February or Forever. Juliet Madison

February or Forever
Juliet Madison
Published: Escape Publishing - Harlequin Enterprises
Date: February 2014
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 226
Genre: Contemporary romance
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Yoga teacher and single mother, Chrissie Burns has a plan: move into the rundown beach house left to her by her deceased aunt, renovate it, sell it, and move on. The scene of a terrible accident years ago, the house needs to get out of Chrissie's hands as soon as possible.

But Tarrin's Bay, where the house stands, has more to offer than bad memories. The town is lovely, the people friendly, and even Chrissie's young son finds friends and begins coming out of his shell. Employed at Serendipity Retreat as a yoga instructor, Chrissie is shocked to be given the role of private teacher to Drew Williams, Australia’s top singer/songwriter for the month.

Relationships between instructors and clients are strictly forbidden, but Drew draws happiness out of Chrissie with his down-to-earth nature and sense of humour. Days of stretching and bending may bring Chrissie unexpected peace and strength, but she knows that this interlude must end, and there's no pose or position to aid her when Drew walks away and leaves her broken-hearted.

This is a gentle, old style, well written romance.  Chrissie is a single Mum coping with a young son and all his fears.  Not only that at times she suffers from panic attacks because of something that has happened in her past.  She helps Kai overcome his fears and grow in self confidence - but is she able to grow past something that has haunted her for years, with a little help from someone who loves her.

Coming into her life is Drew Williams, a celebrity musician.  He is a local guy that has made big time.  Think Keith Urban!  He is taking the month of February off to recoup and to deal with something that has cropped up in his life.  Probably the type of minefield that many celebrities are in danger from.

Drew and Chrissie slowly develop a beautiful relationship, until trust becomes an issue.  Is Drew all he appears to be, or is he something more sinister?  Chrissie must choose who she believes and what she believes.

This is the second book in the Tarrin's Bay series, but can easily be read as a stand alone.