The Softest Breath (Echoes of the Heart) by Naomi Musch

This story takes you back to the 1920's during prohibition when speakeasies were the way to get your liquor. Jess befriends Gwen and helps her get a job in a department store. Gwen growing up on the street attached herself to one Hugh Phelps who treats her like his daughter, but abuses her financially, and sometimes physically. She escapes and meets up with Jess. This story is very action-packed and mistrust is the theme of the plot. Learning to love and acting in love are so difficult, but the choices made are exactly that. I love how the relationship was initially built, and how Jess and Gwen made hard choices, but stuck by them to the end. This is not my favorite time era, but the story is well written.