by: Belle Calhoune
Series: Mistletoe, Maine
Genre: Contemporary Small Town Clean Romance
Release Date: February 21, 2023
Publisher: Forever
This single dad has a year to convince the stunning new vet good things come in small-town packages in the latest contemporary romance by bestselling author Belle Calhoune.
Coming to Mistletoe, Maine is a means to an end for veterinarian Harlow Jones. In exchange for working at PAWS vet clinic for a one‑year period, the state of Maine has promised to pay off her substantial student loan debt. Although Harlow hates small towns due to bad childhood memories, she knows accepting this offer will change her life. When local search and rescue team leader Nick Keegan saves Harlow after her car slides off the road, sparks fly between her and the single dad.
Nick has reached a point in his life where he's ready to find love again after his wife's tragic death. And there's something about the beautiful veterinarian that tugs at his heart. Problem is, Harlow isn't looking to lay her heart on the line. She has no intention of staying in Mistletoe and plans to head back to Seattle after her term is up. But can Nick—and his irrepressible son—convince her to let love have the final say?
Nick is a widower and single father to his nine-year-old son Miles. Almost four years ago, his high school sweetheart turned wife was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver. Since then, Nick has dedicated his life to being the best father he could be, while continuing to work for Maine’s Search and Rescue. Over the years, Nick has managed to sidestep the single ladies of Mistletoe and others who tell him that he needs to start dating again.
Since she was a pre-teen, Harlow Jones has dispised small towns. She grew up in one that she loved but was forced to move away from when gossip and scandal tore her once-loving family apart. Now an animal vet, Harlow finds herself moving from Seattle, Washington to the small town of Mistletoe, Maine for a one-year assignment, which will result in the state of Maine paying off all her student loan debts. The move will not only put her on the same coast as Malcolm, her twin brother but also closer to her mother who lives in a nursing facility. The added benefit is that she will have at least one friend in Mistletoe. Harlow and Stella Keegan (Summer on Blackberry Beach), Nick’s sister-in-law, went to college together.
Nick and Harlow meet when he rescues her after an accident. Their attraction is immediate, however, no last names or contact information is exchanged. It isn’t until they meet up again that they realize their connection. The two start to go on casual dates, but Harlow is clear that she isn’t looking for anything serious and that when her year is up Mistletoe will be in her rearview mirror. Harlow is entirely unprepared for Nick and the amazing man that he is.
I. Loved. Nick. Seriously, he’s one of the good ones and can do no wrong in my book. Miles already had my heart. And that heart ached for him when he showed his vulnerability. I found Harlow to be a good character, who carried way too much baggage. But finally was willing to own up to her past and triggers. I can definitely see them all making a wonderful family.
I really wish that Belle could write a couple more books in this series, where she skipped ahead about 15/20 years. I would love to read stories about Miles and Stella’s younger sister Tess.
~ Favorite Quotes ~
“Go after what you want. Life is too short to sit on the sidelines.”
“Life was too short not to cherish the good times.”
“This too shall pass.”
“Grief can rise up out of nowhere and take us by surprise.”
“Just because a person wanted to be over something, it didn’t mean they were.”
“The thrush has a way of rising to the surface.”
“Sometimes life hands us situations that we think might break us. But they don’t.”
“It’s okay to go where your feelings lead you.”
“It’s never too late to switch up your dreams.”
“Love is a wonderful thing. It’s precious and rare.”
**Received a copy from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed it.**
Rating: 4.5
Purchase Falling in Love on Sweetwater Lane from:
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The Mistletoe, Maine Series:
No Ordinary Christmas ~ Review
Summer on Blackberry Beach ~ Review
Belle hopes her books will provide readers with inspiration, entertainment and an escape from day to day life.
Places to find Belle Calhoune:
sounds like a sweet book--great cover
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