Review: Wildflower Wedding by LuAnn McLane

Cricket Creek, Kentucky, is a sweet river town known for its baseball, shopping, and weddings. After the recession, business is finally bouncing back, but old insecurities—and heartaches—are slower to heal…

Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, Gabby Goodwin had more to prove than the rest of Cricket Creek. Even now, as the successful owner of the local flower shop, she hasn’t forgotten her humble beginnings. So when her high school crush, the former class bad boy, walks back into her life, she keeps him at arm’s length, protecting her heart—and her pride.

Reese Marino gave up most of his wild ways years ago, graduating from college and becoming part owner of his uncle’s pizza parlor. The fact that Gabby still treats him like a troubled teenager drives him mad, but that’s not the only thing about the sassy florist driving him to distraction. Despite Gabby’s reluctant attitude, Reese is determined to win her over and show her that love often blooms right where you least expect it.

Series: Cricket Creek #6
Release Date: April 1st 2014
Publisher: Signet
Source: Publisher
Reviewer: Elizabeth
Rating:

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Reviewer’s Thoughts

What a refreshing romance! I absolutely loved this book! Small town stories are my favorite and I was completely enchanted by the folks in Cricket Creek, Kentucky.

I loved that Reese and Gabby grew up together and that background made for a solid story to build upon. Their romance really endeared me to them and to the lovely author who wrote it. Granted, Reese and Gabby had some bumps along the way but their love was able to see them through. Oh, and Reese is Italian with long black hair and a hint of a Brooklyn accent which totally had me swooning! If Gabby wasn’t interested, I’d have happily stepped in 🙂

I also enjoyed the secondary love story between Reese’s Uncle Tony and Trish, a new resident to Cricket Creek. Tony and Trish have both been hurt in the past and are reluctant to trust and love again. Their faux angry banter fueled by the hidden attraction each had for the other made for some funny scenes and a shared vulnerability that ultimately brought the two together.

There was also a little drama in the story when Reese’s father comes back to town after abandoning him and his mother Tessa ten years prior with no word. I’m looking forward to seeing how this storyline develops.

What I loved most about this story was the involvement of the Cricket Creek residents 60+ years and older. With much of our society today forgetting about senior citizens, I found it so refreshing to see that (in this story) no matter what the age; elders are looked up to and sought out for advice and companionship. That Gabby and Joy, a seventy-five year old woman, grew to be best friends and that Joy wasn’t dismissed as some senile old lady was just awesome. We should all remember that people have value no matter what their ages are.

This is my first read from LuAnn McLane and she has me hooked! I need to go back and read the series from the beginning so I can catch up on all the lovely characters mentioned in the book. This is a wonderful story full of laughter, love and heart. If you’re looking for beautifully crafted contemporary romance, then you’ve come to the right place.