Lucie Kellerman is ready to start the next stage of her life. She’s given up the job she loves as a social worker, but on the plus side, she’s marrying a man she cares for. A man she believes will make her happy. A man her mother approves of. But counting on someone else for happiness is always a fraught notion, and Lucie’s about to discover life is never simple.
Daniel Martinez is out celebrating his birthday when he sets eyes on a beautiful woman. Love at first sight? Hard to say, but he’s captured by Lucie. After a spending just a short bit of time with her, he knows he wants more. But he’s respectful that she’s marrying someone else. Daniel has always been the responsible one in his family – taking over when their father died – sheparding his four brothers and one sister into adulthood. He has planned a trip to Mexico to teach English – the first real opportunity to be alone. I don’t have a large family, thankfully, although Daniel’s love for his siblings is strong.
As the wedding approaches, Lucie feels more and more isolated. This is the wedding of her mother’s dreams and Lucie would be happy to do something simple, not some grand affair with two hundred guests. Again, something I could understand. I think I’d lose it if I had to be the center of attention for that many people.
Lucie and Daniel cross paths numerous times and it’s clear there’s something between them. The question is, of course, whether they’re going to act on that attraction. Lucie goes so far as saying to him, “I know I can trust you.” Powerful, to be sure. Don’t we all just want someone who makes us happy?
Brenda Scott Wlazlo narrated this story and I thought she did a good job. There were quite a few characters and she handled it well. She brought the story to life. This is also the first Martinez story and given how many siblings there are, I’m expecting more novellas to come.