Only Love Can Hurt Like This by Paige Toon

 

An absorbing novel of a romance within a captivating story of family relationships, hard decisions, and lives missing out on living.

When Wren travels to visit her father in Indiana, she leaves England with a broken heart and engagement. She never felt connected to her father or her step family after he left her mother. It is her hope to finally form relationships with them.

Anders and Jonas live in the farm adjacent to her father’s. They both are complicated beings. Wren is drawn to Anders who has his demons like Wren and Jonas. The story is exceptional as it traces the complications of relationships as the summer unfolds.

If We're Being Honest by Cat Shook

 

The death of patriarch Gerry Williams brings his children and grandchildren home for his funeral. Their collective thoughts and feelings for Gerry are in for a big shock. The ensuing story examines the relationships, beliefs, and growth as the days pass in a smart look at a family in crisis.

A Kiss From the Past by Kelly Cain

 

Life for Nichelle becomes very mixed up when she learns she is adopted. It is a bombshell she never anticipated at her age. It is a letter and a ring that uncover the adoption and begin her search for her biological parents. She meets Clark who is instrumental in helping her uncover the history of the ring and leads to her family. Clark and Nichelle feel strong chemistry but he is hiding a secret that could blow it all apart. The story is a very engaging blend of hereditary and love.

The Enemy of Love By Annabelle Thorpe

 

A moving and tragic story of the lives of two families in a Nazi infiltrated Italian town. Amid the horrors of the Nazi occupation is the love of Giorgio and Sophia both working to defend their families and the town. The lovely scenes of Georgia and Sophia play against the absolute ugliness and horrible treatment of the Nazis and of life. at times a very hard read but so worth your time.

Under a Greek Sun by Mandy Baggot

 

The Greek isle of Corfu is a lovely setting for growing love, long held secrets, and delicious food. To Eve, it is a vacation to spirit her brother away from life in England. For Georgio, it is a time to find his biological father. The island is alive with various characters which help them along the way in their journeys. 

Silver Alert by Lee Smith

 

Herb Atlas is losing everything he loves: his wife to Alzheimer’s, his home, his health. At 86, he has amassed a fortune that cannot slow the passage of time. When Renee (DeeDee) enters his life as a nail stylist for his wife, Susan, he sees this joyful young woman as a gift to Susan. Renee always manages to calm and soothe Susan.

It is a story of young and old, of a horrible life and a better one and of life proceeding through it all.

The Firefly Jar by Laurie Beach

 

The first of three in the Crickley Creek series, The Firefly Jar is a wonderful and touching story with a series of ups and downs. It is a tale of Charlotte seeking her mother’s roots in Crickley Creek and of her discovering hidden truths and the pain that accompanies them. Their characters are as  varied as their personalities, each adding flavor to the story.