I keep hoping my work schedule is going to settle down so I can do a better job catching up on my reading, but the nearly-hour-long drive each way to and from work every day is putting a serious crimp in my schedule. Nonetheless, I'm slowly working through my review stacks, and this time, I have a terrific read to share with you: JoAnn Ross's On Lavender Lane (Signet, received from author) continues her "Shelter Bay" series. In this new installment, ex-SEAL Lucas Chaffee is in Shelter Bay to refurbish an old farmhouse for a friend when chef Maddy Durand comes home. He broke her heart a long time ago, and Lucas isn't about to let her get away again. But Maddy has a long memory, and letting him into her heart again just isn't in her plans, especially after the way her recent marriage just turned into a paparazzi sensation. No, Maddy intends to get through the remodeling with her heart intact, and then she plans to forget all about Lucas Chaffee. Only along the way, she finds out things she's believed for many years aren't actually the truth, which makes it harder to hold onto that grudge. Almost as hard as resisting the determined and sexy Lucas, who absolutely won't give up until he has Maddy again, for good this time. I love revisiting Shelter Bay, with all the characters we already know, and getting to meet new ones who're all intriguing and interesting, and believable--people one might meet in their own neighborhood or small towns. I think readers will fall in love with Lucas right from the start, and you know there's simply no way Maddy will be able to resist him either. I loved this book and can't wait to read the next in the series. I'm borrowing four and a half of Cupid's five arrows for this one.
Until next time, happy reading!
