A Love Worth Waiting For

by Lara Van Hulzen

Sadie Woods leads a structured life, and she likes it that way. As owner of her family’s antique store in the town where she grew up, she is surrounded by history. The past is full of intrigue and rich memories, while the present has bills piling up, her aunt battling breast cancer, and a future full of unknowns that have her grasping for hope.

Former professional football star James Larsen just wants a quiet life for himself and his teenage daughter, Maddie. Being Deputy Sheriff in the town he calls home is just right. In the wake of his wife’s death, he’s able to heal without too much attention, and life has become a comfortable routine he appreciates.

When Sadie’s shop is supposedly broken into, and James is the police officer called to the scene, the faded memories of attending high school together stir a connection neither of them is prepared for. While Sadie is knee-deep in trying to save her store, James is hesitant to let another woman into his and his daughter’s lives.

Both hesitant to trust, Sadie and James must brave a path that includes believing there is a love worth waiting for.

Genres: Romance

195 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2024

About the author

I write books. I read almost all genres. I love sports, tea, books, and cookies. My faves are my Great Dane, my husband, & my 3 kids. (Not always in that order. :)

I'm an author with Tule Publishing. I am all about people and I love character driven stories. I love history and am a curious person who consistently wants to learn. I can't remember a time in my life where I wasn't writing or reading. I had journals as soon as I could write words. And I would get lost in books for hours as a kid. Stories and writing are how I process the world around me, what I see and experience as well as what I learn. I could talk books for hours and am happy to do so with anyone. I also love to sip tea and watch baseball.

"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me." - C.S. Lewis
Happy Reading Everyone!

Reviews

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadie Woods runs her family's antique store in the small town of Nearlake, Idaho. She was raised by her aunt, Jojo, after her grandparents died and her mother ran off. Now Jojo has breast cancer, and Sadie is trying to keep the business afloat as well as take care of her aunt. When she enters the store one morning, she sees the window in the back door is broken and calls the police. She wasn't expecting the Deputy Sheriff, James Larsen to answer the call. Sadie had a crush on James while in high school, but he didn't even know her name, at least she didn't think he did. James and his daughter are living in Nearlake after he retired from the NFL, and his wife died in an accident. There is chemistry between them, but neither is looking for a relationship. The more they run into each other, the more their feelings grow toward each other. Can they drop their guard enough to let the other in?

I enjoyed this Christian romance that had great characters and a sweet storyline. Sadie is a great character who does for everyone else, but hates to ask or accept help. Her aunt is recovering, so that is a hopeful part in her life. James was an athlete who was probably looked up to, but he is not one looking for the limelight and just wants to live and raise his daughter, Maddie. I really liked Maddie, she was quiet, didn't seem to care what others thought, loved to read and loved her dad. James and Maddie were a great father/daughter team and I liked how much he tried to be superdad. There are a few roadblocks along the way to a HEA, but I enjoyed seeing Saddie's and James' relationship grow. Jojo was someone that I would have loved to get to know. She gave up a lot in life to raise Sadie, but didn't regret it. She said she got more back, and I loved that attitude. There is more than one romance happening in this book and I was all in. With great secondary characters, a hopeful storyline and a Happy Ever After, I really enjoyed this story. I am ready for another visit to Nearlake.

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable book! I liked the town of Nearlake Idaho. Small towns and communities are my favorite! Sadie's shop sounds like a wonderful place to visit.

The characters are wonderful and easy to like. Sadie has a lot of responsibilities weighing her down. She's independent, so she has a hard time asking for help. Jojo is amazing! She raised her niece, lost her parents, and battled breast cancer. Through it all, she does everything with grace.

There are two sweet and clean love stories. It was nice that friends reconnected and fell in love!

I won this book from the author via LibraryThing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Review to follow!

[Phyllis Jones Pisanelli Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Boy! I have some great news for you. I found a new author and a brand new series. The author’s name is Lara Van Hulzen and her new book is A Love Worth Waiting For. It is book one in a new series named The Nearlake Series. I found so many things to love about this first book so, I’m really excited for the rest of it to hit my inbox!

First of all, I totally fell in love with the cover. Isn’t it a beauty? I could sit on those chairs taking in that scenery all day long. I can’t stop looking at it. Of course, a good book, a cozy blanket and a hot thermos of tea would be the icing on the cake. 

I've been in my golden years for a while now so the romance of a teenager doesn’t always get me excited. This book is the romance of a couple in their forties. Those are at least years I can remember clearly. So, I enjoyed reading about a couple that have some experience under their belts. The main character is Sadie who is the owner of an antiques store in town. The love interest is James the Sheriff in town who has a teenage daughter. 

I truly enjoyed the developing relationship between these two. I am not going to spoil it and tell you how it all works out. You can read it and enjoy that for yourself. It is worth the journey. I especially liked her Aunt JoJo. 

This is another one of those special books that takes place in a small town. You know me and the fact that I love small town settings. I come from a little town and yearn to go back. These books always bring me back to my hometown. I think all small towns are the same. Everyone knows each other and they all know your business or at least think they do.

There is a little history in the book. The history of the town and history of the antiques store. The store also carries old books. How fun is that? If you like old things and people, history and a nice clean romance, I highly recommend this new book and the series that is to follow. Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the #Lara Van Hulzen. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Rosalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for a later-in-life romance? This might be just the book for you!
Sweet romance for delightful characters.
Full review to come

[Lexie · Rating 2 out of 5]

*book received through GoodReads giveaway*

The story line was cute and cozy. For the first 3 chapters, every other page is a character praising god or praying to god. I did not know this was a Christian romance novel and that did seem obsessively so in this book. Not really my kind of romance but I could see for someone very religious, this being right up their alley. I just don’t think this was one for me.

There are quite a few typos, missing words in sentences and repeated sentences in this book which made it harder for me to get into the story because I was having to correct the wording, grammar and/or punctuation in my head as I was reading.

[Heather Spiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Favorite

Lara Van Hulzen is my favorite romance writer. Every story of hers leaves me happy and always wanting more. Always. This is something I can't credit all authors.

And this book is my favorite. It deals with antiques (something I adore and work in) and the storyline was fun, sweet, and intriguing. The main relationship was unique but also relatable. Which leaves that "feel good" emotion throughout the whole book.

I recommend all of Lara’s books. But this one hit the spot perfectly: cozy, cute, romantic, and full of things that had me guessing right up until the end.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered Lara Van Hulzen’s books a little over a year ago – mid series – so I was excited not only to read a new book by her but also one that starts a brand new series that I can be part of from the beginning. A Love Worth Waiting For drew me in with that so-pretty cover, and Sadie, her Aunt JoJo, James, and his daughter Maddie kept me turning the pages.

I fell in love with these layered characters right away, and it was easy to cheer them on throughout the story. Sadie and James had mutual crushes on each other in high school, though they never told each other, and their sweet reunion and subsequent progress toward a romantic relationship (complete with some lovely kisses) makes sense in light of their history. Sadie is the kind of person I would want to be friends with in real life, and I know we would spend lots of time sorting through – and reading… and discussing – the books in her delightful antiques store (with Maddie, of course). And then I would head over to the old house & let the wonderful Aunt JoJo teach me how to quilt. Which means I’m basically Maddie in this story, and I’m 100% okay with that. Oh and James… blissful sigh… he’s one of the really good guys, and the fact that he does have his own stack of emotional baggage makes him all the more authentic. Watching him try to help Sadie shoulder some of her worries won me over very early on, and getting to see the ‘dad’ side of him too was icing on the cake!

Bottom Line: From the gorgeous cover to the sweet epilogue, A Love Worth Waiting For by Lara Van Hulzen wraps you up in a charming, feel-good, small town romance with engaging characters you’ll easily love. In other words, exactly the kind of read you need when the craziness of today’s world overwhelms you. Don’t get me wrong – there are external pressures that Sadie, James, and even JoJo must face in the story but these are just insurmountable enough to provide a little flavor for the plot without being so tragic that they weigh down the reader. Plus there’s a little dash of a mystery to be solved, always a bonus in my book! I left this visit to Nearlake with a smile on my face, invested in even the supporting players we met this go-around and wondering what role they will play in future visits. Fans of the Harlequin Heartwarming imprint and authors like Ruth Logan Herne or Melody Carlson will enjoy this quick read too!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Lori Hooten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadie is so much like most women I know – carrying a load bigger than anyone is meant to carry and trying to do it all on her own. Women tend to do this and I love that this character is realistic in this way. Between the shop she is trying to keep afloat, her aunt’s failing health and wellbeing, and her own sorrows and insecurities, Sadie is struggling but she doesn’t want anyone to know. In the midst of all of this, she opens her heart to a young boy who needs a mentor and a teenage girl who is seeking connection. Both of these new opportunities show the generosity of heart and understanding Sadie has for those around her. Yet, she doesn’t see her own need. I love this about her character because I can relate.

James is the expected good guy but he is not quite what I would have pictured. He seeks the good of others, which is clear when we find out he is the local law enforcement. I love that he is an officer and a good one who looks out for so many around him. That brings his character close to my heart. I am cheering for him to open his heart to what is in front of him and to brave the difficulties that Sadie is also facing.

The joy of the resolution of this novel is perfect. If you can’t see the spoiler in the title, then I won’t blow it here. Just know there is much, much more to it than you’ll picture from the title. It is a beautiful resolution to the story and one that fits gloriously with keeping a positive outlook and cheerful perspective throughout life. This lovely read is worth the time.

I received a copy of this ebook from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Chelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a perfect small town romance read. Sadie is doing all that she can to keep the antique shop up and running while trying to pay her aunts cancer bills. Things are tight, but she doesn't want to worry JoJo and especially after all she has done for her. When she finds one morning that the stained glass window on the back door has been broken, she fears a break in and now another expense she cannot afford. Deputy Sheriff James Larsen shows up to assist with looking into what happened. This is the James, that Sadie had crushed on all through high school. He probably didn't know she existed then and now he is back from the NFL spotlight, just wanting a quiet normal life for him and his daughter. James couldn't be more happy to assist Sadie with the broken window, he always had an interest in her, life just took him in a different direction. Sadie has so much going on in her life, the last thing she needs is to find time to date someone and James is unsure if he is ready to move on from the death of his wife. His main focus is his teenage daughter and he would never want to try and replace her mother with another women. But neither one can ignore the feelings they have and maybe it is time to put themselves first. To trust someone to help carry the burdens in life. I really enjoyed Sadie and James story, this was a quick heartfelt read! Thank you to the author for the complementary ebook. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Love Worth Waiting For is a wonderful Christian fiction romance novel that you’re going to love reading and keeping on your shelf. It starts out with our main character Sadie. She’s been raised by her aunt. But now her aunt has breast cancer and she’s trying to keep the antique shop afloat.

When she gets to work one day and the back glass is broken out she calls for the police. The officer turns out to be the guy she had a crush on in high school. James never knew she existed though.

Now he’s back after a career in the NFL. With his daughter. His wife died in an accident. He’s a deputy sheriff now and she’s sure he’s still out of her league. Even if those feelings have resurrected.

Maddie is his daughter and she’s super sweet. I could see the next book focusing on her.

Jojo is the aunt who sacrificed a lot to raise her niece. I really liked her character and would love a book just about her and the early years of Sadie.

This is the first book in a new series by this author. You’re going to love it! I can’t wait for the rest to come out.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so uplifting and such a sweet romance. I loved that Sadie and James knew each other back in high school yet were in different circles. It was so fun to see the way they admired each other now, in the present, but also to find out what they thought of each other back in their teen years.

These two carried burdens that they needed to let go of. There were things related to James’s marriage and his wife’s death that haunted him, making him initially unsure about pursuing a romance with Sadie. I’m glad he was able to move past his uncertainty fairly early on in the novel, yet he still had those burdens that would be better shared with someone who could truly love him.

Sadie’s burdens came in the form of feeling as if she had to conquer every trial on her own. Even though she was well loved by her aunt, her friends, and her community, she carried a sense of abandonment from her childhood. I loved that with James, Sadie finally began to understand that he was not someone who would ever abandon her.

I really enjoyed this novel and am intrigued by some clues dropped in this story relating to Sadie’s circle of friends and possible future storylines for them.

(4.5 stars)

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Love Worth Waiting For BY Lara Van Hulzen
This story starts out with Sadie and she runs the family antique store in town , Nearlake, ID.
Story also follows the deputy sheriff James and he raises a teen daughter on his own.
He comes to Sadie's aid when the back door glass has been broken. He investigates and figures it was a ball tossed through the window.
That mystery gets solved later that week.
They are both getting urged from their relatives that they need to go out on a date.
Sadie shows up at their house with Maddie, dropping her off from her work at the shop, along with a surprise for her and Sadie gets invited for dinner.
Love the festivities of the home coming. The town is a small one and the community comes out to support the team.
Sadie has her girlfriends around also and offer to help with the secret passage that had been found.
What i like about this book is the community wide support, various generations of problems, older couples finding love, romance, history, career of an antique store manager, deputy sheriff career, his woodworking and the mystery of the secret passage. Quilting checks a high mark for me to hear about. Love how solutions come for everything. So very descriptive details, historic, landscape, and architecture.
Can't wait to read more from this author!

[Kimmie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Love Worth Waiting For by Lara Van Hulzen

This was such an enchanting story.

When I read the description of this book, I was instantly hooked.
I mean, it checked all my boxes:
✔️Antiques
✔️Middle Aged Characters
✔️A Little Mystery
✔️Second-Chance Romance
✔️Deeper Conversations

This was my first time reading a book by Lara Van Hulzen, and it is the first book in her newest series, The Nearlake Series, which I found to be the perfect combination. I loved how she developed the characters throughout the story, especially in the initial chapters. She grabbed me, and these characters were ones I routed for.

The setting was a smaller town, which I love, and I really enjoyed the deeper topics and complex family dynamics Lara Van Hulzen interwoven throughout the story.

Overall, this was a really neat read, and I'll be reading the rest of the series as they come out. Readers who enjoy Kimberley Rae Jordan, Liz Isaacson, and Mandi Blake would really enjoy this story.

I use the GoodReads scale for my rating of 3 stars; I liked this book.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! The author's description of the antiques shop, Sadie and her aunt's home, and the small town autumn setting gave it a warm, cozy feeling. The romance just added to that feeling.

Sadie has such a sweet personality and was very realistic. Her relationship with her friends and family portrays this very well. Sadie is a character that many of us can relate to. She has the weight of the world on her shoulders, and she doesn't want to burden others with her problems. She, like we, think that other people can't handle the things we're dealing with, even if it affects them.

James was also a realistic character. He is a retired NFL star, yet he's got a lot of insecurities and is nervous about asking Sadie on a date. Just because you're famous doesn't mean you're not insecure! I appreciated the fact that the characters had both strengths and weaknesses just like we all do. The side characters were just as well-written and lifelike.

I highly recommend A Love Worth Waiting For for its cozy, small town vibe, warm and descriptive scenes, sweet romance, and realistic characters.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this novel during a trying time, and it was the escape that I was needing. What first struck me was the gorgeously relaxing cover, which carried over into this charming story.

Jojo is one of my favorite characters, with sweet Mallory coming in second. I always gravitate to the crafty gals and the bookworms. I felt like I knew these characters and was absorbed into this world. I could easily see myself being one of Sadie and Jojo’s friends and doing life with them. When I think of small-town living, it is this picturesque example found in A Love Worth Waiting For, a place where people truly care about one another and love, support, and encourage each other.

I would’ve liked to have had more of a mystery thrown in, besides the morsel we’re thrown, but other than that, is this a very solid and absorbing clean romance by an author that I’ve never had the pleasure of reading before? It was a treat during a trying time in my life that I am very thankful for.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through LibraryThing Early Reviewers. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a highly enjoyable feel-good story to read that starts a brand-new series by this author that was new to me. I'll definitely check out her other books for I'd liked this book very much. This quaint story is about Sadie who runs the family’s antique store in our picturesque town, Nearlake, who was raised by her aunt JoJo and Deputy Sheriff James a single dad with a daughter called Maddie. James who moved backed home after a football career when his wife died to start over gets a call that the antique store was broken into. Going to investigate the crime is how he meets Sadie who had a crush on him during high school. The characters are likable and endearing and the storyline was interesting and well written with its drama and romance. I volunteer to read and review this copy I'd won via Goodreads and by the author.

[Life of Literature · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet and charming story! This was my first novel by this author and it won’t be my last. The style of writing and compelling characters made it easy for me to feel at home in Nearlake by the end of chapter one. I was cheering for Sadie and James’ romance, and also appreciated the depth of their growth in the story. And Aunt JoJo is such a dear! The setting and romance are so cute and cozy and I found myself comfortably reading late into the night on more than one occasion. This was truly a delightful story and one I recommend. I cannot wait to return to Nearlake sometime soon!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Armelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free as a Goodreads giveaway.

A small-town antique shop owner and the ex-NFL star who was her secret high school crush get together.

This was a sweet, simple story. It will annoy some people, either by the religious references (although there aren’t really that many of them) or by the over-protective, “I’m in charge now” attitude of the guy, and the “aw, that’s sweet” response by the supposedly independent woman.

The formatting issues, including repeated sentences, particularly at the beginning of several chapters was distracting.

So, not for everyone, but still decent.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Love Worth Waiting For

I loved this clean romance between James and Sadie. This was my first time reading anything by Lara Van Hulzen and it won't be my last. The characters were wonderful. It was hard to put this book down once I started reading it. The ending was the best. I highly recommend this book as a clean Christian romance with some suspense. I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway, and this is my voluntary and honest review. I look for to reading more books by this author.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. It wasn't what I expected. It was slightly religious (I am not very religious, and there wasn't a ton, but enough that I noticed). Very sweet story, maybe too sweet and a little too perfect. I had a hard time buying into the instant relationship of the leads. The book was a bit short, so it may have just needed more time to develop.

Thanks, Goodreads, for introducing me to a new author!

[Glenna Turney · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I won this Kindle book from Goodreads. Thank you!
Sometimes you just need that romantic story and a few tissues. This book was it for me.
Loved it!

[Lisa Curcio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. Loved the characters and story line. Can’t wait for the next one!

[Ciara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute quick read with a little mystery.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Later in life romance

I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this book. A sweet second chance at life. I won the book on Goodreads and am so happy I did.

[Cherokee - Books With A Chance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Love Worth Waiting For is a super sweet, clean, later-in-life, second-chance romance.

Each character is relatable in their own way.

Sadie, like most women in my life, is carrying a load bigger than any one person is meant to carry, trying to do everything on her own without letting other know how overwhelmed she actually is. While balancing running a antique shop, taking care of her aunt, and dealing with her own personal things, Sadie shows us that she is a truly good-hearted, generous person.

James was a more a character that I had to warm up to, and even by the end of the story, I wasn’t entirely on board.

I love that he is an officer and a good one who looks out for so many around him and that he was a single dad, which is something that I don’t see very often in novels.. but I also found him a little.. controlling (?) towards Sadie. Maybe bossy is the correct word. I also wasn’t a huge fan about how he felt it wasn’t right for his daughter to know that her mother was unhappy in the marriage before she passed away.

Despite all this, I was rooting for the two to find love.

I really liked Sadie’s relationship with her Aunt Jojo. Having been abandoned by her mother, and later her grandparents passing away, Jojo was the only adult figure in her life for so long.

Lara Van Hulzen created Nearlake, ID, providing readers with rich detail and history.

The community is one where everyone knows everything that is going on, but are never malicious.

The plot is sweet, with a secret and mysterious passage sub-plot. A Love Worth Waiting For is very much a character driven story line.

I rated A Love Worth Waiting For four stars.

If you like old things and people, history and a nice clean romance, I recommend this book and the series that is to follow!