I never dreamed he would come back to Smith Mountain Lake. That we would have a second chance. Or that once he was mine, all these years later, I might lose him all over again. . . Gabby Hayden wasn't the kind of girl who gave a hoot about boys. She had a few real loves. Water-skiing, going out on Smith Mountain Lake with her dad and her dog. Anything else ranked a distant second. Until the summer smart, caring, gorgeous Sam Tatum gave her his heart. It had been the most wonderful time of her life, lazy days hanging out at the dock, skinny-dipping at midnight, staring up at the stars from the back of Sam's truck. They are planning their future together when Sam's father is transferred to South Africa. Devastated, Gabby and Sam promise to wait for each other during the two years before he returns for college. But lonely and angry, Sam makes a mistake that will change the course of both their lives. Years later, an unexpected diagnosis brings Sam home to his parents' house on Smith Mountain Lake where he believes he can find peace and acceptance. What he finds, however, is the girl he once loved, now a woman unwilling to lose him again, a woman who will make him realize that both love and life are worth fighting for. ** ¿¿¿¿¿ A wonderfully emotional story. Blue Wide Sky is another total winner from Inglath Cooper. I immediately developed a liking for both main characters and was totally taken by their stories and the emotional interactions between them from the beginning (and even before) until the end of the story. ¿¿¿¿¿ Wonderful. I loved this book. I can't wait to read the next. These are the most beautiful live stories that I've ever read. Thanks. ¿¿¿¿¿ Triumphant long lost love. There were twists and turns in this book that I didn't expect when I started it. It was real and genuine. Once I started reading, it was hard to stop. I got a good cry and a whole lot of love from this book. I recommend it. Great to read on my snow day! ¿¿¿¿¿ Feel good story of second chances. The story is told from different viewpoints of the characters. It's the kind of story that makes you root for all of them and hope they have that second chance at love & life. The quotes at the beginning of the chapters were so good that I wrote many of them down. ¿¿¿¿¿ Oh my gosh. Giggles. Belly laughs. Tears. Lots of feel good moments. Love the breaks with the different quotes. Can't wait to find some more books by this author. I could seem to turn the pages quick enough! ¿¿¿¿¿ Wow! Emotionally spent after this story. Love that I've discovered Inglath Cooper books.....my soul needs her stories. Finding the words to describe this book is difficult. I loved that Gabby and Sam were reunited because nothing feels quite like our first love. The obstacles and issues they faced were heart wrenching but the power of love is amazing. I cried as if was right there with them. My thoughts are not settled enough yet to give this book its full due.....just read it if you want to make sure your heart is still working. ¿¿¿¿¿ The books of Inglath Cooper. The Smith Mountain Lake series is all wonderful, but the Wide Blue Sky is a barn burner. SHE HAS A WAY OF LETTING YOU IN TO HER CHARACTERS LIVES, THAT YOU HATE TO FINISH THE BOOK AND LET THEM GO.