The House on Maplewood Lane

by Sage Parker

Sometimes, the best way to find yourself is by moving in with a stranger… even if she’s family

When thirty-five-year-old Sophia Harper loses her job and her apartment in the same week, she’s left with no choice but to move in with her eccentric aunt Betty on Maplewood Lane. Expecting a quiet and boring life, Sophia is instead greeted by a whirlwind of zany neighborhood antics, impromptu dance parties, and a house filled with more knick-knacks than she thought possible.

As Sophia navigates her new life with Aunt Betty—who insists on morning yoga and afternoon tea with the neighbors—she starts to uncover pieces of herself she didn’t know were missing. Between the quirky townspeople, a potential new career as a cupcake baker, and the unexpected attention of a charming local handyman, Sophia’s life takes a turn she never saw coming.

But when a long-buried family secret emerges, Sophia must decide whether to retreat back to her old life or embrace the chaos of Maplewood Lane. Can she learn to trust herself, and her heart, enough to stay?

This is a light-hearted and funny tale about finding yourself where you least expect it, and the importance of family, no matter how unconventional they may be. This is Book 4 of 6. Scroll up and grab your copy today!

81 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2025

Reviews

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophia finally discovers that she cannot trust anyone and who her birth father is. Are the threats really connected to her birth father? How many more secrets are surrounding her? Short read and entertaining!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, the best way to find yourself is by moving in with a stranger… even if she’s family

When thirty-five-year-old Sophia Harper loses her job and her apartment in the same week, she’s left with no choice but to move in with her eccentric aunt Betty on Maplewood Lane. Expecting a quiet and boring life, Sophia is instead greeted by a whirlwind of zany neighborhood antics, impromptu dance parties, and a house filled with more knick-knacks than she thought possible.

As Sophia navigates her new life with Aunt Betty—who insists on morning yoga and afternoon tea with the neighbors—she starts to uncover pieces of herself she didn’t know were missing. Between the quirky townspeople, a potential new career as a cupcake baker, and the unexpected attention of a charming local handyman, Sophia’s life takes a turn she never saw coming.

But when a long-buried family secret emerges, Sophia must decide whether to retreat back to her old life or embrace the chaos of Maplewood Lane. Can she learn to trust herself, and her heart, enough to stay?


This contemporary women's fiction, Christian inspirational clean and wholesome second chance romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building that is breathtaking with magnificent sunrises and sunset vibrantly painted across the skies, and characters that are resilient, captivating, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with the house on Maplewood Lane, a light-hearted and funny tale about finding oneself where you lease expect it, the importance of family, no matter how unconventional they may be, starting over romance, early summer, beach town mystery that is suspenseful and will leave readers on the edge of their seats, later-in-life, drama, deception, family secrets, heartfelt emotions, secrets, deception, action, adventure, love/loss, friendship, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with the house on Maplewood Lane and a second chance romance that is sure to transport readers into a world that is wild and unforgettable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophia is desperate in finding out for sure if Betty is telling the truth in saying that Brent Davidson who is running for mayor in St. Simons is actually her father. She has asked for her friend Claire's help in getting a DNA test on the mayor. When he finds out he sends her another nasty note along with a brick through the front window of her Aunt Betty's house. Sophia comes home to find this, no one was home when this happened. When her aunt returns home and finds this, along with broken glass at the front of the house and on the sidewalk, she is furious at what Sophia has done. She wants her out of the house so that she can be safe, not knowing what will happen next. Sophia heads back to her friends house in the middle of the night, its a 5 hour drive. Claire orders another DNA test because he refused the first one and has it delivered to his home in front of his wife so he can not ignore it. The next day Sophia comes home from a walk after applying for jobs and comes into the condo and Claire gives her the news that the results are in from the DNA test! I can't wait for the next book...

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[June Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophia finally looses every drop of patience she has tried to have with her Aunt Betty and threatens her. Betty finally confesses and swears this is the last of the lies she has been telling Sophia about who her father is. Now that Sophia knows the secret, what will she do? She has to find out if it’s true. Is the man running for governor of Georgia the evil man she has been told is her father and is he the person responsible for the threats she is receiving ? The threats escalate to the point Sophia leaves and returns to Raleigh to stay with her friend Claire This way maybe her Aunt Betty will be safe from more attacks. But what will her friend Claire uncover about her father? So many questions and so few answers!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am usually not a fan of having to wait for the endings.

I sometimes read back series from favorite authors, just so I can follow the characters from origins to whatever conclusions are currently available.

And then I got hooked on several Sage Parker serial shorts.

I really enjoy the colorful characters, the midlife reboots, and the chosen families and surprises that make the best extended families, and a few wacky or irritating less welcoming folks and threats.

Suspense, drama, action and friendships, with a bit if romance, makes for some fast paced and intriguing reading that I am hooked on enjoying.

[Carmela Dimattia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophia is truly at a crossroads now and she is completely invested in finding the truth about her father. She finally leaves Aunt Betty but only after incidents have escalated and one has to wonder how these incidents are coming to fruition and who is really behind them. Aunt Betty is a true mystery and I don’t know if she can be fully trusted especially as how she is always want Sophia to leave so I have to wonder what her motivation is and why she is pushing her niece away. This was an extremely good instalment and I now crave the next book to know what the DNA results are.

I received an arc copy via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Megann · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Sophia has found out who her father is supposed to be. Found out that Phil was married and who his ex-wife and kids are. And contacted her friend to find out how she can go about getting her father to take a paternity test to see if he really is who they say he is.
She has left several time to head back to Raleigh so that she can get away from all the problems on Maplewood Lane but keeps coming back due to her feelings for Phil and Aunt Betty and yes the whole town.
I would not want all the problems she has encountered but boy would I love to live in the town and work at the bakery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The House on Maplewood Lane: Book 4” by Sage Parker

- A suspense-filled drama that keeps you on edge. Sophia’s search for the truth about her father leads to shocking twists, family tensions, and unexpected dangers. The colorful cast of characters, midlife reboots, and chosen family dynamics make this series captivating. With its nail-biting cliffhanger, this installment leaves readers desperate for the next book to uncover the secrets.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Berta Greenleaf Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the St. Simons Island series. These books just keep getting better and better. In this book Sophia learns from Betty who her father supposedly was. With help from her friend Claire she gets him to take a DNA test. Someone is threatening her and she leaves town for a while. I can not wait to read the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book to all women's fiction readers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeannine Wickliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some things are becoming clear

Sophia finally confronts Betty and finds out who her father might be. Now what was she going to do? It seems he isn't a good guy but has power and money. Sophia calls her friend Claire for advice. Will Sophia's next step help or make things worse? She finds out more about Phil, including who his ex wife is. Then her Aunt Betty has a rock thrown thru the window of her house. Sophia finally decided to return to Raleigh, to her friend Claire's house. Now she finds that the DNA test she wanted done has results. What is going to happen next

[Barb Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophia is learning that you can't trust most people. She moves forward with serving her suspected dad with a warrant to do a DNA test. That night a brick is thrown through the window and Betty is done. She tells her that she has to leave. She goes back to Raleigh and Claire has the results. Is he her biological father? I received an advanced reader copy of this book from BookSprout and this is my honest review.

[Baby Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why, when things were getting better, did they end in a nail-biting cliffhanger?? Why Sage, why!!! Is Brent Sophia's father or not? Is Betty behind the threats? It is suspicious that every time Sophia has a plan, a threat interferes with her moving forward, hmm.. This is so suspenseful that I am eager for more..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!! Waiting for the next book in this series is going to be tough—the DNA results are in, and the book left us all hanging with a great cliffhanger! I am amazed that Aunt Betty has kept so much from Sophia. But Sophia has a few she can confide in about what is going on but in the back of my mind I keep saying to myself is everyone being honest with her.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book #4 in the St. Simons Island series by Sage Parker.

Wow! Sophia finally is told who her birth father is and has to deal with a lot around that. Is it true? Then she finds another secret someone around her is keeping. Fortunately she has Claire who is there for her. After the way this ended, I need the next book!

I received a free copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This installment/book had my head spinning from all the twists, turns and secrets. Aunt Betty is a many layered character and I can't figure her out. Sophia shouldn't trust anyone at this point but who is her father? The suspense is killing me. This awesome series is gripping with action, mystery, questions and plenty of drama. The added touch of romance is fun and encouraging. I've loved every well written page of it!.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot thickens as secrets are revealed. The characters play off each other very well in the story. It's interesting to see how they react. Like the setting and the story itself is quite interesting. The secondary characters are interesting parts to the story. I can't wait to read more and find out what happens. Funny and lighthearted and there may even be a few chuckles along the way. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The House on Maplewood Lane, Book Four, finds Betty sharing long-held secrets about Sophia's biological father.. Sophia discovers new information about Phil She returns to Raleigh for Claire's assistance as the suspense and danger increases in her life. The book ends in a cliffhanger.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[PW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophia is getting some answers but her environment is getting dangerous. I have more questions about her Aunt Betty. What is really going on? The cliffhanger at the end of this book has me anxious and excited for the next book.

This Booksprout ARC has me looking forward to the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Roslyn Simonin Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophia packed and left and unpacked, packed and left at least 3 times, before Aunt Betty made her leave for their safety.
Meanwhile Sophia has Claire get a court order for a DNA test for her supposed father.
Let's see the facts.
Sage, you are killing me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets revealed.

Another emotional rollercoaster as Sophie forces her Aunt Betty to share details of her parentage. As Sophie learns the identity of her father, threats emerge. A captivating and enthralling story which I can easily recommend.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team and am voluntarily writing this review.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The House on Maplewood Lane, Book 4, continues Sophia's story. She finds out who her father is, but more secrets and threats keep coming. Aunt Betty is working my last nerve, and poor Sophia really can't trust anyone at this point. I'm looking forward to book 5!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trina Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Sophia! All the twists and turns you are now facing.This story keeps getting better with the flip of each page! She is facing new revelations about her father and questioning who she can trust. I wonder how it will all end! I love this series and cant wait to see what happens!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophia told her aunt, no more lying! She wanted to know what she was hiding. Sophia found out her father is running for governor. He isn’t liked in St. Simons. He is also an evil abusive man. Betty is scared, and wants Sophia to go back to Raleigh before something happens to her. I received a free book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a feel good easy to read story.
I liked the characters and I liked the sense of place. Good read to enjoy as plot evolves.
Family history and new developments keeps entertaining and is still more to discover.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[alliyisreading_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book felt slow for some reason. It wasn't packed with tons of new information like I was hoping. I think she's right to have suspicion towards everyone. Ready for more info, which I think is coming soon.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

She no longer knows if she's coming or going or staying. Father is dead, then alive but unknown then a known. Will she ever find out the full truth and who she can trust to tell her the truth?.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Raylene Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophia final put her foot down with her Aunt Betty, she done with not knowing the truth. But now the mystery start to get interest and what does the DNA said?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophia realizes there is no one she can trust. Her possible father is being nasty and refuses a DNA test. Aunt Betty has turned on her as well. What will she do to find out the truth?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books written by Sage Parker; she is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the fourth book in the St. Simons Island Series; the story continues from the previous book and needs to be read in order.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This installment is full of twists and turns as the mystery continues. Some questions answered and more pop up. I can't wait for the next installment.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.