From the TBR Pile: Book Tour: Moonlight on Butternut Lake by Mary McNear

Author: Mary McNear

Publisher: William Morrow

Date of publication: May 2015

From the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Up at Butternut Lake comes the third novel in the Butternut Lake series—a dazzling story of two wounded souls seizing a second chance at life and love.

On the run from her abusive husband, Mila Jones flees Minneapolis for the safety and serenity of Butternut Lake. Ready to forge a new life, Mila’s position as home health aide to Reid Ford is more than a job. It’s a chance at a fresh start. Though her sullen patient seems determined to make her quit, she refuses to give up on him.

Haunted by the car accident that nearly killed him, Reid retreats to his brother’s cabin on Butternut Lake and lashes out at anyone who tries to help. Reid wishes Mila would just go away. . .until he notices the strength, and the secrets, behind her sad, brown eyes.

Against all odds, Mila slowly draws Reid out. Soon they form a tentative, yet increasingly deeper, bond as Mila lowers her guard and begins to trust again, and Reid learns how to let this woman who has managed to crack through his protective shell into his life. While the seemingly endless days of summer unfold, Reid and Mila take the first steps to healing as they discover love can be more than just a dream.

I am always amazed when I read a series at how I can think I love the latest book, only to be blown away by the next one. Moonlight in Butternut Lake definitely fits the bill this time. I loved this book. This is Reid's story. He is Walker's brother, the workaholic who never had a serious relationship. After a bad car accident, he has retreated to Butternut Lake to recover. They hire Mila to be his third and hopefully final home health card aid. Mila is running from her own abusive husband and hopes to find a fresh start.

What I loved about this book was the slow build to Reid and Mila's relationship. It isn't insta love or attraction. In fact, Reid does everything he can to drive Mila away. He spends his day swallowing in self pity and depression. It was just heart warming watching Mila slowly draw Reid out of his cocoon. To realize that it is great to be alive and still have a chance at a future. In Reid, Mila is able to finally find a home and someone to love her.

As the story progresses, we learn about Mila's childhood and how she went from a determined young woman to a timid abused housewife desperate to get away. It's scary how easily it happened. I was really rooting for her to break free for good.

This definitely could be read as a stand alone book. While characters from the other books show up, I didn't think anyone would be lost coming into this book not having read the first two. I highly recommend this series!

About Mary McNear

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Mary McNear is a writer living in San Francisco with her husband, two teenage children, and a high-strung, minuscule white dog named Macaroon. She writes her novels in a local donut shop where she sips Diet Pepsi, observes the hubbub of neighborhood life, and tries to resist the constant temptation of freshly made donuts. She bases her novels on a lifetime of summers spent in a small town on a lake in the northern Midwest.

Connect with Mary on Facebook.

Purchase Links

Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble

Mary’s Tour Stops

Tuesday, May 12th: A Chick Who Reads

Tuesday, May 12th: Lesa’s Book Critiques

Wednesday, May 13th: Fuelled by Fiction

Thursday, May 14th: Raven Haired Girl

Friday, May 15th: From the TBR Pile

Monday, May 18th: Always With a Book

Tuesday, May 19th: Mrs. Mommy Booknerd’s Book Reviews