Somebody like You

Darling, Vt., is the quintessential New England romance-novel town where local business and families are closely tied together and everyone knows everyone else’s business. That quality serves Laurel Stone well when her newly opened gardening center is the victim of repeat vandalism, and a local cop, who also happens to be her high school sweetheart, is the first responder. Aiden Gallagher fully regrets that his immature high school antics drove Laurel away, but now that she’s back in town, he’s determined to earn her love. He’ll have to work hard, because Laurel is still reeling from an unexpected divorce that forced her life in a direction she never planned. In a story that’s sweet and heartwarming without being treacly, Alward (Summer on Lovers’ Island) builds believable chemistry between Lauren and Aiden while introducing enough friends and siblings to have readers preparing to settle into Darling for a long cozy stay. Agent: Karen Solem, Spencerhill Associates. (Feb.)