Evan: A Heart Valley Romance started out with backstory hinted at but not explored, though the plot about Mandy and Evan was explored pretty thoroughly. The problem is FMC's lack of self-respect and self-esteem that made the book exasperating at times to read, as she just repeats her mistakes.
You see, Mandy has a problem of "overhearing" conversations and then make the worst-case assumptions about them when it was regarding her and her lover Evan before she even hears the whole conversation. That is someone severely lacking in self-esteem, not one who is a real go-getter and fiercely independent.
For example,
SPOILERS AHEAD...
I WARNED YOU!
Mandy overheard Evan's father Josh remarking about no friends of a certain girl (which would include Mandy) will marry into the McDaniel farm. Evan replied, "You don't have to worry about that, Pa." Mandy automatically assumed that Evan will never marry her, and she runs away to New York City to accept the internship. They each broke each other's heart. But what was the real context? Evan was going to leave the ranch and leave it to his brother... If Mandy ever bothered asking Evan about it. By jumping to conclusions, Mandy screwed over her own love. And WHY should she be jumping to conclusions like that? Just out of the blue? And to do it AGAIN four years later, in the present? The psychological profile doesn't make sense.
The red herrings and the archaeological info plus finding the old diary was kinda interesting though. But almost felt superfluous.
Category: Western
Primary Plot: Woman who left town broken-hearted is back, and this time, the man is determined to make her listen...
Tropes: reunion, overheard, homecoming, enemies to lovers
Overall Rating: 3/5
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