Gwen Bailey has been busy taking care of everyone but herself. After a tragedy tore her family apart, she put her dreams aside to be with family. Now that her life is getting back on track, and her new Chocolaterie is open, she can concentrate on snagging the handsome, mysterious customer who has her dreaming about her own happily-ever-after…

Doctor Luke Thomson has spent the last five years filled with guilt. He hopes to make amends in Shadow Creek, however, he doesn’t count on falling for the adorable and gorgeous Gwen Bailey. He vows to not get involved with her, but she’s too sweet to resist. It’s only a matter of time, though, before the truth comes out. Luke knows there’s no way Gwen will look at him the same way once she discovers his secret…

Series – Shadow Creek, Montana = 1. Christmas with the Sheriff – 2. The Baby Bombshell – 3. The Doctor’s Redemption – 4. Baby on the Bad Boy’s Doorstep – 5. The Firefighter’s Pretend Fiancee – 6. A Christmas Miracle for the Doctor – 7. Snowed In with the Firefighter –

Title:  The Doctor’s Redemption
Series:  Shadow Creek, Montana #3
Author:  Victoria James
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  May 22, 2017
Publisher:  Entangled Publishing – Bliss
My Rating:  4.5 stars

The Doctor’s Redemption is the third title in the Shadow Creek, Montana series – and is, frankly, yet another reason why Victoria James is an auto-go-to-author for me.  We’ll get the chance to catch up a little with couples from the previous stories but this one is Gwen’s turn to shine in the spotlight, even if she doesn’t see herself as others do.

It’s always a slippery slope for me when there is one huge lie or reluctance to tell a secret as the base for any romance.  The author has to have a really good reason for that or I won’t enjoy the journey with a couple because love based on a lie isn’t really a strong love because the truth will always come out usually at the worst possible moment, in my opinion.  Luke has a good reason, an important one, and in the process may just heal himself as well, if he’ll allow that to happen.  (and no, you’re not going to learn that secret in this review)

I enjoyed Gwen and Luke’s romance.  In so many ways they each bring healing to each other… once they get totally past the “oh, I forgot to mention…” part.  Gwen has been the rock for her family during the recent tragedies that befell them, but now that people are smoothing out, making plans for the future, Gwen finally has the chance to focus on herself for a change… and perhaps the infamous Muffin Man, the guy who comes into her shop every day to purchase a muffin and then leaves, might be in her future if she can convince herself to just go for it and see what happens.

Between giggles and the threat of incoming tears, I had fun with The Doctor’s Redemption.  A couple who would be perfect for each other if only they would lower those barriers and allow themselves to love and be loved in return.

If you love an intense underlying tension in your romances, the kind that builds into a “Tell Them The Truth Already” feeling… then you’d love Luke and Gwen’s romance.

I own a paperback copy of The Doctor’s Redemption.

Available in paperback or for your favorite e-reader, mine is the Kindle.