Book Review: Bountiful (True North #4) by Sarina Bowen

Bountiful by Sarina Bowen

Pages: 315
Publish date: October 20, 2017
Publisher: Rennie Road Books
ASIN: B075PGFW9N
Purchase: Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

No last names. No life stories. Those were the rules.

Once upon a time a cocky, copper-haired tourist sauntered into Zara’s bar. And even though she knew better, Zara indulged in a cure for the small-town blues. It was supposed to be an uncomplicated fling—a few sizzling weeks before he went back to his life, and she moved on.

Until an accidental pregnancy changed her life.

Two years later, she’s made peace with the notion that Dave No-Last-Name will never be found. Until one summer day when he walks into her coffee shop, leveling her with the same hot smile that always renders her defenseless.

Dave Beringer has never forgotten the intense month he spent with prickly Zara. Their nights together were the first true intimacy he’d ever experienced. But the discovery of his child is the shock of a lifetime, and his ugly past puts relationships and family out of reach.

Or does it? Vermont’s countryside has a way of nurturing even tortured souls. The fields and the orchards—and hard-won love—are Bountiful.

Bountiful:

I received an e-arc of Bountiful by Sarina Bowen in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.

For the last year I have been reading; 1. More Romance and 2. More Sarina Bowen. So when I was given the change to read an early copy of Bountiful – I took it. I read the first 3 books in the ‘True North’ series a couple of months ago and really fell in love with the characters. And with doing that I was introduced to Zara – and her baby. It had been a mystery the whole series who the father was – and we finally found out.

Bountiful follows Zara, the mother of the beautiful little redhead girl, who fell pregnant after a fling – and she didn’t tell anyone who the father was. But it wasn’t like she knew his name. It’s been two years and Zara is living the life of a single mother – until Dave comes into her life. Dave hasn’t forgotten about Zara and when he finds his way back to her town – Dave is hoping that she is still there. What he didn’t know is that he had a daughter waiting for him too.

Throughout this series, I was dying to find out who the father was of Zara’s daughter and gosh did it make this book interesting. I really enjoy Zara both as a protagonist and as a mother. The reader is able to see her through other character eyes before this – and now finally the story is told through her.

I felt that Zara really grew throughout Bountiful. At the start, she is both hesitate with Dave being back and letting him into their lives. But she also has some strong feelings for him. What I loved about Zara was that she did care so much about her daughter – and she was first.

I have a love-hate relationship with Dave. For the most part, I really enjoyed him. But there were things that just didn’t sit right with me throughout the novel. It took quite a while for Dave to get used to the idea that he had a daughter, but as Bountiful went on – the reader is able to see his thoughts and feelings change.

Bountiful really explores the notion of family and I loved seeing Zara and Dave come together and show this to their daughter. Obvious it’s hard, a fling turning into something more. But I liked the way that Sarina Bowen dealt with it. In saying that, I did wish I got more scenes with the three of them together.

There was no denying that Zara and Dave had a connection. And with the way that Sarina structured the book out – it did emphasise that. The reader is able to see their feelings before, and then take us two years later and see what has changed between them.

I also really enjoyed seeing all the characters that we have come to know and love. It’s really nice having a book where everyone that was once hurt, be happy. They are as much of Zara’s family as those that are blood-related to her.

Speaking of Zara’s family, I had many laughs and angry spiral through me when her family was about. There was some good eggs – and some bad ones. But, I liked seeing the different reactions of those that are related to her.

Overall, Bountiful is about family, friendship, and love. It explores family and what you have to give up for it. Love and how it can change the way you look at life. Zara and Dave come together to not only look after their daughter but themselves. If you want a beautiful read that focuses on family, new parents and some sexy time – then this book is for you. It’s fun, heartbreaking and warms your inside all at the same time.

Have you read Bountiful by Sarina Bowen? What did you think? Are you planning on reading it? Have you read any of the True North series? Let’s Chat!