This Heart of Mine by Brenda Novak

I have read every book in Brenda Novak's Whiskey Creek series. This is the one I have been waiting for.
Phoenix Fuller is released from prison after serving 16 years for vehicular manslaughter. She has a son, Jacob with her high school boyfriend, Riley. She moves back to Whiskey Creek in a trailer right next to her hoarder Mother. She wants to get to know Jacob. They meet for breakfast in the beginning of the book and we get Phoenix's back story. It's so awkward, Jake doesn't know her, and they are kind of shy around each other at this first meeting.
I like when Phoenix gets a job with Kyle, he is so fun! He and Riley buy Phoenix clothes and leave them on her porch, The part in the store where Riley and Kyle are picking them out is hilarious !
Phoenix makes leather bracelets and sells them online. She is fixing up her trailer, cleaning it out and making a bedroom for Jacob. Riley sees that Phoenix is riding a bicycle to work or Kyle picks her up and then takes her home. He takes the bike to Noah who fixes it for Phoenix.
Riley has a birthday party at Simon's house. We get to see people from the previous books. Riley goes and tries to leave when she realizes Kyle brought Riley a date, but Riley won't let her leave because she would just walk/hitchhike home. So she stayed and had fun with Riley's friends. Phoenix and Riley started a sexual relationship that night.. Phoenix went to Jake's baseball game again and this time she sat with Riley but didn't say anything, she was focusing on Jake playing not on all the people watching her instead of the field! We get to hear what really happened the night Lori was killed. That's a great part, make sure you pay attention ! The epilogue is a letter Phoenix wrote to Coop, and just told us what has happened since she got out of prison.

I liked the book. Brenda Novak is an amazing author and I can't wait for more Whiskey Creek books.

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.