You never know what there is behind a smiley face…

Synopsis

A hidden secret

Live every day as if it were your last – that’s the motto Bess has lived by since her father died unexpectedly. As a critical care paramedic, Bess sees every day just how easily life can be taken away. But carefree living has risks, and as Bess’s debts mount, she discovers her actions could have terrible consequences…

An unexpected arrival

Nothing gives Gio more joy than his work saving lives in the fire service. And on the days when his call-outs put him in the path of the air ambulance, and one paramedic in particular, things are pretty perfect. Until Gio’s world is spun on its head, first by the arrival of his estranged mother on his doorstep, and then by an accident that could put his career on hold indefinitely.

A new beginning?

Gio and Bess have always worked well together, but could they be the solution to each other’s problems beyond the frontline as well? And will they let their guard down enough to give each other a chance before snow falls over Whistlestop River?

My review

If there is one thing that Bess has learned after losing her beloved father and her own health scare, is that you should live your life as were your last day. Her job as a critical care paramedic is only reinforcing her motto, as she knows how life can just end abruptly. And that thought has brought her in financial difficulties, and her debts keep on accumulating. However, towards her loved ones, friends, family and colleagues she doesn’t show that life is a struggle and puts on a daily happy smile.
Even her friend Gio doesn’t know her struggles. But Bess doesn’t know that Gio has his own struggles, as his estranged mother suddenly stands on his doorstep, and an injury may jeopardize his career as a firefighter.
Despite both their lives seem to be falling apart, the mutual attraction keeps on growing. But will they have enough courage to let both their guards down? Or is friendship all that there can ever be?

I was so ready to read this story, as I loved reading the first book of the series. While it’s not mandatory to have read Book One, I truly recommend it. Not because you otherwise won’t be able to catch up, but because it’s just an amazing story and perhaps it will give you a better idea what being a critical care paramedic entails.

There are a lot of things I loved in this book, but what I liked the most, was the reality of it. Because both Bess and Gio have apparently a good life. They both have a job they love doing, they have a bunch of friends and the only way seems to be up.
And they both seem to be happy in their lives.

However, we never know truly what happens behind closed curtains, or what struggles people have in life. Because when things get rough, difficult, it’s not easy to talk about it, or just ask help.

While I have never been in Bess her situation, both losing a parent or being in a mountain of debts, I could understand her. Loss and grief can do strange things with people. And losing her father so unexpectedly, it made sense that Bess had to go somewhere with her pain.
Obviously it wasn’t the best thing Bess did, but in her state of mind, it made sense. And once you get in that downward spiral, it’s not easy to get out of it…

And that while Bess should be enjoying er life, because not only because she is a lovely person, but she has also been already through so much, and she deserves some genuine happiness, without any big worry…

As a reader or a bystander, it’s always easy to say that when in need, ask for help. But is it really just that easy? With Bess, we see that there is also a big feeling of shame, because how could a sensible person possibly let thing escalate this far?

She cannot even confide to her friends, not even Gio, who she has known for years, so big is her sense of shame…

Gio, who has troubles of his own, when his mother suddenly stand on his doorstep…
I know that your mother will always be your mother, but how often can you forgive someone and give a new chance?
Yet it’s a testimony of Gio’s character when he does exactly that, however without losing his wariness and looking for signs that things may go downhill again…

And when his career as a firefighter is in jeopardy, I felt so sorry for him. I can only understand too well what it means when suddenly your dream job could become an improbability…

I became very aware of his mental state, because he also is going from one setback to another, and letting go of the past, or the fear of history repeating itself is not easy at all.

Yet I liked Gio cheekiness! 😊 He is determined to go on a date with Bess, and he doesn’t give up! It was sweet to see how just seeing Bess makes him just feel better, more uplifted.
His feelings for Bess are genuine, and it’s also his feelings for her that make him able to confide in her.
But he is also understanding and patient, because it’s normal that Bess is a bit afraid to take a next step with Gio, as she doesn’t want to lose him as a friend.

But this wasn’t a love story. Well, in a way it was 😊 but it felt more like a ‘life story’. Because we see how two lovely characters are going through a dark moment in their lives. And while they don’t see an easy way out, they have to learn to ask for help, and see that those around her are only too willing to offer a helping hand, one way or another.

I truly enjoyed reading this story, not only because of its lovely characters, but also because it’s so realistic, both in a good way and in a bad way. It also is in a way inspiring, showing what can happen when finding courage. Courage to ask for help, courage for listening, courage for forgiving, and courage to open you heart.
Helen Rolfe gave me with this book what I expected, needed and more!