Smoky Blue Sunrise by Lucille Guarino is the second book in the Elizabeth's Mountain series. Fans of drama, romance, and women's fiction will appreciate this gripping novel. Jolie Buckley has lost her beloved sister, Katy, in a car accident. Overwhelmed with grief and guilt that she allowed Katy to drive home after the party, where Jolie should have looked after her, the young woman leaves her hometown of Summerville. She gets a job in Asheville, North Carolina, as a nanny to two children. Their father, Jesse Taylor, tries to help Jolie understand what happened on that fateful day at the party. As Jolie starts hoping for a better future after meeting an aspiring lawyer, Brody, Hurricane Helene threatens to destroy Asheville.

In Smoky Blue Sunrise, Lucille Guarino skillfully conveys the mood of the story. The pace picks up slowly but is intense in the concluding part of the book. The author adds a surprising paranormal twist and crafts lovable characters. Jesse's wife, Amanda, is a dedicated and compassionate nurse. She takes Jolie under her wing right away, sensing that the young woman hides a broken heart. Jesse can be impetuous, yet he is kind and courageous. Jolie's inner growth is remarkable and inspiring. I will never forget the horrifying reports from Asheville when the hurricane hit. Lucille describes the disaster and its aftermath in a believable manner without unnecessary drama. This novel is a touching tribute to the fearless residents of the Appalachian Region. The ending is unpredictable, and the topics the author explores are thought-provoking.

Eric Butterworth once said, "You grow through what you go through," and that’s the main theme that ripples through Smoky Blue Sunrise: A Return to Elizabeth’s Mountain by Lucille Guarino. Readers are initially introduced to a set of sisters, Jolie-Mae and Katy June, who decide to attend a high school party together. Following a tragic event, Jolie is left reeling with guilt and wanting to get away from the only life she’s ever known. She takes a live-in nanny job with the Taylor family in the Blue Ridge Mountains, far from home and anyone who knows her story. The novel unfolds through different points of view, including Jolie’s and those of the family members she now lives with—Amanda, a nurse practitioner preparing for a difficult childbirth, and Jesse, her lawyer husband, who carries the weight of his own past. As Jolie settles into their home, she’s drawn into the rhythms of small-town life, the needs of a lively child named Emma, and a community still shaped by earlier events connected to Elizabeth’s Mountain.

I truly enjoyed Smoky Blue Sunrise by Lucille Guarino because it is both layered and easy to get lost in. There’s emotion, but it never comes across as forced, and there’s a balance between serious and light moments. One scene that made me chuckle out loud was when Emma thought cats and dogs were actually getting hurt because her mom said, “It’s raining cats and dogs.” That kind of humor helped the book feel real. With personal healing, family tensions, and a touch of mystery woven in, the book quietly reminds readers that healing is possible. I also loved how each viewpoint felt dynamic, and I found a little bit of myself in each of them—whether it was grief, doubt, hope, or the need to be understood. The slow-developing romance had me hooked, and just when I thought I had everything figured out, the plot changed course. It would make a great television show or big-screen movie. If you like emotional stories with heart, mystery, and a little romance, I definitely recommend this book.