Winsome Lane, a street that any small town would love to have. Representing a community that embodies all the charm and love that you'd hope for in a town, is the beautiful setting for this lovely book, The Gathering Table.

We are introduced to a lovely town Winsome, WI. This is the type of place that you'd hope all small towns would be like. The people look out for each other. Everyone knows one another but most important, everyone supports and loves each other. This is something Jessica Keaton was not used to at all.

Jessica Keaton, just left what seemed to be the dream of a lifetime. She was working for someone who she thought was what she aspired to be. In her eyes, working for this dream client presented a life that she thought was the greatest thing that could've happened. Sadly when an unfortunate situation presented itself involving someone close to her boss, she found herself unemployed, shamed and uncertain of her future. In an attempt to pick up the pieces and put the past behind her, Jessica was presented with a job opportunity that unbeknownst to her would change her life in more ways than she would know.

Winsome Lake was just the place for Jessica to escape to. No one knew her or her former boss, so staying under the radar was just what she was looking for. However, in town like this, it's hard to hide. With her new boss, Elaine Haviland, to be currently in rehab for an accident, she is left alone to find her way around and get settled in. Little did she know she wouldn't be alone for too long. The scrappy ladies as they are known to be called, make sure to bring the sunshine and the welcome wagon. Just trying to make her feel welcome and support their friend Elaine, Jessica is smothered with love and support leaving her feeling unlike she'd ever felt before.

Then comes the unexpected, her neighbor Nick. Helping out with Elaine's garden, he is everything that you'd expect from a nice guy in a small town such as this. He's handsome, community oriented and loved by everyone. The problem is, Jessica is not having anything of this. She is here to do a job and as times goes on she finds herself getting interested in more than cooking. Will Nick's small town charm be the secret ingredient missing in Jessica's recipe?

Elaine Haviland, knows all to well the feelings of be shamed and an the uncertainty of her future. When Elaine set to advertise for someone to cook and help out around the house, little did she know that it would change her life as well. Upon having a medical setback, Elaine found herself temporarily in rehab. Not knowing what she would experience when she returned, while turning to her faith and the strength of friends, she knew she had nothing to worry about. As she doesn't believe in coincidences, Elaine's intuition upon meeting Jessica gave her the confirmation that people are brought into each other's lives for a reason and through their experiences they find an invaluable friendship that changes both their lives and those around them forever.

With the fall approaching, this is the perfect read to get snuggled up on the couch. One of the best parts of the book that I loved was the friendships and support of community. I love the generational gap friendships because there is such value and depth to what they bring into each other's lives that make you more invested in them. These were the type of characters that invite you in and the more you read the book you want to love them more. This journey through their lives leaves such a sweet, fulfilled experience. With beautiful characters that you will fall in love with blended with friendship, love, hope and second chances, The Gathering Table is one place where everyone would want to pull up a seat. I'd recommend adding this one to the reading list.

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