What’s Then Came You all about?
He’s in Deep Haven to relax.
Detective Daniel “Boone” Buckam is more than burned out. After fourteen stellar years on the job, one bad judgment call—and, fine, a whole lot of cynicism—has forced him into a mandatory vacation. If he can get his head on straight, there’s a job as Police Chief waiting for him back in his Minneapolis suburb.
But then he meets Vivien.
Actress Vivien Calhoun isn’t really a drama queen. Sure, she gets swept up in the emotions of life—but please, she’s an actress. Or, um, was until a stalker made her flee the bright lights of Broadway. Now, she’s passionate about directing her local theater production. But when she accidentally ropes an uptight police detective on vacation into her cast, she can’t help but wonder if he might be the leading man she’s always longed for.
Of course, she’s in trouble.
Boone can’t help but like Vivien. He might even have a type—vivacious and bubbly, with a penchant for attracting danger. He can smell trouble even if she can’t, and is pretty sure her stalker has hunted her all the way to Deep Haven. He’ll have to stay by her side—even if it means being in her silly play—to keep her safe. But Vivien is more than he expected as she helps him discover a part of him he’s locked away…the part that said he could never love again.
So much for relaxing.
It’s summertime in Deep Haven, and the fun is heating up in this laugh-out-loud, charming story.
The Deep Haven Collection stories just keep getting better! I love the way that Russell crafts this story – and the characters? They have me wanting to move to Deep Haven now so I can be friends with them!
Then Came You is one of those stories that I think everyone can connect with – and this particular one meant a great deal to me.
My book arrived as a relative was hospitalized and our schedule changed to accommodate visits, care for pets and property, and eventually, funeral arrangements. While I tried to read when I found a quiet moment, it wasn’t until the day after the funeral that I could really dig into that story – and I found myself reading through the lens of, “When I reach the end of my life, will I have made the most of it?”
Which dovetails perfectly with Vivian’s desire to fit in and Boone’s need for acceptance. The lessons they need to learn are so simple and yet so complicated that they’re things we all need in one way or another. Though neither are at the end, they spend much of the story considering a version of that question: “How are they going to live their lives? Whom are they trying to please?”
Vivian’s desire to be popular and accepted by the community is one that most of us struggle with at some point. While there’s nothing wrong with being popular, is it meant to be our end goal?
Boone so wants to know that his father is proud of him – that he’s redeemed past mistakes and lived up to his high expectations. Should one person have the power to dictate another’s life like that, though, even if it is well-intentioned?
I love the way that Russell includes scripture to point both characters in the right direction – and the way that they use these lessons to power their decisions. Their unique gifts and talents, as well as caring people in the amazing community of Deep Haven, speak life into these characters and into the struggle – and ultimate resolution – that they face.
These same struggles that most of us encounter at one point or another. I appreciate the angle that Boone and Vivian brought to my perspective, and I think I’m going to be pondering those questions – and this story for quite a while.
The sweet romance of the story makes it a perfect beach read, while the light mystery elements add a fun angle that I really enjoyed. Then Came You is the perfect trifecta of meaningful journey plus love story plus whodunnit. It’s a winner all around.
I received a complimentary copy of this story from the authors. All opinions are my own.
Read my other reviews of the Deep Haven Collection books here:
