Harriet Klausner's Review Archive
In 1860 California, rancher Galen O'Sullivan finds twins Ivy and Ishmael Grubb illegally squatting on his land. Unlike people before him who kicked the Grubbs and their wastrel father off their property, Galen allows the siblings to stay in exchange for working at his spread.
About the same time as he shows kindness, Galen begins to realize he no longer sees Laney McCain, the younger sister of his best friend Josh, as a nuisance. Instead he is falling in love with her; she has been in love with him since she was a little girl. Just as he is to make his intentions clear to her and her family, Ivy claims he impregnated her. Though denying this, he is forced to do what he believes is right and marry Ivy.
Though the ending simplifies matters too expediently, BITTERSWEET is a fine western romance that brings to life Civil War era California through a strong cast. Laney is a wonderful protagonist while Galen is heroic to a fault. Ivy is actually a likable somewhat desperate person who surprisingly will gain audience empathy even as readers will wonder how Laney and Galen will get together; that is if they get together. The sequel to LETTER PERFECT (Josh's saga) is a fine BITTERSWEET inspirational Americana.