The Unexpected Inn: an inspirational story of friendship, love, and faith

The Unexpected Inn is the second book in the Blessings Bay by Rachael Bloome. Abigail Preston never expected to own an inn. But here she is in Blessings Bay and preparing to open an inn and a very important guest is coming that could hinder her goal before it is even off the ground. When her best friend, Nadia Chopra, comes, she is the bright light in the gathering clouds. Nadia is fresh off a very public break up and needs a change of scenery for a time. One day at the local farmer’s market, she meets Evan Blake and can’t stop thinking about him. Evan had been so focused on continuing his mother’s saltwater taffy business as well as taking care of his hospitalized father. He’s not even thinking about dating and love. However, Nadia captivates him with her candid opinions and soft heart. With so many overwhelming odds, can love overcome their doubts and lead to their own happily ever afters? 

I have fallen in love with Rachael Bloome’s stories. With her Poppy Creek series ending, I was excited to read her new Blessings Bay series. With stories of hardship, friendship, faith and love, her stories are engaging and inspirational. The Unexpected Inn is another great example of her stories. From the opening chapter to the closing pages, I was on the edge of my seat. I loved all the storylines. With Abigail and the inn, Nadia and Evan, they all blended beautifully and did not distract from each other. Even though this is mainly Nadia and Evan’s story, I loved the continuation of Abigail's story from the first book, Blessings on State Street. There were twists and turns I wasn’t expecting and how I wish I could try Evan’s saltwater taffy! I am looking forward to reading future stories in this series. If you enjoy found family, small town community stories with faith and love, I highly recommend The Unexpected Inn. 

The Unexpected Inn is available in paperback and eBook

The Promise in Poppies: the story of Poppy Creek has come full circle

The Promise in Poppies is the eighth book in the Poppy Creek series by Rachael Bloome. Cassie Davis has built a wonderful life in Poppy Creek. With a surprise pregnancy, Cassie faces her fears of motherhood while trying to rebuild her relationship with her own mom. Donna Hayward has devoted the last two years maintaining her sobriety as well as making amends. She returns to Poppy Creek to help Cassie, determined to be the mother she needs now, while guarding a secret, the one piece of information that Cassie has been asking for: the identity of her father. The last thing Donna expected was to fall in love with Rhett Douglas, the ex-con who, burdened by his own past mistakes, helps her see that there may be a second chance for love. As the town bands together to save the beloved library from a land developer, shocking secrets emerge. Will the tight knit community of found families be able to handle these revelations? 

I love the community of Poppy Creek! The cast of characters and the beautiful setting makes for a great series of love, laughter and even a few tears as life lessons are learned. I love the author’s use of faith-based concepts and Scriptures without being preachy or heavy handed. The struggles of the characters are real without easy or simple solutions and there wasn’t  a character I didn’t love or not cheer for. The Promise in Poppies is an uplifting read that warms your heart with its hope, healing and happily ever afters. The books in this series can be read out of order, however, if you haven’t started the Poppy Creek series, I highly recommend starting in order with book 1, The Clause in Christmas which introduces Cassie to this beloved small town. The Promise in Poppies brings the series full circle. I hope there will be more books in this wonderful series. I highly, highly recommend The Promise in Poppies. 

The Promise in Poppies is available in paperback and eBook

The Hope in Hot Chocolate: an enemies to lovers romance a la You've Got Mail

The Hope in Hot Chocolate is the seventh book in the Poppy Creek series by Rachael Bloome. Sadie Hamilton is the kindhearted candymaker in the small town of Poppy Creek. Kindhearted to everyone except Landon Morris, Mr Anti-Sugar, especially as her candy shop is struggling and he will be her direct competition. Landon can’t afford any distractions between caring for his ailing mother and trying to launch his new venture. However, he can’t get Sadie out of his head and everywhere he turns, they seem to be thrown together. First, they are forced to share a booth at the town’s Sips and Sweets Festival and second, they are constantly matched as the town’s Valentine’s festivities are in full swing. There’s no denying their connection but can they put aside their contention to take a chance on love? 

I love the Poppy Creek series and The Hope in Hot Chocolate is another great addition. Sadie is a woman driven by passion for the confections she lovingly makes and the legacy she has been handed when she took over the shop. Landon is also driven by passion and a commitment to bring treats without the sugar to Poppy Creek. It is an enemies to lovers romance a la You’ve Got Mail with the small town charms of Poppy Creek. A clean romance with plenty of drama and laughs, The Hope in Hot Chocolate will bring a smile to your face and a sigh to your lips. I look forward to finishing this series and revisiting the romances of Poppy Creek. I highly, highly recommend The Hope in Hot Chocolate as well as the rest of the Poppy Creek series. 

The Hope in Hot Chocolate is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Blessings on State Street: the healing magic of Christmas

Blessings on State Street is the first book in the Blessings Bay series by Rachael Bloome. Abigail Preston wants nothing to do with Christmas. Since her husband’s tragic death, she cannot face another holiday without him. When she discovers that her late husband owned a waterfront home in Blessings Bay, she realizes it’s the perfect hideout that she needs. Little does she know that her life is about to change. Former US Air Force pilot Logan Matthews has lived as a caretaker for his friend’s property after his medical discharge. Left brokenhearted after his fiancée broke off their engagement, he settles into a reclusive life. Abigail and Logan agree to be roommates for the duration of Abigail’s stay with two conditions: stay out of each other’s way and no celebrating Christmas. When a chance encounter with a little boy, Logan and Abigail find their agreement harder and harder to uphold. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Rachael Bloome’s Poppy Creek series and when I heard she had a new series, I jumped at the chance to read it. Blessings on State Street is so sweet with lots of smiles and fun encounters with the quirky residents of Blessings Bay. It also is filled with tears and emotional moments as Abigail and Logan open up about their painful pasts and current struggles. I also loved the residents who interact with Abigail and show her the true magic of a small town. It was a quick read as I was pulled into the story. I could not put it down! After I finished this book, I immediately added the next books in the series to my wish list and I can’t wait to read them. If you enjoy small towns, chance encounters, romance and the healing magic of Christmas, I highly, highly recommend Blessings on State Street. 

Blessings on State Street is available in paperback and eBook

The Whisper in Wind: an inspiring romance in a small town

The Whisper in Wind by Rachael Bloome is the sixth book in the Poppy Creek series. Lucy Gardener is ready to settle down and start her dream career. When her brother, Jack, asks her to help document the town’s fall festivals for a promotional video for the Whispering Winds Inn, she looks forward to it. However, she was not prepared to share the task with Vick Johnson, the brooding former marine and her secret crush. Vick has one foot out the door. He always knew his time in Poppy Creek would be temporary and while he has plans to leave, the close-knit community is making it difficult to leave. Especially Lucy with her bright smile. With their obvious connection, will Lucy and Vick take a chance on a happily ever after? 

I truly love this series and I wish Poppy Creek was a real town I could visit and maybe even live. I loved the close knit community friendships. In an uplifting style, The Whisper in Wind is an inspiring romance story with the characters’ finding a purpose and a home. I could not put this book down as Lucy and Vick struggle with their sense of purpose and trying to find their place in the world. Their journeys as individuals and as a potential couple was sweet and heartwarming. I loved that they connected over the love of a book. There were sweet moments throughout the story and I cannot wait for the rest of the series. I highly recommend The Whisper in Wind and the previous books in the Poppy Creek series. 

The Whisper in Wind is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Faith in Flowers: a second chance romance with heart and small town charm

The Faith in Flowers is the fifth book in the Poppy Creek series by Rachael Bloome. Olivia Parker returns home for her brother, Grant’s wedding. She decides to keep her divorce secret so as to not ruin the big day. Confirmed bachelor Reed Hollis has never forgotten the only woman to capture his heart and he also hasn’t forgotten that she is married. Believing Olivia is happily married, he buried himself into cultivating his beautiful blooms and keeping his distance. When the original wedding venue becomes unavailable, Olivia and Reed are brought together to help plan the wedding with a new venue. As the two work together, they are confronted with their feelings as well as their fears and painful secrets. Can their love bloom with a little faith? 

I love the Poppy Creek series and The Faith in Flowers is a great addition to it. It is a sweet, clean romance with plenty of heart and the small town charm. A second chance for Olivia and Reed find themselves face to face after so many years and discovering their past feelings are alive and well. I love the themes of love, grace and forgiveness and that even the most beautiful flowers bloom from the dirt. We are not bound to our past mistakes as we build for a brighter future. Reed and Olivia are so sweet as they banter as friends and confide in each other before ultimately confessing their love. I look forward to continuing the series. I highly recommend The Faith in Flowers and the Poppy Creek series. 

The Faith in Flowers is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

New York, New Year, New You: a self-discovery with a happily ever after

New York, New Year, New You by Rachael Bloome is a story of one woman’s journey to prove herself. Quincy Carmichael is the youngest in a very overachieving family. So overachieving that she can’t keep up so she stopped trying. Earning the nickname, Quincy the Quitter, she finds a reason, any excuse to stop before she gets hurt. When the opportunity for a major promotion comes up, she is challenged to move to New York City and complete 10 year’s worth of unfinished New Year’s resolutions. She stays with her childhood friend, Brynn, and Brynn’s older brother, Ethan, who happens to be Quincy’s childhood crush. With Brynn and Ethan’s help, Quincy finds herself on an eye opening journey of self-discovery she never thought possible. 

New York, New Year, New You is a light, wholesome, feel-good, unable to put it down, novel full of heart, hope, and humor. I loved Quincy and my heart broke for her from the very beginning. And I cheered as she faced each challenge, despite her nerves, and finished each one with success or not. But she keeps going and learns who she truly is and what she really wants in life. I laughed, smiled and teared up as she finally found the strength to stand up for herself and have the confidence to be herself. I also loved Ethan’s character and his interactions with Quincy. If you enjoy sweet, emotional stories with a happily ever after, I highly recommend New York, New Year, New You. 

New York, New Year, New You is available in paperback and eBook

The Meaning in Mistletoe: secrets, romance and a little Christmas magic

The Meaning in Mistletoe by Rachael Bloome is the fourth book in the Poppy Creek series. Kat Bennet has only one Christmas wish: to save Hope Hideaway. Hope Hideaway is a women’s shelter where she works but more than that, it is truly the only home she has ever known. With falling donations, the thought of closing the doors for good breaks her heart. Then a sudden idea brings her to the charming small town of Poppy Creek. Jack Gardener’s attention is immediately drawn to the new stranger in town. He is more than happy to show Kat the charm of his beloved town. However, he knows she doesn’t plan to stay. Both Jack and Kat keep their hearts under lock and key and their pasts hidden. However, Christmas in Poppy Creek is more than just charming, there is magic in the air. Can they let this Christmas be one they will never forget and find love for a lifetime? 

I am in love with the Poppy Creek series and The Meaning in Mistletoe is a wonderful addition. I could not put this story down as Kat and Jack deal with past hurts, uncertain futures and a love they cannot deny. All characters from the previous books make the occasional appearances without bogging down the story. One of my favorite moments is between Kat and Fern, her mentor/mother figure. Kat questions what if God doesn’t open doors and Fern responds with God always opens doors, it’s not always the ones we expect! I also love how the epilogue of the book leads into the story of the next book. I can’t wait to continue this series. If you love small town charms, clean and wholesome romance with faith and a bit of magic, I highly recommend The Meaning in Mistletoe and the previous books in this series. I highly recommend starting with the first book, The Clause in Christmas. 

The Meaning in Mistletoe is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Secret in Sandcastles: an enemies to lovers romance

The Secret in Sandcastles by Rachael Bloome is the third book in the Poppy Creek series. Penny Heart and Colt Davis have been childhood enemies especially when she had been at the receiving end of one of his pranks. Penny likes to play it safe in life and in love. Safe means never getting hurt or having your heartbroken. Colt Davis is the town prankster, ladies’ man and adventurer. They are thrown together for a town project: to find the town’s most thrilling adventures to revamp the outdated guidebook. Something about the cautious Penny intrigues him. One adventure after another, they begin a genuine connection and unexpected romance. Will they take the jump to a happily ever after? Or will their different approaches in life keep them apart? 

The Secret in Sandcastles is about two extremes in life: playing it safe versus the reckless adventure. Penny is known as the Queen of Caution and Colt is the rootless adventurer who never stays in the same place twice. But deep inside there is more to Penny and Colt than they realize. Penny longs for adventure and Colt grows tired of his rootless life. I felt a connection to Penny. I loved how Colt was able to slowly pull Penny from her shell and help her embrace adventure. You can be an adventurer without being too reckless. I also loved Colt’s vulnerability under his bravado. I am truly enjoying this series and I highly recommend The Secret in Sandcastles as well as the first two books. 

The Secret in Sandcastles is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

Book 1: The Clause in Christmas 

and 

Book 2: The Truth in Tiramisu

are available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

The Truth in Tiramisu: forgiveness and second chances for love

The Truth in Tiramisu is the second book in the Poppy Creek series by Rachael Bloome. Eliza Carter has been hiding a deep secret. With her bakery undergoing a remodel, her son, Ben, struggling in school, and planning her best friend’s wedding, her secret is the last thing she has to deal with. That is until her high school sweetheart comes back to town. Grant Parker has never forgotten the girl he left behind, the girl who broke his heart. With a business deal with a very lucrative client on the line, he takes the chance and heads home to Poppy Creek. Maybe a chance to rekindle their love? When Grand offers to help Eliza with her new business’ website, he ends up spending more and more time with Eliza and Ben and discovers their feelings never changed. When the secret comes to light, can their new love survive?

This story picks up right after The Clause in Christmas ends as Eliza is reliving and questioning if she really saw a familiar face. From the opening chapter to the closing page, I loved, loved this story! I could not put it down! I loved the themes of hope, forgiveness and second chances for love. I even appreciated the meaning behind the title as it is revealed in the story. So good! Eliza is the kind of character you want to reach through the pages and hug, to stand behind as she deals with those who would judge her. I also enjoyed Grant’s story as he learns more secrets than just Eliza’s that have shaped, even misguided, his view on his family, his hometown and the love of his life. I look forward to the rest of the series. I highly recommend The Truth in Tiramisu.  

The Truth in Tiramisu is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

The Clause in Christmas: an unexpected inheritance comes with a catch

The Clause in Christmas is the first book in the Poppy Creek series by Rachael Bloome. Is a story of an unexpected inheritance and a turning point in life. Cassie Hayward hates Christmas and for good reason. This year she has no job, flat broke and an ex that won’t leave her alone. She arrives in the small town of Poppy Creek to receive her inheritance from her estranged grandmother. There’s one tiny problem. Her grandmother Edith had put a clause in the will. In order for Cassie to inherit, she would need to complete the Christmas Calendar. A series of festive tasks to complete everyday til Christmas and her lawyer, the handsome Luke Davis, would oversee her progress. Will Cassie complete the calendar? Will she risk her heart to find joy in Christmas and love in the small town? 

I don’t usually read books set during Christmas but the premise of The Clause in Christmas intrigued me. How could someone hate Christmas? This book was my first by Rachael Bloome and it will not be my last. From the opening chapter to the closing pages, my heart fell for Cassie, Luke and the small town of Poppy Creek. I grinned like an idiot. I cried like a baby and I sighed at the romance. Cassie’s story is heartbreaking and with pain like hers, it is easy to close yourself off for protection. Luke is just the man to show her that joy can be found in Christmas and how love can be great when you open yourself up. I am eager to read the rest of the Poppy Creek series. I highly, highly recommend The Clause in Christmas. 

The Clause in Christmas is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook