I tend to do things backwards. I may find out about a new author or read one of their series books out of order and fall in love with it. I did the same thing with Susan Mallery's "Blackberry Island" series. I read "Three Sisters" and absolutely adored that book. From there I read "Evening Star" and finally last weekend started and finished "Barefoot Season".

This novel is about two ex-best friends Michelle Sanderson and Carly Williams who have not spoken in ten years since an incident drove them apart. Michelle left Blackberry Island to join the military and Carly stayed behind to be a wife to her husband. Ten years later they are forced to work together again at Michelle's family's inn.

I have to say I loved both Michelle and Carly. I have no idea what I would have done in similar circumstances. Two friends who were driven apart by their own families and in both cases a need to be loved was heartbreaking at times but very well done. Ms. Mallery must have also talked to someone who is former vet or read up on PTSD. She was able to write Michelle's reactions to stress and noise very well.

Also most romance books out there have a right and true formula for the heroines or heroes to get to their HEA. I was happily surprised to see though that the HEA relationship was between Michelle and Carly and not any men that came along. This whole book was about them finding their way back to each other.

I honestly don't have anything to critique about this novel except to say that if you have a chance read this and then the other books in this series.