Seasons of Love by Andrea Boeshaar
In this three-book novella collection, each story is based during a different calendar season, as well as, a different season of life, which makes this collection entertaining and something for every reader.
In An Apple a Day (1st Novella), a summertime romance kindles when Doctor Brian Coridan spends time away from his practice at Blossom Lake, Wisconsin, and he meets Talia Fountain, a health food store owner with her own non-medical license remedies. At first the two don’t see eye-to-eye, but the charm of small town living, “mom’s apple pie”, and church-goer get togethers bring them together for an unforgettable romance. I found this story fun and entertaining. The summertime experiences living in a small town felt real. I especially liked the banter between the main characters.
September Sonata (2nd Novella) tells the story of newly empty-nesters Krissy and Blaine finding love again. After a work-related injury, firefighter, Blaine is in pain and frustrated with his homebound recovery. He has no idea that his marriage has lost its spark. Krissy is a school teacher who is struggling with her new season in life. Her daughters are away at college and she’s suddenly aware she’s been taken for granted too many years. When a new principal at school shows interest in getting to know her, she struggles with what ifs. I found these character’s struggles realistic in every way and was drawn into this story from the first page. This story was well-written and touched on a topic that isn’t seen in many Christian books.
Let It Snow (3rd Novella) takes place on a snowy Christmas Eve. Widow Shari Flannering plans to spend her first Christmas without her deceased husband in her hometown of Forest Ridge, Wisconsin, but a blizzard changes those plans. She finds herself stranded at the bed-and breakfast inn of her ex-fiancée’s mother. Doctor Brenan Sheppard never got over Shari ending their engagement in a letter and running off to marry someone she’d just met. Now a missionary in Brazil and home for the holidays, he’s ready to take the plunge and propose to a woman he met on the mission field. Seeing Shari again stirs old feelings, but can he get past her betrayal and trust his feelings again?
Andrea Boeshaar is a great story teller. Her characters are well developed and relatable. Although I eagerly turned the page with each story – totally captivated- my favorite was Let It Snow. I liked Shari’s determined cheerfulness despite the painful loss of her husband. And of course, Christmas themed stories are always fun to read anytime of the year. If you like sweet inspirational romances, you’ll fall in love with this novella collection! I look forward to reading more of Andrea Boeshaar’s books in the future.
Seasons Of Love, Published by Prism Book Group (Dec., 2015); 200 pages
Reviewer: Ruth Reid
