Sweet second chance romance. It starts with Taylor as the new kid in school; her red hair, slight speech impediment, and shyness make her a target for bullies. Her classmate, Luke, gives her quiet encouragement, including a sweet Valentine every year.
I loved the flashbacks to their school years, always around Valentine's Day, with the heart-shaped box Taylor's dad made for her a central theme. It's no surprise that Taylor develops a crush on Luke. However, she has no idea that he feels the same way. A missed communication and Luke's sudden departure during their senior year left both heartbroken.
Fifteen years later, Taylor now owns the Sweetheart Bakery, where she makes a living selling heart-shaped goodies. Luke returns home to help settle his father's estate, and the two cautiously rekindle their friendship. I loved how quickly they reconnected and how easily they could talk. The more time they spend together, the more their feelings for each other grow. But Taylor is rooted in Sweetwater, and Luke will eventually return to his home and businesses in Utah. Taylor's friends encourage her to "just have fun," but she wants more.
Communication is once again at the heart of Luke and Taylor's problems. I loved seeing her stand up for her wants and needs, but she stopped short of full disclosure. Luke's reaction mirrors his earlier history until friends set him straight. I loved their reactions to his obliviousness and laughed at his "aha" moment. He still has to make things right. Luke's big moment at the end was sweet, but it almost didn't happen because he didn't learn from the past. The epilogue was terrific.
I loved the small-town setting. The characters were realistic, from the former high school bully to the friends who made their lives in their hometown. I especially enjoyed the storyline of the big factory that wants to relocate to their town. The townspeople's reactions were realistic, as was Luke's desire to do what was right for the town and his family. The solution was creative, and I loved how it came about.
I loved the flashbacks to their school years, always around Valentine's Day, with the heart-shaped box Taylor's dad made for her a central theme. It's no surprise that Taylor develops a crush on Luke. However, she has no idea that he feels the same way. A missed communication and Luke's sudden departure during their senior year left both heartbroken.
Fifteen years later, Taylor now owns the Sweetheart Bakery, where she makes a living selling heart-shaped goodies. Luke returns home to help settle his father's estate, and the two cautiously rekindle their friendship. I loved how quickly they reconnected and how easily they could talk. The more time they spend together, the more their feelings for each other grow. But Taylor is rooted in Sweetwater, and Luke will eventually return to his home and businesses in Utah. Taylor's friends encourage her to "just have fun," but she wants more.
Communication is once again at the heart of Luke and Taylor's problems. I loved seeing her stand up for her wants and needs, but she stopped short of full disclosure. Luke's reaction mirrors his earlier history until friends set him straight. I loved their reactions to his obliviousness and laughed at his "aha" moment. He still has to make things right. Luke's big moment at the end was sweet, but it almost didn't happen because he didn't learn from the past. The epilogue was terrific.
I loved the small-town setting. The characters were realistic, from the former high school bully to the friends who made their lives in their hometown. I especially enjoyed the storyline of the big factory that wants to relocate to their town. The townspeople's reactions were realistic, as was Luke's desire to do what was right for the town and his family. The solution was creative, and I loved how it came about.
