Be Mine in Good Hope

Distinctive, memorable characters enliven the bland plot of Kirk’s Good Hope contemporary (after Summer in Good Hope). After losing her job in Chicago, Marigold Bloom, the youngest of four sisters, temporarily returns home to the small town of Good Hope, Wis. Months ago, Cade Rallis—now the interim town sheriff—spent an unforgettable night with Marigold, and he’s delighted to get a chance to catch the one that got away. But Marigold constantly insists her stay is temporary. She was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 10 and swore she’d prove her intelligence by becoming more successful than her sisters, something she feels she can only do in a big city. Cade loves small-town living and is eager to put down roots. Kirk addresses significant issues such as selfishness and emotional immaturity, but this character-driven story lacks any real spice, and the constant repetition of the few points of conflict becomes annoying. (Feb.)