theavidreaderandbibliophile 's review for:

Like the Wind by Robin Lee Hatcher

4.0

---

Like the Wind by Robin Lee Hatcher has Olivia Ward moving to Bethlehem Springs after an acrimonious divorce. Her rich and powerful ex-husband took everything from Olivia including their daughter, Emma. Six years later, Olivia’s life is once again turned upside down when she learns that her ex-husband has died in a car accident and her fifteen-year-old daughter is coming to live with her. The last thing Emma wants is to leave her boarding school (aka her friends) and live with her mother in a small boring town. Tyler Murphy is a private investigator hired by Peter Ward, Emma’s grandfather, to see if Olivia is a good mother and fit to raise Emma. Tyler soon finds himself falling for Olivia, but his deception could end the relationship before it begins. Like the Wind is an inspiring story. We get to see Olivia and Tyler overcome adversity. I thought the characters were realistic and relatable. The author really captured the attitude and behavior of a teenager. There are diary entries from a journal Emma finds mixed in with some props at the local community theater (from 1930s). I enjoyed the historical diary entries with their faith messages. I like how the diary tied to the present. There are inspirational messages sprinkled throughout the story that are enlightening. We are reminded that His love is everlasting. We get to see Olivia and Tyler overcome their pasts with love, understanding, and faith. The ending is lovely. Like the Wind is an uplifting tale with a discordant divorce, adolescent angst, an old diary, a captivating PI, an interfering grandfather, and a remarkable romance.