I loved it! I truly loved the two main characters and I'm fully on board on their romance. Can you say SIZZLING romantic tension? And it's very believable; the author didn't gloss the struggles the two characters faced on their attraction with each other. I've never read a novel where one of the characters has a disability (deafness on this particular occasion) and it made me think that the ability to hear is a gift and should not be taken for granted. My heart goes to Jim, he is such an intelligent guy and yet cannot fully express himself because he can't hear.

My favorite part of the novel would probably be the beginning; it was so delicious to read and anticipate the blossoming attraction of the two! I was so engrossed and intensely cheering on for them to make out already! HAHA. But anyway I also like the underlying tender tone of the book - for me the author seems to caress the words as it unfolds to the story - it's very easy to read.
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Catherine, a school teacher in a small Nebrasca town in the early 1900s, walks in the city street when she sees three drunk men torturing a young man. Seeing that no one else is helping, she steps in front of the horse that's dragging poor Jim Kinney on the ground and puts and end to this charade. When she goes to check up on him, she finds out that the man's deaf and mute. Taking an instant liking to him and realizing he's not the feebleminded man the town considers him to be, she proposes to teach him reading and writting so he can better communicate with other people. Jim is looking forward to being able to read, but even more to spending time with the beautiful and kindhearted teacher. It soon becomes obvious that the attraction is mutual, but what future can there be for a teacher of good lineage and a deaf stable hand? I really don't know what to say for this book. I loved it. It was sweet and tender and also passionate and bordering on angsty at the same time. I loved Jim. He was a wonderful man, living alone for most of his life and his devotion to Catherine was unwavering. I loved the way he wasn't quick to condemn her when she had trouble admitting their relationship in public; he understood how difficult it was for her and realized that while he had nothing to loose by doing so, she could loose everything and didn't hold it against her. I also deeply ached for him when he realized that feelings, however mutual, may not be enough to keep them together in the end.The chemistry between them was pretty hot from the first moment and their love scenes hot and also amazingly tender. I could feel Jim's passion and then love growing with every page, and felt for him deeply. I had a little trouble seeing Catherine as in love instead of in lust with him though for most of the book, but since Jim was so lovable anyway, I chose to ignore it. I chose to immerse in the feelings the book created in me rather than details and the truth is I totally fell for the heroes and their story:) If I could change on thing about this book, it would be the addition of an epilogue. IMHO, it sorely needed one. Jim was so alone and lonely for most of his life, I needed to see him happy and complete, getting home from work and being welcomed by his family. Well, I'll just have to fantasize about it I guess:) ( )