After two broken engagements, nurse practitioner Mia Robinson is done with dating. From now on, she only trusts herself and God, and she's focused on her eighteen-year-old sister, Lucy, and caring for patients. Just as she applies to work for an international aid organization, a phone call from Lucy, who's pregnant and running off to marry her twenty-one-year-old boyfriend, throws a wrench into all of Mia's plans. Jake Tanner may have recovered from the physical injuries he sustained on the job as a police officer, but his heart has yet to heal from losing his former partner in the tragedy. He's poured himself into starting a camp for the sons of fallen officers and mentoring Sam, the adult son of his deceased partner, who's asked him to be his best man at his wedding.
Mia is expecting a mess when she arrives to sort out the situation with Lucy, but she wasn't expecting Jake. And Jake, who can't help envying Sam and Lucy, doubts he'll ever experience their happiness for himself. But maybe Jake's courage and Mia's caring spirit are just what they need to bring them a lifetime of healing and a forever kind of love.
We always enjoy reading Victoria Bylin, and are excited when a new book of hers comes along. The Two of Us is another example of Bylin's ability to weave complex characters and situations with just enough inspiration to build, uplift, and give hope. The romances in the book are not simple, or cut and dried, and they reflect the real world necessity of making choices and working hard at relationships.
With all the trouble you have had to bail me out of as the older sister, at least I didn't get pregnant at 19 and need you to come to Vegas for my shotgun wedding.
I would have, though. Even if your baby daddy had been that knucklehead who looked like a corn-fed redneck/biker combo dude who you didn't really have feelings for but you kept as your bit on the side.
Wow. Your memory is failing you. I only ever dated nice boys.
Really? You wanna go there? Or should we just get back to this nice story?
Better move along, as one never knows what rot you might make up about me.
One of my favorite scenes in The Two of Us is the very beginning meet up between Mia and Jake. It's just the cutest! I also loved the epilogue, where we get a very rewarding HEA.
Lucy and Sam, although young and stupid, truly have a love that is enviable. They actually inspire the older, jaded pair to explore new possibilities and be open to things other than their "plan B"s. There are several mini plots tucked throughout The Two of Us that add depth and interest to the story. Overall a highly satisfying read that gets real but also provides the happiness we love.
Victoria Bylin never disappoints. Maybe I should hire her to ghost write Sissy's dating adventures. What a wild and enlightening read that would be! Really, though, The Two of Us is a model of superb, emotional writing, and is one you readers should not miss!
