Overall Grade: B
Tropes: single mom; band of brothers (sister); brother’s former best friend turned enemy; small town; second chance; forbidden romance
L.B. Dunbar’s Sterling Touch represents a solid addition to the Sterling Falls series, earning a well-deserved four-star rating as the sixth installment in this compelling family saga. Dunbar demonstrates considerable wisdom in finally granting Vale Sylver her own narrative, particularly given the series’ previous focus on the Sylver brothers. The anticipation surrounding Vale’s story proved justified, as her character deserved exploration beyond her supporting role in earlier volumes.
The strength of Sterling Touch lies in Dunbar’s continued examination of how childhood trauma reverberates through adult relationships. Vale’s character emerges from the profound absence created by her mother’s death during childbirth, leaving what can only be described as a “mother-shaped hole” in her emotional landscape. The author skillfully depicts how Stone Sylver and his brothers attempted to compensate for both maternal loss and paternal neglect, creating a family dynamic built on protective love but also unintended consequences.
Vale’s character development reflects this complex upbringing with remarkable authenticity. Her youthful impetuousness gradually transforms into adult caution, as she learns to prioritize her relationships with her brothers sometimes at personal cost. Dunbar captures this evolution with nuanced understanding of how family loyalty can both nurture and constrain individual growth. The psychological depth of Vale’s characterization elevates the narrative beyond typical romance conventions.
The romantic tension between Vale and Cort Haven provides the novel’s central conflict through the forbidden attraction trope. Cort’s status as Stone’s former best friend turned enemy creates immediate dramatic potential, and Dunbar exploits this tension effectively. However, the necessities of maintaining secrecy inherent to this trope create communication barriers that occasionally feel artificial. While adult characters maintaining clandestine relationships to avoid family conflict serves the story’s dramatic needs, it sometimes undermines the emotional authenticity that otherwise characterizes Dunbar’s writing.
The repetitive nature of Vale and Cort’s secret meetings becomes apparent as the narrative progresses, representing one of the novel’s structural weaknesses. The cycle of attraction, guilt, and concealment, while emotionally resonant initially, loses impact through repetition. This pacing issue prevents the story from maintaining consistent momentum throughout its development.
Cort’s character arc provides significant emotional weight to the narrative. His estrangement from Stone Sylver carries genuine consequences that have shaped his adult identity, and Dunbar explores the psychological toll of prolonged guilt and isolation with considerable skill. The parallel journeys of Vale and Cort toward self-forgiveness create the novel’s most compelling thematic element. Their mutual recognition that past mistakes need not dictate present choices offers a powerful message about redemption and personal growth.
The supporting cast of Sylver siblings and their partners continues to provide one of the series’ greatest strengths. Their interventions in Vale and Cort’s relationship feel organic rather than contrived, and their collective wisdom serves both character development and plot advancement. The family dynamics remain believable despite the dramatic circumstances, a testament to Dunbar’s understanding of sibling relationships.
Sterling Touch succeeds in its exploration of middle-aged romance, a demographic often underserved in contemporary fiction. Dunbar’s commitment to mature characters facing realistic emotional challenges distinguishes her work within the romance genre. The potential for expanding into a Haven family series based on the groundwork laid in this novel suggests promising future developments.
The novel’s exploration of how individuals can overcome their formative traumas while preserving essential family bonds offers profound emotional resonance. Vale and Cort’s journey toward authentic communication and mutual acceptance offers hope without sacrificing the complexity that makes their relationship all the more compelling.
While Sterling Touch occasionally suffers from the structural limitations of its chosen tropes, Dunbar’s skillful character development and thematic depth create a satisfying reading experience. The novel succeeds both as a standalone romance and as a meaningful contribution to the Sterling Falls series, confirming Dunbar’s ability to craft emotionally authentic stories that honor both individual growth and family loyalty.
In love and romance,
Professor A
Professor Romance 