More Than Meets the Eye (Patchwork Family #1)

Seeking justice against the man who destroyed his family, Logan Fowler arrives in Pecan Gap, Texas, to confront the person responsible. But his quest is derailed when, instead of a hardened criminal, he finds an ordinary man with a sister named Evangeline--an unusual beauty with mismatched eyes and a sweet spirit that he finds utterly captivating.

My Review: 6.5/10

This book and I got off on the wrong foot. I started it right before bed, intending to read just one or two chapters of what I expected to be the sweet beginning of love story, to give me pleasant things to dwell on as I fell asleep. *SPOILER* Instead what I got was a very intense, emotional scene culminating in the graphic death of a child, ultimately leaving a four-year-old girl all alone in the world and at the mercy of strangers (and I was wrecked and ugly crying). With such a beginning, it took me a while to pick it up again and really get into it.

Despite such a start, this is not the emotional climate surrounding the rest of the book; don’t let the prologue scare you off.

There is plenty to enjoy in this novel. I liked the relationship among the "patchwork" siblings, the way their strengths offset each other's weaknesses. I liked how they really became siblings and truly lived a "family first" mentality. It surprised me to read about the superstition surrounding Evangeline‘s unique eyes and I thought that was an interesting thread woven into the story. On the same track, it was interesting to read about how things like deafness or asthma would have affected daily life back then.

I didn't like the all-around instant coupling. It probably wasn't unlikely, since their family lived such isolated lives, but everything happened super fast. And I just didn't feel it. It also makes me a little confused for future books in the series- How much more is there to tell?

I loved the way Evangeline dealt with the information when she finally got the truth regarding Logan, the things she said to him, and the way he processed her reactions and ultimately changed his heart. He grew through the situation and I respect that. I thought the confrontation between Logan and Zach was well done, especially putting aside personal things in order to deal with bigger, more pressing problems at hand.

*SPOILERS* My biggest issue was toward the end, Logan has to take the gun and shoot because Evangeline can’t. This didn’t sit well with me. She was in a situation where not only was it his life or hers, but if her attacker escaped, a number of other people would would likely be killed as well. I wanted to see her be fierce, independent, courageous and do what was necessary for the safety and protection of others. Instead she fell to pieces and let the strong man save her. Ugh.

A small thing that I think would’ve made the story stronger, was if Logan had a reaction similar to everyone else regarding Evangeline’s mismatched eyes and overcame this. But then, I supposed I can’t judge his characterization too harshly because he overcomes prejudice in other ways. I just prefer a love story where the problems they have to deal with are not just external, but also with each other.

On the whole, I would recommend this book. It has some unique elements and a family you want to see heal and thrive.