Between You & Me

First of all, I have to say happy release day to Susan Wiggs! Between You and Me is out today, and lucky me, it's touring LQ today!

Susan Wiggs is a best-selling romance author with over 40 published novels. I discovered her when I read and reviewed Family Tree back in January, also on a book tour. Although I'm not a huge fan of your typical fluffy romance novel, I found Wiggs' writing and story to have a little more sustenance to it, making it a better fit for me. Also, Family Tree was set in maple sugar country in Vermont, and it was so idyllic, I just wanted to pack up and move there.

But this is a review of Between You and Me, so let's get to that! This one is all about family, love (of course), and stark differences between one world and another. We follow Reese, a med student, as she struggles to decide which direction her life should go in, and as she meets a family that will end up influencing her life and her decision in big ways. At the same time, we meet Caleb, who is living in an Amish community and practicing that lifestyle, but doesn't share the belief system. He's only there for the sake of his niece and nephew, who he cares for and acts as guardian for.

A terrible accident brings Caleb and his family into Reese's world at the hospital, and that's when life gets complicated, yet amazing, all at once.

My Thoughts
Between You and Me had the sustenance I need to enjoy a girly, romantic read. Sure, it's also got fluff and those oh-so-perfect ways things happen sometimes, but that's really what a romance novel is. This novel goes deep into some pretty tough family situations, which I think Wiggs tackles with great insight and empathy.

I also enjoyed getting the points of view from several different characters in this novel. Instead of a more typical female-protagonist-lead narrative, we got some male insight, too, and it's not just on the romance bits. I really liked the balance of this novel between the romance and the rest of the plot.

Overall, I recommend this one. It's a pretty quick and easy read, hits you in all the right romantic heart spots, and has an interesting story about family and secrets that's layered amongst the romance. If you're like me and you prefer your romance novels to have some good substance, this is one you'll enjoy. This is a solid 3.5 stars from me!