New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas is back with the second book in her heartwarming Someday Valley series, The Lavender Bookshop. The series, a spinoff of her Honey Creek series, will charm you as the preceding book, reconnect with some old friends and make room in your heart for some more.

Returning to Someday Valley, we are greeted by it's southern charm and rustic beauty. The Lavender Bookshop sets in roots in the heart of this town, bringing comfort to the folks and a sense of home for owner Noah O'Brien. Leaving his life behind with dreams and uncertainty, he finds himself right in the heart of a town that has claimed others such as him. Unsure of what's to come or where he's headed, he finds himself getting everything that he could ever want unexpectedly including the heart of a sweet school teacher, Cora Lee Buchanan.

Cora Lee, not only in love with his bookstore but finds herself enamored by his subtle charm and kindness. As their budding friendship blossoms, they find themselves creating their own story, searching for their happy ending and hea. These two bring joy and innocence to the book that you can't help but root for them.

Cora wasn't the only Buchanan in search of their hea. Bear, her father, known for his toughness and grumpy stature finds that tough exterior crumbling. Don't let the outside fool you because beyond that tough exterior is a big softie inside. Every town has their secrets and with him, the longing and desire for a secret love has crippled his life. When a friend needs help that puts his secret life in jeopardy, it forces a new chapter that leads to everything his he thought his heart couldn't have. Decisions are made that change his life in ways he couldn't imagine.

As we left off in the first book, the search was on for the siblings of Rusty. In storms Andi Delane, a tough gal who needs and counts on no one. While hiding low from some folks after her for a case she is on, she comes to town in search of the brothers she never knew. When she unexpectedly finds out that a deputy has been assigned to protect her, she finds herself struggling to let him in. As she lowers her guard, she finds herself not only trying to survive but fighting a losing battle that is trying to get her to stop running from the one thing she is trying to stay away from. There's something in the air in this town and as she finds out, there's something that pulls you in and doesn't let go.

This book was a slow burn romance with characters that simmered beautifully to the end. Another wonderful book in this series introducing characters that were in search of something and found a second chance of love, hope and renewed assurance that they were meant to be where they were in this wonderful place. What I love about this series and characters, especially in this book is that no matter who you are or what hardships that seem to block your blessings, you deserve to be loved.

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