I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

I requested it without realizing it was the fourth in a series, so wasn't prepared for the extremely extended family, all of whose news we had to keep up with. The blurb made this sound like a crime novel, but it wasn't really. The hero was a police officer, who was extremely successful in all his work endeavours, but there was very little suspense - the bad all ended unhappily and there was never any doubt they would. Much more of the book was taken up with the hero discovering he had a 7 year old half-sister, wresting her from her abusive mother, bonding with her immediately and living happily ever after with his sister and his love interest, to whom he proposed having seen her three times.

This was not really for me, but I imagine readers who have already read instalments 1-3 will enjoy this.

This is the 4th book in this series but I was able to read it without any problem having not read the first 3. It was an enjoyable romantic suspense and a nurse and a small town deputy.

*4.5 stars*

Family and love in a small town…

I love returning to Jubilee, Kentucky and I ran to read Wiley and Linette’s story. If you’ve followed the Pope family than you are familiar with this tight-knit group where supporting and loving each other is their top priority…

Wiley and Linette’s romance had a shaky start and things weren’t any easier the second time around. What struck me was the connection they had and how solid it was no matter what new challenges they faced. That was needed as their courtship, while not derailed, was put on the back burner as the latter half of the book was devoted to the new addition to their family.

Told in this author’s clear, heartwarming style, this was another great read in the series. The characters are a mix of the good and bad that make up this world with the good (thankfully) winning out in the end.

There is one Pope brother left waiting for his own life partner and I cannot wait for it!

(4.5) Every Sharon Sala story wrings the emotion out of me. This one is no different. Oh my word. I think I went through a half a box of Kleenex. I laughed out loud in other sections and my heart did the pitter patter, running the gambit from love, heart pounding suspense and the great big hug that I am always enveloped in. There is a second story line which did take me a sec until I saw how it was being weaved through out. I feel in love with Jubliee and Cameron in Book 1. I have subsequently fell in love with each Popes sorry and have not been disappointed yet. Come to small town Jubliee, see what family really is. The good, the bad, the ugly and know your never alone. Thank you #SourcebookCasablanca and #NetGalley for the opportunity read #LeftBehind by #SharonSala. I freely share my thoughts and opinions.

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Sharon Sala takes us back to Jubilee, Kentucky is this fourth entry in the series.

Wiley Pope's first date with Linette went sideways quickly. He hasn't spoken with her since, but she's remained in his thoughts. He certainly never expected to find her as one of the hostages when he unwittingly walks in on a bank robbery in progress. And when he's shot apprehending the bank robbers, it's Linette who steps up to help him.

Their chance meeting brings them back together again, but their competing schedules make finding time together difficult. Things get even more complicated when a woman from Wiley's father's past shows up with a seven year old child. Wiley is immediately taken by the child and soon offers himself as her guardian. Suddenly he finds himself a single father. Linette won't let him do it alone, though. And together, along with the rest of the Pope family and the residents of Pope Mountain, they'll show the little girl just what family means.

The Pope family returns in this emotion filled story. This book shows a completely different side to Wiley. In past stories, he's been the quiet brother, staying in the background. But in his seven year old half sister, Wiley sees the same pain and fear that he and his brother's suffered at their father's hands.

Like most of Sharon Sala's novels, family is at the heart of this story. At times maddening, at time heart-wrenching, it's ultimately the love, determination and bonds of family that make this an uplifting story. I've been an avid reader of Sharon Sala for years. And a fan of this series since the first book. I like the the warmth of the family ties, the closeness of the clans and the respect shown to family history. I highly recommend this book and the whole series.

This is book 4 in the Jubilee series. The first book is about the patriarch of the Pope family, Cameron. The next four books are about Shirley and her four sons.
Shirley and her boys move to Jubilee to get away from a bad situation in Arkansas and get a new start in life. They decide to take on Shirleya maiden name as their surname and all go by Pope. Books 2 and 3 are about Aaron and Sean. This book is Wiley's story. It can be read as a stand alone but would be so much better when read with the other two.
Wiley was a playboy. He dated many, no one seriously. Until he meets Linette. But their first date is disastrous. Linette finally gives him a second chance when Wiley, a police officer, saves her and a roomful of people during a bank robbery. Their relationship takes off from there.
Things are going well when Wiley finds out he has a 7 year old half sister, Ava.bShe is scared, hungry and bruised. He decides right there on the spot that she is his and he is going to raise her. He sends a text to his mom and Linette and explains what is happening and his decision about Ava. They both are on board 100% to support him.
This story has it all. Love, laughter, murder, sadness. There is the loss of a loved one and abuse of a child. The abuse is not talked about but inferred. I laughed and I cried many times. I could not put this story down once I started. I 100% recommend it!
5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Left Behind is Sharon Sala’s fourth book in her new romantic suspense series, Jubilee. It should absolutely be read after the earlier books, Last Rites and Heartbeat; the first book, Don’t Back Down, isn’t required to understand the story. This book is a must-read for all fans of Sharon Sala and romantic suspense.

Shirley Wallace and her four adult sons return to her childhood home on Pope Mountain in Jubilee, Kentucky, after her abusive husband is convicted for murdering two store employees in their Arkansas town. Shirley inherited her late mother’s house and they all legally change their last name to her maiden name, Pope, to further disassociate themselves from scandal. All of them lost their jobs in Arkansas due to her husband’s misdeeds and must start over. The third son, Wiley, went from a career in law enforcement to delivering for DoorDash. Now Wiley is a police officer in Jubilee alongside his eldest brother, Aaron.

After "Casanova" Wiley had a disastrous date with nurse Linette Elgin, he hasn't seen or heard from her. But when he goes to the bank one day, a robbery is in progress and Linette is one of the hostages. Wiley heroically rescues Linette and takes a bullet her. Of course she forgives Wiley and they re-start their romance.

Meanwhile a woman abandons her seven-year-old daughter at the police station in an attempted to extort money from the Pope/Wallace family. Wiley and Linette take in the precious little girl, who they determine is actually the Pope brother’s half-sister. Shirley and the family embrace little Ava. Then they find a wrecked car on Pope Mountain with an injured woman nearby who witnessed a murder.

Left Behind is not only about romantic love, it also shows parental and family love. The reader feels the love between Shirley and her four sons and now this little seven-year-old girl, and within the much larger Pope/Cauley/Glass families. As much as I enjoy the romance, the most tender scenes in Left Behind are between Wiley and his newfound half-sister, Ava.

In Sharon Sala books, the villains always get what they deserve; readers will impatiently wait for Ava’s horrible mother, Carina, to get hers. Cameron Pope and his large extended family were introduced in Don’t Back Down, Last Rites, and Heartbeat and serve as minor characters throughout this story. There are multiple sub-plots and lots of characters, but the author writes so clearly that it’s easy for the reader to keep up. Left Behind contains a sweet romance between loveable characters without descriptive sex or violence; there may have been a couple of curse words uttered by villains. I couldn’t put this story down; it deserves more than 5 stars! I can’t wait to read more stories featuring the Pope family.

I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and SourceBooks-Casablanca for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Another fantasic romantic suspense from Sharon Sala, great characters and setting with a edge of your seat plot.

Their romance got off to a rocky start.

In Jubilee, Kentucky, the Popes are one of the town’s founding families and most live on Pope Mountain. Wiley Pope, one of four tall, handsome brothers, is a police officer in town. He’s known for not having much of a filter, which can sometimes cause him problems. If he takes a woman out once or twice, for example, and doesn’t feel a connection, he doesn’t call the woman again. Two women who fell into that category decided to teach him a lesson a year ago when he was out on his first date with Linette Elgin, a nurse in whom he was very interested. They flirted and fawned all over him right in front of Linette, and the night was ruined (as were his chances for getting a second date). Then comes the day that Linette walks into the local bank to do business and ends up in the middle of a robbery. Wiley walks in and is able to get control of the situation and prevent any further loss of life, becoming a local hero in the process. Having been close to losing her life and seeing Wiley shot in front of her (bulletproof vest, thank goodness) makes Linette realize that she should give Wiley another chance. Miscommunications via text almost derail the couple again, but they straighten that out and are on their way to creating a relationship when another possible complication arrives in the shape of 7 year old Ava Dalton. Ava’s mother Corina, a reluctant single mother and major piece of work, brings Ava to Jubilee hoping to pawn her off as the child of Wiley’s brother Aaron, but Wiley knows that it was with his father Clyde Wallace, an abusive man in prison for murder, who Corina had been involved. But when he sees this little sister about whom neither he, his mother nor his brothers knew existed, and notices signs of abuse and neglect, he decides that there is no way that Ava will be staying with Corina. As he juggles securing custody for Ava with cementing a relationship with Linette, another mystery rolls into Jubilee. A car that went off the road during a storm is discovered on Pope Mountain, and Wiley’s cousin Cameron and his tracking dog Ghost are able to locate the injured driver, a young woman who in addition to injuries sustained in the crash has been shot in the back and is near death. Who is this young woman, how and why did she end up on Pope Mountain, and is her life still in danger? It’s hard to keep secrets in a small town like Jubilee, and its equally hard for strangers to pass unnoticed….and those two facts may help keep the victim alive.
This is the fourth in author Sharon Sala’s Jubilee, Kentucky books and is a pleasant enough read for those who have read some or all of the others in the series. Linette is sassy and good in a crisis, and Wiley is a good looking guy with a heart of gold. The Pope family and related clans on the mountain are a close knit group, and each has or (I suspect) will have their own romantic episode. This wasn’t my favorite in the series thus far, the different storylines didn’t blend particularly well, but it was a quick read and its fun to catch up with goings on in the Pope world. Fans of the previous installments should enjoy this one, as might fans of authors like Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Luanne Rice and Fern Michaels. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for allowing me early access to Left Behind.

This is my favorite series by this author. Wiley and Linette will touch your hearts. This was an emotional read in a lot of ways. The community is a character in itself. I adore the Pope family and reading this book felt like catching up with friends. I can't wait for B.J.'s story!

It's uncanny the way I always want to move to whatever small town Sharon Sala creates, and it's certainly true of Jubilee, Kentucky, the setting of this 5-star novel about the redeeming power of love--and what a fabulous, kind, sweet, charming, and heartwarming read it was.

The novel starts off with a bank robbery gone bad, a terrifying shooting, injury and a death, and Linette Elgin was there, waiting outside the vice-president's office when three masked and armed men burst into the bank, terrify the occupants and one of the bank robbers shoots and kills the vice-president of the bank who had dropped to the floor as ordered, and was lying right next to Linette. Police officer, Wiley Pope, unaware of the events inside, enters the bank, quickly realizes what's happening, shoots the lookout, as well as the other two robbers and in return is shot in the chest. Linette, a nurse at the local hospital, rushes to help him and although he's in pain, she's relieved to see that he was wearing a Kevlar vest. The weight of the body armor was making it hard for him to breathe, so she helps him remove it. By then, the sick, wounded, and injured were taken to the hospital, including Wiley, with cracked ribs, but he was certainly the hero of that day. But for a small town, there's yet another murder and an attempted murder to come--solving it forms the secondary plot of this novel.

Wiley, still in the hospital, was thrilled to see Linette come to his rescue. They'd gone on one date that ended badly when a couple a catty women showed up, flirted with him, and made a couple of snide remarks, and Wiley had been trying to think of a way to convince Linette to date him again--the bank robbery gave him that chance. By the time they had their second date, the two knew they'd found that special someone. And that's when we meet the little star of this story, 7-year-old, Ava.

Then, one day a woman, Corina, shows up at the police station, where Wiley and his brother, Aaron, both work, claiming that Aaron is the father of her obviously starved, bruised, and abused daughter, Ava. Aaron has never seen this woman before in his life. But Wiley knows who she is, and the DNA test proves that little Ava isn't Aaron's daughter, she's the daughter of their cheating father, Clyde, making Ava their half-sister. It's clear that Corina is the worst sort of abusive mother, and she has no problem leaving her child behind. It's Wiley who steps up and agrees to take custody of and raise his little sister--but her mother has dumped her on a lot of other people all of her short life, and Ava is fearful, having no reason to trust anyone, having been left behind before, and she's taken to heart and believes what her mother has told her--that she's an unwanted mistake. Watching Wiley step up and gladly take on raising her in a kind, loving home, with loving family, a room of her own, with more than the few ragged garments she owned, made this novel one of the most sweet, heartbreaking and heartwarming novels I've read. Ava's reactions to even having so much as a bed and a pillow, let alone her own room, and the many things Wiley bought for her and her reaction to all of it had me in tears.

The big question is: how will Linette feel about helping to raise Wiley's little sister? And what about the many members of his own family little Ava has yet to meet? Ms. Sala has thought of everything you could possibly want in this family-forward novel--from Ava's first dolly, her first trip to a restaurant, meeting her grandmother for the first time, her first shopping trip, and more. There is just so much love and affection poured out to this sweet little girl from all of the many members of the large Pope family, it made you wish that every such mistreated and abused child in the world could have a Wiley Pope of their own.

There's still the matter of the other murder and attempted murder to solve, bad guys to bring to justice, Linette's reaction to Ava, the custody issue, Corina's fate, and more in this utterly charming novel. Thank you, Sharon Sala, for giving us this wonderful gift of a novel. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.

Wiley and Linette had instant attraction but a first date gone bad has things spoiling quickly. After a surreal and dangerous situation connects these two again they realize that their attraction has not lessened and agree to a second chance, but when the actions of Wiley’s abusive dad produce a long lost half sibling will this relationship be able to weather the storm? This is a continuation of Pope mountain family stories and those who are familiar with the previous books will be happy to see what happens to the many familiar characters. If you haven’t already read the other books you will have no problem enjoying this book on its own, although I highly recommend that you do. So the love story is between Wiley Pope and Linette but it’s so much more than that, with many intertwining story arcs that at first can seem overwhelming but soon will have you diving in to find out more. This author has a way of making her characters come to life and feel as if you know them personally. It is a soft romance with many a heated looks but not too much detail on the bedroom scenes. There is also a mix of action, suspense with an attempted murder angle, tenderness, especially between Wiley and his little sister, and a bit of a wholesome feeling, which I know is a weird way of describing a book but I know when I read this author’s books that I leave at the end feeling like my faith in man is restored. And while the spice angle is low the tenderness reading is high with the suspense angle a close second. It is a nice quick summer read that will leave you feeling good. 5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an early copy to review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. I have not been able to finish this book, but only because I have not read ay of the other books in the series. I don't feel that this is a stand alone and I'm not sure it will be advertised that way. There were so many characters with any different story lines that I felt I was dropped into the middle of a soap opera. The writing was fast paced with not providing much background detail which would most likely be appreciated by readers invested in the series. At this point, I'm not looking to start a new series and what I read thus far did not give enough to pull me in.

One of my favorite series by one of my favorite authors and the characters that “grab me” until the very last page! Shirley Pope Wallace moved her family back to Pope Mountain after her husband was sent to prison for trying to kill her. They changed their last name to Pope and have been embraced by the loving family community. Jubilee Officer Wiley Pope had hoped to date local nurse Linette Elgin, but their first date was ruined. When he stops at the bank, he sees Linette being held hostage during a bank robbery. He ends the threat, but not before taking a bullet in his vest. They call him a hero, but he is just a man who is quick to act and react. He hopes to finally get that date with Linette, but before he can he learns that he and his brothers have a half-sister and she needs them. Her mother has made her young life miserable, but Wiley won’t rest until he gets custody of young Ava. When a wrecked car is found on the mountain, they initiate a search and find a woman who has been shot. Who is she and how did she end up on Pope Mountain? The story, the characters, the emotions…a truly wonderful series! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

I really love this series, it's like being wrapped in a warm hug.
This mountain full of generations of family who are all there for each other.
Jubilee PD Officer Wiley Pope had a disasterous first date with Nurse Linette. Due to a misunderstanding later they moved on with their lives. Until an incident with a bank robbery had them both become heroes. As they were getting to know each other a small blonde angel entered their lives. His little half sister was now enfolded within their family learning what love and trust was.
Apart from this story there was a young woman running for her life, she's witnessed a murder and been left injured on the mountain. Wiley Pope was there for her while she was healing in case her attacker came after her again. Three parts to this story that blended into their lives and I loved every moment.

I really love the characters Sharon creates in her stories; they are relatable or what we aspire to find.
Great storyline, love the individual but interconnecting books. Looking forward to reading more of her books.

It was a delight to revisit Pope Mountain and all the charming characters. What a beautiful story. Wiley is...well, everyone needs a Wiley. A great mixture of suspense and romance with a huge amount of heart. I cried more than once through this title and think everyone else will too. I can't wait for another Pope story!

Sharon Sala has done it again delivering an amazing tale full of love, family and second chances. The description tells us we are reading a story about Wiley and Linette and while their love story played a part, this story was so much more. Ava is the star of the story. First, be get all the feels when we get the heart-rending tale of her first 7 years of live learning to hide and living on scraps. One quick decision on Wiley’s part changes her destiny giving her a family, a bedroom, and more love than she knew was possible. Early on, one of the characters that impressed me was Wiley’s mom, she took to her granddaughter who started her live as the child of her evil ex and his sidepiece. But Shirly loved the little girl unconditionally giving her a precious gift. No member of the family was left behind in this tale. From Dani babysitting and gifting Ava with so many firsts to the beautiful celebration cake from BJ, this book was family first and the Pope family was amazing on a whole other level.
Lest we not forget the mystery and the poor woman just trying to help her loved one who gets thrust into danger. Again, love and family ruled the day as Carey, both lost it all and found another chance to be truly happy. Yes, we had some bad guys running around and they all got the comeuppance they deserved, especially the truly file Corina.
As you read about Wiley and family and anxiously turned the page to learn more about the family and the little girl they rescued, Sharon would switch the action to Corey and her fight. Then the same thing happened again, we would get invested in Corey only to be switched back to the Pope’s. While at times that might have been frustrating, both stories were compelling, and both were worst reading. I have heard not the best things about Jubilee books by Sharon Sala and I am here to say this book surpassed my expectations completely.
This was the best kind of love story; it is the love of family and community showered onto a small angel who deserved pure love. I am completely blown away by this story. Saying this was my favorite Sharon Sala book would be a huge claim considering how much I loved her Jigsaw series, but this was truly my favorite. That you Sharon for the gift of a beautiful story.
Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A nicely done second chance romance between police officer Wiley and nurse Linette that becomes more about building a family. Wiley's father had a second family and his half sister Ava, now seven, is the one who is left behind. So of course Wiley takes her in and of course Wiley, Linette, and Ava will become a family. That's not a spoiler but rather the start because it's the journey that's important. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Sala's fans will be happy with this one.

You know what you get with a Sharon Sala book. This is another story of inhabitants in a small town who are mostly all nice people who gather around to help each other. The main story is about a police officer, Wiley Pope, who has fallen for a local nurse, Linette. While their romance proceeds at a lovely pace, Wiley’s life is turned around when he is presented with a seven-year old half-sister whom no one in his family knew about. It turns out that his brute of a father had fathered this baby with one of his mistresses who had then proceeded to abuse her physically and emotionally all her young life. Wiley takes charge of the sad little girl and his extensive family rallies around to help her adjust to living in a loving family rather than in the poor, abusive life she had experienced with a mother who told her every day that she was a mistake.

It’s a lovely story. The good people triumph and the evil people get their just comeuppance. There’s a bit of danger and thrilling events to intersperse with the plotlines involving all these kind, loving people. I found it such a lovely read just as I have found all her writing.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.