LOVE IS FOR THE BIRDS by Diane Owens Prettyman takes the readers to Bird Island which has just been ravaged by a hurricane. Teddy Wainsworth is afraid of what she is going to find when she returns to the island. Her mother’s candy store, which was left to Teddy after her mom passed away, is completely destroyed. Jack Shaughness is the owner of a popular barbecue restaurant chain. He is also a widower still grieving the death of his wife. He gets permission to cross over to the closed island with a smoker full of brisket to feed hurricane survivors. This is how Teddy meets Jack.

Both of their hearts are broken and they are both grieving. But Jack can’t seem to help himself and is instantly attracted to Teddy. Teddy feels like Jack is still in love with his late wife and Teddy knows she can’t compete with that. Jack is also hiding a pretty big secret that has to do with Teddy’s grandfather. It is a secret that is not going to make Teddy happy. Grab a copy of LOVE IS FOR THE BIRDS, snag a snack and your favorite beverage and get on the couch. Be prepared to spend the day with mixed emotions while reading this beautiful story and keep the tissue box handy.

I have no idea why I have never read Diane Owens Prettyman . She goes straight for the readers heart and LOVE IS FOR THE BIRDS did exactly that. I finished this with tears streaming down my face and a huge lump in my throat, at the same time I was smiling like an idiot! I love when an author can do that to me. The more I was reading, the more I found myself slipping into the story and living vicariously through Teddy. I was so engrossed in her story and was constantly rooting for her happiness even if at times I was wondering if she was making the right decisions! I am now on a quest to read all of Ms. Prettyman’s books, she goes straight for your heart.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Title:   Love Is for the Birds
Author:  Diane Owens Prettyman
Genre: Romance        
Rating:  2.5 out of 3

The Texas Gulf: beautiful yet unpredictable..

A beach town destroyed. Her mother’s candy store swept away. This is what Teddy Wainsworth faces when she returns to Bird Isle. Meanwhile, Jack Shaughness, owner of a popular barbecue restaurant chain and widower still grieving the death of his wife, receives permission to cross over to the island with a smoker full of brisket to feed hurricane survivors. Soon after arriving, he meets Teddy and immediately finds himself drawn to her—which makes him feel he is betraying his wife. When the two find a lost dog, Jack convinces Teddy to take the dog home while they attempt to find the owner, creating a bond that brings them closer.

In the wake of the hurricane, Bird Isle residents fear the Aransas Wildlife Refuge will not be ready for the whooping cranes’ annual migration south. Seeing that Jack has important connections and a love for the island, they enlist him to help restore the habitat of the endangered cranes before they fly to Padre Island for the winter. With their rescued dog always nearby, Teddy and Jack work side by side to rebuild Bird Isle for the return of the whooping cranes. But Jack is harboring a secret that may ruin everything he and Teddy are creating—and he won’t be able to keep that secret forever.

I had high hopes for this, because I love Port Aransas, and that’s what this setting reminded me of. But…this was a disappointing read. This felt very predictable and unrealistic. Teddy’s candy store was wiped out by a hurricane, and mere weeks later, it’s totally rebuilt and open for business? Not believable. Teddy herself was juvenile and indecisive, hung up on Jack’s restaurants’ names and the fact that his wife died five years before.

Jack seemed way too good to be true, and the insta-love aspect really drove me up the wall. Everything seemed really rushed in the amount of time elapsed, and Jack expected Teddy to be over her long-term boyfriend in like a week. The thing that really bothered me the most, though, was Jack and Teddy’s reaction to the teenage girl character’s nose piercing. They acted like it was so horrifying and gross. Was this written decades ago, or was it written recently, when nose piercings are everywhere? Frankly, this made the characters and the author seem judgy and hidebound.

Diane Owens Prettyman’s new novel is Love is for the Birds.

(Galley courtesy of She Writes Press in exchange for an honest review.)

As a resident of south Louisiana and an annual visitor to the Gulf Coast of Texas I’ve personally experienced many hurricanes and evacuations. In Love is for the Birds, Diane Prettyman accurately captures the visual devastation and emotional trauma of the residents of Bird Isle. Hurricane Harvey, 2017, was known as the “hurricane of the century” on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Prettyman’s main characters are grieving losses that we have all endured in one way or another: loss of a wife, mother, partner, relationship of a child, and through the hurricane, loss of property. Teddy, who’s lost her mother, and her business wisely realizes that loneliness is the common denominator. The recovery efforts on Bird Isle and the residents’ devotion to restoring the Aransas Wildlife Refuge for the annual arrival of the Whooping Cranes is Prettyman’s backdrop. In the hurricane aftermath this novel of second chances and life changing epiphanies, packs another punch with vivid descriptions of the marsh, the delicate balance of nature to support the Whooping Cranes, Brown Pelicans, and Gulf Coast ecosystems. The loyalty of a lost dog and community relationships built on faith and hope complete the forecast for the return of clear blue skies along the Texas shore.

Teddy Wainsworth returns to Bird Isle to find her mother's candy store washed away. Hope remains, but rebuilding is necessary. She must reconstruct the store from scratch.
Jack Shaughness, a widower who owns a chain of BBQ restaurants, comes to Bird Isle to provide food for the community. He encounters Teddy and finds himself charmed by her, a sentiment that complicates his ongoing grief for his late wife, Angela.
Together, they prepare the Isle for the whooping cranes' annual migration south.
This beautifully captures the story of releasing the past and embracing the future.

The timing of reading this story seems so appropriate. While this hurricane took place in Texas, not Florida, the results of the destruction are the same. The people help one another and need outside help too. A sweet romance, an adorable dog, entertaining friends, and interesting back stories fill out this tale. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

This book is about love, tragedy, and hope for the future.

Bird Isle was hit hard by a hurricane. But the residents of this town don't let it get them down. They band together to put things right, including preserving the refuge for the cranes and other birds that migrate this way. Along the way, many find love, but not without some tension!

The main characters are Teddy and Jack. Teddy is dealing with guilt over the death of her mother and blames herself. Jack is moving past the death of his wife five years previously. However, when these two meet, there are sparks. But don't think that their road to happiness is easy. Teddy seems to think that Jack is still hung up on his wife. While it isn't as if Jack has forgotten about her, it is Teddy's insecurities that hold her back. She can be very annoying throughout this book. I thought it was unreasonable for Teddy to think Jack should rename his successful barbeque restaurants just because they bear his wife's name. I don't know where Teddy got some of these notions in her head, holding her back from happiness. Luckily, she finally comes to her senses by the end of the book. That isn't a spoiler since we know there is a HEA!

Jack isn't perfect, and he is hiding a secret or two. But I can appreciate his realization that he needs to move forward with his life, and that is with Teddy. 

There are a few other minor plots, such as Dot, her daughter Brooke, and the mysterious father. I say mysterious because Brooke doesn't know who her father is, and Dot never told either of them. There is also a storyline that involves Pickles, the dog. I loved the name, and it seemed appropriate, all things considered.

Outside of the personal storylines, the book is also educational and shares some details about Whooping Cranes and other birds that migrate to the Gulf each year.  

This is an enjoyable story, and we give it 4 paws up!

Love is For the Birds by Diane Owens Prettyman is a touching story set on Bird Isle, blending themes of family, friendship, and romance. Teddy Wainsworth returns to her hurricane-devastated hometown, grappling with the loss of her mother and the destruction of her mother’s candy store. Overwhelmed by grief and guilt, Teddy finds unexpected solace in Jack Shaughness, a widower and restaurant owner, who arrives on the island to help in the hurricane recovery efforts.

Their growing friendship, fueled by the shared experience of rebuilding their community, quickly blossoms into a romance. Despite the accelerated pace of their relationship, it is a heartwarming journey. One of the standout elements of the book is its emphasis on bird conservation, particularly the restoration of the Aransas Wildlife Refuge for the annual whooping crane migration, adding depth and educational value to the story.

However, Jack’s hidden secret creates tension, testing their newfound connection. The novel explores whether Teddy can overcome this challenge, adding a layer of emotional complexity to the storyline. The depiction of community resilience and environmental restoration forms the foundation of this heartfelt and hopeful romance.

I have a mixture of views that too and fro on this book. And depending on which day I skip from it was a bit TOO hallmark, to swinging directly back to no! It was the perfect hallmark.
So it's definitely a mood dependent book. But then what book we choose isn't.
It's got love, grief, starting again and romance.
There is also a dog so that's notched it up a start before we've even begun, ha.
It's light and warm despite the quite devastating subject matter which is a village trying to co.e back together after a hurricane. And so there is great skill in this authors pen to be able to lift such a heavy event.
I really did enjoy this book. And I want to find more from this author. I think perhaps because she is completely new to me I need to find her writing style. And the fact I do want to read more tell you everything you need to know.

This is a story that touches on topics such as family, friendship and finding love. Teddy has just lost her mother and heading to bird isle after a hurricane has hit where she is originally from. As she is rebuilding the damage, she meets someone and a relationship blooms.

The premise is cute but felt the romance was very insta love and I didn’t enjoy that aspect of it. But if you want a feel good romance this might be for you.

“Love is for the Bird” by Diane Owens Prettyman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release Date: 10/8/24
Genre: Contemporary Romance

I really enjoyed this book! This is my first book by this author and I would recommend! This was a story about a small Texas Coastal town that was hit by a hurricane and their challenges cleaning up and some starting over.

Teddy comes home after being evacuated due to a devastating hurricane. She finds her late mother’s candy story in shambles and her home partially destroyed. She cannot believe what she is seeing. This store was her mother’s pride and joy and after she passed in a sudden accident Teddy came home to run it.
Jack is the BBQ man. He owns multiple BBQ restaurants in Texas and finds himself heading to Bird Isle to see how he can help. If nothing else he can feed them. When he arrives he finds Teddy assessing her store and cannot believe his luck. She is beautiful. Later when she doesn’t show up for his bbq he hunts her down. This small gesture and him finding a stray dog convincing her to take her home creates a bond. Over the next few months he helps people restore their businesses and homes while taking every opportunity to get to know Teddy.
Two problems Teddy is in a relationship that she doesn’t even care about and Jack is a widow and still not over his wife after five years.

‘How do you define love? A good man is like a candy store…’ this is what Teddy’s mom once said.

Teddy returns to Bird Isle after a hurricane has hit the island and caused great devastation. The monumental loss is not only seen in the natural world but is reflected in Teddy’s personal life. She is dealing with a number of conflicts: including the passing of her mother and confusion about her current romantic relationship. Things are not quite as they should be. There’s no magic or fast beating heart moments. Then she meets Jack, a widower and owner of a barbeque restaurant. He is attempting to feed the hurricane survivors and those who have come to help rebuild the town.

There is another a character of significance in this story: a dog. Teddy is given this frightened lost animal to care for that may have lost her owner and home in the hurricane. Teddy becomes quite attached to Pickles (a name she has given the rescued pet) for she is a great source of comfort during this difficult time. Teddy checks various places to see if someone has listed the lost dog but she is unable to find out where Pickles has come from. Until after a strong attachment and bond have been established between these two. But Jack eventually discovers who is missing this precious pooch and it is quite a heart tugging moment. But how will Teddy handle this new information? Will she give up Pickles when the time comes to return her to the rightful owner?

As Teddy gets to know Jack, she starts to appreciate and like him a great deal. They get along well and she begins to wonder what life would be like with him by her side always. Their friendship helps her understand what’s missing in her previous relationship. This allows her to make a much needed decision and where she needs to be. Plus the next step to a happier, healthier life. Which includes rebuilding Sweet Somethings, her mother’s candy store that was smashed by the hurricane. Maybe returning to the island permanently is a good thing for her just now?

The novel is filled with wit and humour: gentle banter that keeps the text lively and light hearted giving it contrast to the struggles and devastation that surround them from the hurricane. Nature has shown its merciless side but there is splendour reflected in the island’s profound beauty when at peace. And the wonderful spirit of the people that make up the community: how they come together to help each other is inspiring. There’s interesting info about the whooping cranes on Bird Isle, too. As hurricanes cause great devastation not only to human residences but also to the habitat of wildlife.

This is a novel about dealing with grief, loss and cutting bad ties, but also fresh starts, new love and the rise of community spirit during natural disasters. The courage to rebuild and maintain hope shines across its pages. Lost things, people and pets become found. It also covers the preservation and resurgence of the natural world and its inhabitants: wild and domesticated. It reminds us of the importance of finding your place in the right setting with the right people. This is a well written story that will make you smile, cry, giggle and sigh. And appreciate both the little and big things of life that we often take for granted. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to the publisher She Writes Press and Netgalley for the ARC.

Teddy goes home to Birds Isle after a hurricane destroys her mother's business. the towns people join forces to rebuild. good story

Such a great read! Highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. This author is new for me but I will be searching for more of her books. The story takes place in Texas on the coast in Bird Isle and their journey back from a devastating hurricane which destroyed their town. Teddy returns to find her late mother’s candy shop swept away. Then there’s Jack, a widower and owner of barbecue restaurant who shows up in town to feed the survivors of the hurricane and those who have come to help rebuild. Jack decides to stay and help, also. This is a heartfelt and beautifully written story of coming together to help each other rebuild their town. There is so much in this sweet story including dealing with family grief and situations, learning to forgive and trust again, the giving of second chances and love which appears unexpectedly even through hidden secrets. Yes it is a lot but his read is so worth the time. I loved it.

A fictional account of the recovery process following a hurricane devasting a Texas Gulf town. The main characters are interesting and there’s a good flow to the storyline. The small town comes together to rebuild while Teddy and Jack bond with the help of a lost dog. The subplot of bird conservation was interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Love Is for the Birds by Diane Owens Prettyman is a heartwarming tale set against the stormy backdrop of Bird Isle. Following the devastation of a hurricane, Teddy Wainsworth returns to her family's beach town only to find her mother’s candy store destroyed. Amidst the wreckage, she meets Jack Shaughness, a widower who arrives with a smoker full of barbecue to help feed the survivors. Their chance encounter over a lost dog sparks an unexpected connection that blossoms into a touching romance.

The novel beautifully captures the resilience of a community coming together to rebuild their lives and their island. As Jack and Teddy collaborate on restoring the Aransas Wildlife Refuge for the whooping cranes’ migration, their bond deepens, illustrating both their personal growth and their commitment to the island. The subplot of bird conservation adds a unique and uplifting layer to the story, highlighting the characters’ dedication to both their environment and each other.

However, Jack's secret threatens to disrupt their newfound happiness, creating tension as Teddy must grapple with trust and forgiveness. Despite some occasional melodrama and idealized moments, the book delivers a satisfying and hopeful ending. It’s a delightful read for fans of romance and women's fiction, blending charm and heart in the scenic setting of Bird Isle.

As I was reading this story, a quote I learned a few years ago kept playing in my head, if you change the way you think about things, then things begin to change. The devastation after the hurricane hit Bird Isle, destroying so much, and Teddy, discovered when she came back from having to leave., that her mother's candy store was gone. So many people lost so much and Bird Isle lost too. As they began the process of moving forward, they had to think about things differently, and they could see new ways of what they needed to do to move forward are build what was lost.
It is about loss, and coming together to pick up the pieces from what was to what will become. It was difficult, a struggle, some setbacks, but they didn't give up, and started to see what was to be, it kept them going.
I received an ARC from She Writes Press through NetGalley.

“Love is For the Birds” is a heartfelt tale of family, friendship, and romance set against the backdrop of the resilient Bird Isle. This was my first book by Diane Owens Prettyman, but it certainly won’t be my last.

Teddy Wainsworth has endured a series of devastating losses over the past year. The accidental death of her mother, which she feels responsible for, and now the destruction of her mother’s beloved candy store by a hurricane, have left her overwhelmed with grief and guilt. Her return to Bird Isle is fraught with emotions, but she finds an unexpected ally in Jack Shaughness, a widower and barbecue restaurant owner who arrives on the island to help feed hurricane survivors.

The sense of community on Bird Isle is beautifully depicted. Despite the chaos and destruction, the residents come together to support each other, even extending their care to a lost dog found amidst the wreckage. Jack and Teddy’s friendship, forged in the aftermath of the hurricane, grows quickly as they work side by side to rebuild their homes and businesses. While the speed of their developing relationship may stretch realism, it adds a touch of the fantastical charm that makes romance novels so enjoyable.

One of the highlights of the story is the emphasis on bird conservation. The community’s efforts to restore the Aransas Wildlife Refuge for the whooping cranes’ annual migration is both inspiring and educational. The bird count subplot was particularly engaging and added a unique layer to the narrative.

However, Jack’s hidden secret looms over their budding romance, threatening to unravel everything they’ve built together. Teddy, a strong-willed woman determined to face her challenges independently, must navigate this revelation and decide if she can forgive and move forward.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

This is a super sweet story! I like the theme of second chances. The plot moves nicely. and the author did a good job with creating likable characters. My two minor complaints are that the characters do seem slightly one-dimensional or almost too good to be true, and the dialogue at times comes across as forced. However, Bird Island is a wonderful setting, and I was cheering for the characters. The ending is very satisfying. This is a fun and enjoyable read perfect for fans of frothy, light women's fiction / romance.

Thank you NetGalley and SheWrites Press for the advance e-galley; all opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Teddy returns to Bird Isle to view the destruction from a hurricane. Her mother’s candy shop has been destroyed. Brokenhearted she meets Jack, a widower serving barbecue to the island residents. They find a lost dog, he stays to help rebuild . The rest makes for a great summer read!