Another excellent book by Gerri Hill. I have read all her books at least twice and this one won’t be any different. She always has smooth, well written books.
I enjoyed the change in setting in this book opposed to the others. The Pennsylvania area sounds gorgeous!

I’ve enjoyed many Gerri Hill books set mostly in Texas, Arizona and Colorado. This was set in the vast farmlands of Pennsylvania, revolving around apple orchards and the distinguished Marak family who, at one time, owned most of the land. The Marek men had more interest in earning money than in making friends. Our focus is on Madilyn Marek who refused to be molded into the image of her mother and the belief that anyone who wasn’t a Marak was beneath them; a commoner.

When Madilyn’s grandmother died, she was asked to return to the farm’s elegant estate to provide company for her grieving 89 year old grandfather. When going through things stored in a closet she found her great-grandmother Isabel’s old diary and entries, enlightening her to the realization that Isabel had been in a lesbian relationship with a woman named Lorah. Madilyn was entranced by the story of Isabel and Lorah, who broke things off, for in 1933, they simply had no future together because of the stigma and grief it would cause. Isabel died of loneliness at age 36.

Madilyn wanted to restore the long-neglected apple trees where the two former lovers would picnic together in privacy, and where the lonely Isabel spent endless hours alone, talking to the breezes, grieving over her lost relationship.

Dylan was the outgoing, vivacious woman Madilyn chose to hire. Yes, they became closer and Madilyn became known as Maddie, opening up to her natural, happier self. I feel that it also includes a little something that I’ve seen in Gerri Hill before, a wee touch of the paranormal, for when Dylan was later shown the diaries, discovering that Lorah was her great-aunt, both she and Maddie experienced similar feelings of something unexplainable.

I don’t want to give too much away, but just know that the story is well-written, very compelling and romantic. I thoroughly loved reading it and want to thank NetGalley and Bella Books for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

(4.5 Stars) Gerri Hill is such a smooth and consistent writer. Most of her books are set in the west or southwest so I was surprised the story takes place in Pennsylvania’s farm and apple country. If I hadn’t already traveled in the area I could easily envision it with Hill’s beautiful descriptions. Madilyn Marak is a young (27) heiress and the story begins with her being at the family estate after the death of her grandmother. She tells her grandfather she will stay with him for several months. She finds her great-grandmother Isabel’s diary and learns of a forbidden romance in 1933. She hires Dylan Hayes (29) to bring new life to Isabel's three acre apple orchard.

The characters are surprisingly young compared to the lives they have lived. There is very much a sense of loneliness for both of them. Their friendship is easy to enjoy as is their slow burn attraction. They communicate openly and honestly with each other. The diary is short but gives the original romance depth and feeling. A few times I felt I got the same information repetitively. I think there are three times she explains her lack of relationship with her father. Or how many times do I need to hear her thoughts on her ex boyfriend? But otherwise I loved spending time with these characters. I will gladly read anything Hill writes from romances to her investigative mysteries. Thank you to NetGalley and Bella Books for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.

Gerri Hill has written a masterpiece, blending a 1930's historical romance with a modern-day romance between a Marak family heiress, Madilyn (aka Maddie), and a would-be apple orchardist, Dylan Hayes. Without giving too much of the story away, Madilyn finds an old diary and is inspired to bring the family's three-acre apple orchard back to its former glory. She and a family employee post a job description for an apple orchardist and get four applicants, three very experienced men and one not so experienced woman, Dylan. Madilyn goes against the grain and hires Dylan to bring the apple orchard back to life. The book tells the story of the historical romance first via the apple diary and that romance then dovetails into the relationship and eventual love between Maddie and Dylan.

I found the location of this book quite interesting and vastly different than other Gerri Hill stories. Having read all of her books more than once, she typically sets her stories in the South or Southwest. But this book was set in a gorgeous apple producing region just outside of Philadelphia.

Other standout items about the book included Hill's vivid descriptions of the land, the trees, and the characters, especially those that she was trying to bring to life through the diary.

I encourage others to read this book. It certainly is the best book of 2023, in my opinion, and near the top of my list of best Gerri Hill books of all time. 5 stars

I received an ARC from Bella Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have enjoyed every Gerri Hill book I have read, and this one is no different. The story centers on a diary that Madilyn discovers when she returns to her family’s estate. The diary prompts a significant change in how she decides to live her life. Unlike some stories that save the details of the past romance for the end, this one unfolds smoothly. I appreciate that I didn't have to endure flashbacks in alternating chapters until the conclusion. The romance and characters are well-crafted, although the grandfather's character made me cringe a bit. I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What can I say Gerri Hill can honestly do no wrong. You know when you are picking up their books it is going to be a winner and this one was no different.
Loved the two love stories and time lines and it is all very sweet and makes you feel warm inside.
Madilyn and Dylan especially where so engaging and had me captivated all the way through.
Again I would never expect anything less from this authour and I’m so glad I got a chance to read this.
5 stars!!

Reading the short summary to the book it gave me certain expectations. And I can fully wholeheartedly say Gerri Hill met all those expectations and then some.
I've read my fair share of her books but that one is definitely in my top 3 of her novels.

I absolutely love the story, the characters just everything. I have nothing bad to say about this one. Loved the short snippets into Isabel's and Lorah's story and loved the connection Madilyn and Dylan had.

I am very appreciative for NetGalley for providing me with the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Madilyn, returning to the family home after her Grandmother's death, decides to help out her Grandfather and discovers a diary belongng to Isabel, her Great Grandmother's, whom had a relationship with another woman, Lorah.

Complicating the situation, her Grandfather has decided to make her his heir, bypassing her socialite Mom and brother.

As she begins fixing up the family home she meets Dylan Hayes, and begins to fall for her.
Good, solid book. The diary bits are vivid yet feel like the 1930s, and the romance between Maddy and Dylan is very sweet.

Gerri Hill is a solid, reliable writer and once again she's done a great job with this book.