Fixer Upper meets Sweet Home Alabama in this uplifting and heartwarming second chance romance.
She’s coming home. He never left.
When Isabel Marshall moved away from her hometown with hopes of making a name for herself in Los Angeles, she didn't mean to abandon her roots, but that’s what happened. Now, four years later and having amassed an interior design empire, Isabel must return to Mapleton to film a home renovation special for her TV show. While most of the village welcomes her with open arms, her family and the ex-boyfriend she left in her dust are another story.
Daniel Smith couldn’t follow Isabel to California, no matter how badly he wanted to, because his grandfather needed him in Mapleton. Since she’s been gone, he’s moved on—or so he thought. But as they reconnect, Daniel can’t deny that though they’ve both changed, his feelings for Isabel haven’t. Unfortunately, a choice he made in her absence could ruin any chance of reconciliation.
Together, Daniel and Isabel must determine whether the love they once shared has stood the test of time and distance. Can they navigate Isabel’s fame, their past decisions, and the growth they’ve undergone to build the future of their dreams?
A delightfully sweet story about the importance of family, the beauty of forgiveness, and the magic of falling (or re-falling!) in love.
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: This novel explodes with charm and second chances, being the second novel in a series of romances set in a small town in Wisconsin. Told in alternating perspectives, the author uses dramatic irony and foreshadowing as effective tools to engage the reader. In the beginning the plot feels repetitious, but it eventually catapults forward and moves at an engaging speed.
Prose: Well-written and easy to follow, the author has written an uplifting novel and applied foreshadowing at the end of each chapter. Even though the characters and situations are idealistic at times, the writing is endearing and definitely adds to the small-town feel of the book.
Originality: Mixing the romance with a home television show is a unique approach, while rekindling lost love is not. However, because of the home design and remodeling background of the main character, this novel will resonate with a broad audience.
Character Development/Execution: Both main characters are mature and avoid any drama that could ensue. They manage to work through their differences. The problems and characters in the novel are relatable and mostly probable. The reader will want both of the likable characters to be successful.
Date Submitted: May 05, 2022
