Coming back to the place that starred in her personal nightmares, Del Prescott wasn’t sure how she would hold up to the pressure of her painful past. Twelve years have passed since she made the decision to —leave the place that she knew as home, leave the close friends she had and, worst of all, leave Blake. Blake wasn’t the same light hearted boy Del knew before. Having survived an illness that could have been fatal he’s grown into a man, larger and with the strains of life evident in his face. Seeing the new Del, not the girl who broke his heart but the woman haunted by shadows, brings back every protective feeling in his body. Blake will have to find out what’s happened to the beautiful girl he once knew if he ever will have a chance at rekindling a love he’s never outgrown.

The renewal of Del is how I’ve come to view Beautiful Girl. Even though she survived the trauma of abuse the heroine in the story was still giving her abuser control. With the help of love and the knowledge she was safe her blossoming was poignant. I’m not sure where Shiloh Walker gets her inspiration from but yet again she’s crafted a story that is positively gripping. I was completely drawn into the dynamics of a woman, the pain caused by the dysfunction in her family and the man unwilling to allow that to get in his way. Blake was a true hometown hero, born and bred. He’s not afraid of those more powerful and his awareness of the woman he loved was major. There were so many true to life situations, from the life threatening illness to the lies and family drama and the covering up of sexual abuse by another family member that resonated clearly with me as a reader. With all the heavier parts to the story the beauty of a rekindled love was still able to shine brightly and resulted in a magnificent story and one I’m sure I will read again.

Reviewed by: Rachelle