Reviews for Cross my heart

Library Journal
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Ben Henning's battles with sobriety and recovery have led him to share a deeper faith with his grandfather, who hands over the family farm so Ben can open an equine therapy center to help others like him. His search for horses results in his meeting Ashley Showalter, who runs a small horse rescue operation. Ben is willing to provide more space for her to work in exchange for her assistance. As Ben and Ashley bond over their shared dreams, Ashley deals with her brother's addiction and learns about Ben's past. Even though they're falling in love, she's not sure she can trust in his sobriety or her newly strengthened faith to support her. Hatcher continues her "Legacy of Faith" series (Who I Am with You) with the story of Ben, Jessica's cousin, using alternating chapters to tell of Ben's great-great-grandfather through his family Bible during World War II, and how his struggles then mirror some of Ben's challenges now. Ben's faith is more solid than Ashley's to begin with, but Hatcher shows the growing process, and even in her portrayal of addiction, is matter-of-fact, leaving readers to find their own truths. VERDICT As usual, Hatcher is an auto-buy for all library collections.—Melanie C. Duncan, Washington Memorial Lib., Macon, GA


Publishers Weekly
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Hatcher (Who I Am with You) continues her chronicle of the Henning family in the powerful second installment of her Legacy of Faith series. Ben Henning is a young man with a troubled past determined to begin a new life running Harmony Barn, a horse therapy farm in Kuna, Idaho. He enlists the help of Ashley Showalter, a young woman who works with rescue horses. Ashley is attracted to Ben, but has been burned by men before and is determined to keep their relationship purely professional. When Ben reveals that he is a recovering addict, Ashley, who has a younger brother going through rehab, hardens her resolve not to give in to her feelings. Ben refuses to give up hope, and he trusts in God and prays for Ashley's heart to heal. In a secondary story that feels like an afterthought, flashbacks show Ben's great-great grandfather (who gave Ben his Bible) finding strength in God during WWII while his oldest son fights overseas. This touching story of forgiveness and redemption will appeal to fans of Colleen Coble. (June) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

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