Finding Her Dream by Jennah Scott

 It wasn't until she watched her best friend find the man of her dreams that RayAnne Hill realizes there's a part of her missing. She knows the empty space can only be filled by finding her own true love, complete with kids and the white picket fence. Fear of letting someone in stops her cold, and it's much bigger than just finding Mr. Right.

James Shaw moved away from Kentucky and the family business to chase his own goals, settling in the small town of Kimmswick, Missouri. His business is succeeding, now he's ready to complete his life with a wife and kids. One night, one look and he's found her. RayAnne is everything he's been searching for.

As hard as James has fallen for RayAnne, can he be enough to help her overcome her worst nightmare? Or will he decide he can't wait forever, and walk away to find happiness?

I enjoyed this story and admired how the author finally found a way to make the female timid about falling in love yet strong enough to know what she wanted.  I get tired of the push and pull in today’s romances and this author did a great job at having Ray pull back when she needed to but always open to walk back to James again and make her dreams come true.  She was able to tell him what she needed and expected and he was strong enough to admit he needed to learn and what was important to him.

Ray was trying very hard to take her best friend’s advice and just be herself out in public.  We can see that there is something holding Ray back from just letting go and having fun, to show who she really is.  She is carrying secrets that she isn’t willing to let go of unless she has a strong reason to.  James had to convince her that she could decide what was best for her without her best friend’s advice. 

James moved to Missouri to find his own way.  With a ranch that he now owns he raises and trains horses.  His family he left behind is still important to him, but his life revolves around his horses until he can find that woman who will turn his world upside down and give him the family he dreams of.  He sees Ray and instantly thinks she could be the one. 

After a dance the first night he says something that has her running.  James isn’t comfortable with just letting her go so he seeks the help of Ray’s “big brother” and boyfriend to her best friend for help.  Ray agrees to give James a chance but in the beginning she is going to have to understand her place, it comes after his horses. 

Their love story takes many turns and twists, but each event is important in the development of them as a couple.  Where one door closes, the other is willing to reopen it and give another chance until they find the one thing that is missing……..trust. 

I enjoyed this story so much.  It wasn’t the intense story that we find but it was strong enough to capture my emotions as I watched each of them be hurt, confused and even make mistakes.  The forgiveness and need to make this relationship work was what fueled this couple and made my heart go out to each of them.  I would recommend this story to any reader who would like an afternoon read that will give you the sense of love.