Stormi and I do at least two buddy reads each month, sometimes three, and in 2026 we really want to try to wrap some of our series reads up. So we kicked off the year with what we anticipated would be a quick read and continued on with the Hope's Crossing series. While it will never be the same as Virgin River was for me, it is similar enough to fill the huge void that one left. Read on for my thoughts and then hop over to Storm Reads to see if Stormi liked it!
TITLE: Willowleaf Lane (Hope's Crossing #5)
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLISHER: HQN Books
PUBLISHING DATE: June 25, 2013
PAGES: 379
SOURCE: Library
FROM GOODREADS: Sometimes going back is the best way to start over.
Candy shop owner Charlotte Caine knows temptation. To reboot her life, shed weight and gain perspective, she's passing up sweet enticements left and right. But willpower doesn't come so easily when hell-raiser Spencer Gregory comes back to Hope's Crossing, bringing with him memories of broken promises and teen angst. A retired pro baseball player on the mend from injury—and a damaging scandal—he's interested in his own brand of reinvention.
Now everything about Spencer's new-and-improved lifestyle, from his mission to build a rehab facility for injured veterans to his clear devotion to his preteen daughter, Peyton, touches Charlotte's heart. Holding on to past hurt is her only protection against falling for him—again. But if she takes the risk, will she find in Spencer a hometown heartbreaker, or the hero she's always wanted?
When she was a teen, Candy had a huge crush on Spencer. They became good friends, but Candy's weight issues and her lack of confidence prevented it from becoming more. Spencer went on to be a famous athlete but got into some trouble and is now back in town starting over. Candy spent the last year addressing her health and getting in shape. She has never forgiven Spencer for something he did years ago, and she is not happy to see him. However, she does feel a kinship to his daughter who has recently lost her mother, just like Candy did when she was her age. Can Candy forgive Spencer and act on the spark she is once again feeling when she looks at him, or is the damage already done?
I really enjoyed Candy as a character and this is basically an enemies-to-lover trope because when Spencer comes back to town, Candy definitely treats him like an enemy. I think Peyton, Spencer's daughter, actually does a lot of bring down Candy's walls and as that relationship flourished, so did the one with Spencer. I also liked how Thayne added the story of Candy's brother in with this one and I'm excited to see what comes from him in future books. As always, there is an adorable dog named Tucker who Candy babysits for her brother from time-to-time and as always, I have to give him a shout-out. Go Tucker!
As far as ratings go, the last book received a 4/5 from me but gained a whole rating point due to the dog. This one also gets a 4/5 but it stands on its own and doesn't need an extra boost. If you love feel-good small-town stories, then this is definitely a series to consider. I think we have two more books and this series will be complete, and I am looking forward to both of them.
MY RATING: 4 PAWS
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