Precious Atonement — Melissa Maygrove

Author's note: The story description for Precious Atonement contains spoilers for Come Back. These books can be read and understood separately, but they are best enjoyed when read in order. Precious Atonement Ruined women don't hope, killers don't dream, and the dead don't feel pain. Rachel Emerson is resigned to live as a spinster. Her parents keep her shameful secret, and her only brother, Seth, vanished mere days after witnessing her rape, taking her dishonor with him and giving them all an alibi for their grief. But none of that matters. Appearances are useless if she can't bear the touch of a man. Jacob Evans welcomes pain as much as he seeks to escape it. The graves of his wife and child remind him of his sins every day. When Lawrence Emerson offers him a job and a chance to move west, Jacob permits himself a fresh start. But letting go of his past is only an illusion. Lawrence's sweet, shy daughter captures Jacob's heart and provides him a perfect tool for self-torment. Despite painful lessons of the past, history soon threatens to repeat itself, and as Jacob's love for Rachel grows, so does his agony. Giving his precious new wife the life she deserves might cost him the very thing he values most -- her. Content warning: Although the moral context of the story is old fashioned, Precious Atonement contains descriptions of physical intimacy, adult themes including rape, and violence including sexual violence. It is intended for mature readers.