Book picks similar to
Summer Nights in Lantern Square by Helen Rolfe


chick-lit
contemporary-fiction
short-stories
village-vibes

Diamond Mine


Stephanie Bond - 2019
    And sure enough, Carter says he's going to be needing an engagement ring soon... but it's for another woman!Carter Grayson thought he'd never see Faith again--her parting words that he'd never be able to commit have dogged him. To prove she's wrong, he blurts out a lie, and it's a whopper! Too late, he realizes when she discovers his deceit, she might be lost to him forever.   A romantic comedy for Valentine's Day and any time you're in the mood for a story to make you laugh and sigh.

Stable Mates


Zara Stoneley - 2014
    Home to lords and ladies, horsemen and farmers, and plenty of secrets and scandals…Leaving a scumbag ex behind her, Lottie Brinkley has hotfooted it out of Spain and back home to the country in serious need of some flirtatious fun to soothe her aching heart.Luckily for her she’s spoilt for choice with not one but three eligible bachelors offering a steamy romp in the hay! But faced with the attentions of roguish eventer Rory Steel, the smiling Irish eyes of hunky farrier Mick O’Neal, and mysterious newcomer Tom Strachan, how can she possibly choose?When billionaire landowner Marcus James drops dead unexpectedly, his WAGish wife Amanda threatens to sell the heart of the village and sets her sights on Tom! It seems things are heating up for little Tippermere… both in and out of the saddle.A hilarious, sexy rom com perfect for fans of Jilly Cooper!

The Cosy Castle on the Loch: Spring


Alice Ross - 2018
    But when she finds herself whipped up in a whirl of activity at Glenduff Castle to neatly tie up the rest of her life for her, she begins to panic.With pressure coming at her from all sides, the easiest option is for Flora to go along with it all. But will the appearance of a handsome stranger at Glenduff provide her with a more attractive alternative?

My Mamma Mia Christmas


Annie Robertson - 2018
    But as the festive season draws closer, Laurel begins to wonder if Christmas on Skopelos can ever live up to the cosy Yorkshire Christmases she spent with her beloved grandmother, Marnie. And with a travel writer arriving to review the Villa, Laurel needs a touch of festive sparkle - and a little help from some old friends... With critics to impress, Greek feasts to cook, and an ABBA-themed winter wedding on the horizon, can Laurel throw the perfect Christmas for everyone? And will she find her own romance underneath the mistletoe...? Escape to Greece this Christmas for this joyous sequel to My Mamma Mia Summer.

A Soul Bonding Moment


Aurora Hanson - 2020
    On the contrary, wealth comes with huge expectations, especially since her father happens to be the richest rancher in the area. Julie dreams to fall in love one day, but her father insists on her finding a financially equal match. She feels trapped and everything will get even worse when a terrible accident occurs; one that almost takes her life. This proves to be a nightmare and a blessing at the same time, as she meets Alex, the doctor who will change her life forever. Will she manage to recover or is she doomed to a miserable life? Could she find common ground with her father or her fate has already been determined?Alex Holden's dream has always been to become a doctor. When his mentor dies, he sets out to make a name for himself in Texas. Finding a job has been challenging until an ad for a private physician will get him on Julie's track. His duties seem simple enough at first, but soon, Alex will find himself tangled up in much more than he bargained for. Will he stay focused on his dream or will he let his feelings carry him away? When he realizes that his own life may be in danger will he choose to stay close to his loved one over his safety?Alex and Julie's relationship turns out to be something much more intense than they could ever expect. Alex tries his best to heal her and secure her well being but there are too many hurdles keeping him behind. Some suspicious behaviors will make him doublethink her accident and will push him to examine what truly happened. He needs to protect her no matter what, however, what seems to be the answer he is looking for is actually a misleading plan to drag him away from the truth. Finding the culprit proves to be harder than Alex imagined. Who can he really trust? As Alex races against time to find out who would want to hurt Julie, the two begin to fall for each other badly. Will they be able to overcome the hardships that lie ahead?

Merry Mistletoe


Emma Davies - 2015
    And to make matters worse, the only contenders to buy Appleyard Farm, are the people she’d least like to sell it to – her rival growers, the Henderson brothers, who seem always to make life so difficult for her. It’s magical stuff though, mistletoe, and the arrival of the mysterious Amos Fry, brings a glimmer of hope that might just mean Freya can fall in love with Christmas all over again.As the snow begins to fall, cosy up and find your sparkle this Christmas with another big-hearted, and wonderfully warm read from the author of Letting in Light.

The Daisy Picker


Roisin Meaney - 2004
    After one too many New Year's spent watching bad television, and one too many dull outings with dependable fiance Tom, she decides to chuck it all in, throw her backpack into her little Fiesta, and set off into the Wild West - of Ireland, that is - on the road trip of a lifetime. Along the way she manages to meet a cast of interesting characters, live in a caravan, accidentally get a new job, and lose the boring fiance. But, as is often the way in life, things are not as they should be. Pitching up in the little seaside town of Merway, she doesn't intend to stay long, but the down-at-heel charm of the place and the warmth of the locals draw her in. As winter turns to summer, Lizzie begins to realise that the past cannot be shrugged off like an old winter coat, and that here, too, she must make difficult choices.

Second Chance with a Firefighter


Ellie Hall - 2019
    Will he get a second chance with his first love? Sadie Collins has spent more hours than she'd like to admit rehearsing what she'd say when she came face to face with her ex again. It is not, "I’m stuck.” After the rescue, her day goes from bad to worse when her boss discovers a glaring error in a project that she was in charge of. Worse, the mistake is mortifying. Tripp Hawkins returns to Hawk Ridge Hollow after several years to find much is the same in his hometown: the quaint village, good friends, and the world-class ski resort owned by his family. Almost everything is the same except the girl he’d once called his sweetheart. Sadie plans to spend Valentine’s Day alone. She has enough responsibility as it is. A romcom plus some chocolate sounds like the perfect date. Tripp wants nothing more than a second chance with the girl who stole his heart and he’ll do anything to win her back. But it might be too late. Has she moved on? Or did she never let go? This is book 1 in Rich & Rugged, Hawkins Brothers Romance series. Each book stands alone but reading them in order provides a deeper, richer experience. It is a sweet, “clean and wholesome” romance without swearing or mature content and contains a HEA.

Excess Baggage


Judy Astley - 2000
    But as a penniless and partnerless house-painter with an expired lease on her flat and a twelve-year-old daughter, she could hardly turn down her parents' offer to take them on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Caribbean. She'd just have to put up with her sister Theresa (making no secret of preferring Tuscany as a holiday destination) and brother Simon (worrying that there might be some sinister agenda behind their parents' wish to take them all away) with their various spouses, teenagers, young children and au pair. In a luxury hotel, with bright sunshine, swimming, diving, glorious food and friendly locals, any family tensions should have melted away in the fabulous heat. The children should have been angelic, the teenagers cheerful, the adults relaxed and happy. But...some problems just refuse to be left at home.

Make-Believe Marriage


Marilyn Shank - 2000
    Otherwise, she'll lose her inheritance. Trevor Mathison, Headmaster of Brookshire School, needs both a sixth-grade teacher and a wife.When a comedy of errors leads Claire's grandfather, the Chairman of the Board, to believe Claire and Trevor are married, they play along - both too afraid to tell the older man the truth.A powerful magnetism sparks between the couple but her free-spirited lifestyle clashes with his highly structured one. The conflicts they face both at school and at home turn Trevor's organized life into instant chaos.Can Claire and Trevor make their love last? Will they turn this pretend marriage into happily ever after?

Viva Las Vegas


Gemma Halliday - 2010
    The Full House: Ella Campbell is a former showgirl turned minivan driving mom who can’t quite figure out how it happened that she and her perfect husband are sleeping in separate rooms. The Ace of Clubs: Kit (just Kit) is a magician’s assistant who wishes she could make her attraction for her married boss disappear. The Straight Flush: David Shepard is a flamboyant showboy with only one thing hotter than his dancing career - his lover’s jealous temper. Four friends. Four different points of view. One story of love, loss and lust in the most decadent place on earth. The only question is, what are the odds of finding true love in the city of sin?REVIEWSAcclaim for the novels and stories of Gemma Halliday:“Stylish... nonstop action...guaranteed to keep chick lit and mystery fans happy!” - Publishers Weekly, starred review “A winner,”“fast-paced style, interesting characters and story meant for the keeper shelf. 4 1/2 stars!” - Romantic Times“A saucy combination of romance and suspense that is simply irresistible.” - The Chicago Tribune “Fresh and witty little number that will appeal if you like sparkling, good stories.” “Full marks go to Ms. Halliday on what promises to be a very successful debut to a fabulous career.” - Romance Junkies “Gemma Halliday writes like a seasoned author leaving the reader hanging on to every word.” - Once Upon A Romance “If you have not read these books, then you are really missing out on a fantastic experience, chock full of nail-biting adventure, plenty of hi-jinks, and hot, sizzling romance. Can it get any better than that?” - Romance Reviews Today

The Little Theatre on the Seafront


Katie Ginger - 2018
    Faced with a decaying building, a mayor who most definitely isn’t on board with the project and a group of actors who just can’t get along, Lottie has her hands full, but with best friend Sid by her side she knows she can do it somehow.But the arrival of Jeremy, a hotshot London developer who sweeps Lottie off her feet, complicates things. Suddenly Sid gets a new girlfriend, the Greenley Players fall apart, and that crumbling building? Well it crumbles a whole lot more. With no one to turn to, Lottie has to find the courage to save the day. Will Lottie be able to save the theatre and also follow her heart?

Missing You Already


Pauline McLynn - 2009
    Who could have forgotten to pick it up when boarding the train? Meanwhile, a young woman is coming to terms with the fact that her mother has Alzheimer's

A Holly Bay Christmas: (A Fabrian Books' Feel-Good Novel)


Jo Bartlett - 2016
     Maddie owns her dream business running a combined bookshop and tea rooms, in the beautiful Cornish village of Holly Bay. When Ben arrives looking for a place to rent, Maddie is keen to help him find a home in the town she loves, where they really know how to celebrate Christmas. Stepping in to help Maddie raise money for a charity that’s close to her heart, and even dressing as an elf on Christmas gift day, Ben seems too good to be true. Letting her guard down, she realises she’s falling for the newcomer, but, when it turns out he’s got a hidden agenda, she can’t wait for him leave. Will the storm that breaks out two days before Christmas, and cuts off Holly Bay from the rest of the world, give Ben another chance to prove himself to Maddie? Or is she destined to spend another Christmas with only her books for company?

Spring Shoots on Sunflower Street


Rachel Griffiths - 2020
    Jilted on her wedding day by her fiancé, she has little interest in looking for love again. She spends most of her time hiding away in her cosy cottage, snuggling on the sofa with her two cats and trying to find the energy to invest in her online craft business. Widower Ethan Morris has been drifting from job to job since he lost his wife, unable to commit to anything for long. He’s returned to Sunflower Street to stay with his ailing mother and is secretly glad to have an excuse to go home. His mother suggests that he puts his manual skills to good use by starting his own painting and decorating business.The glorious spring sunshine reveals all the areas of Lila’s cottage that are in need of maintenance, as well as a good spring clean, and her friends suggest that she hires someone to do the work. At first, Lila is reluctant, having kept things the same since her fiancé left, but she has to admit that a fresh lick of paint on the walls and some more shelves for her books would be nice. When a flier advertising a new local painter and decorator lands on Lila’s doormat, it seems like fate has made the decision for her. As Ethan works his magic on Lila’s cottage, and spring brings hope and renewal to Sunflower Street, is it possible that there could be a new beginning in store for Lila and Ethan too?