One Mountain Away by Emilie Richards

Title: One Mountain Away by Emilie Richards
Goddesses Anonymous Series Book One
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HarlequinMIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 480 pages
Book Rating: A

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

With nothing but brains, ambition and sheer nerve, Charlotte Hale built a career as a tough, do-anything-to-succeed real-estate developer. She’s at the top of that mountain…but her life is empty. Her friends are as grasping and insincere as she has become. Far worse, she’s alienated her family so completely that she’s totally lost touch with her only daughter.

One terrifying day, facing her own mortality, she realizes that her ambition has almost destroyed her chance at happiness.

So Charlotte vows to make amends, not simply with her considerable wealth, but by offering a hand instead of a handout. Putting in hours and energy instead of putting in an appearance. Opening her home and heart instead of her wallet.

With each wrenching, exhilarating decision, Charlotte finds that climbing a new mountain–one built on friendship, love and forgiveness–will teach her what it truly means to build a legacy.

The Review:

One Mountain Away by Emilie Richards is a heart-felt and thought-provoking novel that beautifully illustrates it is never too late to make amends for past mistakes. Re-evaluating her life and her priorities, Charlotte Hale regrets many things in her past. At the top of that list is her estrangement from her daughter Taylor, granddaughter Maddie and ex-husband Ethan. Realizing it is never too late to undo past mistakes, she attempts to heal old wounds and in doing so, she seizes various opportunities to make a lasting and meaningful difference in other people’s lives.

Charlotte Hale is a successful woman who sacrificed her family in her effort to distance herself from her poor and humble beginnings. She is an astute businesswoman who is brassy and bold with a no holds barred approach to both her professional and personal lives. With her “my way or the highway” attitude, she amassed a fortune and a flourishing business. Now looking back, she clearly sees her past mistakes and now attempts to take responsibility for her actions.

Charlotte’s deepest regret is the loss of her relationship with her daughter Taylor. A single mother, Taylor relies heavily on her father Ethan for guidance and support. Charlotte’s attempts to reconcile with her have a surprising and life altering effect on Taylor.

Ethan Martin walked away from his marriage to Charlotte following the birth of their granddaughter. He is suspicious of her motives for re-entering their lives and he is quick to confront her. He believes she has changed, but he refuses to be the middleman between Charlotte and Taylor. He too is forced to rethink past events and accept responsibility for his role in the destruction of their marriage.

Harmony Stoddard is a young waitress in need of a helping hand when her path crosses Charlotte. With her new found awareness of her past mistakes, Charlotte invites Harmony into her home. Charlotte’s friendship with Harmony provides her the opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s life, and she offers Harmony a safe haven where Harmony makes some important decisions about her future.

Reverend Analiese Wagner might be a bit of an unconventional spiritual leader, but she has a strong faith that always comes shining through. She and Charlotte have butted heads over the years, but their mutual respect for one another leads to a surprising and close friendship when Charlotte begins to change her life.

Interspersed with her present day activities are her journal entries where Charlotte recounts the painful events of her past. She expresses her regrets and deepest sorrows for past mistakes and she reveals her hopes for the future. She realizes her culpability in her failed relationships and while she makes every effort to atone for her misdeeds, she accepts that forgiveness may not be granted.

One Mountain Away is an emotional novel that is a heartbreaking yet uplifting journey of love, forgiveness and redemption. It is a wonderful story about the bonds of friendship and the strength of faith. In the first installment of her new Goddesses Anonymous series Emilie Richards captures her readers hearts in this inspiring and deeply moving tale of deep and abiding love.