Books & Spoons Review: THE RAIN SPARROW by Linda Goodnight

New York Times bestselling author Linda Goodnight welcomes you back home to Honey Ridge, Tennessee, with another beautiful story full of hope, haunting mystery, and the power to win your heart... 

Famous yet anonymous, thriller writer Hayden Winters lives a life colored by lies. Deeply ashamed of his past, his hunger for an honest relationship and dreams of starting a family remain unsatisfied, and he can trust no one with his secrets. He's determined to outrun his personal demons, but the charming old Peach Orchard Inn and a woman whose presence is as gentle as a sparrow's song stops him in his tracks. 

Carrie Riley is afraid of everything from flying to thunderstorms, and pretty much of life itself. But meeting the enigmatic writer staying at the inn emboldens her to learn everything about him. When they discover a fragile boy hiding at the inn, Hayden is honor-bound to help Carrie protect him. Soon they're led to a centuries-old mystery that haunts Hayden's sleep, and his only safe haven is Carrie. As the secrets of the past and present force their lives to become entwined, all that's left to come to light is love—if the grim truth doesn't tear them apart first.

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Intriguing two stories, twined together by history and the dream world.
The story is like a long stroll in the southern countryside, with warm sunny days, and families enjoying the lazy days in the garden. It is warm, and cozy, with a loving family, and life as we know it. Or so it seems at the first glance.

But there's lots of undercurrents even in the small town, and Carrie, with her kind heart and loving nature, is ready to step in, and take care of the situation, in whatever capacity is needed. 
I liked Carrie, she has a huge heart, she sees the people around her, and takes care of them. She has been hurt in the past, she doesn't feel like she is anything special, quite the opposite, but when Hayden comes to town, a new Carrie comes to light, the Carrie Hayden sees. 
The beauty, grace, and loving nature that Hayden sees in her, gets behind the walls he has built. Soon they are sharing stories, life, and memories, even adventures, like with no one else before. 
They are rather adorable together, the way they care about Brody, look after him, and befriend him, is sweet. But for Hayden, it also brings back painful memories. 
Memories he has to keep hidden, to survive. 

Since arriving in town, Hayden has strange dreams, that seems to be connected to the history of the town he is visiting. Oddly, the two tales, one in present time, and the other in the past and in Hayden's dreams, fold out parallel to each other. 
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This charming book about life in small, southern town, is filled with the healing powers of love, how the worst kind of abuse and neglect can be healed in the heart, how hope and joy will brighten the day, and the scariest night will feel peaceful and calm, when you have someone you love by your side. It made me long for the summer to come sooner...
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

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