Touching Stars Book Review

I was reading this series and took a little break while waiting to get the next book from the library.  Touching Stars (A Shenandoah Album Novel) by Emilie Richards was the fourth book in the series.  This one is 564 pages so it is a lot to hold when trying to fall asleep at night and reading but totally worth it because this book follows Gayle Fortman who is raising three boys and trying to run a successful business.  She has been mentioned in other books but you now get to learn lots more of this wonderful women.

When is a family no longer a family?

Gayle Fortman has built a good life for herself and her three sons as an innkeeper in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. She has even maintained a cordial relationship with her ex, charismatic broadcast journalist Eric Fortman, covering with the boys for his absences and broken promises. Luckily Travis Allen, her closest neighbor, has been a loving surrogate father to the boys and her own best friend.

Then, on the eve of oldest son Jared's graduation, Eric returns, having nearly lost his life in Afghanistan. Worse, he has lost his way and his courage, and needs a place to recover. Gayle realizes this might be the last chance for her sons to establish a real bond with their father, and offers him a summer at the inn and a chance to put things right. Gayle and Eric are all too aware that their onetime love and attraction are still there. But can the pieces of their broken lives be mended, or are they better laid to rest?

I was excited to get into this new book.  Gayle was living the life that was left after her divorce and thinking that she was making the most of it.  She was living in the small town and running her inn to make it success.  She volunteers to work at the church and helps anyone who needs it.  Gayle was seen in the previous books but you barely get to know her until this book.  She is raising three boys who are getting older and having issues with not having a male role model because their father isn't there very often.  He is injured and comes to live at the inn while recovering and takes that time to get to know his kids.  It is interesting to see how that brings up things that Gayle has left behind in her divorce and trying to have the best life for her family.  There is a lot going on at the inn that summer but you have to pick up the book to find out what happens.  There is no shortage of drama with all the characters.  I think that there were quiet a few that took me by surprise.  I hope that you enjoy this series as much as I have!