Family doesn't mean everyone has to like each other.
That's the case when cousins Taryn, Anna Rose, and Jorja return to Shamrock,
Texas, to help manage their grandmother's flower shop, the Lucky Shamrock. The
reunion isn't exactly a beautiful arrangement -- considering they're as
compatible as ranchers and coyotes.
Thank heaven for a handsome go-between like Clinton, who
lives above the shop. The easygoing war vet, and most eligible bachelor in
Wheeler County, is now throwing romance into the mix and setting the local
women to gossiping. But as the hot months wear on, hidden secrets begin to
surface for the temperamental Irish trio. And it's bringing them closer
together than they ever thought possible.
With a flurry of weddings, a love story in the making, a
surprise baby, and crazy good fortune, maybe that shamrock painted on the
window does bring luck. Because for Taryn, Anna Rose, and Jorja, this could be
the summer that'll change their lives forever.
Terrific story of family, secrets, love, and healing.
Three cousins, Taryn, Anna Rose, and Jorja, return to Shamrock to help run
their grandmother's flower shop, The Lucky Shamrock. The three women aren't
close - they can barely go five minutes without squabbling. Nana Irene forces
them to live and work together to get them to learn to get along. The initial
reunion among the three women doesn't look good for a peaceful summer.
Easygoing war vet Clinton lives in the apartment over the
shop and helps Nana Irene with deliveries and heavy lifting. He's on hand to
run interference among the three women. Clinton is the most eligible bachelor
in the small town and is the target of several husband-hunting women. These
women relentlessly pursue Clinton, using homemade goodies to try to win him
over. I loved his focus on helping others and got a kick out of his
grandfather's vociferous support.
I loved watching Taryn, Anna Rose, and Jorja throw themselves
into the work. One of their first challenges is setting up a big wedding whose
wedding planner is an old nemesis from their school days. Their encounters with
Kaitlyn are full of sass and stick-togetherness, including a satisfying
post-wedding confrontation. Though the three women bicker among themselves,
they stand should-to-shoulder against outsiders.
As they settle into working and living together, their
contentiousness slowly evaporates. I loved seeing them share the secrets that
have had such long-lasting impacts on their lives. Burdens shared are burdens
lifted, and I loved watching them share their coping strategies. I loved their
box-burning scene and laughed out loud at their dog-toy-throwing episode.
I think Jorja changed the most. The daughter of
missionaries, Jorja is the religious one of the trio. She focuses on trying to gain
redemption for a traumatic event in her past. Her prim and proper façade hides
the broken and hurting woman inside. I loved the support she received from
Taryn and Anna Rose as she faced those memories and moved past them. It was fun
to see her do everything from drinking beer and letting loose with some cussing
to confronting the person responsible for her demons.
Anna Rose has gone the other way. She is a brilliant
photographer who constantly travels, never staying anywhere long enough to put
down roots. She is loud-mouthed, sassy, and believes in living life to the
fullest. But that spirit hides insecurities stemming from a relationship that
turned toxic and made her wary of settling down. Her cousins' support helped
her see she was tired of running away.
Taryn left Shamrock in the dust after graduation, tired
of the unfair reputation of troublemaker gained by trusting the wrong people. But
life away from Shamrock wasn't always better. A bad relationship has made it
difficult for her to trust her judgment when risking her heart again. But with
the help of a baby, she learns to open her heart again.
The setting of small-town Texas and the drama that accompanies
everyone being up everyone else's business made this a fun book to read. From
the trio of mean girls to Nana Irene and Ruby, there is never a dull moment. I
loved the surprise at the end and its effect on so many lives. I especially
enjoyed seeing a particular person finally have to face the music.
While most of the story was spent on Taryn, Anna Rose, and
Jorja and their pasts and relationships with each other, there was a subtle
romance going on in the background. I loved watching Taryn and Clinton grow closer
thanks to caring for baby Zoe and Clinton's kindness and support. I liked that
they took their time and became friends first. The epilogue was terrific. I
loved seeing where everyone was a year later.
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