I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Series: Blossom Branch #3
Published by Canary Street Press on January 28, 2025
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Second time’s the charm.
When a guy leaves your best friend at the altar, you should hate him. Avoid him. You definitely shouldn’t fall for him…right? But when Gabby Nolan runs into her BFF’s ex, Jason Brightman, eighteen months after the wedding that wasn’t, one thing is certain: the secret crush she had on him in college—the one Gabby worked hard to bury—is still very much alive and kicking.
What’s worse is that Jason is no longer the immature, privileged boy he once was. The man who stands before Gabby now is thoughtful, self-aware and somehow more handsome than ever. But none of that changes the fact that Gabby shouldn’t be looking in the first place. Unlike Jason, Gabby has worked hard to climb to where she is, something he could never understand. The last thing she wants is to derail everything she’s accomplished for a guy.
Except Gabby isn’t the only one who’s been carrying a torch, and Jason’s efforts to make her smile are working entirely too well. Maybe yesterday’s mistakes can lead to a promising future—as long as the baggage they’re both carrying isn’t too much to bear.
A visit to Blossom Branch is always a delight! Maynard is quick to have her readers invested in the story as we are reminded of Cate’s earlier book when she was jilted by Jason but found love with Harry and now Jason is back and her BFF Gabby is finding him hard to resist. The backstory makes this book compelling right from the start even if you haven’t been following the series but if you have, you’re going to love watching Jason be redeemed right before your eyes. I loved him with Gabby and I really enjoyed their story. The characters are refreshingly down-to-earth and face real life issues with grace and healing. I occasionally wanted to shake Gabby and tell her to get it together when she gave him the run around one too many times, but I loved how they overcame it all in the end. Well developed and heartwarming!
I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a tight-knit small town where love finds a way no matter what the roadblocks it might face.
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