Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Happy Harbor by Rachel Hanna

  • Title: Happy Harbor
  • Author: Rachel Hanna
  • Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction
  • Location: Happy Harbor in the Lowcountry of South Carolina
  • Main Character: Josie
  • Other Characters: Kendra, Diane, Walker
  • Stars: 5

If you have ever wanted to live in a setting from a Hallmark movie, then you will love Rachel Hanna’s books. Happy Harbor is no different. I loved visiting Happy Harbor with Josie.

Josie left Happy Harbor and hoped to never return. She has a lot of bad memories from Happy Harbor. She relocated to Atlanta and had a great life until everything starts to fall apart. Dealing with her unruly teenage daughter isn’t making it any easier. As if things couldn’t get any worse, she receives a call informing her that her beloved Nana has passed away. Devastated, she must now go back to Happy Harbor, a place she prayed she would never see again. She is surprised by what her Nana’s will says and finds herself staying in Happy Harbor longer than she intended. She moves into her family’s historical home and starts running the restaurant her Nana owned. She still has every intention of returning to Atlanta once she gets everything figured out. What she didn’t expect is that her daughter would really start blossoming in Happy Harbor and then there is the handsome man living in the guest house. But when her mom shows up it throws a lot of drama in her situation, and she just wants to escape.

I love everything about this book. Josie is great despite her challenges of being a single mom of a teenage daughter and also with the struggles of her past relationship with her mom. Then there is Diane, Josie’s mother, who is doing her best to convey to Josie that she has evolved and is now a different person. There are 3 generations of women living in the same house and navigating what life has thrown at them. This is a heartwarming story of forgiveness, second chances and new beginnings.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Blue Ridge Breakdown by Rachel Hanna

  • Title: Blue Ridge Breakdown
  • Author: Rachel Hanna
  • Series: Jubilee #4
  • Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction
  • Takes Place:  Jubilee, GA
  • Main Character: Ava, Jack
  • Other Characters: Madeline, Brady, Geneva, Eloise, Burt, Clemmy
  • Pets: Ava’s Boxer Millie
  • Stars: 5

Rachel Hanna never disappoints. Blue Ridge Breakdown is the 4th book in the Jubilee series and I officially want to move to Jubilee. I could not put this book down and I was smiling so much, I thought may face was going to freeze that way. If it is written by Rachel Hanna, I know I am going to read it and get so lost in the story that I will be transported to the destination.

Ava is driving her father’s vintage truck escaping from a bad situation, but she has no idea where she’s headed or what she’s going to do. When she encounters a snowstorm in the Blue Ridge Mountains, she finds herself in a precarious predicament. Her truck stalls after slamming into a snowbank. She has run out of gas and doesn’t have cell service. As if things couldn’t get much worse, her beloved Boxer, Millie, exits her car and darts into the forest as she opens her door to check if she can obtain cell service. As she sits in her truck all alone with no site of any other cars, she is convinced she is going to die at the side of the road in a town where no one knows her. Suddenly, she notices lights, and a truck has stopped behind her. She is simultaneously afraid and appreciative. Is he there to rescue her or does he mean her harm!! A large lumberjack looking man opens the door of her truck, picks her up and carries her to his truck. He drives in silence and takes her to his home in the woods. She finds out this lumberjacks name is Jack and means her no harm. Right now he is her hero for rescuing her. She continues to worry about her cherished Boxer. Although Ava is appreciative of Jack’s assistance, she isn’t entirely honest with him about what led her to Jubilee. As Ava grows more at ease in Jubilee and begins to establish a connection with Jack, her past eventually catches up with her. Will the potential between her and Jack be threatened by her past?

We also visit again with Madeline and Brady as Brady is putting the finishing touches on his new house so he can move in. I just love them and always enjoy seeing what they are up to.

This is a story of new beginnings, finding love in unexpected places, and becoming part of a community. It just goes to show you that it isn’t blood that makes you family. This book will make the reader smile and feel like they are part of the wonderful community of Jubilee.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Seaglass from the Past by Kay Correll

  • Title: Seaglass from the Past
  • Author: Kay Correll
  • Series: Blue Heron Cottages #8
  • Genre: Romance, Women’s fiction
  • Takes Place:  Moonbeam
  • Main Character: Rose, Aspen, Willow
  • Other Characters: Violet, George, Tara, Walker, Murphy, Trent, Danny, Denise
  • Stars: 5

If you’re a fan of small town romances with tight-knit friendships, you’re in for a treat. Blue Heron is the eighth book in the series and it does not disappoint.

In this episode we’ll learn more about Rose’s past and what kind of secrets she may uncover. We’ll also learn more about Willow and Aspen’s past. They’ll have some surprises and Aspen will finally come to terms with her past and her mother. There’s a wedding, a budding romance, a newfound family, community, and friendship. What more could you ask for!

This book had me smiling the entire way through. It was a great conclusion to an amazing series. These books will have you wanting to move to Moonbeam and be part of this wonderful community. I have loved every book by Kay Corrells that I have read and will be reading more.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Christmas in Jubilee by Rachel Hanna

  • Title: Christmas in Jubilee
  • Author: Rachel Hanna
  • Series: Jubilee #3
  • Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance
  • Takes Place:  Jubilee
  • Main Character: Madeline, Frannie
  • Other Characters: Eloise, Brady, Cole, Clemmy, Geneva, Jasmine, Anna
  • Pets: Gilbert the goat
  • Stars: 5

This is the 3rd installment of the Julee series and it is another great book by Rachel Hanna. I just love Rachel’s books. They always make you smile and feel good. They make you believe that anything is possible

The story follows us through the festive period from October to the New Year. It’s a tale of family unity and a second chance at love. When Madeline’s mother, Eloise, shows up unannounced at her doorstep, her life is turned upside down. She and her mother didn’t have the best relationship, so what could she want?

We’re also introduced to a new character: Frannie. Her grandmother passed away, and Frannie inherited the family’s home and some downtown retail space. Frannie spent a lot of time with her grandmother growing up and even went to high school there. She decides to stay in Jubilee and live in her grandmother’s house and pursue her dream of owning a bakery. Imagine her surprise when a highschool sweetheart shows up at her door.

It’s a story about second chances, family, small town community and love. It’s a story that will bring a smile to your face and make you laugh. I recommend reading the first two books before this one so you can get to know the characters and fall in love with them as I have. Every single one of Rachel’s books makes me want to move to the fictional town they are set in. The landscapes are always beautiful , but it’s the friendships that turn into families that I really love.

This book will be available to purchase on Amazon December 5th, 2023. You can preorder on Amazon or you can currently buy it at Rachel’s Store.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Flower shop on Magnolia by Kay Correll

  • Title: Flower Shop on Magnolia
  • Author: Kay Correll
  • Series: Blue Heron Cottages #6
  • Genre: Romance, Women’s fiction
  • Takes Place: Moonbeam, FL
  • Main Character: Daisy, Jack
  • Other Characters: Rose, Violet, Melinda, Ethan
  • Stars: 5

Kay Correll delivers another captivating story in this 6th installment of the “Blue Heron Cottage” series. I enjoyed visiting the residents of Moonbeam once again.

This time, we get to know Daisy, who is relatively new in town and is the owner of the flower shop. When Jack visits the flower shop to purchase a corsage, Daisy is curious about who this man is and what is his story. Then when Daisy’s neighbor seeks a tenant for his residence, Jack simply happens to be in search of a residence to rent and becomes Daisy’s neighbor. They become instant friends but could it be more? Daisy has a secret that may keep her from getting too close to Jack.

We get to see how Melody and Ethan are doing with their relationship and of course there is Rose. I would very much like to have a Rose in my life and have the opportunity to converse with her and gain insight from her experiences, as well as receive her invaluable advice.

I enjoy the way the author spins a story to keep the reader engaged and wanting more. If feel like I know these residents and are a part of their lives. Moonbeam is a place I would love to live.

If you’re a fan of sweet stories of small town friendship and romance with great relatable characters, you’re going to love this series. You can read it as a stand-alone book, but I highly recommend reading it in order to get to know each of the characters. That way, every time you read the next installment in the series, you’ll feel like you’re catching up with old friends.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

All Tucked Inn by Rachel Hanna

  • Title: All Tucked Inn
  • Author: Rachel Hanna
  • Series: Jubilee #2
  • Genre: Women’s Fiction
  • Takes Place: Jubilee, GA
  • Main Character: Heather, Madelyn, Brady,
  • Other Characters: Geneve, Ethan, Jasmine, Anna, Clemmy
  • Pets: Gilbert the goat and a dog named Murphy
  • Stars: 5

Rachel has done it again. Everything Rachel writes is captivating, interesting, and has wonderful 3-dimensional characters you are going to fall in love with. All Tucked Inn is the second book in the Jubilee series and it is just as great as the first one. First, I have to say, I love the name of the Inn, “All Tucked Inn”.

In this episode, we visit with Madelyn and Brady again. Brady is dealing with the fact that his sister and niece are living with him, which is causing a bit of a stir. We also meet some new friends. Heather lives in Atlanta and is visiting her mom, Lanelle, who runs All Tucked Inn, which has been in the family for generations. What Heather doesn’t know is that her mother has been keeping secrets from her which is causing Her some concern. A charming new guest arrives at the Inn, leaving Heather torn between the hustle and bustle of the city and the laid-back atmosphere of Jubilee. But is this new arrival who he seems to be? I was also pleasantly surprised when a familiar guest shows up at the Inn.

This book is full of surprises, suspense, second chances, romance, and a deeper understanding of what truly matters. I read it in a single sitting because I couldn’t put it down! I’m sure you’ll love Jubilee and the people who live there, just like I do. Of course there are pets, too. I especially loved Gilbert the goat, who we met in the book One.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Lilacs by the Sea by Kay Correll

  • Title: Lilacs by the sea
  • Author: Kay Correll
  • Series: Blue Heron Cottages #5
  • Genre: Romance, Women’s fiction
  • Takes Place:  Moonbeam, FL
  • Main Character: Frankie, Will, Katie, Stacey
  • Other Characters: Melody, Ethan, Daisy, Violet, rose
  • Stars: 5

The fifth book in the Blue Heron Cottages series is one that I truly enjoyed. I have continued to fall in love with the characters from this series, as well as some new characters in this new story.

Will and Frankie are empty nesters who haven’t told their grown daughters that their marriage appears to be disintegrating. Unbeknownst to them, their daughters have organized a family vacation and a surprise celebration for their 40th wedding anniversary at the same location they spent their honeymoon. Even if the cottages have undergone a name change and updates since then, they nevertheless evoke many pleasant memories. How will they get through this week, and will a miscommunication lead to the breakdown of their marriage?

This is a wonderful tale of rekindled love, understanding, and family. It makes me want to travel to Blue Heron Cottages because I adore this series. There are some excellent characters, and the author is skilled at crafting a compelling narrative that keeps you turning the pages. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Women's Fiction

Seaside Bonds by Meredith Summers

  • Title: Seaside bonds
  • Author: Meredith Summers
  • SerieTs: Lobster bay #5
  • Genre: Women’s Fiction
  • Takes Place:  Lobster Bay, Maine
  • Main Character: Liz, Jane, Andie
  • Other Characters: Maxie, Claire, Shane, Rob, James
  • Pets: a Golden Retriever named Cooper, 2 cats named Rembrandt & Picasso
  • Stars: 5

This is the fifth book in the Lobster Bay series and I really loved this one. In this book, we meet Liz who came to town to clean out her dad’s house. Her dad had been living in an assisted living for a few years and has recently passed away. Since he has been in the assisted living, his house had really gone downhill. It was cluttered and needed a lot of repair. It was like walking into the 1970s when Liz walked into the house.

Liz hadn’t had the best relationship with her dad, so she was really nervous about going into the home after so many years. As she begins cleaning out the home, maybe there are some happy memories instead of just bad ones. She starts to see everything in a different light. She is staying at Tides while cleaning out the house and begins to develop a friendship with Jane and Andie, which just may change her life.

This is a sweet story of friendships and family. This just may be my favorite in the series so far. I love all the characters and how they all come together for each other. The author’s vivid description makes you think you are right there. I highly recommend this book. You could read it as a standalone, but I think it is best if you read the first 4 books in the series first so you can get to know each character.