After a scathing blogger review and a negative Atlanta television newscast tarnish Willow Falls’ reputation as a secluded North Georgia tourist destination, the town council votes to use the remainder of its annual budget to hire a PR firm to restore the town’s image. At a town-hall meeting, angry residents brainstorm ideas to boost Willow Falls’ appeal. When a second Atlanta television station … station announces plans to film a segment for its Around Georgia series, residents invest their time and limited resources to spruce up Main Street’s appearance. Willow Post editor Emily Hayes can’t help but shake her head at her town’s desperate efforts.
For months, Emily has submitted her novel to numerous publishers but received only rejections. When famous artist Naomi Jasper offers Emily much-needed cash to finish writing, then cast and direct a play about Willow Falls’ colorful history, Emily faces a difficult decision—postpone the rewrite of her novel or accept the project. After convincing her sister, Rachel Streetman, to partner with her, Emily puts her dreams on hold and agrees to take on the play. Failure to deliver is not an option.
All her life Rachel has dreamed of becoming a stage actress, so when she receives an invitation to audition for a respected Broadway director, Rachel abandons her sister and the Willow Falls play. But an incident with the director sends her reeling back into the arms of Charlie Bricker, her one true love. Out of options, Rachel reluctantly accepts her part in the town play with the slim hope that her performance might kick-start her career.
If anyone understands broken hearts, it’s Willow Inn’s beloved innkeeper, Sadie Liles. Sadie has learned to live with the fact that love is the last thing she’ll ever find. Then he walks through the front door.
As the town prepares for Redding Arms’ grand opening, five newcomers and one British tourist test the town’s quirky, lovable, argumentative residents’ souls. Digging deep to deal with the strife, bickering, and personal backstabbing will test Willow Falls in ways the small town never imagined. Could it be that the trouble in Willow Falls is the very thing that reminds its residents that honesty, love, and loyalty to one another is what binds them together?
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The Trouble In Willow Falls by Pat Nichols is a delightful contemporary Christian novel about the ups and downs of small town living. It is the second book in the Willow Falls series.
Once again it is charming to have a return visit to Willow Falls. The characters are warm and welcoming and there is a real community spirit. Willow Falls is the place where love blooms, hearts and bodies heal and dreams do come true.
Seen as a failing town in terms of tourism, the whole town pulls together to reinstate the town on the tourist trail. As buildings are renovated and brought back to life, the reader sees parallels in the characters. Those whom society has forgotten have the chance of new life in Willow Falls.
We all have things in our pasts but “it’s wrong to define people by their pasts.” We must never judge others. We need to look beyond the labels the world has given them and look to their hearts. Everyone deserves a second chance to have a fresh start.
Within the novel there are war veterans whom the world no longer sees. “It’s like we’re invisible.” Society has forgotten them but in Willow Falls they find a purpose and new life.
We all need to decide where our priorities lie. There are some tough choices in the novel to be made … do we follow our dream or keep our integrity?
History comes to life as a long ago dream is resurrected. We all need to know our heritage.
I really enjoyed The Trouble In Willow Falls. It was a wonderful, warm and welcoming read.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
Return to Willow Falls is even better than the first book in this series. Author Pat Nichols takes us back to the north Georgia community which is struggling for survival. We are reintroduced to the wonderful characters we met in her first novel, The Secret of Willow Inn, and learn even more about them and their lovely town.
Plans have been made to try and revive Willow Falls and turn it into a tourist mecca. However, making plans is easy, but following through with them brings many challenges. The townspeople their work cut out for them to make the necessary improvements and some locals are not happy having outsiders join in to help. But it is not all work and no play, and readers who enjoy romance will find plenty to smile about.
We are treated to such vivid descriptions of Willow Falls that it is almost like being there. The people we meet are well fleshed out and I’d love to check into the inn, head over to the diner, and spend time chatting with them.
While reading the first book is not a prerequisite to enjoying this one, it would give you a head start in knowing the characters and understanding the direction this series is going.
I am anxiously awaiting the third book in this series.
Another scandal has come to town and I am here for it! This drama filled read is just what you need if you love gossip in a small town. I enjoyed getting to watch Rachel & Emily grow more as sisters than before and how the new characters were brought in by the author. I can’t wait to continue this delightful journey that brings me back to lovely north Georgia that I miss!
*I received a copy from the author for review. All statements above are my opinion only.*
I loved the first book in this Willow Falls series, and I was delighted to have the opportunity to preview this second book. The thing I have loved most about these two books is the town itself. I grew up in a small southern town, and I think Pat Nichols has perfectly captured the heart of small town living: The sense of community; the willingness of neighbors to reach out and help others; the grumblings that sometimes will circulate through the citizens; and the pace of daily life that’s different in the small town as compared to the larger city. The author gave the town of Willow Falls its own southern personality and made it a place that I’d love to call my hometown.
I loved following the storylines of Rachel, Emily, and Sadie. Twins Rachel and Emily have formed a strong sisterly relationship after being separated at birth, and I loved how they supported each other. Sadie is establishing a new life ; and new friends are welcomed to the town. There is trouble in Willow Falls, and it takes all of the creativity and energy of Rachel and Emily to attempt to save the town. There’s lots of heart-warming scenes in this book, and a strong message of second chances and restoration of relationships. There’s faith and hope in this story that makes this an encouraging book to read.
You can enjoy this book on its own, but I recommend reading both books in order. You’ll be able to better catch the depth and backstory of the characters that way.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my