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!

I loved the way this author drew me to Bird Island! They way she described it made me feel like I was there.
I really enjoyed getting to know these characters!
Jack was a quirky guy that instantly made me like him very much. I love how he took no for an answer.
We need real life people like him and the Jimmy BBQ sandwiches that he made. Absolutely made my mouth water yummy.
This was a fun read that I couldn't put down. I didn't wasn't it to end at all!

This book was extra sweet! i absolutely loved the main characters, and the sweet setting. It was beautifully written. I highly suggest.

Love Is for the Birds was a great women’s fiction book . Fans of Mary Alice Monroe and Ellen Hilderbrand will like this book. It was a great story about finding second chances in the mist of turmoil.