4.5 Stars!

Springtime at Hope Cottage is a sweet romance that fills your heart with hope and leaves you smiling right until the very end.

Springtime at Hope Cottage follows the story of Josie and Tucker. Josie is all about business and doesn't know how to disconnect from the world. She's always on the go. So, when a trip to Sweetwater Springs ends up with her injuring her knee, Josie will finally be forced to take a moment and catch her breath. Being injured isn't so bad if she gets to spend her time with Tucker, the town's good looking physical therapist. Tucker intrigues Josie in many ways, but she's not ready for love....or is she??? It's been two years since Tucker's wife passed and he's finally starting to live again. He's great at his job and his new home gives him what he needs; hope. So, while he can't deny the pull he feels towards his new patient, Josie, he's not quite ready to jump into the dating world. His heart is still battered, but Sweetwater Springs has a way of sneaking up on you and maybe just maybe it will be able to mend Tucker's broken heart. There's only one way to find out...

In a world of craziness, Springtime at Hope Cottage was just the story I was looking for. It was incredibly well written and captivating. The characters were real and easy to relate to. I loved seeing the friendships that Josie had and seeing that there was more to this girl than what meets the eye. I loved the slow build of the relationship between Tucker and Josie. While their chemistry was great, their hearts were guarded. I loved seeing the two of them get to know one another, build trust and explore the feelings they had for one another. Their romance was sweet and swoon-worthy.

Springtime at Hope Cottage is a terrific second chance romance. It's light on the drama. Light on the angst. But, filled with lots of heart. The characters both have painful pasts and have to learn to move past them. In the end, this is the kind of romance that just makes you feel good and in the end, leaves you with a smile on your face. I enjoyed everything about this book from beginning to end and look forward to getting my hands on the next book in this sweet series.

Josie Kellum has a great job as an editor of a major New York magazine. She is pulled away from her job due to an injury sustained while she is visiting her friend in Sweetwater Springs. The doctor recommends a couple of sessions of physical therapy in order for the injury not to become more serious. Then, due to other circumstances, her stay is extended. But, oh, her therapist... Oh, so sexy!

Tucker Locklear hasn't so much looked at another woman since the death of his wife. Why is it that his newest patient, albeit temporary. Josie Kellum affects him? This is on a deep level from the moment they met. He is really glad she was planning to leave soon. Also, his policy is not to date patients. However, when he finds out she is staying longer than planned, Tucker begins to worry. Will he be able to hide his attraction to the stunning Josie? Also, how can he think about another woman. He still hurts from losing his wife. What if he loved and lost again? He just cannot take the chance.

This was a wonderful and effective story. The romance between Tucker and Josie was very touching. It was true to form with Tucker resisting a chance at love due to what he went through with losing his wife. Also, Josie's life was in the big city, not in a small town. Even if the people - and a chance at love - were compelling.

There was another character in Springtime at Hope Cottage that bears mentioning. That is young Maddie, a physical therapy patient of Tucker's. I found this portion of the story quite engrossing. Annie Rains has done a fine job of weaving a romance with another story that blended in quite well. The conflicts in this story balanced with a very pleasant ending. I really enjoyed this book and Annie Rains works.

This is part of the Sweetwater Springs series. The first of this series is Christmas as Mistletoe Lane. My review follows. The next book in the series, Meet Me at Sweetwater Springs, is due for release in August.

Many thanks to Forever and NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’ll be perfectly honest – I just don’t understand why Annie Rains isn’t on everyone’s book shelf. Her characters are always complex and layered, her stories have a core of sweetness and kindness that we all could use, and their connections are palpable – you want to visit the places she’s created, make friends with the people and sit in the café to people watch. Springtime at Hope Cottage is no exception. From first coming to Sweetwater Springs where we met Kaitlyn intent on making the little B&B in the North Carolina mountains a viable business, and with her finding love with the half-owner Mitch, a resident, the magic in this little town was tangible. Now as Josie has returned for a little break, it’s been lonely in New York without Kaitlyn and with changes at the top for the magazine she works for, work isn’t all that hot either. And for someone who exists for her job, burying away her own fears of not being enough and fears of being too close to someone who could break her heart, she’s more in need of the magic of the place than anyone else.

But, the B&B is busy and Kaitlyn is swamped with work and the uptick in business, particularly with the upcoming festival, and she can’t meet Josie at the airport, instead sending her husband’s friend Tucker to pick her up. From the start, Josie’s wound a bit tightly, and Tucker with his no-nonsense connections to the earth, nature and the town as well as his good looks and instant impression of Josie as a high maintenance princess leaves the conversation rather stilted and both with an unusual reaction to one another. He can’t forget about her, even as he is still mourning his wife and wanting to ‘honor’ her memory, and Josie finding him annoying and perhaps a bit too aware of her – like down to her innermost thoughts aware – and finds herself unsettled and anxious.

From here it is classic Raines – Tuck is native American, a Cherokee whose mother has been dedicated to teaching her children and her community about the traditions, foods and ways of time immemorial. Tuck uses nature and his own training to work his magic on those who need help regaining function. When Josie, unexpectedly finds herself in need of his skills after twisting her knee, the two find themselves working together, and doors start to open in their relationship. When her apartment building is damaged by fire and she’s got to find a new place to live – the relationship with Tuck seems to jump forward as she moves into his garage apartment. So different these two are, but Josie’s proximity shows Tuck the caring person beneath the city polish, and discovers that with his new client, she’s simply magical. Of course, there are secrets to uncover, but the heartstrings and connection between the two build, giving both a second chance at new possibilities, all with plenty of support and some big changes for everyone involved. Leaving me with a smile and plenty of interest in the third friend in Tuck’s group and his little sister and nephew, the sweetness o Sweetwater Springs, combined with the community, it’s people and a few nudges from the author make this series one that is a pure delight.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-akJ /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

ok can I please go to sweetwater springs?!?! I love this series. I fell in love with Josie in the first book Christmas on mistletoe Lane and was so happy she was getting her own story! And Tucker oh Tucker...I know have a new book boyfriend! This series is a must read and I can’t wait for the next one!!!

For me as a reader there is nothing better then being able to get into a series. I just love the layers that a series brings you. Each book you get to learn more about the prior characters along with the supporting characters. Not to mention the hero and heroine of the book.

What can I say, I'm a sucker for a good series.

As you can see I just finished the second book in the Sweetwater Springs series by Annie Rains and I've really been enjoying it. The first book in the series the characters had their issues but I think in this one the characters had even more.

Poor Tucker, he was so sad and shut off from everyone. He just could move on in life. He was stuck in his grief. You can't help by feel sorry for him. In your heart you know that all he needed was a special someone to bring him into the living.

What he does and how he does it for a living is wonderful. He helps people without them feeling like it's all work. Great guy.

Josie's past has formed her into a single minded workaholic that is running from the hurt. A busy mind doesn't have time to think. It also doesn't have time to really live either.

I loved how much she loved her job and how good she was at it but everyone needs a life. And since her new boss is a dick it's time to find that life.

Their romance is very rocky. It starts off very slow (the romance, not the book) and then almost becomes to easy for them. They work out pretty good and have very little if any conflict between them. Then Tuckers life changes and Josie tries to make a sacrifice for what she thinks is right. Silly Josie. running never fixes anything.

This is a wonderful written romance that will make you wish you could visit this town. I look forward to more books in the series and I'm hoping that she really adds to the characters of this little town.

I loved Tucker and Josie’s story! This romance was so sweet and emotional, which made me so glad that Tucker didn’t give up on love after experiencing a heart-breaking loss. They say that opposites attract and even though Josie wasn’t what Tucker wanted in his life, she was exactly what he needed so he could love again. The chemistry between these two characters was absolutely amazing and I’m so glad that these two characters decided to fight for the love that they were experiencing. This was a real winner for me.

I loved everything about this, starting with the cover!

Tuck isn't interested in the pretentious city princess he is tasked with picking up from the airport. She seems more interested in her phone than the beautiful scenery around her. Josie is on vacation...but also always working. She has no interest in the gorgeous guy her best friend sent to pick her up. But as Tuck and Josie get to know each other better, there might just be more than they ever hoped for.

This is a great addition to this series!!

Springtime at Hope Cottage by Annie Rains is one of my new favorite books. I loved revisiting Sweetwater Springs and both Josie and Tuck were heartbreaking. They totally deserved their HEA and it was fun watching them figure it out. I loved catching up with old friends and making new ones. This was the perfect read for a snowy winter day. This is for anyone who love small town romance, including readers of Nancy Naigle, Hope Ramsay, and Sara Richardson.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.

The story of Tuck and Josie is one of hope - hope for moving forward, hope of feeling at home and finding love. The hope one realizes when they have good friends and family and a feeling of belonging. Springtime at Hope Cottage is a wonderful, heartwarming return to Sweetwater Springs, and another touching story of friendship, family, finding home, and discovering love. Annie Rains does a wonderful job of drawing the reader in and she made me feel like the people in Sweetwater Springs are my friends. I know I definitely want to make another visit to this enchanting little town!

This book is adorably sweet and delicious, like munching on a warm gooey chocolate chip cookie in a glass of milk. It gives you all the great deals of a small-town environment. There are many different opportunities and choices that needs to happen and are currently happening, secrets family, friends, lovers and melt your hearts romance. Charming and wonderful, I fell in love with this book from the first page. I realize that it is part of a series, in fact it's booked two, and I plan on going back and getting all the rest of the books in the series so that I can continue my adventures in Sweetwater Springs. I love how the kindness and thoughtfulness of the residents pervaded the novel showing what a wonderful place a small town can be to live in. Bravo!

I would like to thank Annie Rains, Forever - Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.