I thought the premise was good, but there were so many holes in the timeline and some of the details that I couldn't follow the story. Around the half way point I decided it wasn't worth my time to continue reading. Here are a few example of some of the problems I came across (mini spoiler warning on some of these):

First example: We are told in the first few pages that Kittie is 18. Then later when we are learning about her history we are told Axel rapes her when she is fifteen, she runs away nearly a year later, and two months after that and we are up to speed and in the present again. How does that math work??? Then there are other references to her being seventeen, I mean, the timeline was so screwed up I finally gave up trying to figure out how to make it work (and I tried! I went back multiple times to different parts of the story to confirm what I had read).

Another example is when Jake tickles Mimi and she giggles. Kittie explains to him that she hasn't made a sound in 3 years. Then, in literally the next paragraph, she says that Mimi hasn't made a sound in weeks. Which is it?!

And last example (and this is where I finally threw in the towel) Kittie jumps into bed with Jake within days of first meeting him (after only a few interactions). Ok, this is a romance, I can accept this behavior in some stories (however unbelievable I might find it), but what I can't accept is that a girl who was sexually and physically abused for almost a year would sleep with anyone without experiencing some serious emotional s***. But it seems to be no big deal. And this last example speaks a lot to the characterization of the heroine. I felt no connection to her because I didn't believe her as a character.

Some of the writing wasn't bad and I hate to trash an author's work, but its so frustrating when basic details don't make sense. If Kittie's timeline had made sense in the beginning I probably would have been able to keep reading, but once I saw that, every other problem stuck out like a sore thumb. ( )

This is a historical romance. The main character, Kittie, and her brother were put on an orphan train after the death of their mother in the 1800's. Ten year old Kittie was taken in by a family and Penn, the older brother, left behind. He was hoping that his sister would be given a loving home.

Kittie's new family is far from loving. She is abused physically, emotionally, and sexually. The mother of the family dies after childbirth of a little girl and Kittie lives in the home trying to hide her femininity to pass as far under the radar as possible. It doesn't work. She lives in these horrible circumstances for three years before leaving, taking the little girl with her.

She runs to the town her mother grew up in, hoping to forge a new life for herself and Hannah Marie. She runs from one abuse to another. The circumstances she finds herself living in are far from favorable and to top it off, Hannah Marie is very ill.

In a moment of compassion she helps a frail woman in her time of need. Her simple act opens a window that leads to an improved life and better circumstances for her and Hannah.

She finds that her brother's love for her never ceased and that love can be found in less than ideal circumstances. She learns that there are compassionate and helpful people around her.

At the beginning of the story, we are presented with a young woman who is abused and battered. She moves from one abusive circumstance to another, a cycle many find themselves in. Through love and kindness she finds the strength to believe in herself again and become the woman she was always meant to be. I think this is a great idea for victims to know. Life can get better. There are people who care.

The romance was rushed. But, as Jake remembers a saying "When it's right you know." Why wait when it's the right thing? The rushed romance wasn't a big deterrent for me. I felt that the story progressed at a nice pace. There wasn't a lag in the storytelling.

I enjoyed the level of spirituality present. Kittie is told by others when her life turns around that she is being helped by God. She begins to believe that. Another level is the presence she feels of her brother. I don't want to go into a lot of detail about her brother, because it is a huge part of the storyline. Just know that I enjoyed his presence in the plot and the addition his presence brings.

Content warning: cussing, sexual abuse (not fully described, but you know what's happening), violence, and mild sexual situations. ( )

Well-researched and well-written, this historical romance is a gritty story of abuse, hardship .. But also a story of hope, goodness and love. There was a real beauty to the mystical appearances of Penn in Kittie's dreams. --Jill - GoodReads.com ( )