Pelican Point

Kauffman%E2%80%99s lovable new series, less sugar-fueled than her Cupcake Club books but just as sweet, portrays a small Maine community as surrogate family. A year after Alex McFarland saw her father fall to his death from a lighthouse, she takes over her family%E2%80%99s lighthouse restoration business and goes to assess a property at Pelican Point. There she learns that the person who contacted her was not actually the building%E2%80%99s owner, police chief Logan McCrae, but his matchmaking great-uncle Fergus. Logan takes some convincing to let a stranger into his private retreat, but eventually he offers to let Alex stay while she crafts a work proposal. Their connection deepens as Logan opens up about his fianc%C3%A9e%E2%80%99s death in a boating accident, and both Alex and Logan must find the bravery to trust their hearts despite their fear of loss. Gossip and passion make minor appearances, but the most prominent element is emotional warmth. (Nov.)