Springtime at Hope Cottage: Sweetwater Springs, Book 2

Rains returns to the charming town of Sweetwater Springs, N.C. (introduced in Christmas on Mistletoe Lane), with the heart-melting story of a driven magazine editor and a lonely widower. Small-town physical therapist Tuck Locklear has kept his heart locked up tight for the two years since his wife died of leukemia—until Josie Kellum rolls into town from New York City to visit her best friend, previous protagonist Kaitlyn Russo. After Josie trips during a morning hike and sprains her knee, Tuck nurses her back to health, hiding his growing fondness for her. A fire in Josie’s New York apartment building leaves her needing a place to stay for longer than she expected, so she moves into Tuck’s garage apartment—and his life. Tuck gets another shock when one of his new therapy patients, 11-year-old Maddie, turns out to be the daughter he never knew he had. Josie quickly falls for Tuck but doesn’t want to distract him from getting to know Maddie. Rains’s gift for characterization paints Josie’s sensitivity and selflessness as an appealing contrast to Tuck’s deep and loving stoicism, with supporting characters—especially Maddie and local store owner Dawanda—adding welcome depth. This delicious rom-com has plenty of heart and is ideal comfort reading. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary. (Mar.)