Which brother will Amy choose? The dependable one or the one she’s always been in love with?
Love comes in many guises. Although Amy cares for Tony, and in the small country town where they live they are considered a couple, Amy still carries a torch for Tony’s older brother who spurned her adolescent avowals of love.
When Andrew returns home, now a wealthy, prosperous man, Amy’s whole world is in turmoil. Because of his rejection in the past, how can Amy trust this man who proposes to settle down in the small town he walked away from years ago? Amy has no doubt that he will soon long to be back in the bustling world he has become accustomed to in the city, and is determined to keep her head and not let her heart divulge its secrets this time around.
Excerpt
Yewbank sat splendidly on the Sydney road about two hours’ drive from Melbourne, and although now bypassed by the main highway, was still a thriving, busy town. The bank was situated in a restored historical landmark. Amy loved its brown, age-mellowed brick façade and the ornate and imposing entrance. Often she wondered if she was weird; certainly a lot of her contemporaries deserted the town and hastened to the cities.
After tidying her hair in the rest room she took her place behind the counter, greeting her fellow tellers and other staff members. Barely had she sat down when Tony strolled in. The Bowen boys were both strikingly handsome, dark and tall. But where their looks were similar their characters were miles apart. Tony was happy-go-lucky, everybody’s buddy, and carefree, while Andrew was inclined to be brooding and serious, enigmatic some might say.
Leaning casually on the counter in front of her window, Tony grinned. “Morning, Amy, you beautiful ray of sunshine.” He gave her a mischievous wink as he handed over his bank book. Amy knew exactly how much he earned, and how much he saved out of his earnings. His open honesty was one of the many endearing qualities he possessed. Why wasn’t there more of a spark between them? If only she could lust after him as she did his brother. But that charismatic spark just wasn’t there.
She’d be an idiot to turn down someone so trusting and trustworthy though, wouldn’t she? Knowing everything about your partner should be a perfect foundation for marriage shouldn’t it?
“Hello, Tony.” She sighed as she took care of his banking. It was only as she handed back his book that she realised he wasn’t looking her way. In fact his attention seemed to be riveted on Samantha Robinson, who was paying an inordinate amount of attention to her money drawer, even though she’d already tended that before Tony arrived.
“Coming to watch practice tonight?” Tony turned back to look at Amy.
“How could I not?” She gave him a grin. “The town’s star player starts practice for the new season. Every female within a hundred kilometre radius will be there.”
“You reckon?”
“How could we resist watching you all cavort around in those shorts of yours?” Amy chuckled.
“Did you know Andrew’s back—for a short stay?” Tony now waved to Samantha who had finally taken her nose out of her drawer and was looking their way, her cheeks unusually flushed. Amy’s suspicions were confirmed. Sam had a crush on Tony. She’d suspected it for some time. But how he felt about her was something Amy needed to think seriously about.
“I bumped into your big brother on my bike ride this morning. He said he’s trying to get back in form.”
Professional Reviews
Dee Carey
“With refreshing characters and a well-written storyline the reader is immediately drawn into a family at odds with each other. Amy is a believable character who is often confronted with so many obstacles; she is often faced with much anger. Andrew’s sexy charm transcends through the pages and he is a likeable person. Ms. McGill does a good job in creating a friendship that begins in the early years and lasts into the later years with strong feelings that are sometimes hard to let go as real issues ensue. I liked her comment about the magic ingredient that marriage needs. She creates a hometown, adds some delightful main characters, then blends some secondary ones into a storyline that often rings true to make this one irresistible read with emotions that dance through the pages. This is a story that this reader thoroughly enjoyed and comes highly recommended.” Reviewed by: Linda L
"Rarely is a reader compelled to finish a book without stopping for some reason, at the end of a chapter, because nature calls or some other outside cause. The heroine, Amy is a strong independent woman who remains in love with her high school crush. The road to happiness is fraught with self-doubt, but love will out. Tricia McGill has crafted a time proven love story in a fashion that leaves you wanting more. Even the author’s notes add to the story. I will look for more of Tricia McGill. On the mascara scale (meaning it will run as the emotion grabs you) this rates a 5."
Jo Ellen Conger
Amy, a small town girl in Australia, grows up with the Bowen orphans, Tony and Andrew. Now, at age twenty-two, she has the choice to marry one of the brothers. But, will it be Tony her dependable, steady companion, or Andrew, who inflames her passions? She loves them both. How in the world can she choose without hurting the other one?
Tricia McGill writes a compelling romance with realistic concerns that any young woman might experience when faced with the prospect of marrying one of two friends.
Pam at A Romance Review
“A delightful read of second chances. Andrew threw it all away when Amy was younger but she was giving him another chance. Andrew made sacrifices of his own to win the woman he loves. Andrew was the challenge and was irresistible to Amy, but will Amy see past the lies of a woman scorned? If you like to read about second chances then you’ll enjoy this story. It was also amusing to see Amy frustrated by Andrew as she had no idea what he was up to.”
