07/01/2022
New women's fiction from romance novelist Goodwin ("New York Nighthawks" series). Amelia Marsh moves to a suburb of Houston with her two children. She hopes to maintain a sense of normalcy after her divorce rocked their world. What she doesn't expect is to be forced into a confrontation with her neighborhood's HOA representative Carla, who is going after her for a garden gnome she has in her front yard. The gnome was a present from her children, and she promised them they could display it outside at their new home. Enter Kyle, HOA president, ready to defend Amelia—it doesn't hurt that he is very good-looking and single to boot. But Amelia isn't ready for a relationship, and Kyle refuses to date women who have children. In a battle of wills, complete with a signed neighborhood petition, sneaky photographs, and an Easter bunny caught with the top of his costume off (by Amelia's children, no less), this novel is as funny as it is heartwarming. The push and pull between Amelia and Kyle will leave readers rooting for a relationship to blossom. VERDICT An excellent read and a surefire hit for those looking to beat the heat this summer.—Erin Holt
