Love Blooms

This heartwarming sequel to Hope Blooms returns to Martha’s Vineyard, where the teasing, flirtatious relationship between single mother Nova Reed and ex-soldier Tanner Brennan blossoms into a steamy romance. Tanner believes his wealthy, high-society Bostonian parents are hiding a potentially life-changing secret, so he forgoes his inheritance and instead chooses a quiet life of hard work on the island. Nova, Tanner’s best friend’s sister, knows a lot about secrets. Years ago, she fled to the island after her alcoholic mother’s boyfriend tried to rape her and she left him for dead. Now a mother herself, she’s determined to make a better life for her five-year-old son, Teo, whose abusive incarcerated father has lost his parental rights. Nova and Tanner’s verbal sparring is foreplay to their steamy nights. When Nova is offered her dream job in Los Angeles, Tanner is ready to give up the island for her, but her trust issues pose more of a barrier than he suspected. Tanner is irresistible, and though Nova’s strength and sass sometimes come across more like cruelty, the character is so well developed that readers will still sympathize with and root for her. Agent: Emmanuelle Morgen, Stonesong. (July)