Danielle Grant is living the life her father always imagined for her. She as a beautiful, healthy child, a position at the top of her field and the man that seemed to be made just for her.

Then the for the second time since coming to Switzerland, the unexpected happens. Tragedy strikes, catapulting her into a vortex of grief. Forced to step back from her career, she takes time to evaluate her life, her goals and reimagine how her heart can heal.  Increasingly, she turns to one man for counsel and inspiration, the one who was there from the beginning. As she rediscovers who she is and what she wants for her future, Danielle determines to start over with a new home. She also confronts the complexity of integrating new family members and old friends painfully phasing out of her life.  With her family hanging in the balance, Danielle forges ahead, believing that destiny will find her and bring along the man who was always meant to be in her life, forever.

Authors note: the images on the slider are those I visited throughout Europe that feature in the Danielle Grant series…Zurich, Prague, Italy…all the locations referenced exist!

Seductively readable…

Set in Zurich, Gerdes‘s three-book series is a resonant portrayal of a successful, independent woman who finds true love in unexpected circumstances. In the first installment (Made for Me) readers see Danielle Grant moves to Zurich to take a high-profile job, but finds herself forced to choose between love and career after becoming romantically involved with the very charming Andre Mettler, who presents a conflict of interest for Danielle’s employment. With her strong work ethic and high morals, Danielle opts to honor her work commitment, walking away from Andre. Soon she falls for another man who loves her equally, but the fate has another plan and Danielle who always does the right thing, has no intention to do things differently this time. In the second installment (Destined for You), things are looking great when a tragedy strikes, leaving Danielle fumbling to get her life together. Turning to Lars seems natural in time of crisis. Soon they rekindle their romance, but Danielle’s fear of losing Lars to his passion (high-risk sport) puts distance between the couple. Determined to find a new and independent life without relying upon a man, Danielle begins her journey of self-reflection and realizes the preciousness of true love in the third book (Meant to be). Gerdes’s writing is authoritative, assured, and full of meaning, and she tackles complex themes and draws multifaceted characters with ease and authority: for independent, willful, and highly assertive Danielle, there is never a middle ground when it comes to taking significant decisions of her life. Gerdes’ portrayal of credibly flawed Danielle confronting weakness in her own nature as she comes to terms with the condition of her life is both realistic and authentic; Lars is a thorough darling; Andre doesn’t get much space in the story but leaves his mark nonetheless. Gerdes excels when it comes to the rendering of the two love stories that mark Danielle’s life. She portrays the passionate and yet fragile period of Danielle’s relationship with the two men with grace and poignance. The depiction of Danielle’s enduring relationship with Lars and the way it survives despite all odds is deeply realistic and wholly convincing. Gerdes’s prose is first-rate; her narrative flows with ease; and her portrayal of enduring relationships is credible. Lovers of women’s fiction and literary romance can pick the series without a second thought. Highly recommended!