The Return of Cassandra Todd by Darrel Nelson

When the popular girl whose friends bullied him in high school suddenly reenters his life, little son in tow, Turner Caldwell must put the past behind him if they are to survive.

Turner Caldwell works at a local motel as a handyman while attending college full-time. On his way to class one day, he is shocked to see Cassandra Todd and her young son in town. The sight of her brings back powerful memories of being bullied in high school—she was the popular head cheerleader and he the target of her friends’ mean-spirited pranks.

When Cassandra and her son check into the motel where he works and she asks for his help in eluding her abusive husband, he finds himself entangled in a dangerous drama that will require him to forgive and draw on every skill he has if they are to survive.

My thoughts...

I am such a fan of Darrel Nelson and have been anticipating this novel since it was mentioned in his last awesome book, THE ANNIVERSARY WALTZ. In the middle of the night Cassandra Todd and her son left her abusive husband. Taking the bus to her hometown she planned to take care of a bank transaction and leave right away knowing this would be the first place he would look for them.

Turner Caldwell is one of Cassandra's former high school classmates and was in love with her but never told anyone. He also was bullied terribly during those years. He's shocked when he spots Cassandra going into the bank one afternoon. Eventually they are thrown together and what entails is a suspenseful tale of abuse endured by these two people.

I loved this book! Nelson has great talent and writes in such a way you feel the characters pain and anxiety. He deals with the long term effects of abuse wonderfully. I highly recommend both of Nelson's books!

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.