Jake's Return

by Liana Laverentz

The last person small town bad boy Jacob Donovan expects to find when he returns home in disgrace after serving time is Rebecca Reed, head librarian. Rebecca had always had much bigger ambitions. Jake... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1601541244
• ISBN13: 9781601541246
• Release Date: October 2009
• Publisher: Wild Rose Press
• Length: 212 Pages
• Weight: 0.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

A satisfying tale of second chances

Liana Laverentz's Jake's Return is a engrossing story of the power of love. The return of Jacob Donovan, the local bad boy and convict, brings hope and upheaval into the life of Rebecca Reed, the woman who has loved him since childhood (and he her). Although the plot appears simple, Liana's graceful writing style and ability to create engaging characters deliver a complex tale of redemption, love and second chances that kept me up late into the night.

Love Conquers all, but it ain't easy

How can you move forward when you can't escape the past? Ms. Laverentz does an amazing job of showing how even a deep, abiding love can't overcome obstacles if Jake and Becca aren't willing to let it. If you're looking for an emotionally stirring story that will leave you rooting for a well deserved happily-ever-after look no further than Jake's Return.

Wonderful Warm Read

Genre Contemporary Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5 Rebecca Reed and Jacob Donovan were best pals who helped take care of each other as they grew up as the small town outcasts. Rebecca had never known her father and her mother left her when she turned 16. Rebecca was headed to college with dreams to ultimately end up in one of the big, beautiful homes across town with a wealthy husband and children to raise. Jake was a wild boy especially after his mother died when he was a pre teen and his father turned to the bottle. As soon as he was old enough, and with the encouragement of the local law, Jake took off for the Army leaving Rebecca behind. After four years in the army, Jake ran into Rebecca one night while she was in college and soon to be engaged. In spite of a wonderful night together, Jake takes off the next morning without even a goodbye. Rebecca feels abandoned but Jake thinks he is doing her a favor by not getting in the way of her dreams. Unfortunately Jake's run ends up with him convicted of murder and sent to jail. Eight years later he returns home to fix and sell the house he has inherited from his father. He is surprised to find Rebecca in town as head librarian and living next door with a seven year old beautiful daughter. Rebecca is afraid that Jake will reject her and his daughter Katie and that looks to be how it will go as Jake plans to fix the house and take off again. Jake sees himself as a man in disgrace and doesn't want his scandalous reputation to rub off on Rebecca who has at least made a good life for herself. Rebecca and Jake work at cross purposes and it takes them awhile to start to come together even though they have always cared for each other. Rebecca has to be brave and risk rejection since she believes she is not lovable. Jake has to be willing to stop running away from problems and responsibilities. I found this to be a very wonderful and warm read. The characters were well developed with their pain and vulnerability and the story flowed smoothly (for the reader if not for Rebecca and Jake!) The sexual tension and love scenes were handled beautifully. I thoroughly enjoyed the underlying sense of love throughout the story, and it had me anticipating when the characters would find the courage to recognize their need for each other! I look forward to more stories from this author.

an emotional tug of war

From page one of Jake's Return, author Liana Laverentz hooks the reader. Jake walks into the library, where Rebecca works, and the reaction of those inside the building shows the town folks' feelings for him. Simply put, they don't like or trust this ex-con and want him to go away. Only Rebecca, who has always been able to see beyond his tough guy persona, believes in his innocence. She knows that Jake is capable of being the human being he wants to be. The rest of the story is an emotional tug of war with Jake feeling he doesn't deserve Rebecca's love and Rebecca trying to convince him that he does.

Jake's Return

Rebecca Reed and Jacob Donovan were good friends who, for one night eight years ago, were lovers. Jake left town right after that night and Rebecca never told him when she found out she was pregnant. Jake has come back to Warner after being released from prison. Rebecca is sure he is innocent of committing the crime the was accused of, but the town is not convinced and isn't willing to give him a second chance. Jake fights his attraction and his desire to be with Rebecca because he feels he's no good for her. When something sinister happens in Warner, Jake must put aside his feelings to keep Rebecca and their daughter safe. Jake's Return is a story about love lost and found. Jake is stubborn, yet caring, and Rebecca's devotion for him is endearing. I wish Jake didn't constantly push Rebecca away, but it is still a good story with mystery and romance. Nannette reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed