Another good story in Janet Dailey's new Americana series. It seems each book could be read as a stand alone as they are in no way related. This was a lovely story of second chances at love and family relationships. This story delves into different relationships (husband/wife, father/daughter, first wife/second wife). It is a warm plot showing how acceptance can make all of the difference in the world. An easy read that is enjoyable from start to finish.

I was drawn to this story because it's set in Branson, Missouri and I have lived and worked there. The story was good. I liked the characters and the story line held my attention. It was an interesting and unusual story with an ending I enjoyed. Good read.

I loved reading Janet Dailey growing up. I remember her Americana series, where every state had a story. Obviously, I picked these up during a reprint, because I certainly wasn't reading romance, or even reading for that matter, at the time they were published. I probably would be disappointed rereading that series now, as an adult. There's a bit of nostalgia for me that probably wouldn't survive a second reading, but when I saw Letters from Peaceful Lane, it was enough to make me want to pick it up.

I think you either love Janet Dailey's writing or hate it so I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Letters. Reading letters from your husband's previous wife? A wife that died, and seems to be without reproach from both husband and step-daughter? Eeep. Why would anyone do that? There's no denying that Allison is head over heels in love with her husband Burke, but when a car accident and money troubles leave the future uncertain, there's so much more at hand. Allison begins as a spoiled socialite, the exact opposite of Burke's previous wife. Constantly compared to Kate by not only Burke's friends but also Burke's extremely spoiled daughter,  Brianna, Allison soon finds that being the trophy wife isn't all it's cut out to be.

There was so much character growth in this book from Allison, and eventually from Brianna as well. Surprisingly, I liked Allison from the start. I think she's trying to be something she's not to make Burke happy, but what she doesn't realize is that he's only trying to be what he thinks makes her happy. When he's left helpless after the accident, and the true extent of the failing business and skeezy partner is exposed, Allison meets everything head-on, with determination and courage.

Letters from Peaceful Lane was a surprise. It was fast-paced, with mystery and suspense, and even a mob connection! There are so many sub-plots: the financial strain, the creepy business partner that wants to let the mob finance the business and keep making moves on Allison, the stepdaughter that seriously needs to grow up, and more! This book had so much going on that reading the letters from Kate was only a tiny part. While I didn't care as much for Burke, I really liked Allison's strength and spirit.

Books by Janet Daily can be counted on to take the reader out of their everyday life. She gives her characters time to develop their story and weaves in a back story or two, or three in this case, that keeps the reader interested and turning pages.
This story is set in Branson, Missouri. A place that is familiar enough to most readers that they can easily picture the homes and theaters featured here. I'm not sure how many mobsters are in Branson, but we had to have a bad guy, so why not a mobster?
Drama, good drama, kept this reader engrossed right up to the end. While romance books are not mu favorite genre, Janet Daily's romances are far from happily ever after.

You know the saying about not judging a book by its cover? Maybe we should also add “Don’t judge a book by its title” because OMG this book was NOTHING like what I was expecting. And this time, it wasn’t a bad thing!

Allison fell deeply in love with - and married - rich widower, Burke. But things have been strained lately. Unbeknownst to Allison, Burke’s theater in Branson, Missouri is struggling financially, and she only finds out when his business partner lets the info slip after Burke leaves in the middle of his own birthday party to deal with an issue at the theater. Before he can get there, he’s in a terrible car crash, which sets in motion a potential for disaster with his business.

This book kept me engaged. There was a lot going on...Allison and Burke’s marriage, Allison’s struggle to have a relationship with her stepdaughter, the stepdaughter’s relationship with her boyfriend, the attempted takeover of Burke’s business. It all made for a fast paced story.

Then we have the dead wife’s letters to Burke that Allison reads, which is what I thought this book would mostly be about. Except it really wasn’t...

With all that was going on, I couldn’t help but feel nothing was given the full attention it deserved, and nothing had an adequate resolution. I think this book wanted to be a romance, but also a suspense/mystery/thriller. Except we meet the hero and heroine when things are already strained between them, and there’s no good reconciliation scene at the end (and for what Burke pulled, there needed to be an apology and groveling). And the situation with the business was resolved off page, which was so anticlimactic!

I read this book in less than 24 hours - which hasn't been the case for me the past several months. The plot was fast paced, and the story was compelling. I went in thinking this would be a heartbreaking romance about a woman sitting at her husband’s hospital deathbed fighting for their marriage, and got something nowhere near close to that. The cover and title were cleverly deceptive! However, I feel the execution of the plot was a little all over the place. I’m still not sure what the author was trying to accomplish by having the heroine read the first wife’s letters because they didn’t help ME feel like I knew Burke better, and I'm not sure how they helped Allison fight for her marriage. And for a book where the villain had mob connections, things were fairly tame and resolved with little fanfare.

All that being said, I liked the writing, and I liked the characters. So even though this book didn’t completely work for me, I’ll definitely give Janet Dailey another read.

* thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books/Zebra for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I liked this book. It's style is vintage Janet Dailey but with all the modern conveniences. Allison loves Burke and after they are married his friends and family are still critical and think she's a gold digger. Even Burke is becoming a little distant. When he is hurt in an accident she pours all her love into helping him recover and ignoring all the talk about Kate, his first beloved wife. When Allison discovers a box of letters written by Kate after she discovered she had terminal cancer she finds new insight into her husband and his life. A good old fashioned love story with strong alpha male and a woman who loves him. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I really enjoyed “Letters from Peaceful Lane” by Janet Dailey and I found it exceptionally moving.

It was a lovely story about two people, Allison and Burke, whose love is constantly questioned by family and friends.

In this book about growth, courage, and second chances, Allison was Burke’s second wife, however, she lived in the shadow of Burke’s first marriage to Kate, as far as all his friends were concerned. She discovered some letters written to Burke from Kate and this revealed the person Kate really was and their past marriage.

This novel was beautifully written by Janet Dailey with regard to both the well-drawn characters and the plot.

“Letters from Peaceful Lane” was a lovely and very worthwhile read that I wholeheartedly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for my complimentary copy of Letters From Peaceful Lane. My honest review is entirely voluntary.

I received Letters from Peaceful Lane in exchange for an honest review. This well a well thought out novel, with a few surprises. Overall, I enjoyed this novel and would recommend to friends and family

Allison Caldwell is taking a break from her husband's birthday party and the snide remarks from his friends and family about his trophy wife and hearing about the perfect first wife, not knowing that by the next morning her life will take a drastic change. Can she save her marriage, her husband's business and win over her step-daughter along with dealing with the ghost of the perfect deceased first wife? Will letters from the first wife help her to make it through the disaster her life is becoming?

Allison Caldwell didn't expect to fall in love again let alone with a much older man. She's trying to be the perfect wife. When on her husband Burke's birthday he's called away for an emergency and leaves her with his friends and family who don't like her, she gets angry. A talk with the partner at the talent agency/theater reveals that they're in financial trouble. It makes Allison feel guilty because of all the money she's spent on redecorating the house and that she spent on the party. After everyone leaves she thinks nothing of her husband not returning home because he would stay at the apartment in town when working late. It's not until the early morning hours when a call from the partner, who tells her about the car accident Burke had going into Branson. Allison rushes to the hospital where she's faced with her husband and him wanting her to divorce him and move on with her life because of the financial mess he's in that way she can get her share of his money before the creditors. She's shocked and hurt by what he wants. She won't leave him and tells Burke if he want a divorce he must get one. She's not going any where. He explains the situation to her and that he doesn't trust his partner any more. The partner wants them to go into business with the mob. The partner is attracted to Allison but she gets a creepy vibe from him every time he's near. A job is offered which she says she'll consider. Meanwhile her step-daughter comes home all upset and lays into Allison. When the step-daughter gets into trouble after coming home. It's up to Allison to work out the details and get everything taken care of bringing her home from college. That brings the two women together and closer. Burke learns what has happened to his daughter and about her boyfriend. Allison comes up with a plan to get evidence against the partner and the mob men, especially going into the office one day and realizing that everything has changed from the receptionist to the partner running the business. By this time Burke has left the hospital and has gone to rehab and will be home soon. She reveals her plan to Burke who is against it. She makes him understand that is the only way they'll get the evidence they need. She goes to work in the afternoons and starts going through the files and putting them into a data base for the take over. A loan application was being made out and she must find it so that Burke can finish it and have another option besides the mob business. Allison finds the application and brings it home. A few days later they take it to the bank only to find out someone called to tell the bank to disregard the loan but they didn't have it yet. Allison must be careful not to reveal her true motives and she meets the mob men. She searches for the evidence but is unsuccessful. She tells Burke everything. He tries to talk her out of continuing but they need evidence. Their moment of passion leads to hurt feelings and the reading of the last letter left by the first wife. Allison is almost caught going after the document but make the partner believe she's on their side by letting him kiss her. Thinking she hears the partners lover/new receptionist coming she pulls away only to realize it's her step-daughter. Upset the girl runs out and Allison tries to find her. A phone call is made to her boyfriend for advice and she heads home. Burke learns of Allison's supposed betrayal and reveals some information about his first wife. A confrontation is planned. Allison asks to become a partner in the business. Their partnership is a success and the step-daughter's boyfriend comes for a visit. The future for the Caldwells is a success and happy.

Janet Dailey kept me on the edge of my seat with the suspenseful story of a woman fighting for her family and future. I'm always ready to read a Janet Dailey book and the New Americana series is a great one. I could picture the area. It was a delightful read. Can't wait for more!

I have read many Janet Dailey books in the past and always enjoyed them. This books is no exception. Letters From a Peaceful Lane is a book about second chance love and more. I didnt always like all the characters but I stayed with and am glad I did. Thank you Ms Dailey for another great book.

I found it hard to relate to the main character Allison, who married a widower and then wasn’t really sure of her place in his established life. Allison was just so unsure of herself and emotional — and maybe that’s how a person often feels in her situation. I’ve just never been in it.

Anyway, Allison gets a hold of letters written from the now deceased wife to her husband, and she uses those letters as a guide — finding out that she and the deceased have quite a bit in common.

This is a sweet story, and I enjoyed the epistolary bit, but the plot writing just wasn’t for me. Maybe it was a little contrived or maybe i just couldn’t relate enough. It’s worth a read if you want a glimpse of someone else’s love letters!

NetGalley provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Quite the heroine in this story! Allison Caldwell is married to Burke who lost his wife, Kate six years ago to cancer and he still is not completely over her; neither is the town. It seems. While his business is failing and his partner cannot be trusted, he is recovering from a car accident. Burke’s daughter Brianna is a mess all her own with a boyfriend that may be more trouble than he is worth.

After the accident Burke tells Allison to file for divorce because he cannot give her the life, he had planned on giving her since his business is failing. He had wanted her to have it all, and since she can’t, he wants her to move on. She refuses. Upon this refusal she uncovers letters from his last wife Kate that were handwritten to him. In these letters she learns a lot more about Burke.

I wasn’t too surprised by anything in the story if I am to be completely honest. I feel like mob was a bit much and could have been left out.

It was a nice read, and I did enjoy it.

I can say one particularly spectacular part of the book is the fact that we have a heroine that never gives up on her man.

Allison Caldwell was one cool character! I really did fall in love with her!

I've read some Janet Dailey novels in the past and am usually satisfied with them - this title was no different. It was easy to read and while I didn't always love the characters, and found the storyline to be a bit far fetched, overall it was quick and easy contemporary novel with a dash of romance. To liven things up, there is a good dose of danger and mystery (although it isn't difficult to tag the antagonist in this one from the very beginning.) I enjoyed it as something a little different than the warm-hearted romances or historical romances I over-indulge in - the romance was there, for sure, but more in a couple redefining their relationship kind of way. This is the third title in the New Americana series, but can definitely be read as a standalone. I think the redemption in the book was the hidden layers to the characters - they weren't what they seemed at first glance and I enjoyed how the author reinforced that there's more to each of us (them?) than first-glance would indicate - i.e. the trophy wife had beauty, brains, etc. Not my most favourite read, but was enjoyable enough in the moment.

Excellent book! It took an accident, nearly losing the business and Brianna’s brush with the law to unite them as a family. Burke and Allison are now business partners and Brianna is growing up.

Janet Daily writes such pleasing and engaging novels that reach hearts and capture interest.
A strong devoted wife is the center of Letters from Peaceful Lane, a wife who refused to give up or give in. Against a scrupulous business partner, a belligerent teen step-daughter and a , seemingly, distant husband, Allison Caldwell fights to save her marriage and her husband’s business. All the while she is learning clues to her husband from letters she finds from his deceased first wife.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A story of being strong when it matters most. Allison is married to a stubborn, wealthy man. His friends and daughter treat her horribly, but she stays because she loves her husband. When they get in an argument on his birthday, he leaves to put out a fire at work, and gets in a car accident. When Burke wakes up, he pushes Allison away because he is afraid that he won't be able to provide for her the way he wants to. His health might not ever recover and his business is going down the tubes, unless he can get a bank loan. But there is someone working against him, and he and Allison have to work together to save everything. The hardest part for Allison is when Burke calls her by his dead wife's name. It isn't all of the time, but it hurts nonetheless. When Allison finds an envelope with letters from Kate to Burke, she gets new insight, some of it heartbreaking, into his life before her. How strong can she be and will it be enough to save his business?
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

As I was devouring this read, I had to wonder if all would survive until the last page was turned.
A major accident, the mob, a new trophy wife, a step-mother, a college daughter, just a few of the plots of this book.
Was the accident just an accident? Well, the more you look into Burke’s company, the more you will wonder.
The title of this read, is another sub-plot, and it allows Allison to come to love her husband’s deceased wife. Got your attention, yes, and what a relationship and bond they seem to form.
There is danger here, people you really don’t mess around with, and we have a college age daughter, herself in love with a man that her dad might not approve of.
An emotional read, but one you will keep turning pages for answers for.
As I got to the end, and really involved in the character’s lives, I sure appreciated the epilogue!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zebra, and was not required to give a positive review.

Letters from Peaceful Lane by Janet Dailey is a book about growth, courage, and second chances. Allison is the second wife to Burke. She lives in the shadow of Burke’s first marriage to Kate, by all his friends. She is considered a trophy wife to them. She discovers letters written to Burke for Kate and this makes the story interesting. She discovers who this woman was and a look into their past marriage. Kate gains confidence, courage, and becomes stronger after reading these letters. This was a very well written novel with both the plot and the well developed characters. The story has an unusual style, as the letters are each inserted for the reader to see who this first wife was. Great story and a great job by Janet Dailey!

I'm usually more enthused about a Dailey book, however this one was just missing the zing. Allison is a strong woman married to a strong headed widower with his own business. Burke has an accident which calls for Allison to step up and be more than the trophy wife. She snoops around and finds letters from his first wife, learning secrets and treasures. It seemed as if she didn't know her husband and never got to know her stepdaughter before the wedding. There are trust issues with an employee but the resolution fell flat, building up the suspense and not getting the expected result. Copy given through Netgalley, review given voluntarily.

Enjoyed this well written book about second chance romance. Good plot and believable characters. I always enjoy Ms. Dailey’s books. I received an arc from Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.