Divorcee Emily Matthews is moving to the small mountain town of Nugget, in the hopes of trying to piece her life slowly back together. Destroyed, since her little girl Hope, was abducted four years ago, Emily wants to hole herself up in her rented barn on a beautiful ranch and figure out what her future holds. Never giving up that she will some day find Hope, she carries huge guilt that she had not protected her daughter, and has built a wall around herself and her feelings. As she gets to know her sexy landlord rancher, Clay, and his two sons, she starts to feel like she belongs which completely scares her.

Clay has his own problems - his troubled marriage ended when his wife was killed in an accident and he has two sons who have been traumatised by what has happened. As Emily rebuilds her career as a cookbook ghostwriter, she makes some true friends in the little town and starts to create a life for herself. Liking Emily, and wanting to be her friend, Clay is shocked when jealousy rears it's head, when a food photographer shows an interest in her.

As they begin to acknowledge their feelings and attraction grows into something more meaningful, Emily's life is rocked to its core, when a serial killer behind bars, claims he is the one who took Hope and discloses where a body is located. As the media converge on Nugget, will Emily shut out all of her new friends in this close knit community, and push Clay away? And what will happen if her little girl is dead and she can no longer hold on to her dream of FINDING HOPE?

FINDING HOPE by Stacy Finz is an emotional novel dealing with heartbreaking topics - a child's abduction and children dealing with the loss of a parent - but it also deals with hopeful beginnings. As I learned more about Emily and Hope, I cried alongside her as she tries to build some sort of a life for herself out of this hell, while never giving up on her little girl.

The relationship between Clay and Emily is one of friendship that blooms into attraction, and I found it both sweet and sexy. I love the town and community of Nugget, with it's many characters, and the way they have embraced Emily and helped her when needed. I felt the ending was a little abrupt, but as FINDING HOME by Stacy Finz is part of a series, I really look forward to hearing more about Emily and Clay in the next instalment. An enjoyable, emotional read.

Book Summary

The small mountain town of Nugget, California, is way off the beaten path. But somehow it helps the lost and lonely find a new beginning in life—and in love…

One solitary day at a time is the only way cookbook writer Emily Mathews can restart her life—and cope with consuming loss. Still, the former city girl is finding all kinds of odd inspiration and advice from Nugget's proudly eccentric residents on everything from new recipes to opening her heart again. Especially when it comes to her rugged rancher landlord …

His no-drama new tenant is the first break Clay McCreedy has had in a long time. He's got his hands full enough dealing with his wife's scandalous death and his sons' unresolved grief. Clay can't help but be drawn to Emily's quiet understanding and strength. When their fragile trust turns into passionate healing, he longs for much more. And when both their pasts come calling, he’s determined not to walk away…