The Cottage on the Corner - Shirlee McCoy (Zebra - Aug 2014)

Series: Apple Valley (Book 2)

In Apple Valley, Washington, true friends are never far, neighbors can help heal the loneliest hearts--and longed-for dreams can unexpectedly become real . . .

Charlotte Garrison's second chance is falling into place just like she's carefully planned. A few more sales of her heavenly sweets and she'll be able to turn the empty shop on Main Street into her own bakery--a plan much more sensible than ever again risking her heart. But when a rambunctious three-year-old girl lands on town deputy Max Stanford's doorstep, Charlotte finds helping the good-looking deputy care for her is sparking the most impossible dreams . . .

Max has never been much for settling down. But while he finds out if little Zuzu is really his daughter, Charlotte's warmth and caring makes him want to prove he's worthy of her trust. And as they struggle to come to terms with their pasts, Max will do whatever it takes to show Charlotte home is where dreams come true--and he and Zuzu are all the love and home she'll ever need.

This was a heartwarming story of family, friends, love, and second chances, all in a small town where, for good or bad, everyone knows everyone else's business. Both Charlotte and Max are relative newcomers to Apple Valley, each one looking for a new start. Max was a big city cop before burnout and an injury sent him looking for a slower lifestyle. Slow doesn't mean alone, however, and Max has quite the reputation as a ladies' man with no interest in anything permanent. Charlotte came to Apple Valley after the death of her husband revealed that he already had a wife and children. Devastated, she loses herself in what she does best - baking sweets and planning to open her own bakery. Men are off her shopping list entirely.

Charlotte and Max have been friendly acquaintances for years. He asked her out when she first moved to town but didn't lose any sleep over her refusal. However, he still attempts to flirt with her whenever he sees her, as he does in the opening scenes at Cade and Tessa's wedding. It's evident that there are some sparks between them, but Charlotte fights them all the way. Charlotte soon finds herself sucked into Max's life when he needs her help. Max is stunned when his ex-girlfriend shows up with a three-year-old girl she claims is his. In a heartbreaking scene, Morgan dumps the little girl with Max to go to Vegas for a job. I felt for Max, who was overwhelmed, but whose kind heart wanted what was best for little Zuzu, and throws himself on Charlotte's mercy.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Charlotte and Max. Both of them cling tightly to their "no relationships" rules, but the more time they spend together, the harder it is to remember why. With Zuzu's arrival in his life, Max finds that his old lifestyle doesn't hold the same appeal, and having opened his heart to her it isn't such a big step to let Charlotte in, too. He also knows that convincing Charlotte to trust him isn't going to be easy. I loved his patience and cheerful refusal to be discouraged. I ached for him when his romantic snow picnic didn't go the way he hoped because of Charlotte's fears. I liked his conversation with the preacher that might have had more impact if it hadn't been interrupted by an emergency with Zuzu. At the same time, Charlotte took a hard look at herself, her dreams, and her future, and realized that she wanted more. I loved her big moment at the end and seeing her finally let go of the past.

There were two mysteries that ran through the book. One was a problem with someone breaking and entering Charlotte's house. I enjoyed the way it brought out the protectiveness in Max, who went a little above and beyond the call of duty in watching out for her. It happened several times, escalating with each incursion. I began to suspect the who, but the reason was a bit of a surprise. The final confrontation was funny and heartbreaking. The other mystery was the question of whether Max is Zuzu's father. He fights against the idea at the beginning, but it isn't long before he starts getting into the swing of it. I loved his commitment by the end, but I would have liked a more definite answer.

I liked the secondary characters also. Zim and Gertrude still carry on their feud against each other, but also have their good points. I enjoyed seeing Zim help Charlotte take care of Zuzu that first day, though there was also some self-interest that came into play. One of my favorites in this book was Ida, the town mayor. She stepped into the gap when Max needed help with Zuzu. I also liked her rational and no-nonsense way of dealing with some of her more unruly constituents. I loved her part in the final confrontation with the thief.

The House on Main Street - Shirlee McCoy (Zebra - Nov 2013)

Series: Apple Valley (Book 1)

In Apple Valley, Washington, friends are always near, neighbors have no secrets even if they'd like to and long-held wishes have a way of coming true

Interior designer Tessa McKenzie has built a good life far from her hometown. She intends to get back to it as soon as she sells the cluttered Victorian house and antiques shop she inherited from her sister, Emily. But leaving Apple Valley a second time won't be so easy. There's her grieving nephew, Alex, to consider. And there's Cade Cunningham, the adolescent crush who could easily break her heart again if she let him.

To Cade, Tessa was simply his high school sweetheart's kid sister. But now there's no denying she's a beautiful and caring woman, one he'd like to get to know. Except that Tessa is determined to leave again. If Cade wants to change her mind, he'll have to show her that small-town life has its lovable side and that he does too.

This was a good, small-town, friends to lovers story. Ten years earlier, Tessa left her small town to escape the memories of her childhood, and to stop cleaning up the messes her older sister created. She built a good life and a successful career as an interior designer on the east coast. When her sister and brother in law died in a car accident, Tessa found herself the guardian of her autistic nephew and owner of their Victorian house and antique shop. She was determined to dispose of the house as quickly as possible and move Alex and Aunt Gertrude back to Maryland with her. But that proved to be easier said than done.

I admit that I had a little trouble liking Tessa at the very beginning. She seemed very focused on the inconvenience of being there and her own desire to get back east. There didn't seem to be much sympathy in her for the effect of the changes on her aunt and nephew. That changed pretty quickly as her grief and regrets over her estrangement with her sister were revealed. I ached for her, too, because she was at a loss on how to connect with Alex. That was complicated by the way that Aunt Gertrude always made her feel that whatever she did was wrong. Add to that the stress of cleaning up the last of the messes Emily left behind, and my sympathy for Tessa overcame my dislike.  She completely won me over when she realized that she couldn't take Alex away from the only home he'd ever known. Then there was Cade - her childhood friend, her sister's high school sweetheart, and the guy she had loved with all of her teenage heart.

I liked Cade. After time away for college and the military, he was glad to be back home in the town he loved. In his job as sheriff, he gets to show that love in everything from giving troublesome teens something to do to dealing with quirky older residents. Cade was happy to see his friend Tessa back in Apple Valley, despite the circumstances. He had great memories of the time he spent with his sweetheart's little sister. What he didn't expect was his reaction to the beautiful and caring woman she had become.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Cade and Tessa. First came the renewal of their friendship. They had known each other so well and for so long that talking to each other was as easy as it had ever been. What threw them both for a loop were the sparks of attraction that popped up. Cade was wary at first because he knew that Tessa planned to leave. He was married for a short time to a woman who hated the small town life, and he didn't want to go through that again. Tessa was recently burned in a relationship and trusting any man with her heart was a risk she didn't want to take. I loved that it was Cade who recognized his feelings first and made it his mission to show Tessa the benefits of living in a small town. I loved his steady, gentle pursuit of Tessa, combined with his determination to support her, however she needed him. There were some sweet scenes between them as he worked to break down her walls. Tessa resisted her feelings for as long as she could, but it was a losing battle. The strength of her feelings scared her, and those fears made her lash out at him a few times. It took a near tragedy for her to finally accept that it was okay to lean on Cade and accept his love.

The secondary characters were terrific. Aunt Gertrude was a real piece of work. She was feisty and stubborn and contrary, but she also loved her family with all her heart. I loved the description of her as looking "like an ancient Christmas elf with an attitude." She and Tessa butted heads almost constantly through the book, as Gertrude tried to push Tessa the way she wanted her to go. I enjoyed Gertrude's feud with the neighbor and the unexpected twist at the end. Alex was the character that my heart broke for. He seemed so lost at the beginning, only happy when he played his music. His fascination with the angel caused some of the most emotional moments of the book. Zim started out as the man I loved to hate because of the way he tried to cause trouble for Tessa and the others. He did redeem himself quite nicely at the end. The deputy, Max, was quite flirt and I wasn't sure if he was going to cause trouble for Cade and Tessa or not. I ended up enjoying the way he poked at Cade a little bit without being mean about it. I'm looking forward to reading his story because I suspect that he's going to fall hard.