Book Review: Springtime at Hope Cottage by Annie Rains

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

Oh my!

This second book in the Sweetwater Springs contemporary romance series is an absolute joy to read from beginning to HEA. I cried and laughed and just could not put it down. SPRINGTIME AT HOPE COTTAGE (Sweetwater Springs #2) by Annie Rains was a pleasure to read.

Josie Kellum is a writer on a major magazine in NYC. It was her dream job until the arrival of the new owner. She decides she needs a trip to visit her BFF, Kaitlyn in Sweetwater Springs for article ideas and time to consider her future at the magazine. As Josie is walking behind Kaitlyn’s B&B, she goes off the trail and ends up with a severely twisted knee. Kaitlyn knows the perfect physical therapist to help get her up and about as soon as possible. She is supposed to return to NYC soon.

Tucker “Tuck” Locklear grew up in Sweetwater Springs and returned after college to run his physical therapy practice using the outdoors and nature at Hope Cottage to heal instead of an exercise room in a facility. He has been a widower for two years now and is just starting to move on. His first impression of Josie is of a high maintenance city girl, but as the two get closer he finds she is so much more. Tuck knows Josie will be returning to NYC soon and it would be stupid to risk his heart on someone who will be leaving, but there is so much he likes about Josie.

Tuck and Josie get an extra month together when there is a fire in the apartment next to Josie’s in NYC. They each have reasons that should keep them apart, but the attraction is too strong. Can Josie slow down and quit running? Can Tuck take the chance at a second love?

This is story that will stay with me for a while. Josie’s reasons for hiding in her work and Tuck’s reasons for not getting involved were all handled realistically by this author. Ms. Rains writing had me completely engrossed in Sweetwater Springs and its inhabitants. So many little things can add up in our lives and change a person. These characters showed that sometimes you have to forgive yourself as much as others. All of the secondary characters are as realistic and entertaining as the H/h. This is a sweet romance and none of the sex scenes are explicit.

This is an emotional romance read with a very satisfying HEA. I can highly recommend this book and I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.

Thanks very much to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC.