Stephanie Williams left skid marks on the road out of Willow Springs, Vermont after she finished high school. She didn’t return until her company sent her to evaluate the town for a massive development project. Back then she thought the town was way too small and too cold. Now the cold isn’t as much of an issue since she’s reconnected with her childhood friend, Donald Flanagan. Stephanie doesn’t … doesn’t remember his eyes being quite so green, or his body quite so built. He’s smart and funny as he ever was, and a forest-fire sized attraction burns between them.Donald never understood his old friend’s driving need to leave Willow Springs. He loves everything about it. When he learns the truth about Stephanie’s project, and how it will turn his hometown into a theme-park version of itself, will it extinguish the flame that has sparked between them?
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Sweet romance of friends becoming lovers in a small town. I liked how Donald was always in love with Stephanie. Also Donald owns a library- talk about a dream guy. They are meant to be!
A relatively short read. Only took a few hours.
I enjoyed it.Donna Simonetta Love Calls You Home
That old saying you can’t go home again is proven untrue in Donna Simonetta’s latest book LOVE CALLS YOU HOME ( A Deerbourne Inn Novella).
Stephanie Williams had no intention of returning to her home town of Willow Springs, VT when she left for college. The tiny town where everyone knows everyone and everything about each other was stifling to the girl who dreamed of bigger and better things. Now, the development company she works for is sending her back to evaluate the area for commercial development. She’s only going to be in town for a limited time, not relocate there, so the anxiety she feels about returning is small.
One person she does want to see is her childhood friend Donald, a boy who was more friend and never a boyfriend. She hasn’t seen him in the flesh in years and when they reconnect at the Deerbourne Inn for a friendly catch-up dinner, she can’t believe the change in him. From shy, gawky nerd to well known and respected man, the other changes in him – all physical – stir emotions in her she didn’t know she’d ever feel for him. Donald has always loved Willow Springs; it’s quiet, sleepy atmosphere, the natural beauty of the land; and he vows to live in his home town for ever because it’s the perfect place for him.
Stephanie doesn’t let on the extent of the reason she’s back in town to Donald. She knows the progress her company is proposing is in direct opposition to his wants and needs – and those of most of the town. When the real reason she’s back in town is revealed, the budding adult relationship they’ve stared is threatened.
Told in third person POV from Stephanie and Donald’s perspectives, LOVE CALLS YOU HOME is written in the typical Simonetta style her fans adore. The relationship between them turns from childhood like to adult love in a slow and steady burn that keeps you turning pages ( or in my cases, flipping them on my Kindle!) to find out just how these two can find their way to their own HEA. The tiny, welcoming town of Willow Springs is described so well I want to take a trip there and hang out for a few days to soak up the local color.
All in all, another 5 start read from one of my one-click authors. LOVE CALLS YOU HOME is a warm and cozy love story that hits all the emotional points and highlights I crave in a well-written story. Ms Simonetta’s writing style is so easy to read, you feel like you’re having a conversation with an old friend. I simply love that!
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I liked the concept of this book right off the bat…a gal who left her sleepy, cold New England town for a bigger sunny career and life in Miami…but work calls her back home. And she never experienced a fulfilling relationship while living south. I enjoyed the relationship between Stephanie and Donald, from former childhood buddies to a blooming adult romance. And Donald’s a charming librarian to boot! This is another easy and delightful read in the Deerbourne Inn series. I’ve read them all so far and I’m loving the journey! I almost feel like I live there now…from the quaint inn, to the mom and pop stores, to the local residents, and all the tastes and experiences of Willow Springs. This is a great summer read to load into your Kindle. Bring it poolside!
LOVE CALLS YOU HOME is the second DEERBOURNE INN novella I’ve read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling and made me want to head to Willow Springs, Vermont myself! Because Stephanie and David’s relationship started with friendship and moved naturally toward hot and steamy, I really felt their love would last a lifetime. A truly heartwarming read!
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Deerbourne Inn
Standalone
HEA
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.
In this aptly titled, sweet friends to lovers romance (take a look at that gorgeous cover) Donna Simonetta sets up a great conflict. Willow Springs born Stephanie relocated to Miami years before looking for a big city career in a sunnier clime. Now she’s returned to Willow Springs, Vermont on business. Her work assignment? Evaluate the town for a possible mega real estate development deal.
Okay, now you’ve got my attention. Is Stephanie actually going to go there? This is Willow Springs. The quintessential beautifully quirky small town of my dreams.
And what about Donald her high school buddy who had a secret crush on Stephanie and who has turned into a tousle-headed, sexy librarian? Is there anything yummier than a super fit, sweetheart of a guy who loves books?
I won’t give away any spoilers so you’ll have to pick up this novella today to find out.