Of Literature and Lattes

Reay invites readers back to the charming small town of Winsome, Ill., (last visited in The Printed Letter Bookshop) in this feel-good, community-centric romance. When Alyssa Harrison’s Silicon Valley employer goes under, pending an FBI investigation, Alyssa is left with no income and no choice but to return home to Winsome after years away. Though Alyssa has never forgiven her mother for cheating on her father, her divorced parents have started dating again, and, in an effort to force a mother-daughter reconciliation, Alyssa’s father tells her she can’t stay with him and must stay with her mom instead. Despite the less-than-ideal living situation, Alyssa is happy to reunite with her best friend, Lexi, who hires Alyssa as a bookkeeper for her restaurant. Jeremy Mitchell, the new owner of the local coffee shop, soon seeks Alyssa’s services as well. Together they determine that his sleek redesign of the café has alienated its formerly loyal clientele. Fueled by bonding over shared vulnerabilities, Alyssa and Jeremy’s business relationship quickly blossoms into love. The subplot about Alyssa and her mother is deeply emotional, and the colorful townsfolk make for a memorable supporting cast. The love story is sweet, but it’s the close-knit small-town setting that wins the day. Agent: Claudia Cross, Folio Literary. (May)