Dare to Love Again ~ Julie Lessman

• Series: The Heart of San Francisco (Book 2)
• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Revell (January 7, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800721667
• ISBN-13: 978-0800721664

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This book is also available as an ebook.

Spunky Allison McClare is determined to be a fearless, independent woman, resorting to a mammoth hat pin for protection on her way to and from the school where she teaches. But when she takes a notion to explore the wild Barbary Coast she quickly discovers she is no match for rum-soaked brute strength. 

Detective Nick Barone would rather do almost anything than teach this petite socialite jiu-jitsu, but it seems he has little choice in the matter. Sparks fly every time the two meet until a grudging friendship develops into something deeper. But when Nick suddenly leaves town, Allison realizes he's a fraud just like all the rest of the men she's cared for. Does she dare love again?

My take on this book:

Dare to Love Again by Julie Lessman takes the reader back to San Francisco during the summer of 1903. With this book we get Allison McClare's story, and what a wonderful story it was. Allison McClare and Nick Barone's first meeting has them butting heads from the get go!  Allison is teaching school at The Hand of Hope School which is in one of the worst areas of town, so when her uncle hires Detective Barone to teach her some self defense classes and to see that she gets to and from work safely, a friendship slowly starts to turn into something more but Allie is afraid to open her heart to hurt again.

I am never disappointed when I pick up a book by Ms. Lessman. She knows how to weave a story with heart,allowing me to connect with the characters making me feel like I am a part of the story.I love how Ms. Lessman allows us to get to know the characters, exposing their strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to view them as human.We see how their faith impacts their life. With this story she provides a bit of humor, romance but also allows us to glimpse a side of life that isn't pretty. Solid characters, romance, a few laughs and a few plot twists made this another winning read from Ms. Lessman.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review.