Book Review: Left Hanging

By Sara Steven

As a nurse and single mom, Darla Battle hides her loneliness behind a smile. But when she discovers that the new cute doctor everyone is talking about is her daughter’s father, she knows she needs to keep her distance from the man who abandoned her and their child, Stella.

When Theo Edwards returns to Nashville to finish his medical training, he never expects to run into Darla, a girl he spent one night with seven years ago. For reasons he can’t fathom, her attitude toward him is frosty, but he still hopes to ignite the spark they once felt.

Once Darla realizes Theo doesn’t know he’s Stella’s father, she has no idea how to tell him the truth. And the longer she waits, the more difficult it becomes. When the situation spins out of control, can the two come together for the sake of their daughter? Or is forgiveness out of reach? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

Darla and Theo’s story had me hooked right from the beginning, primarily because Cindy Dorminy has created characters that are easy to invest in. When the two meet, spending one unforgettable night together, I wanted to know what that experience would do to them, and for them. And it felt like a very relatable situation. Many of us have thrown caution to the wind, done a few things that go against our character, much like Darla and Theo had done.

There was the perfect mix of tension and suspense while Darla tries to figure out how to deal with Theo. She knows she needs to tell him about Stella, but she can never find the right time to do it. While she’s waiting, she spends time with him, rediscovering what made her feel so attracted to him, wanting to steer clear of him, too. Theo has always felt as though Darla had been the one who got away, literally, and will do anything it takes to get her to fall for him again.

A gigantic catastrophe brings the two together in the most inopportune way, forcing Theo to face up to his responsibilities, and Darla to let go of the reigns a little bit. It’s a huge turning point for both characters. Can they set it all aside for the love of their daughter? Will this completely destroy any chance they have at picking up where they left off seven years ago?

**Potential spoilers, but nothing major**

I appreciated all the little nuances in Left Hanging, like the idea for Stella’s name (she was named after her paternal Grandmother, something Theo doesn’t connect the dots to until much later), to the dyslexia Darla’s best friend has, revealed in an interesting way as the story progresses. Every character is unique and realistic, creating an environment a reader can get lost in, from page one to the very end.

Thanks to Red Adept Publishing for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Cindy Dorminy: