Currant Creek Valley

Readers turned off by explicit romance will appreciate Thayne’s refreshingly tame fourth Hope’s Crossing contemporary (after Sweet Laurel Falls). Executive chef Alexandra McKnight is about to open her first restaurant but must rely on building contractor Sam Delgado to help make her dream a reality. Through an innocent exploration of friendship, they realize that their difficult pasts have prepared them for a happy future. With a fully developed cast of supporting characters, it’s easy to become immersed in the admittedly stock plot and get carried away to a realistically imperfect small town. The romance between Alex and Sam focuses on the sensuality of two people getting to know each other emotionally rather than sheer physicality—though there’s certainly a touch of spice. Thayne reins in both heartbreak and tenderness; readers might sniffle at a few points, but they won’t sob. (Apr.)