A widow and her former best friend reconnect when both are drawn back to their small hometown.
One Perfect Year
(Harmony Valley #4)
Melinda Curtis
Melinda Curtis
Adult Contemporary Romance
March 1, 2015 by Harlequin Heartwarming
How can Shelby Hawkley forgive Gage Jamero for bailing on her when she needed him most? He and her husband, Nick, were the best part of her life. Now her former best friend is back, shaking up the widowed wine harvester's world. The safest bet is to protect herself. Except Gage is awakening feelings that are decidedly unfriend-like.
Shelby is the woman Gage has secretly loved since high school. Starting over—together—could be the best dream he's ever had. If only he can find the courage to say what he should have said all those years ago.
I'm an absolute sucker for those "friends falling in love" stories—especially ones where one friend has loved the other for a long time. (No, I don't know why I like these stories—in real life, it would be absolutely miserable to be that friend!) So the fact that this is one of "those" stories, coupled with my previous enjoyment of the author's entry in the Christmas, Actually anthology, made me jump at the chance to review this book.
One Perfect Year is ... nice. That is to say, it's a very pleasant romance with likable characters and an enjoyable plot. I very much liked Gage and could understand his hesitance to commit to staying in Harmony Valley. I also actually found the description of the wine business to be very interesting (this surprised me greatly).
I guess what I also mean by "it's nice" is that One Perfect Year isn't very memorable. I definitely enjoyed the story while I was reading it, but it's not one that will stick with me (as Curtis' The Christmas Date did). If you're looking for a nice romance to pass the time, this could be the ticket, but it's probably not a book that will end up on your favorites list. 3-1/2 stars.
Content note: The Harlequin Heartwarming line, of which One Perfect Year is a part, promises clean romances—no explicit sex or language, no sex outside of marriage, and traditional values. These are not inspirational romances, so they won't include much mention of God or faith. Basically, I consider these romances to be the book equivalent of Hallmark movies! (One Perfect Year does contain one very mild curse word.)
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Buy the book: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - iTunes - Kobo - Google Play - Harlequin
Read my review of Curtis' The Christmas Date (in the Christmas, Actually anthology).
Award winning, USA Today bestseller Melinda Curtis writes the Harmony Valley series of sweet and emotional romances for Harlequin Heartwarming, and the indie pubbed Bridesmaid series. Brenda Novak says: Season of Change has found a place on my keeper shelf. Melinda also writes independently published, hotter romances as Mel Curtis. Jayne Ann Krentz says of Blue Rules: Sharp, sassy, modern version of a screwball comedy from Hollywood's Golden Age except a lot hotter. |
| A themed tour through Prism Book Tours. |
Grand Prize: An Autographed Set of the first 3 Harmony Valley Books
(Dandelion Wishes, Summer Kisses, and Season of Change) (US only or ebooks to an international)
Additional Prizes:
- Happy Bee Day Mug with candy and Sweet and Heartwarming Bracelet (US
only - if international winner pulled then a single ebook from author's back list)
- Bee Salt and Pepper Shaker and Sweet and Heartwarming Bracelet (US
only - if international winner pulled then a single ebook from author's back list)
Ends March 15th
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review through Prism Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Thanks for the shout out for One Perfect Year!
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