The Reunion Brides series continues with a compelling story of lost love and how an unexpected reuniting of two people can lead to another chance of romance if they follow their hearts. Karen Rose Smith has given her hero and heroine plenty to overcome before everlasting joy can flourish in their lives, and they frequently find this road to happiness is filled with many difficult choices.

Since Zack Decker has not lived on the Rocky D ranch for fifteen years, he thought his connection to it and his high school girlfriend was long gone. However, when he must return to the town of Miners Bluff because of a situation concerning his father, he realizes Jenny Farber is someone who still has a powerful effect on him. Zack had received a film school scholarship when he graduated, and her decision to not go with him to Los Angeles made him think the love they shared was not strong. When he first sees Jenny at a high school reunion, he realizes any affection may have been buried but the sexual pull is very much alive.

When Jenny made the choice to stay on the ranch belonging to his family and work with horses, she hoped for a satisfying future but felt it would be lacking the bliss she had dreamed of having with Zack. Even though he returns to the ranch, she knows it will be for a short term and must keep her feelings under control, not letting herself react to the man that she has never forgotten. Zack also finds his emotions are in turmoil whenever they are together, and this makes him question what he wants out of life.

Stirring emotions can be constantly found in a book by Karen Rose Smith. Sometimes a scene concentrates on the sentiments caused by a strong reaction to an occurrence, and other times the moment pertains to thoughts brought about by feelings that have been simmering for years. Regardless of the reason for how someone reacts, these circumstances will be fueled by realistic responses. Ms. Smith makes me believe in her characters, from what they actually verbalize to the things they keep to themselves, as the underlying foundation of their beliefs seems true-to-life in every way possible. Several of the situations Zack and Jenny must face are ones I am certain countless folks have encountered in the past plus will do so in years to come, and how they decide what course to pursue is shown with genuine earnestness. This author writes about various people who could live next door or in a nearby town, as they are honest and hard-working individuals whose lives are packed with tough decisions just like in real life. I have always found any book by Ms. Smith to be one where I wholeheartedly accept the storyline as being true, since dilemmas are credibly depicted with substantial convincingness. The history between Zack and Jenny causes doubts that are hard to ignore, and how they each respond to some challenging incidents is told with open candor, thus letting me know just how much these episodes disturbed them. With the amount of sexual tension continuously increasing with each new meeting, the yearning they feel for the other is sky-high when they give in to passion. Some of the story takes place during holidays, and these scenes are delightfully conveyed with warmth and give an impression of the western setting. Hints about the next exciting story in the Reunion Brides series is given, and I look forward to seeing what all happens. ONCE UPON A GROOM is enjoyably rewarding with heartfelt emotions and many likable characters.

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