She was fine arranging other people’s weddings… But life had other plans.

When it comes to creating the perfect happily-ever-after, Yardley Belanger is a bona fide miracle worker. From bridal bouquets to matching cowboy boots, the quirky wedding planner’s country-chic affairs have caused quite a stir in the small town of Cemetery. But when it comes to her own love life? She’s clueless.

Completely clueless.

Perhaps it’s for the best. The thirty-one-year-old has poured her heart and soul into her business and doesn’t have time for anything—or anyone—else. And that’s something not even the gorgeous older brother of her newest client can change…right?

All Travis Long wanted was to give his little sister, Sheena, the wedding of her dreams. Ever since the tragic death of their parents, he’s done everything he can to make her feel loved and give her everything she needs. Still…a country wedding? In a place called Cemetery? But Yardley seems to know exactly what to do and how to do it—and Travis finds himself falling for her a little more each day.

Soon Yardley and Travis find themselves being nudged together by well-meaning locals who want to see the town’s favorite wedding planner get her own happy ending.

Titles in The Indiana Summers series include — The Honeymoon Cottage —♥— The Little Flower Shop —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Owned

Title:  The Honeymoon Cottage
Series:  The Indiana Summers #1
Author:  Lori Foster
Genre:  Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction
Published:  May 22, 2022
Publisher:  HQN (Harlequin Digital)
My Rating:  4.5

First off, a confession.  Well, maybe second because I have to tell you that I absolutely loved Yardley and Travis from the moment I met them… almost a year ago, now.  Yeah.  I was in a book-reading binge mood and didn’t stop in between finishing one book before moving on to the next one to write up reviews.  (I know, bad blogger).  And somehow I missed getting a timely review up for this one.  I simply could not dive into the next novel in this series, The Little Flower Shop, before getting the review up for The Honeymoon Cottage.  And I really, really want to get into the next book so here’s my delayed review (with sincere apologies for the tardiness).

The Honeymoon Cottage, the first novel in the Indiana Summers series, is set in a small town called Cemetery.  Cemetery!  How could I possibly not love this quirky small town and its residents almost immediately?  I fell in love with not only this book’s characters but with the setting as well.  And that was just the first chapter!

Travis was willing to give his younger sister, Sheena just about anything, including her choice of wedding planner… but he wasn’t so sure about the location.  I mean, getting married in a town called Cemetery?  But as the rock in his sister’s life, he’ll go along with her wishes, while making certain that she gets the best possible wedding no matter who he has to lock heads with!  Turns out nothing could have been further from his worries when he meets Yardley — in fact, he’s having some romantic notions of his own knowing full well that he shouldn’t.

One of the reasons that I return to Lori Foster’s novels, again and again, is the believable characters she gives us.  And not everyone is all sweet and kind; some are downright nasty.  Take Yardley’s mother and aunt for example.  I never wanted to smack some characters upside the head so badly in recent memory.  To say that they are nasty, entitled, and mean-hearted is an understatement.

On the other hand, we have Yardley’s best friend, Mimi who is married, a new mother, and certain that her husband just isn’t that into her anymore.  Through Yardley’s eyes and words, we see what Mimi is feeling but also what her husband, Kevin, is actually doing… showing his love for his wife in ways that don’t use words but actions.  I fell a bit in love with Kevin, simply for the love he has for Mimi… but she needs reassurances, and I love how they were delivered to her.

Then we have Kathleen.  An ongoing town prankster, and a mannequin that the townsfolk will dress up for various occasions and she’ll pop up in the most unlikely places, poses, and outfits.  Kathleen just made me laugh, and perhaps be a bit in awe of the imagination of the residents of Cemetery.

But at the heart of this story, we have Travis and Yardley.  Two people who have different priorities, live in different locations, but cannot help falling for each other.  Watching them move from client and provider, then to sort of friend, to romantically inclined adults was an emotional, laughter-filled, satisfying journey.  In a story rich with quirky characters, underlying secrets, misconceptions, and sticking to a history that just no longer makes sense in this modern world we find a love story that brings a lifelong, lasting love to Yardley and Travis as the base for all the other wonderful things this novel has to offer.

I was hooked quite easily, am eager to learn more through the stories to come, and cannot wait to return to this unusual small town.  If all of that grabs your imagination… then get started on this book – this series, now.

I own a Kindle edition of this title.

Available in print, audio, or for your favorite e-reader