First Impressions
Parting Gifts is a story that just really struck close to the heart for me on this. This book was also a random pick. I so DIDNT plan on reading this one, but you know what, it ended up being such a wonderful experience in being able to pick this one up. It was also a story I just found through the Hoopla catalog and was a treasure. I am not sure why, but I haven’t read much of the standalones in her backlist and as a plus they are all westerns, or American set historicals and we definitely need more of those. I was so intrigued by this story, but I knew from the first page of reading this one that I would be immediately hooked into it. And yeah Lorraine Heath definitely wrote a treasure in this one. Now fair warning that this one will not work for everyone. It does have a original plot, but it has aspects to it that won’t be for everyone.

Summary
When Maddie ends up where her only chance for survival is working in a brothel, she knows that she has no choice in it. But as she is on the auction block for her viriginity, she and everyone else is shocked when widower Charles Lawson, bids on her for a $1000. But what she doesn’t expect is for Charles to offer her marriage and a life and home. She knows that she has little choice but also realizes the kindness that is being offered to her. Charles brings her to his home, introduces her to his children and she begins to form a bond. Then we have third protagonist, which is Jesse, who is the brother to Charles. Jesse has always been a protector and looked out for Charles. He knows that Charles is sick, and is shocked and angry that Charles spent his money on a wife instead of cattle which has been his dream of running a cattle ranch. Even though Jesse and Maddie clash with each other, Jesse tries to be understanding as he knows his brother is dying and will not last very last. But there is a chemistry that slowly builds between Jesse and Maddie, and even though Maddie is married to his brother, there is more happening between them and a destiny that awaits them.

What I Loved
Parting Gifts was a book that really tore me up inside! Now I first want to cover the very apparent issue that may keep some of you from reading this book: cheating. There is some slight cheating. But technically they only kiss a couple of times while Maddie is still married to Charles. Also keep in mind that there is more to WHY Charles marries Maddie in the first place. There isn’t really a romantic love between Charles and Maddie. In their relationship, its strong but its more of a friendship between siblings than what it would be between a husband and wife. Charles has never lost his love for his late wife, who was his soulmate. So while this is a very complex romance, I do think it was highly well nuanced and had such powerful development of the relationships involved here. It does deliver on the emotional overtones, so you definitely will want a box of tissues for this. Another aspect to the story that I thoroughly enjoyed was seeing the kids in this one. I just loved the way in which they connect with Maddie, you can just tell they need that feminine influence on them. It was just beautiful seeing how Maddie made such a powerful impact on the story. There was an aspect to the plot that was….interesting. I wasn’t a big fan of seeing the side plot with Maddie’s background, it just was different as there is no sign of it all from her in the beginning so it was just there suddenly and you are like what lol But I still enjoyed it and honestly I truly loved it because of how well the author delivered the emotion and the heart of the story.

Overall View
Parting Gifts is a powerful impactful story that will resonate deeply with the reader. Its a story of finding one’s self, embrace the good parts of life and learning to accept life’s gifts!



Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5
World Building:5
Cover: 4
Hero: 5
Heroine: 5
Steam: 3
Heart & Feels: 5
Ending: 5