tricky waters between romance and revenge.

My thoughts:  Johnnie Alexander has done it again with a story few romance lovers will be able to resist.  Dani and Brett have every reason to hate each other. Dani's mother killed Brett's family through pilot error and worse, Brett knows it and blames her. Dani will never forgive Brett for saying so in a speech and sh'e out to ruin his life -- and what better way than to date the man? 

Both Brett and Dani were real, hurting characters and I felt sorry for both of them. Brett especially is lovable with his less than stellar past and his desire to fix it and make it right. Dani is an innocent, but she is conniving and manipulating even while being nice at the same time.  I did like her, but I wanted to tell her to stop lying to him and to own up to her mistakes, her identity, her goals. Some of the stuff wasn't even lie worthy. 

Neither Brett or Dani were Christians at the beginning of the book though they both believe God exists but doesn't care. Something even saved people struggle with from time to time. There is some drinking, mentions of wanting to drink, and of course, wanting sex (not that it happened, because it didn't, this is clean) but there is no sexual tension between the characters. 

I loved the way there were two or three other stories going on at the same time in this book. AJ and Shelby as well as her two children and their upcoming marriage and the house Shelby lives in, Amy and her issues, and of course, Megan, Aaron, and Jonah.  A totally sweet romance that is a bit slow but engaging.  I grew to love these characters. 

You won't want to miss WHEN LOVE ARRIVES by Johnnie Alexander. 

I was given a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.