3.5 stars. A friend (MH) sent me this book in a box of books. It is part of a subseries but can be read as a standalone if wanted.

Josh Donnelly and Tessa Hamilton are the two main characters of this book. Tessa has taken over running the local movie theater and has a plan to also include dinner theater. Enter her long-time friend Josh to help with the renovation.

Possible Triggers for some readers:
Josh grew up with an alcoholic father who at some point deserted his family
Tessa is a recovering alcoholic
AA and Al-Anon ( )

For years, Tessa and Josh have gotten along so well as close buds. But the resurfacing of Josh's unresolved past and a related, crucial secret of Tessa's puts their friendship--and possibly more--on the line in The Bachelor's Sweetheart by author Jean C. Gordon.

A sweet title and cover, this novel has, and a sweet romance it is. But the story also brings quite a mix of characters together to deal with some tough issues (dysfunction, disappointments, disease, distrust) and their effects on the young and old. I could feel my heart sinking at points as a spiral of key conversations and events had me nervous and intrigued to see how Josh and Tessa would handle the truth once it all came out. The story's themes of serious dependence on God as well as the serious need for other people work well together.

Although this novel is third in The Donnelly Brothers series, it stands alone nicely, and it doesn't seem to give everything in the preceding books away, for those who may happen to read the novels out of order. I'd recommend Josh and Tessa's story to fans of romance with faith and redemption.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. ( )