“Sometimes all you need is a big leap of faith.” ~ Sean Bean
When Jack and Lucky, of 'Lost in Loveland' by K-Lee Klein, start dating, they decide to take it slow to give them time to get to know each other before considering anything serious. It has been six months now; they've settled into a warm and comfortable pattern and are happier than they have ever been before. They are in love yet, for fear of driving the other away, Lucky and Jack still hesitate to take the next step. They need to trust their feelings and take the necessary leap of faith that will cement their relationship. Something needs to happen to shake them out of their fear and into each other’s loving arms.
When Jack comes to Loveland, he hopes to make a new start; to leave the grief from losing his parents and the conflicts he's always had with his three sisters behind. Life is never that simple. Jack is the executor of his parents’ estate and has the final say on anything concerning it. Jack's sisters constantly call him but, not wanting to deal with their selfishness, pettiness, and just plain spitefulness, Jack avoids their calls. When he finally contacts one of them, she tricks him into coming back home under the guise that they have sold their parents' home. When Jack tells Lucky what has happened and that he needs to go back and deal with it, Lucky is ready to drop everything and go with Jack, for moral support if nothing else, but Jack tells Lucky he doesn't want him there. Jack fears that contact with his crazy family will cause Lucky to run in the opposite direction. Understandably, Lucky is hurt but he has no choice but to honor Jack's wishes and stay behind.
Lucky misses Jack terribly while he is gone. Their lives are so entangled that seldom does a day go by when they aren't together. With Jack gone, Lucky doesn't quite know what to do with himself. Without Jack's reassurance, Lucky begins to doubt himself. He wracks his brain for something he's done that Jack might be upset about. Lucky's past insecurity creeps back in and he begins to wonder whether or not he's good enough for Jack. Lucky knows practically nothing about Jack's family because Jack is unwilling to share that information. After talking to one of Jack's students, who is certain that Jack won't be back, Lucky's imagination begins to run away with him and he begins to wonder. Lucky begins to fear that once Jack gets back home, he will realize how much he misses it and will want to stay, soon forgetting about him.
Jack and Lucky are suffering from something lots of people face, a lack of understanding due to poor communication. They are so tied up in the bad choices they've made in the past, that they hesitate to let the present determine their future. Love doesn't have to be as complicated as people make it; they need to listen more to their hearts and less to their heads.
I adore Jack and Lucky. They are such complicated, yet genuine people that I couldn't help but become attached. This is the second book in the 'Welcome to Loveland' series and should be read sequentially. If you like long-haired, hippie-like school teachers and plaid-shirted, wool-capped hockey players, and an endearing host of townspeople living in a very special place, you may enjoy this story. Thanks, K-lee, for another pleasurable visit with Jack and Lucky. I look forward to reading your next book.
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