3.5 stars: Though this got off to a slow start for me, I came to care about the characters. Joey was a nice addition to the well-worn romance plot of two people not wanting to love each other because of ascribing characteristics from past relationships onto their current love interest. I also really liked the Hunter family's closeness as well as their commitment to keeping their hideaway true to their original intent while being willing to make some changes that fit that vision--even in the fact of possibly alienating a potential revenue source.

Rio's commitment to helping domestic violence victims with an interest in prevention (trying to get those involved in dangerous dating relationships to see the truth before it goes too far) is admirable, but at times she seems very single-minded about it and doesn't want to consider that it might not be her calling from God. Or that she could have that plus other things as well.

Lorilee's willingness to give up her son confuses me. Maybe she truly does believe he will be better off with Cash. Maybe she's still just looking out for herself and her own happiness. I was sorry it took an injury to Joey to get both Lorilee and Cash to talk. ( )