Kelli Evans and Jace Harrison lived across the road from each other when they were young and spent an idyllic childhood together riding bikes, fishing and catching fireflies at dusk on summer nights. When Kelli was ten years old her family moved away. Years later Kelli leaves an unfulfilling career on Wall Street, jumping at the chance to return to Arkansas and buy the beloved house that she grew up in. Memories envelop her when she enters her old house again, including one which involves the nighttime apparition of a young girl. Kelli is completely surprised to learn that Jace still lives across the road and has become a successful - and quite handsome - cardiologist. After being apart for 18 years they find that, in addition to still possessing the deep bond of friendship they shared as children, there is an unmistakable attraction simmering between them. Jace helps Kelli get settled back into the neighborhood and even travels to Zambia with her to visit a farm she has bought there as an investment with promising potential. He also attempts to help her uncover the mystery of the ghostly apparition that occurred in her house during her childhood. Along the way, they begin to fall in love, although Kelli tries to fight it, fearful that if they take their relationship to the next level and it doesn't work out, their treasured friendship could be destroyed. Will they decide to take that chance? "A Lasting Bond" explores both the deep and lasting bonds of childhood friendship and the special bond that we all hold for our childhood home. If you are a Nicholas Sparks fan, you will enjoy this book, which delves into a love story that is reminiscent of many of his stories.