No Matter What

Jordanna Ryan

When Cassandra Pierce was 17 she left her small town and the man she loved, running away to the big city without telling anybody. Now, 4 years later, she is returning to Indigo. She is tired of running. She wants her 3 1/2 year old daughter to know her father. It won't be easy. She knows she hurt Brenden Carter and possibly others. She knows she will be hated. But Becca deserves a better life than Cassandra can give her. Cassandra can face anything for Becca's sake.

When Brenden meets Cassandra again he knows he still loves her almost as much as he hates her. He is rude, mean, and walks away from her when they first come face-to-face. But he's not sure he can leave her alone. The family who raised Cassandra after her parents died also have trouble accepting her. The only person in Indigo who welcomes her return is her best friend Reese. Reese is the one person Cassandra told where she was going, then maintained the contact for the 4 years she was gone.

Cassandra has a lot of fences to mend - at least enough to give Becca a home. She has never been important, she knows that. But Becca is, and Becca needs the best possible. Can Cassandra return to Indigo and give Becca what the little girl needs?

Jordana Ryan has written a poignant story with a lot of pathos, but not much meat. No Matter What is not filled out enough. Brenden isn't fully realized, nor is Cassandra. This is a surface story that has unrealized potential. On the few occasions Ryan did dig a bit deeper, I found myself saddened for the characters.

No Matter What is a fair story. It can give a nice few hour break. I kept hoping for more, though.

Notice: Somewhat explicit sexual situations