cover image When Nick Returns

When Nick Returns

Dee Holmes. Avon Books, $5.99 (375pp) ISBN 978-0-380-79161-3

Holmes's latest romantic triangle (after Jonathan's Wife) centers around Eden Parrish and her relationship with two very different brothers, Nick and Cal Scanlon. Nick and Eden had been college lovers until a knee injury ended Nick's promising career as a hockey player and sent him on a path of self-destruction. Thirteen years later, Nick is back in town, working as a hockey coach and trying to fit together the pieces of his life. Eden is now happily involved with his brother, Cal, and content with her job as guidance counselor at the local high school. As Nick's presence stirs up those old feelings, Eden begins to question her feelings for Cal and to reevaluate her commitment to him. Here, as in Jonathan's Wife, readers may find Eden's actions a bit gauche and unethical, but they are all too human, and the story is--as always with Holmes's work--compelling and touching. (Aug.)