Lessons Learned Book Review
A young girl needs to spread her wings, but a young woman needs roots.
High school teacher Sarah Bray never thought she’d return to Sycamore Falls, but a traumatic event at her inner-city school leaves her desperate for the sanctuary of her childhood home. Orphaned as a teenager and raised by her grandmother, she had severed all ties with the people of her hometown –including her best friend, Aubrey – in hopes of leaving everything behind her. By returning to her roots, an older and wiser Sarah hopes to deal with the demons of her present and confront the ghosts of her past.
While visiting the local hardware store, Sarah meets Lucas Miller, a history teacher who has recently transferred from New York. She discovers a kindred spirit in him and learns that he is battling demons of his own. As the newest faculty members of Sycamore High School, they form a friendship – bonding through Lucas’s culture shock and their mutual desire to build new lives in the secluded town. When they begin to open their wounded hearts and share their secrets, their friendship effortlessly evolves into romance, giving each of them hope that maybe they aren’t so wounded, after all.
Their newfound love is put to the test when Matt Stuart, the quarterback of the football team, shares his deepest secret with Sarah. Fearing the painful incident that drove her from the city has followed her to Sycamore Falls, Sarah grows fiercely protective of her student. Determined that history will not repeat itself, Sarah stands by Matt’s side as he faces the ridicule of his church, his teammates, and the school administration. When the conservative community finally learns his secret, Sarah and Lucas – along with the town of Sycamore Falls – are schooled in the lessons of acceptance, tolerance, and love.
My Review
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest
review. Sarah Bray moves back to her
small hometown to escape the trauma she experienced at the high school she
taught at in Memphis. Upon returning
home and renovating her grandmother’s house, she meets the handsome Lucas
Miller. She thinks that he will help her
forget the tragedy that brought her home, unfortunately, hate can be anywhere. This was quite a tearjerker for me, I didn’t
think that an entire town could behave as despicably as these people did. This was a fantastic story of love, support,
and tolerance. Be sure to have a box of
tissues handy, this one will have you in tears.
About the Author
Sydney Logan holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education and
makes her home in the hills of East Tennessee.With the 2012 release of
her first novel, Lessons Learned, she made the transition from bookworm
to author. She has a very unhealthy obsession with music, and her iPod
is filled with everything from Johnny Cash to Eminem. When she isn’t
reading or writing, she enjoys playing piano and relaxing on her front
porch with her wonderful husband and their very spoiled cat.
Connect with Sydney:
I also read this book and loved it.
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