The Heartwood Chef: a second chance romance

The Heartwood Chef is the fifth and final book in the Heartwood Sisters/Carter’s Cove series by Elana Johnson. Gwen Heartwood loves her job managing the dining services at her family’s inn unless she’s dealing with angry customers, deadlines and short staffing. Then she hates her job, she likes Teagan Hatch, the inn’s head chef. But he broke her heart without explanation and no apology. They continue to work side by side, a bit strained, but it’s working. Teagan is keeping many secrets. He’s a man who has been burned in the past and has a hard time trusting others with his deepest secrets. When he realized he wants Gwen back, he also realized he needs to reveal his secrets. After he reveals why he broke up with her and offers the apology Gwen has needed, they start dating again. Their new relationship seems to be on an edge when Gwen realizes that Teagan still hasn’t told her everything. Will he finally trust her completely or will this be the final end to their relationship? 

The Heartwood Chef is a nice close to the Heartwood sisters saga. The series has been filled with angst, relational issues, and growth for the couples. Gwen and Teagan’s story is filled with angst more so than the previous stories. Teagan has so much more history and much more relational issues. While he was attracted to Gwen, he had issues and concerns that stopped him from pursuing the desires of his heart. I enjoyed that Teagan allowed himself to be vulnerable and acknowledged that he needed help. He didn’t want to lose Gwen again and he wanted to do all he could to make sure he did right by Gwen. Gwen was confused about their sudden break up and she pined for him as they worked together side by side. As Teagan learns to open up, Gwen learns what it means to be a supportive partner. Overall, I enjoyed The Heartwood Chef. It was a nice wrap up as readers say goodbye to the Heartwoods. I recommend it and the entire Heartwood Sisters/Carter’s Cove series. 

The Heartwood Chef is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

The Heartwood Wedding: a great romantic read for a lazy weekend

The Heartwood Wedding is the fourth book in the Carter’s Cove series by Elana Johnson. After a bad first date with a local journalist, Brad Keith, a former pro football player, needs an out. He tells her he’s engaged but he really isn’t. He needs to find a fake fiancée quickly. Celeste Heartwood is the event planner for the inn and just happens to walk by. Brad quickly pulls her into his lie. She agrees only because she wants a guaranteed date for the summer. She’s tired of attending events by herself. They strike a deal: a fake engagement for the summer. No strings, no entanglements. But soon their fake relationship becomes very real. Will they be able to walk away as planned? Or will they risk their hearts for love? 

The Heartwood Wedding was a cute, sweet romance. Brad tries to get a pushy woman off his back with a fake relationship, so he makes a deal with Celeste. Let the fake romance begin! However, wouldn’t people know that the local celebrity and a member of the prominent Heartwood family know they weren’t dating to become engaged? Some were skeptical but quickly accepted the news.  Of course, any fake relationship will often turn into a real one. Their relationship becomes sweet and endearing. Celeste is very bossy and uptight but reveals her true self as her relationship with Brad blossoms. I loved Brad’s very public gesture in order to win her heart for real. It was a quick read, great for a lazy afternoon of romance. I recommend The Heartwood Wedding. 

The Heartwood Wedding is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook