From the publisher:
Two lives spent searching. One summer to never forget.
Life in Blossom Branch hasn’t always been sweet for Leah Marks. Growing up in the shadow of her overachieving siblings, the shy psychology grad has struggled to find her own place in the world. So when she inherits a long-forgotten summer camp, Leah sees an opportunity to help other kids who are struggling—and maybe find happiness for herself.
Her plan takes an unexpected turn, however, after a scorching encounter with the local fire chief, Lucas Carter. He’s brave, he’s kind…and he’s not quite ready to settle down. Leah is drawn to the rugged firefighter—but she fears she’ll be burned if she gets too close.
Still, Leah and Lucas can’t help but fall harder for each other, until the ill-fated uncertainty of their future can no longer be ignored. As another sizzling summer unfolds in Blossom Branch, will they both finally find the home—and the love—they’ve been searching for?Blossom Branch
https://amzn.to/4e4U0jQ
Book 1: The Runaway Bride of Blossom Branch
Book 2: One Sweet Southern Summer
I don’t recall reading this author before, and she has written over 80+ books! So I wasn’t sure what to expect here besides the clues from the cover and the title: I thought it would be a romance on the sweet side, but there was plenty of heat. I loved the premise of the story, too. Leah grows up with a bunch of overachieving brothers, and as the only girl with a less than prestigious degree in psychology, she is thrilled to find out her aunt has left her a home and a summer camp in the small town of Blossom Branch. She gets the idea to renovate the camp and turn it into a charity camp, taking in middle school aged kids who have bad home situations or have gotten into trouble.
Working with some foundations, she hires a staff and funds the camp with grants. Campers will come for two weeks, then the staff will get a week off before the next set of campers comes in. It’s a big project, but Leah’s heart is in it and she makes it a success.
Unfortunately, on the first night of camp, one of the troubled youths starts a small fire in the kitchen. The fire department keeps it controlled until they get it out, but there is quite a bit of damage to the dining hall. Fortunately, the oh-so-hot fire chief, Lucas Carter, is willing to help and gets friends to start on the cleanup and rebuild.
Lucas is immediately drawn to Leah, but he is not looking to settle down any time soon. Leah finds him very attractive as well, but her first priority are the kids in her camp. And she has no plans on staying in this small town all year round, so geography is not their friend either.
As Leah and Lucas spend time together, they are both falling in love. It takes a lot to get them together, but it is so much fun getting to their happily ever after. I really enjoyed this romance, and I love that this author has so many books – I’ll always be able to find something to read!
6/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
ONE SWEET SOUTHERN SUMMER by Janice Maynard. Canary Street Press; Original edition (April 23, 2024). ISBN: 978-1335523068. 368p.
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