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Sweet Small Town USA #2
One Day in Apple Grove
Caitlin Mulchahy doesn't have much time for socializing now that her sisters' handyman business is thriving. For Dr. Jack Gannon--former Marine medic--keeping the residents of Apple Grove healthy is a welcome distraction from the haunting memories of his time served in Iraq. Although the two have lived in the same small town their whole lives, Cait and Jack barely know each other. That is until a stray puppy leads them to the same place at the same time. But it will take more than one adorable canine to get these two together--it'll take a whole town.
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
72 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
C.H. Admirand
75 books619 followersC.H. was born in Aiken, South Carolina, but her parents moved back to northern New Jersey where she grew up. She believes in fate, destiny, and love at first sight. C.H. fell in love at first sight when she was seventeen. She was married for 41 wonderful years until her husband lost his battle with cancer. Soul mates, their hearts will be joined forever. They have three grown children—one son-in-law, two grandsons, two rescue dogs, and two rescue grand-cats.
Her characters rarely follow the synopsis she outlines for them…but C.H. has learned to listen to her characters! Her heroes will always have a few of her husband’s best qualities: his honesty, his integrity, his compassion for those in need, and his killer broad shoulders. C.H. writes about the things she loves most: Family, her Irish and English Ancestry, Baking, and Gardening.
C.H. is currently spending time in Regency England, writing for Dragonblade Publishing. Book four in her new series, The Lords of Vice, is in her editor’s hands. Pre-Order is live for Dragonblade’s 2021 holiday collections. Her novella, A Promise Kept…A Love Unspoken, will be in Star of Wonder: A Historical Romance Collection #1. She’s currently writing Rescued by the Lyon for The Lyon’s Den, releasing in February 2022. Watch for her new series featuring the fabulous O’Malleys from The Lords of Vice Series!
If you love Historical Western Romance, venture back to the Old West with her bestselling Irish Western Series. Perhaps you’d rather read her Medieval Trilogy: Mo Ghra, Mo Chroi, Go Deo (translation: My Love, My Heart, Forever,) set in 11th Century England.
Is Contemporary Romance more to your taste? Stop by the Circle G Ranch in Pleasure, Texas; the Claddagh Ranch in Emerson, Colorado; or Small Town USA ~ Apple Grove, Ohio ~ to see what the descendants from her historical romances are up to. While you’re at the Apple Grove Diner, be sure to try a slice of Peggy McCormack’s Buttermilk Pie…it snagged injured U.S. Marshal Ben Justiss’ attention and his heart in A Second Chance For Justiss!
C.H. loves to hear from readers! Stop by her website https://www.chadmirand.com and click on the icon to your favorite social media platform to see what she’s up to.
This award-winning multi-published author’s books are available in paperback, hardcover, trade paperback, magazine, e-book, large print, and audio book.
Happy Reading!
C.H. Admirand
Her characters rarely follow the synopsis she outlines for them…but C.H. has learned to listen to her characters! Her heroes will always have a few of her husband’s best qualities: his honesty, his integrity, his compassion for those in need, and his killer broad shoulders. C.H. writes about the things she loves most: Family, her Irish and English Ancestry, Baking, and Gardening.
C.H. is currently spending time in Regency England, writing for Dragonblade Publishing. Book four in her new series, The Lords of Vice, is in her editor’s hands. Pre-Order is live for Dragonblade’s 2021 holiday collections. Her novella, A Promise Kept…A Love Unspoken, will be in Star of Wonder: A Historical Romance Collection #1. She’s currently writing Rescued by the Lyon for The Lyon’s Den, releasing in February 2022. Watch for her new series featuring the fabulous O’Malleys from The Lords of Vice Series!
If you love Historical Western Romance, venture back to the Old West with her bestselling Irish Western Series. Perhaps you’d rather read her Medieval Trilogy: Mo Ghra, Mo Chroi, Go Deo (translation: My Love, My Heart, Forever,) set in 11th Century England.
Is Contemporary Romance more to your taste? Stop by the Circle G Ranch in Pleasure, Texas; the Claddagh Ranch in Emerson, Colorado; or Small Town USA ~ Apple Grove, Ohio ~ to see what the descendants from her historical romances are up to. While you’re at the Apple Grove Diner, be sure to try a slice of Peggy McCormack’s Buttermilk Pie…it snagged injured U.S. Marshal Ben Justiss’ attention and his heart in A Second Chance For Justiss!
C.H. loves to hear from readers! Stop by her website https://www.chadmirand.com and click on the icon to your favorite social media platform to see what she’s up to.
This award-winning multi-published author’s books are available in paperback, hardcover, trade paperback, magazine, e-book, large print, and audio book.
Happy Reading!
C.H. Admirand
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
July 28, 2013
The Plot: After serving in the marines as a medical corporal and getting his Medical degree, Dr. Jack Gannon is back in his hometown of Apple Grove, ready to take where his father - the former town's physician left off - and start his own practice.
As a youngster, he couldn't wait to leave Apple Grove and see the world, but after seeing some pretty bad stuff, he's quite happy to settle down and forget some of those places he couldn't wait to see.
Cait Mulchahy and two sisters have their hands full as the resident handy-women, fixing everything from leaky roofs to bed plumbing, which doesn't leave her with a lot of time for a social life, plus, it isn't like there are many eligible bachelors around, at least not until Doc Gannon moves back.
As a girl, Cait had never taken much notice of Jack, other than acknowledge that he was one of his older sister's best friends and the general town knowledge that he had joined the marines and that he had been injured while overseas; so she's not prepared for their first encounter, when they run into each other by the side of the road while he's trying to rescue a puppy.
The puppy, Jamie, brings them together though, and pretty soon they can't imagine their lives without each other, but they still got lots of stuff to deal with.
First Date: Aww, how cute!! This small-town of Apple Grove sounds lovely, and I already love half the characters, though it would be nice if they stopped assuming I know or care about who Honey B is, I don't.
Second Date: So, apparently, Honey B and Cait's older sister had their story in the previous book. uh, Still don't care. Back to Cait and Jack... well, things seemed to be moving REALLY slow there for a bit but then it just took a HUGE leap forward. Things are just starting to feel uneven. Cute puppy though.
Third Date: Well... wasn't that nice? Perhaps a bit too much. *sigh* It does feel like this last date was a fizzle.
Relationship Status: Don't Call Me, I Call You... maybe.
I really wanted to like One Day in Apple Grove, it even started really sweet and I was in, but little by little I was pulled out of the story, some things were just too darn cute and too darn much. My biggest problem, though? the way the PTSD that Jack suffers was handled - it was just mentioned when it was convenient and then swept under the rough and then trotted out again, and then just magically fixed. NOT COOL.
As a youngster, he couldn't wait to leave Apple Grove and see the world, but after seeing some pretty bad stuff, he's quite happy to settle down and forget some of those places he couldn't wait to see.
Cait Mulchahy and two sisters have their hands full as the resident handy-women, fixing everything from leaky roofs to bed plumbing, which doesn't leave her with a lot of time for a social life, plus, it isn't like there are many eligible bachelors around, at least not until Doc Gannon moves back.
As a girl, Cait had never taken much notice of Jack, other than acknowledge that he was one of his older sister's best friends and the general town knowledge that he had joined the marines and that he had been injured while overseas; so she's not prepared for their first encounter, when they run into each other by the side of the road while he's trying to rescue a puppy.
The puppy, Jamie, brings them together though, and pretty soon they can't imagine their lives without each other, but they still got lots of stuff to deal with.
First Date: Aww, how cute!! This small-town of Apple Grove sounds lovely, and I already love half the characters, though it would be nice if they stopped assuming I know or care about who Honey B is, I don't.
Second Date: So, apparently, Honey B and Cait's older sister had their story in the previous book. uh, Still don't care. Back to Cait and Jack... well, things seemed to be moving REALLY slow there for a bit but then it just took a HUGE leap forward. Things are just starting to feel uneven. Cute puppy though.
Third Date: Well... wasn't that nice? Perhaps a bit too much. *sigh* It does feel like this last date was a fizzle.
Relationship Status: Don't Call Me, I Call You... maybe.
I really wanted to like One Day in Apple Grove, it even started really sweet and I was in, but little by little I was pulled out of the story, some things were just too darn cute and too darn much. My biggest problem, though? the way the PTSD that Jack suffers was handled - it was just mentioned when it was convenient and then swept under the rough and then trotted out again, and then just magically fixed. NOT COOL.
November 30, 2025
Dr. Jack Gannon is returning home to Apple Grove after serving as a Marine medic in Iraq. He is taking over his father’s medical practice, but he has a secret... Jack is suffering from PTSD. His memories haunt him and all he wants is for his life to return to normal.
Caitlin Mulchahy works in the family repair business. Working non-stop she has little time for anything but work. Seeing Jack’s car on the side of the road, she stops to help but is greeted by an affectionate black puppy slowly followed by Jack. Discovering the puppy is a stray in need of a home and care, Jack and Caitlin agree to work together to take care of the little hellion.
Brought together by the puppy they name Jamie, Caitlyn and Jack quickly discover they needed each other...but will it be enough to heal the wounds of the past?
A complete charming and endearing story, One Day in Apple Grove gives us lovable wounded characters and an adorable puppy to boot. Pleasurable, relaxing and a happy ending, this story was the perfect book for a comforting hometown read.
This ARC copy of One Day in Apple Grove was given to me by Sourcebooks - Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. This book is set for publication on June 4, 2013.
Caitlin Mulchahy works in the family repair business. Working non-stop she has little time for anything but work. Seeing Jack’s car on the side of the road, she stops to help but is greeted by an affectionate black puppy slowly followed by Jack. Discovering the puppy is a stray in need of a home and care, Jack and Caitlin agree to work together to take care of the little hellion.
Brought together by the puppy they name Jamie, Caitlyn and Jack quickly discover they needed each other...but will it be enough to heal the wounds of the past?
A complete charming and endearing story, One Day in Apple Grove gives us lovable wounded characters and an adorable puppy to boot. Pleasurable, relaxing and a happy ending, this story was the perfect book for a comforting hometown read.
This ARC copy of One Day in Apple Grove was given to me by Sourcebooks - Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. This book is set for publication on June 4, 2013.
July 5, 2017
One Day in Apple Grove by C.H. Admirand is a fun book with quirky characters in a small town in the Midwest. There are a few serious topics covered: Jack Gannon is a former Navy medic (attached to a Marine unit) who seems to have adjusted well after two tours of Iraq. But he has some physical scars as well as emotional and suffers from PTSD. Jack and Caitlin Mulchahy meet while chasing down a run away puppy which will lead to a small issue of animal abuse later in the story.
This is exactly the type of book I was needing at this time. I have tackled several heavy-topic novels and was just looking for a feel-good story, and this book delivered that in spades.
Go Cards! L1C4!!
This is exactly the type of book I was needing at this time. I have tackled several heavy-topic novels and was just looking for a feel-good story, and this book delivered that in spades.
Go Cards! L1C4!!
May 13, 2013
I picked up the galley on this book because it looked similar to what Debbie Macomber writes and these are wildly popular. At first, the book was very enjoyable. We meet the main characters: the town doctor newly returned from Iraq and still suffering from nightmares and an injury and Cait, local handywoman. They hit it off right away and jointly adopt a puppy they find on the road. It is at this point that the book lost me due to the sex scenes. It just didn't fit into my concept of the book and I just skimmed over most of the rest of the book. I won't be reading this author again.
May 19, 2021
FREE today (May 19, 2021) on Amazon.
March 5, 2016
A silly little romance -- totally predictable. Not too well written either, but I continued on to the end.
December 8, 2016
who gets engaged after a month of dating?! pretty ridiculous. and the sex scenes were the same over and over.
February 8, 2025
I enjoyed my trip back to Apple Grove and catching up with Caitlin, the middle Mulcahy sister. She works in the family handyman business and is especially busy because her very pregnant older sister isn't able to do much. She'd love more time to spend on her true calling - carpentry and furniture making. Sometimes, she just needs a minute or two to reset herself. She'd also like to have a marriage like her sister's, but in a town as small as Apple Grove, eligible bachelors are few and far between.
Jack Gannon is Apple Grove's hometown hero. He joined the Navy and became a corpsman, attached to a Marine unit in Iraq. After being injured by an IED, he left the Navy, went to medical school, and is now back in Apple Grove to take over his retired father's practice. He is scarred, physically and emotionally, but doesn't let anyone close enough to see it. Besides PTSD from the attack, he also has some survivor's guilt from his final mission, where he wasn't able to save one of the men.
Caitlin and Jack have known each other all their lives, but when Caitlin encounters Jack and a puppy along the side of the road, she looks at him in a new light. The two bond over caring for the puppy, whom they name Jamie, growing closer as they spend time together caring for him. Jamie provides plenty of lighthearted moments to balance the complex subjects of Jack's injuries and PTSD. I liked their ability to talk about almost anything, though it takes time and persistence on Caitlin's part to break through Jack's reluctance to talk about his past. With a little helpful intervention from their fathers, Jack finds himself on the road to healing. His big moment at the end was terrific.
I enjoyed the small-town setting. Apple Grove is tiny, so everyone knows everyone else. It's not unusual to have friends or family up in your business - for your own good, of course. The characters were realistic, with relatable attitudes, fears, and actions.
Jack Gannon is Apple Grove's hometown hero. He joined the Navy and became a corpsman, attached to a Marine unit in Iraq. After being injured by an IED, he left the Navy, went to medical school, and is now back in Apple Grove to take over his retired father's practice. He is scarred, physically and emotionally, but doesn't let anyone close enough to see it. Besides PTSD from the attack, he also has some survivor's guilt from his final mission, where he wasn't able to save one of the men.
Caitlin and Jack have known each other all their lives, but when Caitlin encounters Jack and a puppy along the side of the road, she looks at him in a new light. The two bond over caring for the puppy, whom they name Jamie, growing closer as they spend time together caring for him. Jamie provides plenty of lighthearted moments to balance the complex subjects of Jack's injuries and PTSD. I liked their ability to talk about almost anything, though it takes time and persistence on Caitlin's part to break through Jack's reluctance to talk about his past. With a little helpful intervention from their fathers, Jack finds himself on the road to healing. His big moment at the end was terrific.
I enjoyed the small-town setting. Apple Grove is tiny, so everyone knows everyone else. It's not unusual to have friends or family up in your business - for your own good, of course. The characters were realistic, with relatable attitudes, fears, and actions.
September 29, 2020
The title of this book, the cover, even the description on the back, all gave the illusion that this was going to be the story of a girl from a delightful small town with an abundance of warm and fuzzy feelings.
It's not that. It is the story of Cait, the middle sister of a three sister family. She works for their family's 'fix-it' business. It is also the story of Dr. Jack, who has returned home to take up his father's medical practice in the small town of Apple Grove. Cait and Jack have known each other for their whole lives, but when they meet again . . . they lust after each other . . . all the time.
The world building isn't built up enough to give the reader a feel for the small town. Where I was hoping for warm and fuzzy feelings, I got way too much graphic sex. Not at all what I wanted or thought by the title and cover that I would be getting.
I had a real problem with the PTSD portion of this book and how it was portrayed. It's such a complex and much more in-depth issue for our service men and women, and although I think it should be discussed and written into our stories, I had hoped once it made an appearance in this book that it would have been dealt with in a knowledgable way.
The recipes included in this book were cute. I did like that, but for a book with the word 'apple' in the title, it would have been a nice touch to have a great apple pie or cobbler recipe, and to have included apple trees or apples in the town itself.
As for the characters, it was hard for me to feel anything for them. The only thing I ended up with was how much the main characters lusted after each other. The dog story was okay, but I was really hoping for a much deeper character dive, not only for Cait and Jack, but for the side characters as well.
It's not that. It is the story of Cait, the middle sister of a three sister family. She works for their family's 'fix-it' business. It is also the story of Dr. Jack, who has returned home to take up his father's medical practice in the small town of Apple Grove. Cait and Jack have known each other for their whole lives, but when they meet again . . . they lust after each other . . . all the time.
The world building isn't built up enough to give the reader a feel for the small town. Where I was hoping for warm and fuzzy feelings, I got way too much graphic sex. Not at all what I wanted or thought by the title and cover that I would be getting.
I had a real problem with the PTSD portion of this book and how it was portrayed. It's such a complex and much more in-depth issue for our service men and women, and although I think it should be discussed and written into our stories, I had hoped once it made an appearance in this book that it would have been dealt with in a knowledgable way.
The recipes included in this book were cute. I did like that, but for a book with the word 'apple' in the title, it would have been a nice touch to have a great apple pie or cobbler recipe, and to have included apple trees or apples in the town itself.
As for the characters, it was hard for me to feel anything for them. The only thing I ended up with was how much the main characters lusted after each other. The dog story was okay, but I was really hoping for a much deeper character dive, not only for Cait and Jack, but for the side characters as well.
Read
February 28, 2025Sometimes the devil is in the details. It was a fairly unimaginative contemporary romance. Nothing too contentious so an easy read for a stress relieving day.
But for me sometimes small things can really stand out. For example near the beginning Cait is at Jack's house and notices he has incandescent lightbulbs and goes on a mental tangent about how her dad has been pushing the community to go florescent for energy effiency to combat climate change. Then when Jack suggests that they go into the kitchen where the light is better she says that's because he hasn't switched to flourecents. This is flawed argument. Flourecent lights may be more efficient but they do not provide better light. Probably the light was better in the kitchen because there are several over her lights rather then the one lamp she'd turned on in the living room. At another point Cait is mixing up concrete and talks about opening the bag of concrete to mix it with water for this slab. The dry power is cement not concrete and you mix it usually with not just water but sand and gravel to make the slab. someone whose business it is to do things like this would not call it a bag of concrete.
Even worse was when Jack gets a call for someones medical emergency and when he comes home he tells Cait all about it. As a doctor even in a small town where everyone knows everyone a doctor should not be speaking about someone elses medical situation.
It went a little slow, but also they jumped in really fast. The way PTSD was dealt with wasn't great.
But for me sometimes small things can really stand out. For example near the beginning Cait is at Jack's house and notices he has incandescent lightbulbs and goes on a mental tangent about how her dad has been pushing the community to go florescent for energy effiency to combat climate change. Then when Jack suggests that they go into the kitchen where the light is better she says that's because he hasn't switched to flourecents. This is flawed argument. Flourecent lights may be more efficient but they do not provide better light. Probably the light was better in the kitchen because there are several over her lights rather then the one lamp she'd turned on in the living room. At another point Cait is mixing up concrete and talks about opening the bag of concrete to mix it with water for this slab. The dry power is cement not concrete and you mix it usually with not just water but sand and gravel to make the slab. someone whose business it is to do things like this would not call it a bag of concrete.
Even worse was when Jack gets a call for someones medical emergency and when he comes home he tells Cait all about it. As a doctor even in a small town where everyone knows everyone a doctor should not be speaking about someone elses medical situation.
It went a little slow, but also they jumped in really fast. The way PTSD was dealt with wasn't great.
January 4, 2025
I purchased this book as a bundle called SWEET SMALL TOWN USA SERIES BOXED SET!
After reading the reviews I realized that the bundle is a clean version of the original books. So many of the reviews for this book 2 and book 1 are about graphic sex. The bundle version is a clean version and you know they had sex, but door closed.
I enjoyed this story more than book 1. It's a simple sweet story and I did enjoy it. The H is a doctor who was injured in Iraq and suffers PTSD. He doesn't want to talk about it but the h slowly gets him to face what he keeps hidden.
There's a story of a cute puppy found that brought them together. The side story of what happened to the puppy was a bit much.
I loved the ending of Founders Day and what happened-was emotional.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, romantic and only kisses in the bundle version. (ljb)
After reading the reviews I realized that the bundle is a clean version of the original books. So many of the reviews for this book 2 and book 1 are about graphic sex. The bundle version is a clean version and you know they had sex, but door closed.
I enjoyed this story more than book 1. It's a simple sweet story and I did enjoy it. The H is a doctor who was injured in Iraq and suffers PTSD. He doesn't want to talk about it but the h slowly gets him to face what he keeps hidden.
There's a story of a cute puppy found that brought them together. The side story of what happened to the puppy was a bit much.
I loved the ending of Founders Day and what happened-was emotional.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, romantic and only kisses in the bundle version. (ljb)
March 6, 2020
A wonderful story about a middle sister having the strength to claim what it is she wants, and to fight for it. After watching her older sister find love, she is blindsided when she realizes she is falling for someone she always thought she knew. Some pretty hard emotional battles have to be fought before she can claim him as hers, but she does what needs doing, and fights for what she wants.
August 13, 2022
This was a very good story. It kept my interest all the way through and I liked the characters. The only thing I did not like was the poor editing - missing words, extra words, bad grammar - not a lot, but enough to make it annoying while reading. In spite of the poor editing, I would read more from this author.
December 15, 2020
This is a really cute follow-up to "A Wedding in Apple Grove". Middle sister, Cait, goes looking for the owner of an abandoned vehicle (Young Doc Gannon) and is met, quite roughly, by an adorable black puppy. Read and fall in love with love again.
December 30, 2021
I loved reading this print book. With a small town and all the extras in it you really get so involved in it. Then a four legged animal is found and it changes the way a Dr looks at a girl in the town. C.H. hit a home run with this!
October 11, 2025
Cute book about a navy war vet turned doctor and handywoman who live in a small town. He stops when he sees a dog run out in front of his car and she stops to give aid and the dog runs right to her. So begins the love between the two and their dog
May 23, 2021
DNF. It was OK, but boring. Stopped midway, couldn't get invested in either character
July 30, 2021
Good
a book about a small town where families are close to getter work to getter.a young Dr.returned from war to
a book about a small town where families are close to getter work to getter.a young Dr.returned from war to
January 2, 2022
Perfect
A puppy starts it. Jack and Caitlyn have known each other all their lives but it take a puppy to realize it. Amazing love story
A puppy starts it. Jack and Caitlyn have known each other all their lives but it take a puppy to realize it. Amazing love story
June 13, 2013
So once again we have the All-American hero, Jack. A nice boy from a small town who did his family, and his country proud, by being a medic overseas in the field of war. He came back and took over his father’s small practice in Apple Grove, Ohio. He is scarred, both inside and out, though he doesn’t let anyone see it.
You also have Cait, one of three sisters, who is taking over the majority of her dad’s handyman business, though she’d really love to pursue her dreams and goals as a carpenter — a damn good one, too.
They’ve known each other their whole lives but don’t really KNOW each other until Jack returns and she finds his truck pulled to the side of the road, without him in it. She stops to see if everything is alright and is suddenly knocked over by a little ball of fur — a puppy that Jack had pulled over to avoid hitting, and then to run after to try and catch. No name, no collar, no tags — just a little ball of energy. And as she sees Jack walking back to them, limping slightly, she suddenly notices he’s a man — it’s that one moment we all know we get where you suddenly see a person in a totally different light, and bam, all bets are off.
This is a very cute story about a lovely couple and a meddling town. As we all know my aversion to the name Jack at this point, we’ll overlook that flaw for a moment. One of the few notes I made to myself as I was reading the book was that Jack has moments where he speaks to Cait as if she is a child or as if he somehow loves her older sister more than he loves her. Now, that may be just part of his character, as he IS older, both in years and experience, but some of the moments just jar with the rest of the story, thus, it jarred this reader. I understand where he’s coming from when he makes the remarks, but they still don’t seem quite cohesive.
One big plus from the book is that the reader gets several recipes for homemade deliciousness, including a buttermilk pie, blueberry pandowdy and pandowdy cake mix. Now, before this book, I had no idea what “Pandowdy” was, so for those who are ignorant like me, the Merrium-Webster Online dictionary defines it as a deep-dish spiced apple dessert, sweetened with sugar, molasses or maple syrup and covered with a rich crust. Now my stomach is growling and I want some.
There is no great mystery to the story, no huge thrills, though there are some painful moments where Jack has a flashback of the war and what got him hurt in the first place, and that bleeds over onto his relationship with Cait at one point. But it ultimately brings them closer. This is a straight-forward, contemporary romance novel, a sweet book with recipes for those with a sweet tooth.
You also have Cait, one of three sisters, who is taking over the majority of her dad’s handyman business, though she’d really love to pursue her dreams and goals as a carpenter — a damn good one, too.
They’ve known each other their whole lives but don’t really KNOW each other until Jack returns and she finds his truck pulled to the side of the road, without him in it. She stops to see if everything is alright and is suddenly knocked over by a little ball of fur — a puppy that Jack had pulled over to avoid hitting, and then to run after to try and catch. No name, no collar, no tags — just a little ball of energy. And as she sees Jack walking back to them, limping slightly, she suddenly notices he’s a man — it’s that one moment we all know we get where you suddenly see a person in a totally different light, and bam, all bets are off.
This is a very cute story about a lovely couple and a meddling town. As we all know my aversion to the name Jack at this point, we’ll overlook that flaw for a moment. One of the few notes I made to myself as I was reading the book was that Jack has moments where he speaks to Cait as if she is a child or as if he somehow loves her older sister more than he loves her. Now, that may be just part of his character, as he IS older, both in years and experience, but some of the moments just jar with the rest of the story, thus, it jarred this reader. I understand where he’s coming from when he makes the remarks, but they still don’t seem quite cohesive.
One big plus from the book is that the reader gets several recipes for homemade deliciousness, including a buttermilk pie, blueberry pandowdy and pandowdy cake mix. Now, before this book, I had no idea what “Pandowdy” was, so for those who are ignorant like me, the Merrium-Webster Online dictionary defines it as a deep-dish spiced apple dessert, sweetened with sugar, molasses or maple syrup and covered with a rich crust. Now my stomach is growling and I want some.
There is no great mystery to the story, no huge thrills, though there are some painful moments where Jack has a flashback of the war and what got him hurt in the first place, and that bleeds over onto his relationship with Cait at one point. But it ultimately brings them closer. This is a straight-forward, contemporary romance novel, a sweet book with recipes for those with a sweet tooth.
June 4, 2013
Amanda‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Review copy provided for an honest review.
4 STARS
There is nothing better than going back to a place that is near and dear to my heart. I got the chance to visit the people in Apple Grove, Ohio in C.H. Admirand’s second book, One Day in Apple Grove, and catch up with the latest in this very small knit community. This is a town where everyone knows everyone, and they all have your best interest at heart.
It is 3 years after the end of book one and things are busier than ever for the Mulcahy sister’s Fix It business. Caitlin is doing most of the work now since older sister Meg is a little bit pregnant and also has her hands full with twin boys. On her way to one of her jobs she has a chance encounter with the new doctor in town, Jack Gannon, and he’s someone who definitely catches her eye. She’s known him her whole life but never thought of him as anything other than her big sis’ friend. Yet with one touch she wants to know this man and explore why he does something for her that no one has done before.
Jack has returned to Apple Grove to take over his father’s practice and be the new town physician. He left town years ago to join the Navy and become a medical corpsman and then he served 2 tours in Iraq. In his last tour he was hurt from an IED explosion which left him with shrapnel in his legs and PTSD. To make matters worse he feels a huge feeling of guilt and unworthiness for not doing enough to save the men that last day and wouldn’t let anyone too close again. It took a stray puppy and a very independent woman to change his mind and give love a chance.
I liked this story very much and loved the romance between Jack and Caitlin. Both these characters were developed nicely and I loved their honesty with one another. This story is engrossing and very easy to read that I didn’t want to put the book down. The story flows easily and nothing felt out of place. C.H. Admirand’s Small Town USA series is a genuine heartfelt series and I’m so glad I have had the opportunity to read these books. Give this story a chance and I can almost guarantee you that you will get a great story with plenty of charm and wit; a story with good people, good hearts, and a loving romance to make you feel wonderful that you were a part of it.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
4 STARS
There is nothing better than going back to a place that is near and dear to my heart. I got the chance to visit the people in Apple Grove, Ohio in C.H. Admirand’s second book, One Day in Apple Grove, and catch up with the latest in this very small knit community. This is a town where everyone knows everyone, and they all have your best interest at heart.
It is 3 years after the end of book one and things are busier than ever for the Mulcahy sister’s Fix It business. Caitlin is doing most of the work now since older sister Meg is a little bit pregnant and also has her hands full with twin boys. On her way to one of her jobs she has a chance encounter with the new doctor in town, Jack Gannon, and he’s someone who definitely catches her eye. She’s known him her whole life but never thought of him as anything other than her big sis’ friend. Yet with one touch she wants to know this man and explore why he does something for her that no one has done before.
Jack has returned to Apple Grove to take over his father’s practice and be the new town physician. He left town years ago to join the Navy and become a medical corpsman and then he served 2 tours in Iraq. In his last tour he was hurt from an IED explosion which left him with shrapnel in his legs and PTSD. To make matters worse he feels a huge feeling of guilt and unworthiness for not doing enough to save the men that last day and wouldn’t let anyone too close again. It took a stray puppy and a very independent woman to change his mind and give love a chance.
I liked this story very much and loved the romance between Jack and Caitlin. Both these characters were developed nicely and I loved their honesty with one another. This story is engrossing and very easy to read that I didn’t want to put the book down. The story flows easily and nothing felt out of place. C.H. Admirand’s Small Town USA series is a genuine heartfelt series and I’m so glad I have had the opportunity to read these books. Give this story a chance and I can almost guarantee you that you will get a great story with plenty of charm and wit; a story with good people, good hearts, and a loving romance to make you feel wonderful that you were a part of it.
April 11, 2013
"One Day in Apple Grove" is a cozy book that you just can't help but fall in love with. If you are a fan of Debbie Macomber, Fern Michaels and the like, then C.H. Admirand will no doubt soon be amongst your favorite authors as well.
Whereas many of the books I have read that try to pull off the cozy romance tend to bore me with their lack of character development, this book was different for a number of reasons. The first thing that made me love this was the ambiance of the story. The setting is perfect. The town is quaint and the people the author describes fill the roles one would expect to find in any real small town in America. I liked the varied backgrounds of the characters and how every piece of this story fit together like a puzzle.
The side stories kept the story moving and gave me something else to focus on other than the romance, which I appreciated since so many romance books tend to lack much depth.
The two main characters each bring their own interesting personalities and quirks to the table, and although there were times when I wished the female lead would just make up her mind already, I appreciated the tension between the two of them and the way the author introduced her characters was great. You get enough knowledge of them at the beginning of the story to tell you who they are, but you have to wait until further in the story to find out their secrets. That made it fun.
The descriptions, above all else in this novel made me love it. You can visualize everything the author speaks about through her use of rich language and colourful expressions. The dialogue is witty and interesting and felt very natural.
The romance is sweet and has enough spice to be interesting but is not the type that you would be ashamed to have your grandmother read over your shoulder.
Overall, this was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon and I think other cozy romance fans would really enjoy it.
This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher.
Whereas many of the books I have read that try to pull off the cozy romance tend to bore me with their lack of character development, this book was different for a number of reasons. The first thing that made me love this was the ambiance of the story. The setting is perfect. The town is quaint and the people the author describes fill the roles one would expect to find in any real small town in America. I liked the varied backgrounds of the characters and how every piece of this story fit together like a puzzle.
The side stories kept the story moving and gave me something else to focus on other than the romance, which I appreciated since so many romance books tend to lack much depth.
The two main characters each bring their own interesting personalities and quirks to the table, and although there were times when I wished the female lead would just make up her mind already, I appreciated the tension between the two of them and the way the author introduced her characters was great. You get enough knowledge of them at the beginning of the story to tell you who they are, but you have to wait until further in the story to find out their secrets. That made it fun.
The descriptions, above all else in this novel made me love it. You can visualize everything the author speaks about through her use of rich language and colourful expressions. The dialogue is witty and interesting and felt very natural.
The romance is sweet and has enough spice to be interesting but is not the type that you would be ashamed to have your grandmother read over your shoulder.
Overall, this was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon and I think other cozy romance fans would really enjoy it.
This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher.
June 20, 2013
Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me a copy of this e-book through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review!
Jack Gannon is back in town of Apple Grove and keeping it's residents nice and healthy is a welcoming distraction from all the memories plaguing him from the time he served in Iraq. Caitlin Mulchahy is good with her hands and now that business is booming, there isn't much time for anything else. Until the two meet by chances thanks to an adorable little puppy.
One Day in apple Grove was an adorable small town story. Caitlin Mulchahy had seen Jack Gannon before he left to serve, but when he comes back new circumstances make her see the guy in a whole new light. I truly loved the adorable puppy that Jack had found as a stray. Some of the scenes with him had me giddy with laughter because it reminded me so much with what I had to deal with when my golden retriever was a puppy and how much trouble he would get into before the end of the day.
So while One Day in Apple Grove has you laughing and following a leisurely paced story it deals with other issues as well. Jack Gannon is scared both physically and emotionally and sometimes has days that are just down right bad. With the help of Caitlin in his life and a new puppy, he has something else to keep his mind on and helping him heal. It was a touching story, I did feel really bad for Jack and what he had to go through.
Thought the pace stays the same through the book, and can be a bit slow - I truly enjoyed this authors writing and taking my time with the story allowing myself to indulge. By the end of the book is left me with a variety of emotions, but I was glad it ended on a happy note. It really had you feeling the small town setting with the authors writing and the supporting characters.
I am looking forward to more from this author and the small town life!
Jack Gannon is back in town of Apple Grove and keeping it's residents nice and healthy is a welcoming distraction from all the memories plaguing him from the time he served in Iraq. Caitlin Mulchahy is good with her hands and now that business is booming, there isn't much time for anything else. Until the two meet by chances thanks to an adorable little puppy.
One Day in apple Grove was an adorable small town story. Caitlin Mulchahy had seen Jack Gannon before he left to serve, but when he comes back new circumstances make her see the guy in a whole new light. I truly loved the adorable puppy that Jack had found as a stray. Some of the scenes with him had me giddy with laughter because it reminded me so much with what I had to deal with when my golden retriever was a puppy and how much trouble he would get into before the end of the day.
So while One Day in Apple Grove has you laughing and following a leisurely paced story it deals with other issues as well. Jack Gannon is scared both physically and emotionally and sometimes has days that are just down right bad. With the help of Caitlin in his life and a new puppy, he has something else to keep his mind on and helping him heal. It was a touching story, I did feel really bad for Jack and what he had to go through.
Thought the pace stays the same through the book, and can be a bit slow - I truly enjoyed this authors writing and taking my time with the story allowing myself to indulge. By the end of the book is left me with a variety of emotions, but I was glad it ended on a happy note. It really had you feeling the small town setting with the authors writing and the supporting characters.
I am looking forward to more from this author and the small town life!
November 10, 2013
I wanted to read this book from the moment I laid eyes on the cover. One Day In Apple Grove is book 2 in the Small Town USA series. That alone had me excited. I love novels that are based in small town America, like Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove. I love the local color and the quirky residents that these towns have.
But everything about this book is too good to be true. From Caitlin, the sweet small town girl, working in her parent's business to Jack the wounded soldier who has come home to take over his father's family practice.
The only thing that really made this story fun was the little black dog, Jamie, who was a holy terror, much like Marley! I love how their relationship grew out of caring for this stray animal while they waited to see if he had an owner, however the plot twist that involved his owner didn't sit well with me at all.
Don't get me wrong, this wasn't a bad book, it just felt like something that has been written a hundred million times over. Well that and maybe how Caitlin comes across as very childlike at the beginning of the book.
Truth be told, I almost thought she was a teenager and not a woman in her twenties.
Her relationship with Jack grows out of taking care of the dog. That was cute. I loved the things that Jamie got into. He was such a typical puppy.
Which brings me to the romance element. There's definitely chemistry between Cait and Jack, but the sex scenes just didn't work for me. Maybe it is me, but I prefer sweet romance with illusions of love making in these small town books.
And then there's Jack's PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for those not in the know). I wish something else could have been the root of the very small amount of conflict in this book.
If you are looking for a book to pass the time, this is as good as any, but don't expect a stellar read.
But everything about this book is too good to be true. From Caitlin, the sweet small town girl, working in her parent's business to Jack the wounded soldier who has come home to take over his father's family practice.
The only thing that really made this story fun was the little black dog, Jamie, who was a holy terror, much like Marley! I love how their relationship grew out of caring for this stray animal while they waited to see if he had an owner, however the plot twist that involved his owner didn't sit well with me at all.
Don't get me wrong, this wasn't a bad book, it just felt like something that has been written a hundred million times over. Well that and maybe how Caitlin comes across as very childlike at the beginning of the book.
Truth be told, I almost thought she was a teenager and not a woman in her twenties.
Her relationship with Jack grows out of taking care of the dog. That was cute. I loved the things that Jamie got into. He was such a typical puppy.
Which brings me to the romance element. There's definitely chemistry between Cait and Jack, but the sex scenes just didn't work for me. Maybe it is me, but I prefer sweet romance with illusions of love making in these small town books.
And then there's Jack's PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for those not in the know). I wish something else could have been the root of the very small amount of conflict in this book.
If you are looking for a book to pass the time, this is as good as any, but don't expect a stellar read.
Read
January 26, 2017I received the Apple Grove trilogy in a contest run by the author. I am so very thankful for this introduction to C.H.Admirand. This did not influence my review in any way.
I really enjoyed ONE DAY IN APPLE GROVE by C.H.Admirand. Caitlin Mulcahy is the middle daughter of Joe Mulcahy and part of the Mulcahy Handyman service. She loves living the small town life in Apple Grove. Things at work have gotten a little more hectic since older sister, Meg is now eight months pregnant. Caitlin always works with a smile on her face even if she is sometimes grinding her teeth.
Jack Gannon is Doc Gannon's son who has just returned from military service. His father is retiring and Jack is going to take over his practice. He served two tours in Iraq and was badly injured when he was hit by an IED. Both of his legs are very scarred and very painful at times. He always knows when it is going to rain. He talks to no one about what he went through over there and keeps it burried down deep.
Cait and Jack meet when she is driving along and finds his car pulled over on the side of the road but no one in it. She gets out of her car and is looking around when she suddenly sees a little black ball of fur running towards her. Jack found this dog on the side of the road and was trying to catch him when Cait came along. Jack and Cait grew up together and have known each other all their lives. But that was then and this is now and my how things have changed. Neither of them remembers the other being so handsome/beautiful. This is their start of a beautiful love story.
I hope I have given you enough so you will pick this up and fall in love with Cait and Jack as I have. I am now looking forward to Grace' story in WELCOME BACK TO APPLE GROVE.
I really enjoyed ONE DAY IN APPLE GROVE by C.H.Admirand. Caitlin Mulcahy is the middle daughter of Joe Mulcahy and part of the Mulcahy Handyman service. She loves living the small town life in Apple Grove. Things at work have gotten a little more hectic since older sister, Meg is now eight months pregnant. Caitlin always works with a smile on her face even if she is sometimes grinding her teeth.
Jack Gannon is Doc Gannon's son who has just returned from military service. His father is retiring and Jack is going to take over his practice. He served two tours in Iraq and was badly injured when he was hit by an IED. Both of his legs are very scarred and very painful at times. He always knows when it is going to rain. He talks to no one about what he went through over there and keeps it burried down deep.
Cait and Jack meet when she is driving along and finds his car pulled over on the side of the road but no one in it. She gets out of her car and is looking around when she suddenly sees a little black ball of fur running towards her. Jack found this dog on the side of the road and was trying to catch him when Cait came along. Jack and Cait grew up together and have known each other all their lives. But that was then and this is now and my how things have changed. Neither of them remembers the other being so handsome/beautiful. This is their start of a beautiful love story.
I hope I have given you enough so you will pick this up and fall in love with Cait and Jack as I have. I am now looking forward to Grace' story in WELCOME BACK TO APPLE GROVE.
May 25, 2014
Reviewed by Aubrey
Book provided by NetGalley for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
One Day in Apple Grove is the second book in the Apple Grove series by C. H Admirand. I read this book in less than a day. I needed to keep reading even if I should have slept instead. Apple Grove is another town that I’m jealous of and wish that I could live in. You get to see how all the other characters are doing that we met in A Wedding In Apple Grove.
Admirand writes in a way that makes you feel like you are a resident of Apple Grove. You get a feel of how the characters interact with each other and what it would be like if you actually were a resident of Apple Grove. I definitely feel compelled to go out and buy her other books. She does an amazing job at connecting the main characters together. The love for each other shines through right from the beginning.
I adored the couple in this new installment of the Apple Grove series. Cait is the strong female lead that all girls wish they could be like. She’s independent and knows her way around tools. She is not afraid to show her feelings and does not run when the going gets tough. Jack returns to Apple Grove a different man. What he has seen while away at war has changed him. Jack needs Cait but Cait needs Jack just as much. They will have to work at keeping their relationship strong but they both know it is worth it.
One Day in Apple Grove is a must read for any fan of Susan Wiggs, Susan Mallery, Sherryl Woods, Robyn Carr, etc. Her small town of Apple Grove is colorful and full of life. The characters make you think, laugh and cry.
Book provided by NetGalley for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
One Day in Apple Grove is the second book in the Apple Grove series by C. H Admirand. I read this book in less than a day. I needed to keep reading even if I should have slept instead. Apple Grove is another town that I’m jealous of and wish that I could live in. You get to see how all the other characters are doing that we met in A Wedding In Apple Grove.
Admirand writes in a way that makes you feel like you are a resident of Apple Grove. You get a feel of how the characters interact with each other and what it would be like if you actually were a resident of Apple Grove. I definitely feel compelled to go out and buy her other books. She does an amazing job at connecting the main characters together. The love for each other shines through right from the beginning.
I adored the couple in this new installment of the Apple Grove series. Cait is the strong female lead that all girls wish they could be like. She’s independent and knows her way around tools. She is not afraid to show her feelings and does not run when the going gets tough. Jack returns to Apple Grove a different man. What he has seen while away at war has changed him. Jack needs Cait but Cait needs Jack just as much. They will have to work at keeping their relationship strong but they both know it is worth it.
One Day in Apple Grove is a must read for any fan of Susan Wiggs, Susan Mallery, Sherryl Woods, Robyn Carr, etc. Her small town of Apple Grove is colorful and full of life. The characters make you think, laugh and cry.
June 1, 2013
Caitlin Mulcahy loves everything about living in Apple Grove, Ohio. Even though most of her time is consumed by her job with her family’s handyman business, she is happy. Feeling a pang of small town goodwill, she stops to help a car pulled over on the side of the road. Instead of car trouble, she helps the new doctor in town rescue a mischievous black puppy.
Jack Gannon is glad to be back home in Apple Grove to take up the reins of his father’s medical practice. The familiar surroundings are a balm to a former Navy medic struggling to deal with his PTSD. When he finds a runaway puppy, he is both pleased and surprised when Caitlin stops to help. Everything about Caitlin speaks to Jack on a level he could have never suspected.
Caitlin loves helping Jack care for the puppy, which they name Jamie. The more time they spend together, the more time they want to spend together. Yet Jack’s past has some truly brutal and crippling events in it. Caitlin knows that it is not going to be easy, but Mulcahy’s never back down, especially not when the love of a lifetime is on the line.
Though some of the small town flavor seems almost too picturesque to be believable, there is no doubt that Apple Grove would be a great place to live. For those readers who enjoy seeing a serviceman find happiness after war, this one will be a treat. Though it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone.
Kaitlin
Reviewer for Coffeetime Romance & More
Jack Gannon is glad to be back home in Apple Grove to take up the reins of his father’s medical practice. The familiar surroundings are a balm to a former Navy medic struggling to deal with his PTSD. When he finds a runaway puppy, he is both pleased and surprised when Caitlin stops to help. Everything about Caitlin speaks to Jack on a level he could have never suspected.
Caitlin loves helping Jack care for the puppy, which they name Jamie. The more time they spend together, the more time they want to spend together. Yet Jack’s past has some truly brutal and crippling events in it. Caitlin knows that it is not going to be easy, but Mulcahy’s never back down, especially not when the love of a lifetime is on the line.
Though some of the small town flavor seems almost too picturesque to be believable, there is no doubt that Apple Grove would be a great place to live. For those readers who enjoy seeing a serviceman find happiness after war, this one will be a treat. Though it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone.
Kaitlin
Reviewer for Coffeetime Romance & More
June 19, 2013
Love, love, love this book!!! One Day is Apple Grove is a compelling love story about a wounded hero and a small town girl. Caitlin Mulcahy is about as small town as they get. She is a loving, hard working, daddy’s girl who is just stubborn enough to keep everyone on their toes, but she is also vulnerable and puts her heart on her sleeve. Jack Gannon has seen things that haunt him, but he is back in Apple Grove assuming his father’s role as town physician. Jack is sweet, kind, honest and loving but he has demons he must face before he gets his happily-ever-after.
This is just a wonderful read about the healing power of love – love for each other, love from your family, love from your town and of course love from a sweet cuddly pet. C.H. Admirand has written this sweet love tale beautifully from beginning to end. She stays on track with the story line throughout the book while carefully introducing other characters and their stories. She did a great job depicting small town life. The characters of the book are just as well developed as the setting. This book will have you laughing, and crying before the end. Love the Apple Grove series!
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: A. Lyn
REVIEW COURTESY OF: My Book Addiction and More
This is just a wonderful read about the healing power of love – love for each other, love from your family, love from your town and of course love from a sweet cuddly pet. C.H. Admirand has written this sweet love tale beautifully from beginning to end. She stays on track with the story line throughout the book while carefully introducing other characters and their stories. She did a great job depicting small town life. The characters of the book are just as well developed as the setting. This book will have you laughing, and crying before the end. Love the Apple Grove series!
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: A. Lyn
REVIEW COURTESY OF: My Book Addiction and More
August 5, 2013
I requested One Day in Apple Grove because I thought the cover was cute!! Lucky for me it turned out to be a really enjoyable summer read! I thought the Mulchahy family was pretty special in regards to how they looked out for each other, worked together, and how fiercely their dad loved them. The romance in this story was really fun and as an animal lover I found it wonderful that their chance meeting occurred because of a lost puppy!! For me, having Jack as a veteran of the Iraq War who suffered from PTSD was a bonus. I thought the author wrote his character with so much honesty, pain, and humility, my heart hurt for him and all that he experienced.
Recommend? For those that enjoy books that revolve around small home towns, sweet romance, and real characters then yes, I think you just might enjoy spending a day in Apple Grove.
Goodreads Rating: 3.5
Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #122
© 2013, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Recommend? For those that enjoy books that revolve around small home towns, sweet romance, and real characters then yes, I think you just might enjoy spending a day in Apple Grove.
Goodreads Rating: 3.5
Six Sentence Bookish Thoughts #122
© 2013, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
December 17, 2013
I love books such as Jan Karon's wonderful "Mitford" series, with rich characters and evocative locales, believable plots and well-crafted prose. This is not such a book.
When I saw that there was a series, I thought, "Well, this author must be decent if she's had a number of books published." I was most disappointed. It is an odd book, to say the least, with fairly graphic sex scenes plunked in the middle of discussions about lost puppies and nosy neighbors. The writing is unimaginative and repetitive; if the author used the word "rasped" once, she used it a dozen times to evoke the sound of a character's voice while either in the throes of passion or under stress of some kind.
I guess I've read too much well-crafted fiction lately; this doesn't measure up, in any way (except for the charming cover.)
When I saw that there was a series, I thought, "Well, this author must be decent if she's had a number of books published." I was most disappointed. It is an odd book, to say the least, with fairly graphic sex scenes plunked in the middle of discussions about lost puppies and nosy neighbors. The writing is unimaginative and repetitive; if the author used the word "rasped" once, she used it a dozen times to evoke the sound of a character's voice while either in the throes of passion or under stress of some kind.
I guess I've read too much well-crafted fiction lately; this doesn't measure up, in any way (except for the charming cover.)
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