Sunset is one of those stories that sneaks up on you—not with action-packed drama, but with quiet transformations, second chances, and the kind of love that feels both earned and inevitable.
Title: Sunset by Sharon Sala
Series: Crossroads #1
Publish Date: May 21, 2024
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Small Town Fiction, Emotional Reads
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
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My Review
Sharon Sala launches her Crossroads series with a heartfelt, layered novel that shines a spotlight on healing and unexpected connection. Former bull rider Sonny Bluejacket returns to Blessings, Texas, to manage a horse ranch after years on the circuit. The rodeo may be behind him, but the scars—both physical and emotional—remain. His journey home is meant to be about responsibility and roots, not romance.
Enter Maggie, a quiet waitress who paints her emotions in secret, turning her hidden pain into art. She’s not looking for love either, burdened by a past she keeps carefully guarded. When their paths cross, their shared loneliness sparks something neither expected—a slow-building relationship marked by tenderness, trust, and the courage to hope again.
One of the novel’s most intriguing touches is a whisper of mysticism woven through the narrative—an almost spiritual sense of connection that elevates the romance beyond just attraction. Combined with family secrets and moments of real danger, Sala balances emotional depth with just enough suspense to keep the pages turning.
The pacing falters briefly in the middle, but the closing chapters—with the art exhibit and hard-won declarations of love—bring everything together beautifully. Sala reminds us that sometimes the biggest battles are internal, and the sweetest victories come from letting someone else in.
Setting & Atmosphere
Blessings, Texas, is both comfortingly familiar and richly drawn. Sala excels at making small towns feel alive—where community, faith, and family form the heartbeat of daily life. Readers who love Blessings, Georgia will feel right at home here, while noticing fresh new details unique to Crossroads.
Character Spotlight
Sonny Bluejacket — a man defined by both his rodeo past and his need to rebuild. His strength isn’t just in the arena but in his quiet resilience and growing vulnerability.
Maggie — her artwork becomes an emotional diary, and Sala makes her pain and hope tangible. Her arc from guarded isolation to opening her heart is deeply moving.
Pearl — wise, steady, and grounding, she embodies the series’ themes of faith and second chances.
Themes
- Healing from loss and grief
- Finding love in unexpected places
- The role of art and creativity in emotional recovery
- Community and faith as sources of strength
Favorite Quotes
“And every evening when the sun began going down… God’s apology for every bad, sad thing I’d ever endured.”
“I see you, Magnolia, all the way to your soul.”
Why You Should Read Sunset
- If you love small-town settings filled with warmth and heart.
- If you’re drawn to romances built on healing and vulnerability.
- If you enjoy a touch of spirituality or mysticism alongside tender romance.
- If you’re already a fan of Sharon Sala’s Blessings, Georgia, this fresh new series opener delivers the same emotional depth in a new setting.
Final Thoughts
Sunset is more than a small-town romance—it’s a story about resilience, faith, and the courage it takes to love again. With relatable characters, heartfelt moments, and a touch of mysticism, Sharon Sala reminds us why her storytelling continues to resonate with readers looking for both comfort and inspiration.
Join the Conversation
Have you read Sunset? Did you connect most with Sonny’s rodeo past, Maggie’s art, or the community themes? Share your thoughts below—I’d love to hear them.
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