A CHANCE AT FOREVER By Melissa Jagears

Aaron Firebrook has changed and desires a chance to prove it. In seeking forgiveness for his childhood of bullying, he asks a victim what they want from him, and they suggest he become a teacher.

He returns to Teaville to apply for a teaching job where he can follow through with his agenda of seeking his victims out for reconciliation; but he runs into Mercy McLain who is on the school board and one of those he hurt the most because of her missing hand.

Mercy convinces the board to interview more applicants before deciding on Aaron. In the meantime, Aaron lands the gardener job through Nicholas Lowe at the orphanage home where Mercy resides with her brother and sister-in-law who are the directors.

This final installment in the Teaville series is the best I think. Aaron struggles to convince Mercy he's changed and Mercy struggles to reconcile the man Aaron has become with the bully she knew in her childhood. To complicate matters, are the orphans they have to deal with including one that Aaron asks to adopt because one of his victims left the child to his care.

Seeing Aaron and Mercy's romance evolve through the eyes of the children, makes for a very enthralling romance. I received this novel from netgalley for my honest review. I give it 5 stars for your reading shelf.

PHOEBES LIGHT By Suzanne Woods Fisher

Phoebe's Light is a part of a new series by Suzanne Woods Fisher, and if the first novel is any indication, will be a fascinating look at history. From beginning to end, I was enthralled in Phoebe's story. She was a strong woman in an era when women were suppose to have a place and stay in it. However, she is also very human and aspires to something she has dreamed of since she was young to be the wife of Captain Phineas Foulger.

Matthew Macy, the hard working town cooper, resides in jail at night because he is almost the town drunk as well, his way of dealing with the tragic loss of his father and the whaling ship his family owned and from which Matthew survived. Matthew, obviously has a past with Phoebe and still has feelings for her which he keeps hidden.

Ms. Fisher's novel gives us a glimpse of whaling life and that of the island which thrives from the success of the whaling ships. The women stay behind and raise the families and the men make a hard living on the ships.

Phoebe seems to get her wish contrary to what her father wants for her. Her father has gotten their home in a defaulted mortgage and Phoebe sees no way out but marriage to the Captain. But is the Captain all he seems? Matthew ends up on trial for murder? And Phoebe discovers buried treasure may be the key to the true light of her life.

I received this book through Netgalley for my honest review.