Keepsake (True North #3) [Zach & Lark] by Sarina Bowen

Zach and Lark's story was such a beautiful journey. I loved Zach from the first installment in the series and so I was waiting to see who Sarina would pair him with. He is a unique guy. He is sweet and sensitive, insecure at times, and yet he is a manly man. His life wasn't easy but on the Shipley's farm he is finding his place and learning who he is and who he can be. Lark on the other hand, had a very easy life, she just made it more interesting with her constant adventures. The last one leaving her broken and in a desperate need of finding peace and quiet for a while - which is why she comes to help the Shipley's. She and May have been best friends since College so helping out a friend and also having her near her is the best May can offer Lark. 

There's interest and attraction between Lark and Zach right from the beginning, but Lark isn't ready for anything like that, though she enjoys admiring Zach from afar, Zach wouldn't make any move first because she is May's friend and also because Griffin would disapprove, not to mention Lark seems to have bigger issues to deal with, but also because he is quite inexperienced.. and yet as they spend more time together, and mostly as Zach is there for Lark in her time of need, something builds up. 


Yet as perfect as they are together, it all crumbles down when a few too many confessions are made. I have to say I did NOT see that one coming.. I liked how things played from that part of the book, I mean, I would have been happy if Lark wouldn't have pushed Zach away but I thought it was true to the state she was in, I loved the fact Zach wasn't the one who healed her, she had to deal with her problems more seriously and for that to happen she needed to hit rock bottom so she would stop ignoring her problems. 

It was interesting hearing about Zach's past, how he came to the Shipley's farm, his close relationship with their neighbors who took him in when he arrived from the community he was kicked from as well as a little glimpse to the consequences of him leaving the place. 

Lark and Zach were SO great together, though she was having issues, they had FUN together, because that's who she is. Yeah there were MANY difficult times Zach had to be there for her, and yet, I could see there is more to their relationship than Lark being a damsel in distress which I absolutely loved! (and frankly, Lark wouldn't have it any other way..) 

I loved one of the things Zach told Lark - that even strong people sometimes needs to lean on others, there is time to give and times to accept your need for other people's help. I really agree with that, only problem is, most strong people have real hard time accepting being in this spot which is why Lark was struggling so hard against feeling dependent and not in control of her life. I could totally get that from a personal perspective. 

I really enjoyed this one, it was everything I could have asked for Zach, I liked how he grew in this one and really enjoyed getting to know Lark. Can't wait for the other books in the series. I wonder who it would be of! I enjoyed getting more of Griffin and Audrey and the tiny bit we got of Jude. My only minor complaint is the book started a little slow for me, it's kind similar to what happened to me in the first installment in which the "background" of maintaining the farm, though IS interesting somehow kept me less involved but since Lark was a total mystery to me, and Zach was someone I REALLY wanted to see with a HEA girl of his own, it didn't bother me that much. 

Really recommend this one! But you should start at the beginning with Griffin and Audrey's story, then continue to Jude and Sophie which I absolutely LOVED, before delving into this one. The Shipley's farm is a fun place to spend time in, I gotta say, it sounds like a beautiful peaceful place I'd love to visit, though NOT as a hard worker, I don't think I'm cut out for this kind of labor ;)

I kindly received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. 

This book is out TODAY 25 October 2016 - 
Amazon | iBooks | B&N | Kobo

Additional Details: Kindle Ebook, 326 pages, 20-23 October 2016 / On GoodReads

 

 

ABOUT THIS SERIES

 

True North is a New Adult / Contemporary Romance series by Sarina Bowen. It takes place in the beautiful Vermont where nature is always present. With Apple trees and exceptionally well made ciders. This series is really awesome! It brings something special and also personal from Sarina's "backyard" with interesting and complicated characters. Some older and some younger. All with unique stories with a very satisfying HEA. Sarina tackles a few difficult life situations in this one and she does it beautifully though frankly I don't expect any less from her. Superb series.  

* If the name Dave Beringer sounds familiar it's probably from another great series by Sarina - Brooklyn Bruisers. He plays for the team but finds his HEA someplace else ;) 

Books:
1. Bittersweet [Griffin Shipley & Audrey Kidder] (Published 14 June 2016) ★★★
2. Steadfast [Jude Nickel & Sophie Haines] (Published 12 July 2016) ★★★★★
3. Keepsake [Zachariah "Zach" Holtz & Lark Wainright] (Published 26 October 2016) ★★★★½ 
4. Bountiful [Zara Rossi & Dave Beringer*] (Published 20 October 2017) ★★★★
5. Speakeasy [May Shipley & Alec Rossi] (Published 29 May 2018) ★★★★★
6. Fireworks [Benito Rossi & Skye Copeland] (Published 13 November 2018) ★★★★
7. Heartland [Dylan Shipley & Chastity Campbell] (Published 28 January 2020) ★★★★★

8. Waylaid [Daphne Shipley & Richard "Rickie" Ralls] (Published 20 July 2021) ★★★★★