Taking on her ailing father’s gardening business on Merriweather Island, Samantha Green only wants to escape her ex and to make her father proud.
But Sam gets more than she bargained for when Greener Gardens accepts the job of restoring the gardens of a reclusive writer, Max Fairhaven, whose historical novels about romance and unrequited love litter bookstore shelves and movie marquees all over the world.
Max much prefers the fictional world to the real, and the gardening girl’s interruptions means he’s driven from his writing cave far too often for his liking.
How’s he supposed to craft stories with her distracting him all the time?
Love hurts, or so the songs say, so who wants it?Click To Tweet
Things change when he learns something of Sam’s family challenges, and his admiration slowly kindles. With his secretary’s goading, he’s forced to confront the past, while facing the fact that he needs to change in order to avoid a lonely future.
Gentle pruning and a whole lot of banter forges a friendship between this not-so-Southern belle landscaper and the half-British author. But is their budding attraction enough to grow into a flourishing happily-ever-after?
Restoring Fairhaven is the final “Merriweather book,” but don’t forget to embark on a tour of the next island in this series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.
The Independence Island Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
My Review
Delightfully engaging and thoroughly enjoyable with enough lows and highs to hold you contentedly on the well-written ride! Nicely developed characters are featured in this well-paced and engaging tale. This new to me author has crafted a lovely addition to the excellent Independence Islands series, filled with grit, grace, faith, hope and love! Highly recommended – enjoy!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, no compensation was received, and all views expressed are my own.
More from Carolyn
I’m a long time lover of gardens, plants, flowers and trees! I’m married to a horticulturalist, who once upon a time worked at Lyme Park, the site of Mr. Darcy’s magnificent Pemberley from the 1995 production of Pride and Prejudice, and who has also worked at Kew Gardens in England.
Some of my garden and plant highlights include visiting Blarney Castle’s Poison Garden in Ireland, New Zealand’s Hamilton Gardens, Dunrobin Castle in Scotland, Frederik Meijer Gardens in Michigan, the redwoods of Yosemite, California, Butchart Gardens in Victoria Island, Canada, and Jardin Botanique in Montreal, Canada.
I love to post pictures of flowers and trees on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/carolynmillerauthor/) and have included pictures of some of these places at my website (www.carolynmillerauthor.com) I have incorporated some of the gardens and plants in a number of my historical novels, including the gorgeous gardens at a castle in Scotland where I set Misleading Miss Verity.
I’m so excited to be introducing readers to my new contemporary books, where I can bring some of my love of gardens (& my hubby’s expertise!) to a new audience. Restoring Fairhaven sees readers introduced to a range of gardening experts who together will bring the gardens of the Independence Islands back to life.
If you’re someone who has enjoyed The Secret Garden, or Becky Wade’s My Stubborn Heart, you’ll be sure to enjoy this story of a reclusive writer and the gardening guru sent to restore his gardens – and his heart.
Happy reading!
Carolyn
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Carolyn is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon prize and a paperback copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 16
lakesidelivingsite, January 16
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 17
April Hayman, Author, January 17
A Novel Pursuit, January 17
Texas Book-aholic, January 18
Rebekah Reads, January 18
Blogging With Carol, January 18
Inklings and notions, January 19
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 19
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 20
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 20
Mary Hake, January 20
Sara Jane Jacobs, January 21
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 21
CarpeDiem, January 21
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 22
Cultivating Us, January 22
Kathleen Neely, January 22
Livin’ Lit, January 23
Ashley’s Bookshelf, January 23
Simple Harvest Reads, January 23 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Older & Smarter?, January 24
Artistic Nobody, January 24 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
For Him and My Family, January 25
Mypreciousbitsandmusings, January 25
Inkwell Inspirations, January 25
deb’s Book Review, January 26
Blossoms and Blessings, January 26
Joanne Markey, January 26
She Lives To Read, January 27
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 27
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, January 28
Splashes of Joy, January 28
Godly Book Reviews, January 28
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 29
Daysong Reflections, January 29
Carolyn Miller says
January 22, 2021 at 4:32 pmI’m so glad you enjoyed reading Restoring Fairhaven – thanks for sharing your kind words!
Perrianne Askew says
January 22, 2021 at 5:49 pmIt should be really interesting to read a contemporary novel by Carolyn Miller. I am so used to her Regency novels.
Linda Moffitt says
January 22, 2021 at 8:36 pmThank You for Sharing your Review With Us and For Being on the Restoring Fairhaven Book Tour, it really sounds like a Great Read.