This Christmas, Malcolm is determined to give his dearest friend Rev Ruth the perfect festive lunch – a heartfelt thank-you for her boundless generosity.
But when Ruth’s kind spirit turns their quiet meal into a community feast, Malcolm’s dreams – and nerves – begin to unravel.
As snow begins to fall, tensions rise with the arrival of more unexpected guests…
But new beginnings often come wrapped in chaos. If Malcolm can find the courage to open his heart, he might find the most magical Christmas gift of all…
Misty Owen escapes Florida and comes home to Lilac Lake following a disastrous relationship with an emotionally and physically abusive man. David Graham runs a landscaping business with his father and has created a memorial park in town for his sister who died in cancer. Kind, gentle, he is the sort of man Misty can’t help being attracted to. But until she heals from her past, how can she move forward? She knows it’s going to take someone like David to help her, but he’s content to be just friends. When gifts of flowers start to arrive with more than friendship, Misty discovers that sometimes love blooms in the sweetest ways possible.
Misty returns home after escaping an abusive marriage in Florida, carrying deep emotional scars and constant fear that her ex may find her. Her teaching career is her anchor, and she finds solace in the familiar comfort of her sister Crystal and a tight-knit Friday night friend group.
Among them is David, a kind and steady man who runs a local landscaping business. He’s created a beautiful memorial garden in town for his sister — a space that Misty visits regularly to find peace. Though David is clearly interested in her romantically, Misty is understandably hesitant and guarded.What makes this romance so touching is the patience and respect David shows. He’s willing to move at Misty’s pace, offering quiet support rather than pressure. It’s this gentle persistence that allows Misty to consider the possibility of love again — not on someone else’s terms, but on her own.
This is a sweet, hopeful read about learning to trust again, surrounded by community and the healing power of nature. Love’s Bloom is a gentle, heartwarming story of healing, friendship, and second chances set in the charming town of Lilac Lake.
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