She’s the home he never expected to find. A battle for a charming Cape Cod inn… But what happens when romance checks in? Single mom Laura Lessoway won’t accept her mother’s plan of selling her late grandmother’s inn without a fight. But when big-city attorney Jonathan Masters arrives to arrange an offer from his client, she’s drawn to him. And working together as he helps with repairs only … helps with repairs only brings them closer. With his career and her home on the line, can they ever find common ground?
more
Falling for the Innkeeper is a Love Inspired offering that seems perfect for a Hallmark Movie script. With its romantic Cape Cod setting and well defined characters, this book was a welcome break from the current newscasts and Facebook feed.
Jonathan Masters is a corporate lawyer whose sole ambition is to become a partner in his firm. Laura Lessoway is a single mother whose dream is to operate her late grandmother’s Sea Glass Inn but may have a few hurdles to overcome in order to do so. The inn becomes pivotal in the story as Jonathan arrives believing he must procure the property for a client or forever lose his chance as partner.
I enjoyed the conflict between Jonathan and Laura as they each fought for their own dream, especially since despite their different goals they were becoming increasingly drawn to each other. Laura’s young daughter added a special spark to the tale. I loved watching Jonathan gradually discover his true calling and the way he turned his life over to the leading of the Lord. Falling for the Innkeeper is a sweet romance that should delight all those who love a good, clean story.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Just Read Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
Meghan Whistler did a great job at her debut novel. I enjoyed every minute of it. The dialogue was easy to follow and very entertaining. The characters are relatable, real and oh so lovable. The town of Wynchmere Bay is charming and makes you want to visit and stroll along the shops with Laura and Jonathan.
Immediately from the beginning we meet the characters Laura and Jonathan. Jonathan is trying to acquire Laura’s bed and breakfast so that he can earn a promotion for his job. His life revolves around work and making it to the next step in his career. But he is not without his hurts and faults. Although he grew up in a Christian household he has strayed from his belief and carries his own hurts mainly dealing with his father’s mental illness. Laura as well is a devout Christian but carries hurts from her past dealing with her ex-husband and her parents as well.
It was great to see how the relationship between Laura and Jonathan evolved and even better to me was the relationship between Jonathan and Laura’s daughter which he calls Tiny developed. You can tell right away once he meets her that he will be a goner for Laura and you can’t help but to root for him. I am sucker for stories with kids in them. This story was definitely heartwarming and full of romance and definitely has some strong faith elements.
It is a wonderful read so make sure you grab it!!
In her debut novel, Meghann Whistler crafted a very likable character in Laura Lessoway. She’s a single mom who’s heart is planted in the weathered but stately Sea Glass Inn on Cape Cod. Laura is determined to succeed in her endeavor regarding her late grandmother’s hotel, even though handsome Jonathan Masters is stepping all over her plans. But, will he succeed?
I enjoyed this fresh romance. It has strong faith elements and a love story that will soar off the pages. In all, it’s a wonderful read.
I received this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to write nor post a review.
Falling for the Innkeeper by Meghann Whistler is a sweet romance between two likable characters. Jonathan Masters may be a lawyer out to get the owners of The Sea Glass Inn to sell the rundown place to a large hotel chain, with the hopes that that will finally get him the partner position he has long worked for, but perhaps he’s not the driven businessman Laura Lessoway thinks he is.
Laura is a single mother who has had plenty of heartache in her life. It’s why she wants to hold onto the Inn her grandmother owned until her death. But her Gram’s will stipulates that Laura and her mother would have to work the Inn all summer in order to own it. Something her mother will never do. Otherwise, the inn will go to a local church. The last thing Laura wants is to sell it to a company that will simply tear it down.
From the beginning, I wanted to see the romance between Laura and Jonathan work out. And it seemed like it could, or would. But I couldn’t figure out how they were going to solve the problem of the Inn. Even if they worked out their personal issues to move ahead with a romance, the Inn was bigger issue entirely.
Falling for the Innkeeper unexpectedly worked itself into my heart. I like sweet romances, but I usually miss the excitement of a suspenseful story. With this one, however, I found myself thinking about it between reading opportunities, trying to puzzle out how things could work out for Laura and Jonathan. I love a story that does that!
Like other Love Inspired sweet romances, Falling for the Innkeeper is a quick read. Since it’s set on the Cape Cod shore, it makes an excellent beach read, too. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!
—
I received this book free from JustRead Publicity Tours in order to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Falling for the Innkeeper is a debut novel with all of the elements needed for a winning story: a single mother, her adorable four-year-old daughter, a beautiful setting, and a handsome hero with a troubled past. Laura Lessoway’s only desire is to keep her late grandmother’s inn open and to provide a safe and loving environment for her daughter Emma but the arrival of lawyer Jonathan Masters threatens to take this dream away. What follows is a story of conflict and discovery, as they both learn that perhaps their original goals weren’t what they wanted after all. Is Jonathan’s need to achieve actually a shield to keep from getting hurt? Will Laura accept that she can’t use her ex-husband’s actions to hold others at arms length?
Author Meghann Whistler has written the perfect story for summer reading and I found myself wanting to vacation at The Sea Glass Inn and experience the beauty of Cape Cod. I wanted to get to know these very human, but complicated, characters and I wanted to cheer them on as they worked to build a future. Falling for the Innkeeper is a sweet, entertaining romance and I recommend it to all who enjoy contemporary Christian romance. I also look forward to more books from this first-time author!
I received a copy of this book from the author. I was under no obligation to post a positive review. These are my own thoughts.
This was a really cute read and I really enjoyed it. Falling for the Innkeeper is a short, cute read that leaves you wanting more. Falling for the Innkeeper is Meghan Whistler’s debut novel and I would definitely recommend it!
Falling for the Innkeeper has a hero who is disguised as a workaholic, a damsel in distress, who does not need help from anyone, and a lovely little girl to bind them together. Jonathan Masters has buried himself in his work and he is so close to getting his partnership in his firm, all he has to do is convince a woman to sell him a charming Cape Cod inn. Laura Lessoway is trying to pick up the pieces of her life and what better way than to run the inn she loved her whole life. She will do anything to give her daughter a happy and settled life. But things never go according to plan.
This was such a fun book, I loved reading about Jonathan as he came to the inn with a plan and everything falling apart when he met Laura. She immediately captures his heart and he finds himself wanting to spend time with her. I thought it was especially cute who he played and cared for Emma, Laura’s daughter. Jonathan is one of my favorite types of heroes, because he seems kind of gruff on the outside and then you actually spend time with him and find that he is a sweetheart.
Laura was a strong woman but she had some scars from her childhood and previous marriage. She wanted badly to give her daughter a good life and to protect her daughter from the things she had to go through. She didn’t trust herself to choose a good guy and she didn’t trust that people can be different. But then she and Jonathan started to spend time together and she began to see that Jonathan was different. I loved how she gave him the nickname, Harvard. Nicknames help make everything better.
Falling for the Innkeeper was a really good book and I absolutely adored how it was set in a small town. It really adds to the book, when everyone knows each other. I would definitely recommend this book and I can’t wait to see what else Meghan writes!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Falling for the Innkeeper was a sweet, romantic, Hallmark-movie-worthy journey–one I thoroughly enjoyed! I loved the small-town feel of the story, set in Cape Cod, and how Laura was friends with most business owners in the area. It made her life at the inn more genuine and down-to-earth. The playful banter between Laura and Jonathon was amusing and having Laura’s daughter Emma as a go-between was just too adorable. The interactions and affection between Jonathon and Emma were heartwarming and only added to Jonathon’s swoon-worthy charm. Watching him transform from uptight lawyer to relaxed vacationer made it easy to fall for such a hunky man with a huge heart. I loved how he was always willing to try something new–especially if Laura was involved. I might have gotten frustrated a little at Laura for how she treated Jonathon a few times, but I understood why her heart was hesitant to trust and love again. But I respected her, her hard work at the inn, and the time she took to connect personally with her daughter every day. She’s an amazing woman!
Any fan of Christian contemporary fiction will love this book. It’s strong family themes and small-town, beachy feel make it a perfect summer read. I would highly recommend this book.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own.
What a charming story!! Lighthearted, fun, entertaining, and perfect for a quick summer read. Laura is the single mom with the adorable daughter that recently inherited her family’s inn, and is currently running, and Jonathan is the lawyer that comes representing a big chain company that wants to purchase said inn. With a premise like that you’d think it would be heavy, but the author did a wonderful job of keeping it light with spot on character development, complete with both leads having a good sense of humor, which I think was a game changer for this novel.
Though there is a dash of conflict sprinkled throughout the focus is more on the friendship and bond that happens between Laura, Jonathan, and sweet little Emma, Laura’s daughter. To me, Emma was just as part of the love story as Laura and Jonathan were, which I found utterly charming, and refreshingly different than many of the love stories that I’ve read recently that tend to leave the children mostly out of the relationship picture. The trio, their cute pet names for each other, and incredible chemistry truly stole my heart. I mean, how can you not fall in love with a precocious four year old that shines right off the page?
Reading about the adventures the three went on around Cape Cod made me wish I could immediately book a flight and stay at The Sea Glass Inn this summer instead of being in quarantine! The imagery is so vivid that it quickly captures the imagination and really brings this love story to life. There is a faith component, but to me it did not feel forced and paralleled the journey that the character’s were on completely.
The only thing that bothered me in this entire story was Laura, and her choices and attitude through parts of the book, (there were times I wanted to reach through the pages and shake her! Like I said, dash of conflict) but by the end she was back on my good side, and the ending left me with a sweet sigh and a goofy grin on my face.
Wonderful debut novel and another perfect summer read!
*I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author and/or publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.
“She had to admit that there was something kind of swoon-worthy about a man who knew how to take apart a dishwasher, and who wasn’t afraid to wrestle rats.”
What an incredibly fun and heart-warming debut by Meghann Whistler! The dialogue is clever and full of sass, the characters are real, broken, and so lovable, the plot is well-laid out, and the town of Wynchmere Bay cute and charming. If you enjoy contemporary romance set in a small town, you will love this book.
Both Laura and Jonathan have baggage from their past that holds them hostage to the lie that they are not good enough. Laura has led a privileged but lonely life; she’s divorced at a young age and raising her little girl alone. Inheriting half of her grandmother’s inn gives her a hope for continuing a family legacy until Jonathan arrives from a fancy Boston law firm to try to convince her to sell the inn. Jonathan grew up with a stigma attached to his name and had to claw his way out of poverty and discrimination. Working 24-7 has been the only way of life for him but he begins to see life differently with Laura. Laura’s daughter adds a wonderful sweet innocence to the plot and the journey of forgiveness, understanding, reconcilation, and healing that Laura and Jonathan undertake is a worthwhile one.
I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher via JustRead Publicity Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Thank you in advance to the author, Meghann Whistler, for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required and all words are my own.
How could I not want to read and review this – favorite genre, single mom with a cute kid, cozy inn, Cape Cod – what wasn’t to like? All this from a debut author! So needless to say I was pretty excited to see this.
Right off, I simply adored Emma with her “Mr. Jonafin” and that instant connection – his way with Emma as well as the other kids, and I really liked Laura. I am deeply going to miss them, despite their early hiccups and mistrust. I really want to somehow return to this little town and see what they’re going to be up to. That is the problem with standalone reads – you want more, then again a series is a commitment. However, that doesn’t work against this book.
Whistler’s writing kept me wanting to turn the pages and NOT put this book down until the end. I was so deep into this book that I read three full chapters before I even thought about taking notes. Right off, I LOVED how the premise is already sweet and that Jonathan starts off already having doubts, self-assessing his own goals in life. So, it isn’t a stretch as he spends time with Laura and her daughter.
Another bonus was how much I really identified with Laura and Emma as my mom was a single mom (from when I was 4), so I knew how hard she worked for us. My father was not interested in me or my life so there was this “hey, I get this situation” connection. At one point, my mom was driving my grandma’s 1982 Toyota Corolla-Tercel. Adding the Toyota Corolla was a bit like having a warm blanket on the couch with a cozy fire – comfortable. In short – I definitely related.
Moving on …
Did I say how much I really loved Jonathan? I really started supporting this guy around page 41 – “You’re better off without him. You know that, right?” – his support for Laura was truly awesome! And, I was screaming “SNAG THIS GUY! For goodness sakes … SNAG THIS GUY!!”.
Another thing that drew me in – some “international” candy bars the author wrote in. Years ago, someone from Canada introduced me to Aero and Coffee Crisp which I STILL love (but I can’t find). And, had the author thrown in YORKIE – I’d have literally screamed in delight! The idea that a guy had a sweet tooth was just awesome!
The author threw in a LOT of things I could connect with. The parenting advice of kids being their own little people was spot-on from what my mom believes and how she raised me. The pineapple on a pizza was another as I LOVE Hawaiian in addition to meat lovers. Incidentally, if pineapple on a pizza is upsetting to some – I wonder how they feel about cherries. Side note: one Hawaiian pizza my mom and I got on vacation had Canadian bacon, pineapple, and cherries. Still wish I could remember where we got it.
I could probably go on for a few hundred more words as to how much I LOVED this book which was a day read for me.
Whistler actually highlighted the struggles some people face between a career or family. The boss’ unreasonable rules would’ve seen leave that place on the spot. As long as personal stuff isn’t distracting, disruptive, lewd and a desk area isn’t shared – don’t see the problem. Obviously, that boss did.
Also, Laura and Jonathan both discover that rich doesn’t equal good parents, nor does poor equal bad. There is both good and bad on the rich and poor scale.
There are a few sad moments in this novel. Then again, what would a romance novel be without them? And, I’ll admit, there were a few tears at the end.
While some Love Inspired books are of course Christian/Faith themed, some are light on that theme. This had a strong theme of faith and Christian tones, but wasn’t preachy nor was it essential to the plot and definitely fit the “theme” of the series. The quote “God doesn’t love us because we’re amazing. He loves us just because we are who we are” is spot on! The author sent a magnet with that quote, which appears on page 95. It is a good reminder and affirmation for all of us.
This is definitely geared for readers of inspirational fiction and romance. Quite honestly, this book played out more like a Hallmark movie leaving me just delighted and a hopeful believer in romance. This was a delightful, endearing, smile in a book. I definitely recommend this for readers of Christian romance who enjoy short, sweet romances.
I am a sucker for a great romance novel and Falling for the Inn Keeper is no exception. Laura Lessoway is a single mom raising her daughter in Cape Cod. Laura is grounded in her faith and that has allowed her to move forward with grace and humility even when life gets hard. The Sea Glass Inn was the perfect backdrop for romance to blossom.
Meghann Whistler did a masterful job of weaving love, loss, and faith together. The romance between Laura and Johnathan may have been at the center of this story, but Falling for the Inn Keeper was so much more then a typical romance novel. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a great love story.
This was my first time reading a Christian romance and I found it just delightful! What a joy to read a book where the characters could be any person I know, facing challenges and handling them with as much grace and courage as they can. I found the setting of Cap Cod and The Sea Glass Inn charming and I could envision the beautiful chandelier made by the main character Laura and her grandmother. It made me smile to think of it being made by them together and as I have collected sea glass my whole life along the shores of Lake Huron I am now inspired to do something with it! The author did a great job of writing a story with engaging characters that were dealing with real life problems and learning and growing together as a couple.
Meghann Whistler’s debut book Falling for the Innkeeper was a heartwarming love story. This book was full of faith, sweet romance, and humor. You are transported to The Sea Glass Inn in Cape Cod. Single mother Laura Lessoway is immediately relatable. Her luck in love hasn’t been great. She has just lost her beloved grandmother and has a distant relationship with her parents. Emma, her adorable daughter falls in love immediately with Jonathan Masters. His similarities to her father have her happy but leave her mother apprehensive. He needs to acquire the Inn to seal his partnership at his law firm. You are taken on a journey with them where they discover what God has planned for them and watch them fall in love. Meghann did a great job. If you are looking for a sweet romance then look no further because I couldn’t put it down.