Title:  Lost & Found Love
Series:  Mountain Meadows Homecomings #2
Author:  Laura Browning
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  February 2, 2016
Publisher:  Lyrical Press
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Tabitha MacVie has come to Mountain Meadow to meet the sister she never knew, and find the family she longs for. What she discovers is a close-knit community determined to close ranks against the new art teacher, especially once she catches the eye of the town’s most eligible bachelor. Tabby tries hard to keep Joe Taylor at a distance.  But staying away from the handsome preacher isn’t easy once he opens his arms to her….

Tabby is the answer to Joe’s prayers. Too bad the spirited beauty believes she doesn’t belong in Mountain Meadow—or with him.  Still, Joe can’t resist offering her shelter against the local gossips, or giving her a strong shoulder to lean on when her family hopes are dashed.  And when Tabby’s life is suddenly on the line, Joe will do anything to save the woman who stole his heart.

Read on for my thoughts on Lost & Found Love.  No true spoilers, promise.

Ah, the joys of being a preacher in a very small town.  And yes, there might have been just a hint of sarcasm in that statement.  As the granddaughter of a preacher, I grew up on stories from my mother, aunt, and uncles of the fun of being a PK – and the unrealistic expectations of them and their parents doing God’s work in small towns.

So I definitely had the stories to relate to Joe’s dilemma when he found Tabby to be exactly the woman he wanted in his life.  even when Tabby herself tried to stay out of Joe’s life, he wasn’t giving up on them.  He’d be a friend if that’s all she wanted – for now.  But he was just as determined to convince her to give them a chance.

Tabby’s had a rough life and while she’d hoped for a fresh start, the townspeople, for the most part, weren’t going to let that happen easily.  She’s attracted to Joe, but with trouble following her, and more on deck in town – it’s not in Joe’s best interest to get involved with her.  But the local preacher has some stubbornness underneath the surface and he’s determined to show her just how good life could be for them both – if she’d just take a chance on them.

Lost & Found Love read so realistic to me – gotta love small towns, everyone knowing your business and the gossips running rampant.  Although there were moments when I wanted to sit both Joe and Tabby down and have a serious heart to heart with them, their romance was an emotional journey that touched my heart.

While I don’t think you have to have read the first story in this series, characters from that book do show up here as well.  Any series is improved if you’ve followed it from the start, but mostly any references to previous events are lightly explained in this story.

I would have no trouble recommending Lost & Found Love for any Romance reader.  It’s a solid story with a believable couple facing small town issues and sorting out their lives.  An enjoyable read.

*I received an e-ARC of Lost & Found Love from the publisher, Lyrical Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Available for the Kindle