Apple Blossom Dreams by D.E. Malone Review

Happy Monday Sweet Friends!

I pray that you all had a wonderful weekend, and I'm so thankful you've chosen to start your week by dropping on by The Preppy Book Princess for another book review.

I'm Kirby, and I'm so excited to welcome you to my little corner of the internet.

Today's review is going to be a fun one, as I get to share a review with you all for the upcoming title from one of my favorite clean contemporary authors.

If you'd like to check out my review of the first title in the series, you can do so using the link below:

That Woman on Thistledown Lane

Otherwise, I hope you'll all keep on reading down below for today's full review.

Apple Blossom Dreams by D.E. Malone:

Source: Complimentary Copy Provided by the Author in Exchange for an Honest Review

Publication Date: June 25th, 2024

Genre: Clean Romance/Contemporary

Series: Port Chance

Synopsis:

After a disastrous marriage, Linn Miranelli promises herself some time to heal, and filling the bakery cases at Apple Hill Orchard is the best remedy she knows. That is, until she finds herself drawn to the new orchard manager way before she told herself she’d be ready. There’s something about his confident nature and the moments he shares with his daughter that tug her heartstrings. And his piercing eyes that seem to see into her soul don’t help the matter.

If his rambunctious daughter and the new job didn’t keep him scrambling, Heath Rivers bets he’d still be grieving his wife’s death three years after the fact. But now the woman overseeing the orchard’s bakery has blazed into his heart faster than her cinnamon muffins melt on his tongue. He might be falling in love again. Or are those feel-good moments just the butter and sugar talking?

As they tiptoe around their mutual attraction, the past threatens to stifle their relationship before they find common ground. Will their doubts meddle with their chance at love, or will their budding romance blossom into a happily ever after?

For fans of clean romance and women’s fiction, discover the magic of a delightful river town and its inhabitants as this charming sweet romance novel unfolds in a new series by D.E. Malone.

(synopsis from goodreads)

My Review:

D.E. Malone is one of the queens of small town romances, and her new Port Chance series is proving itself to be every bit as wonderful as her Blueberry Point Romance series was before it. In the previous title, readers were given a glimpse into this small town and some of it's heartfelt cast of characters, and it was lovely getting another return visit. New characters were introduced, romance began to blossom, and our main characters Linn and Heath might just each get a second chance at happily ever after.

I appreciated that readers who'd read book one before diving into this one will recognize some of the characters, but new readers will be able follow the story without feeling lost or disjointed. I've long been a fan of romance stories that have a child as part of the story, and it was such a sweet plot point to have Linn develop a somewhat reluctant friendship with Heath's young, headstrong daughter before anything starts to develop between the two of them.

This was definitely a romance that tugged at the heart strings and gave many swoon worthy moments, and I especially enjoyed how both Heath and Linn have to struggle to overcome past insecurities before they are able to truly recognize what is right in front of them.

D.E. Malone has a wonderful talent for storytelling, and Apple Blossom Dreams is another heartwarming title that pulled me right into the story, and had me rooting for the characters right from the beginning. I'd definitely recommend this one to anyone who enjoys clean, contemporary romances as I can guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Final Rating: 4/5.

Thanks so much to D.E. Malone for allowing me to advance read and review this title!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.

Thanks so much for reading guys! I pray your week is off to a wonderful start :)

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