Michele Dunaway

Sweet story with a bit of heat. All of her life, Zoe wanted nothing more than to run her mom's cookie bakery, Auntie Jayne's Cookies. She's recently purchased it, and it is all hers. As a single mom, Zoe's life is taken up with her daughter Megan and the store. Her two attempts at relationships failed, so she's pretty much written love off for the foreseeable future. That changes when Nick Reilly returns to town.

Nick grew up poor and bullied before his family moved to California when he was a junior in high school. He had a big crush on Zoe and used to go to the cookie store whenever he had spare money. He's returned to town after selling his company but keeps the details of his life under his hat. He's tired of being seen as the poor kid who made good or someone's meal ticket. It's almost a relief when neither Zoe nor anyone else recognizes him. I loved Nick. He's a genuinely nice guy who doesn't flaunt his wealth. He's come to Beaumont to exorcise the demons of his youth, make some better memories, and then move on to figure out what he wants to do with the rest of his life.

I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Nick and Zoe develop. She doesn't remember him, so she has no preconceived ideas about him. This was important when she and Nick ran into each other at the wine bar that night. I loved seeing them connect and how comfortable they were with each other. It was sweet when he offered to walk her home and fortuitous because he was with her when the fire department arrived at her house. I loved how Nick stayed by her side and supported her then and the next day as she dealt with all the issues. Seeing his support as she faced her mother's micromanaging was especially heartwarming, though he didn't expect her to claim they were engaged.

I loved seeing them spend time together. Zoe sees Nick the man because she doesn't know his background or financial status. Though he expects to leave town soon, he can't bring himself to leave as they get to know each other. I liked how good he was with Zoe's daughter, Megan, who clearly returned his affection. I especially enjoyed seeing how Nick's support greatly improved Zoe's confidence. Zoe has often felt that she struggles for her mother's approval for everything from her personal life to the cookie store. She also tends to worry about what other people think, making her second guess herself.

As time goes on, each realizes that their feelings are growing. But Nick has no plans to stay in Beaumont, and Zoe's roots are deep in its soil. When Zoe's jerk of an ex-husband spills the beans on Nick's identity (and not in a nice way), Zoe is hurt and angered by what she sees as Nick's lack of trust. I ached for them both as it drove a wedge between them. Both have some trust and confidence issues to overcome, and I loved seeing how they worked through them. The ending was sweet and emotional, and the epilogue was a great wrap-up.

I loved the St. Louis area setting, with mentions of things like the Katy Trail and the Blues hockey team. My husband and I have been to several wineries in that area, so it all felt natural and familiar.… (altro)

Good second chance romance. When Sierra and Jack were in high school, Sierra was Jack's math tutor, even though she was younger. He had a big crush on her, and just before his family moved away, he asked her to the high school dance. And though she liked him too, when she learned of some shenanigans related to the date, she turned him down flat. What she heard broke her heart, and she's never forgotten or forgiven him.

After a devastating crash in her fighter, Sierra left the Navy and returned home to try to rebuild her life. She helps her sister in the family bakery and helps at the family winery. She also helps look after her father, who has early-onset Alzheimer's. She has a new job lined up after the new year that will allow her to continue her service to the military and use her mathematical abilities. Jack Clayton is the last person she expects to see walk into the bakery.

Jack is happy to see Sierra again, even though she broke his heart when she refused his invitation. His family's company has big plans in the area, and he hopes to spend time with her. Her continuing anger over the dance confuses him, but that doesn't stop his flirting. When Sierra finds out he's buying up the local wineries and is after her family's winery, she sees red and blasts him. Undeterred, Jack challenges her to let him show her the changes and the plans.

Underneath Sierra's antagonism is the realization that she is attracted to him. She's determined not to fall under the spell of "Jerk" Clayton again. But while spending time together, she sees another side of him, and her heart is soon in danger. She knows they have no future, as her life is in Missouri, and he will eventually return to Oregon. Meanwhile, as Jack gets to know Sierra and spends some time with her family, he is torn between business and pleasure. He needs the James winery to complete his plans, but he knows Sierra is adamantly against selling, especially to him.

I ached for Sierra and Jack when the process was hijacked. The timing was especially awkward, though it helped open Jack's eyes to the depth of his feelings for Sierra. Sierra feels blindsided by Jack and is left feeling used. She's no shrinking violet in the face of what she feels is a betrayal and sets out to make her feelings known. I loved seeing her in action, even though it didn't change the outcome. I loved the effect on Jack and seeing how her example gave him the courage to stand up to his father. Jack refused to give up and went after what he wanted. The ending was sweet and emotional. I hope to see more of them in the next book (about Sierra's sister, Zoe) and see how their love progresses.

It was lovely to read a book that takes place in the Midwest. With so many set in Montana, Texas, or other western states, it's nice to experience other locations. I'd love to see more variety on a regular basis. I remember when the Harlequin American line started there was more diversity in the locations.… (altro)

Sweet second chance love story. Luke and Shelby grew up next door to each other and were lifelong friends. When they were teenagers, their friendship grew into more, and they had grand plans for their future together. But misunderstandings and outside interference tore them apart, believing the other had betrayed their love.

Shelby left her hometown behind and ultimately became a globe-trotting photographer. As the book opens twelve years later, she is between assignments and plans to spend a few days with her parents in Beaumont, Missouri. She's shocked when she runs into single dad Luke, who has moved back to Beaumont after his wife's death.

Luke has never forgotten his first love and recently learned about the interference that drove them apart. Though he doesn't expect to rekindle their romance, he wants to clear the air and reinstate their friendship. He gets his chance when their fathers' feud jeopardizes the families' traditional participation in the town balloon festival.

Shelby only expects to be home for a few days before returning to Seattle, but when she sends some of her hometown pictures to her boss, she's offered the chance to do a full spread about the festival. This is a significant career advancement, so she jumps at it. Because of their fathers' feud, this will be the first time their balloon hasn't flown in the festival. Luke suggests to Shelby that they fly the balloon, hoping the time together will allow them to reconnect. Shelby is wary at first, but once she hears the truth behind their separation, she's willing to try.

Neither Luke nor Shelby expects anything more than friendship from their time together. Luke and his daughter are putting down roots in Beaumont, staying close to family. Luke has also started a new business that he is excited about. At the same time, Shelby's life is one of constant travel as she chases her next adventure. But the more time they spend together, the more old feelings return. There are some sweet scenes of the two together, from prepping the balloon and taking test flights to spending time with Luke's daughter, Anna.

Luke realizes the depth of his feelings first but is sensitive to Shelby's dedication to her career. I loved that he refused to ask her to give it up for him. His support of her dreams is terrific, even though letting her go again will break his heart. Shelby realizes the depth of her feelings, which are at war with her desired career path. I ached for both as they parted again. I loved the ending, as Shelby finally realized where her heart belonged. Luke doesn't make it easy for her because he's afraid to get his hopes up, but in the end, Shelby finds a way to have the best of both worlds. The epilogue was terrific.

My favorite secondary character was Anna. She's a sweet little kindergartner who takes to Shelby right away. Anna is fascinated by Shelby's work as a photographer and is over the moon when Shelby offers to teach her. There are great scenes of the two together, and I loved Anna's excitement over the whole process. Like Shelby, Anna has a good eye, and I loved the bit in the epilogue about her progress.

The feud between the two fathers mainly was two stubborn fools letting their pride get the better of them. I loved seeing Shelby and Luke work around them to get the balloon going and that their mothers were willing accomplices. I also loved the bit at the end where Luke brought them together and told them they were being idiots and set a lousy example for Anna. He didn't pull any punches, and I was happy that the older men finally got it.

I loved the Missouri setting, especially the sightseeing bits in St. Louis. I've been to those places myself, which added a little extra kick to the story.… (altro)