Starred review from May 1, 2004
Preservationist Amy Reynold's son, Jack, has his first serious girlfriend, Lisbeth, and he's anxious for his folks to meet her folks. But much to Amy's distress, Lisbeth's father turns out to be Nick Lowry, Amy's first love and the man who broke her heart. Nick is a conservationist, and when he finds out that Amy is involved in trying to save a historic plantation from developers, he joins the cause. As they work together, they focus more on each other and less on their spouses, even though they've each been married more than 20 years. Through a series of flashbacks, the reader finds out about Nick and Amy's past and the cause of their breakup, while the former lovers' conversations of "what if" turn to "if only" as the old chemistry proves to be as strong as ever. Henry's beautifully written debut romance is meant to be savored, with its poetic descriptions and settings deftly mirroring the emotions of the characters. Readers who enjoy the lyrical voices of Patricia Gaffney and Mary Alice Monroe will also be drawn to this talented newcomer.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)