Jessie Belle by Jennifer Peel

Synopsis:

Nestled in the picturesque Rocky Mountains, lies the quaint town of Merryton, Colorado. You will never find finer people or better friends. But try keeping a secret in Merryton and you will soon find that the good townspeople are better than any private investigator or undercover journalist. The men and women of Merryton are like living barometers, and when a storm is brewing in the life of one of their own, they are sure to get to the bottom of it--and forecast it on the Merryton grapevine.

Jessica and Blake Summers know a thing or two about what it’s like to be the latest and greatest news on the vine. Their thirteen year marriage has had more than its fair share of heartache and loss. Then the past comes knocking, in the form of a teenage girl, a daughter Blake never knew existed. The news sets the Merryton grapevine on fire.

In the wake of this revelation and firestorm, Blake and Jessica are forced to reevaluate their own relationship and priorities, all while learning that raising a teenage girl is not for the faint of heart. But in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty, they discover that Madeline may just be what the doctor ordered to heal their broken hearts and mend their own tattered relationship.

Will they have the courage to look forward and find a greater love than they could ever imagine? Or will past hurts and the town grapevine tear them apart?

My Review: 5 Beautiful Stars!

Jessie and Blake have been put through the ringer over and over again. But instead of them growing closer together, they are growing further and further apart. It's gotten to the point that Jessie doesn't know whether or not she can continue going on the way they have been. Then Blake shows up at Jessie Belle's Cafe and drops the ultimate bomb... he's the father of the almost teenager, Maddie, from a one night stand over 13 years ago. 

Jessie has always dreamed of being a mother. She and Blake have been trying for years. But after several miscarriages and a still birth that resulted in emergency surgery to save Jessie's life, that dream would not come to pass. So when she learns that Blake shares a daughter with another woman, a woman that Jessie hates, she is devastated. She really does not know how to take the news or where they go from here. 

With the help of her parents, her best friends and even Blake himself, she decides that she is going to try to make things work with Blake and try to be the best stepmom that she can possibly be. This does not mean the road is going to smooth sailing. Oh no... quite the opposite in fact. Things will get rougher before they even think to get smoother. 

Jessie and Blake's journey was definitely tough but one worth watching. Before I even finished the first chapter I was hooked. I sat back and held on tight while enjoying the emotional roller coaster that is Jessie Belle. I found myself cheering them on when things were going right, growling and getting frustrated when Blake was being dense or things weren't going my way, rolling my eyes at certain characters that seriously needed to be Gibbs slapped, laughing at the antics of teenagers, getting teary eyed at the sad and even tender moments, and letting out dreamy sighs throughout the whole journey. I seriously felt like I was right there in Merryton experiencing the whole journey with Jessie, Blake and Maddie. It. Was. AMAZING!!  

I have decided that I'm giving Jessie her own theme song. Fight Song by Rachel Platten. She definitely needs one in my opinion. Not only does she have to work on strengthening and bettering her marriage with Blake and learn to be the best stepmom ever, she also has to learn to love herself again. Her poor body and self esteem have taken hit after hit after hit and she doesn't even recognize herself anymore. It was a constant uphill battle for poor Jessie. But dang it... she fought every step of the way!

And while driving to work rocking out to Rachel Platten, I discovered Blake's song for Jessie! It is absolutely PERFECT in my opinion! Are you ready?! Are you sure?! ;) Hehe. It's Stand By You by Rachel Platten. Blake did a lot of growing himself and one thing that he realized was that he could not go a day without Jessie. He knew that he hadn't been the best of husbands and he knew he had a lot to make up for! And make up for it he did! He was her faith, courage and strength when she didn't know if she could go on the way they were going. He set out to prove that he was always going to stand by her no matter what! *dreamy sigh* Have I told you how much I LOVE Blake?! <3

Jennifer Peel did another FANTABULOUS job of sucking me into yet another one of her books! I literally started it yesterday mid-morning, read until midnight when my eyes wouldn't stay open any longer and then woke up at 6am to continue reading to find out what happened next! It has been awhile since a book has done that to me and I loved every minute of it! I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series! :) 

As for the casting... I literally saw Jessie from the very first chapter! She just totally fit! Blake took a little longer but I love him just as much as I love Jessie! What do you think?! ;)