The Jonathon Island series is created by USA Today bestselling, award-winning author Susan May Warren.
Two rival families. One historic fudge shop. And a second chance at love neither saw coming.
All Lily Hart wants is to prove she’s not the failure everyone thinks she is. After a series of setbacks—including failing out of business school and losing her dream apprenticeship—Lily returns to Jonathon Island with one goal in save her family’s 74-year-old fudge shop and finally show the world she’s a capable businesswoman. The island is starting to bounce back, and Lily’s determined to be part of its revival. But when she arrives, she finds a major her former high school sweetheart, Declan Kelley, is back too—and he’s claiming the shop for his family.
The Harts and Kelleys have been bitter rivals for nearly fifty years, ever since Declan’s grandfather started his own competing fudge shop. Declan’s return isn’t just about family pride, though. He’s here to save his grandmother’s house from foreclosure, and reopening the Kelley fudge shop is the only way to do it.
With the lease in dispute, Lily and Declan strike a whoever sells the most fudge in one month gets the shop. Forced to share the space, sparks—and old feelings—begin to fly. Lily’s creative flair and Declan’s business acumen might just be the perfect recipe for success…if they can stop fighting long enough to realize it.
But with Declan’s future in Chicago and Lily’s heart set on staying, can they truly find a way back to each other? Or will their families’ long-standing feud—and their own desires—pull them apart for good?
Sweet, swoony, and full of heart, this is the story of two people discovering that sometimes, love is the sweetest thing of all.
Jonathon Island Book 1: Meet Me at The Grand Book 2: Meet Me on Lilac Lane Book 3: Meet Me at the Fudge Shop Book 4: Meet Me on Blueberry Hill Book 5: Meet Me at Sunset Cove Book 6: Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage
Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd with a B.A. in journalism and M.A. in English. She lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. Lindsay has held a variety of jobs, including curriculum editor for two universities, medical and business writer, and copywriter for a digital marketing agency. Now she juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with working freelance jobs, teaching college English courses online, and—of course—writing novels.
When she actually has time to do other things, she loves to sing, read, and sip passion iced teas from Starbucks. She loves to watch God work in ordinary lives to create something extraordinary, and she writes to bring hope to those who may have lost it along the way. Connect with her at www.LindsayHarrel.com and any other place she hangs out online, including Facebook and Twitter.
Hands up….who’s ever had something turn out differently than you envisioned? What about turning out differently than you even wanted?
All of us, right?!
Do you let that determine what you do with your life?
This book features two families, the Harts and the Kelleys, who can’t get past their 55 years of family feuding. Despite all odds, Lily Hart and Declan Kelley fall in love. Now everyone has a choice. Are they willing to put the decades-long hurt and hate behind them to support their children? What about Lily and Declan - can they ignore their families and focus on each other?
I loved this second-chance romance because it reinforced the idea that sometimes the smart thing to do isn’t always the right thing to do. The authors remind readers of the possibility that God may be leading us in a completely different direction than what others, including our family, would say is the right thing. Authors Harrel and Russel caution readers that people and their opinions can distract us from hearing what God wants for our lives.
I also enjoyed this book because the characters continually had roadblocks that they had to maneuver around on their way to happiness and fulfilment. Both had failed multiple times and yet they got up, refocused, and tried again. Both discovered that their failures didn’t make them unlovable. Sometimes we need to hear the same message. God is bigger than our fears and our failures and can help us maneuver the roadblocks.
If you’ve ever epically failed at something you really thought you had handled, or if you’ve ever wanted a second chance but didn’t think you had it in you to try again…you need this book.
I read this 5-star book under 5-star conditions: in the sunshine in Whittier, Alaska, enjoying the best fudge in the world and the company of my husband. We know the value of second chances - we broke up while we were dating and didn’t always have the support of our parents prior to marriage. We’ve been happily married for over 3 decades.
Jonathon Island sounds like such a special place! Perhaps not practical all the time, but to live somewhere with no cars and everyone gets around on foot or bicycle sounds dreamy to me.
And what's not to love about a second chance romance for high school sweethearts? Declan and Lily went there separate ways a decade ago because of a feud between their families. When both of them return to Jonathon Island seeking to revitalize the old fudge shop, they create a contest to determine who will own the store.
Lots of learnings along the way for business focused Declan and carefree Lily. Look forward to continuing the series.
Lily returns to Jonathon Island after years of pursuing her chocolatier career. When it all goes up in flames she returns to her hometown to reopen her family’s fudge shop. Little does she know her once love, now estranged ex, Declan returns with the same thought in mind.
What a fun and entertaining read. I enjoyed going back to this small town in this newest release. Lily and Declan had some unresolved issues after their breakup that even years later left some scars. Seeing how they get to know each other again and work through their baggage all while competing against each other kept me turning pages. I needed to know how things turned out especially with all the added family drama.
If you’re looking for a fun and wholesome read, this is a perfect book for you.
I’m having a great time reading all about Jonathan Island and its people. This series is an amazing kickoff for summer and Lily and Declan’s story is wonderful. Definitely a top contender for the top of your TBR list this summer.
I received an advanced reader’s copy from Sunrise Publishing. All opinions are my own.
Loved this sweet story. Meet Me at the Fudge Shop has it all—bitter family feud, former high school sweethearts now rivals, close proximity, and a competition over a fudge shop. Declan and Lily return to Jonathon Island for different reasons. Declan wants to save his grandmother's house from foreclosure but also carries guilt and blame over an incident that occurred years ago. Lily experienced setbacks and is tired of playing second fiddle. I enjoyed the sparks that flew between Declan and Lily, the faith elements woven into this story, and how Declan's and Lily's strengths and personality complement each other. Such a fun read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
What a sweet story! From the dedication page to the last page, I was hooked! "To everyone who has ever wondered if their failures make them unlovable-the answer is a resounding NO. This one is for you, beloved."
Meet Me at the Fudge Shop has so many great threads! Lily Hart and Declan Kelley each have good reasons each is returning to Jonathon Island. Their families have been feuding for 50 years. Lily and Declan quietly and briefly dated in high school, and yet the impact of that and the feud has left it's mark for over a decade. Declan takes a leave from a new high powered job, and is back to save his grandma's house from foreclosure, and Lily's career has never taken off in Florida. She is back to resurrect her family fudge shop.
The Kelley's own most of the restaurants on Jonathon's Island. Sparks fly when due to a technicality, the Kelley's have been approved to open a Fudge shop in the Hart's old building. A great story of enemies to more with complicated family dynamics. Now Lily and Declan have to compete for the space. You will love the journey! I love how despite the hard feelings and the competition, they are kind to one another. You don't want to miss the latest story set on Jonathon Island. I recommend it to lovers of contemporary romance, small towns, and sweet series!
Thank you to Sunrise Publishing for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this! The fudge shop/chocolatier/ice cream making aspect was really leaned into with the flavors and the process. I think the showing (as opposed to just telling) was definitely delivered. Lily and Declan were both distinct characters but for some reason their story fell a little flat for me in contrast to books 1 and 2, which I rated five stars. I think the depth in this one just wasn't as deep as the first two books felt and therefore I felt like something was missing. And overall, I kept feeling like the family feud needed more to make sense how seriously the Kelley family was taking certain elements of it, but I understood how it tied into Declan's lesson (and which made the whole family feud/family conflict feel like merely a plot device).
What has continued to amaze me about this series is the continuity from book to book. It has felt utterly seamless. I think the romance aspect isolated on its own was another one of my favorite parts (in addition to the food). Declan had cinnamon roll vibes and Lily was a mess haha but I loved her for her vulnerability.
I definitely plan to continue this series. I was sent an eARC to read and review but these are my thoughts!
In this book: -rivals to more -family feud -opposites attract -dual-POV (third person) -small town -second chance
Content Guide: romance - clean language - clean violence - clean faith - medium amount
I will probably say this with every book in this series, but I just loved being back on the island. It was even more fun being in the fudge shop!
The rivalry between the Harts and the Kelleys is super strong in this book! Then add in a competition between the two kids, Declan and Lily, with a lot at stake for both of them, is a recipe for disaster!
My favorite characters this time were Pastor Arnie and his wife Tara. I loved how they were such an encouragement to the main characters.
Thanks to Sunrise Publishing for the arc. The opinions are my own.
Sweet as fudge, cheerful as sunshine, and as good as ice cream, this adorable story is definitely worth the read. Journey to Johnathon Island for a fun filled read. This book was provided by Sunrise Publishing. The opinions expressed here are my own thoughts.
This is one delicious book! I can’t decide if I’m craving fudge or ice cream, but thanks to the ingenuity of the authors I just might have a little of both!
Family legacies can be a precious gift, but sometimes they hang around a person’s neck like an albatross. Both Lily and Declan know this all too well. And both the Harts and Kelly’s are linked to one thing…
…the fudge shop.
When ownership of the business hinges on a competition between Lily and Declan chaos and pandemonium ensue. I wanted to reach into the pages and shake a few characters until they straightened up!
A beautiful and tasty tale that is guaranteed to please readers, MMATFS is a book you really need to read. I received an advance copy from the publisher. I’m under no obligation and my review has not been solicited. Highly recommended!
With a Romeo and Juliet family rivalry, but this time involving a fudge shop, there was a lot of tension and chemistry between the main characters.
I enjoyed Lily’s creativity which sometimes led her into difficult situations. I have a family member like that, and though sometimes it can be frustrating, the ability to focus on being creative versus keeping up with time and commitments, makes your life colourful.
The story was a bit predictable with things that were going wrong and how it all ended, but I still enjoyed the journey and the conclusion.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
So far, the books in the Jonathon Island series are knocking it out of the ballpark. This story is so cute. I’m a huge fan of the enemies to lovers (nothing untoward here) trope, and that’s what you’ll get in this book. I liked the main characters and when they’re forced to share the same workspace, the proverbial fudge boils. Lily is a gal who needs to express herself and fudge making is her outlet. Declan has no interest in staying on the island to make fudge but has a misguided mindset about duty to family. Both characters have growth, and by the end of the book you are rooting for them to make their romance work. If you love a little mystery, you’ll find one here. Is Lily an airhead or is someone sabotaging her? If it’s sabotage, is Declan the culprit? You’ll have to read this sweet book to find out.
Every time I read another Jonathan Island book I feel as if I am meeting old friends again. This wonderful community is coming back to life in each installment of this series. The main characters in this book were interesting, and their family backgrounds were even more interesting.
The Hart family and Kelley family have been feuding for decades, and the hatred between these families is real. Now Declan and Lily are paired against one another in the fudge wars. The winner will get the fudge shop. Declan and Lily cared a lot about one another at one point in time, but the family feud has always caused problems for them.
This was definitely a second chance story, not only for romance, but for life in general. The author does a great job of showing that when life throws obstacles in your way, you must pivot. Declan has the business acumen necessary to run a business, and Lily has the creativity and flair to make delectable desserts. They could be a powerhouse couple together. However, the family feud and devotion to the family has made this an impossibility. The verbal sparring only further highlighted the definite chemistry between them. I wanted to reach into the book and shake some of these characters. Unforgiveness and holding a grudge only cause misery, and this is on colorful display, especially with the Kelley family.
I adored this story because Declan and Lily had to beat the odds in so many ways. Both of their characters tugged on my heart. I do not think I have ever cheered harder for two people to come together in a book. Once again Pastor Arnie and his wife, Tara, provide wise counsel to these two. The only thing left to find out is if they will heed their advice. Also, I would not advise reading this book if you are hungry because the descriptions of the delectable desserts will make your mouth water.
Thank you to Sunrise Publishing for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Meet Me at the Fudge Shop is the first book I have read written by Rachel D. Russell and the second book I have read written by Lindsay Harrel and it was such a pleasure. If you like Hallmark movies, this book is for you. It’s as sweet as the fudge shop setting. This can be read as a standalone, but so far, the whole series has been addicting.
The character development was good. Both Lily and Declan must overcome the hurdle of family obligations and try to see where God is leading them. I loved seeing Lily come to life and find her true passion while also telling her parents the truth about what has been going on. Declan has to overcome the guilt he feels from his grandfather’s death. I loved that not only did the main characters grow but also the family healed and mended bonds.
The setting and storyline were perfect. I loved the hallmark feel. The small island town is the perfect setting for this series, and I loved getting to revisit and learn more about this town and its people. I loved the deep-rooted family feud and watching Lily and Declan try to overcome and mend relationships. I loved the fudge war to see who would win the fudge shop.
The second chance romance between Lily and Declan is a sweet and low-spice, kisses-only romance.
Lindsay Harrel and Rachel D. Russell did a great job intertwining faith throughout the book.
*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.
Por la forma en que tanto Declan como su familia trataron a Lily por algo que ella no hizo, lo mínimo que esperaba es que él trabajara por su perdón… pero eso nunca ocurrió. Diez años después del incidente, la familia de Declan sigue hablando mal de ella. Me molestó cómo él nunca dudó en maltratarla, mientras que Lily, como la tonta que es, se sentía culpable por su situación y terminó ayudándolo cuando él no lo merecía.
Parece que la autora detesta a Lily, durante todo el libro la retrata como incompetente. Se supone que era buena dulcera, pero al momento de la verdad sus postres sabían horribles, mientras que los de Declan (quien no tenía experiencia) resultaron perfectos. Cuando se trataba de las finanzas y el marketing de su negocio, ella no sabía nada; cada vez que algo salía mal, tenía que llamarlo para que él lo solucionara. Sus años de estudios y aprendizaje con los mejores no sirvieron de nada. Declan la rescata en cada capítulo y termina siendo agotador; detesto cuando hacen a la protagonista tan dependiente de él.
Para colmo, en el conflicto final, pese a que Declan “ama” a Lily, no duda en ponerse del lado de su familia, otra vez, y como era de esperarse, ella lo perdona al final… e incluso es ella quien le pide que no se vaya.
I’m really loving all these stories set on Jonathon Island. Each author has brought a delicious flavor to their own story. This one has so many yummy moments that it makes my mouth water. Okay, so the title can probably help you understand why I’ve used all these sweet words. This story truly made me want to dig into a box of chocolate or grab a scoop of ice cream. All the wonderful flavors that were described sounded so good. It got me craving all those sweet things. Linsay Harrel and Rachel D. Russell did a fantastic job bringing delightful and scrumptious moments to life. There were moments of delight, but also moments of frustration, as the characters battled all the family's past dramas. This story was surely an enjoyable book to read. All the characters brought to life the charm of this small island, as well as the struggles of living somewhere where everyone knows all about you and your life. I felt all the emotions while reading this book. I now look forward to all the other stories that will be based on this island. I highly recommend that you pick up this book to start your adventures on Jonathon Island with all its colorful characters.
The Jonathon Island series just keeps getting sweeter—literally! In Meet me at the Fudge Shop, we’re treated to rival family fudge shops, a swoony second-chance romance, and the delicious tension of two hearts rekindling amidst long-standing feuds and fresh starts.
Lily and Declan are total opposites—she's all heart and creative flair, he's structure and strategy—but they complement each other beautifully. I loved the "enemies to lovers meets family feud" setup and the nostalgic pull of old love rekindled in the very shop where it all began. Their love story is rich with reminders that God's direction doesn’t always match our expectations—and that sometimes, failing forward is exactly what shapes us. Both Lily and Declan wrestle with what it means to move on from disappointment, but their story shows how faith, perseverance, and even a bit of fudge can lead to something far sweeter than either of them imagined.
This series is the perfect cozy kickoff to summer—heartfelt, hopeful, and full of small-town charm. Meet me at the Fudge Shop is an absolute treat you’ll want to devour in one sitting!
ARC provided by Sunrise Publishing. Opinions are my own.
I’ll freely admit that the family feud trope is one of my least favorite ones to read in romance. It’s hard for me to believe people would get so antagonistic and propagate an old hurt through multiple generations.
However, the feud wasn’t center stage for the character development of Declan and Lily. A tragedy marked both of them, as well as the words of people who should have loved and encouraged them.
One of them felt like a failure and the other felt they hade to prove their loyalty. These issues were believable and relatable. The author tugged my heart strings with every inner thought and family interaction.
I’m enjoying Jonathon Island. You don’t have to read all the books to enjoy each one. I’m glad I’ve read three of the four in the series so far and plan to keep reading to find out how the island is brought back to life.
This was a tough read. Tough, because it’s hard to read through tears. And I emptied half a box of tissues while working through the story in one sitting. Scoff if you must. While the fudge shop feud draws on the Montague Capulet archetype, this story doesn’t slow down with modern day romance. There are rainy scenes at a wedding, moonlight walks, a carriage ride. The magic of touch, even over the stove. Some characters are sketched in briefly, details in black and white, until Lily enters the scene with her lavender hair, or a yellow dress, or pink toes, and a smear of chocolate to complete the look. As she journeys to accept herself, her ability to see Declan beyond hurt he had caused her in the past is something we could all aspire to. And Declan. We see him looking like a rebel, in a leather jacket and aviators. But is he really? I can see it, but either way I bet you will have firm opinions on the matter by the end of the book. Maturing is a theme threaded through the Jonathan Island stories, and I’m glad to report even Grandma gets her due. Go find this story, and maybe an eye compress. Your eyes will forgive and your heart will thank you. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This next book in the Jonathon Island series was just as good as the previous books. While I am a little bit over the Romeo and Juliet and feuding families trope, I really enjoyed the character development, the beautiful setting, and the themes of forgiveness, family dynamics, trusting God, and seeking for God’s purpose for one’s life. I was encouraged by the biblical truths presented, and the writing was so descriptive that I felt like the events could unfold in real life. It was great to see the characters from the previous books make an appearance as well. I highly recommend this book and the rest of the series, and I am looking forward to reading the next one! I voluntarily read and reviewed this book for the publisher. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I loved going back for another visit to Jonathon Island in the pages of Meet Me at the Fudge Shop. This is a second chance romance between high school sweethearts Lily and Declan - a romance that did NOT have a happy ending due to a decades-long family feud, misplaced guilt, and hurtful words on both sides. When Lily comes back to the island with her tail between her legs from being fired, her only hope is to find refuge in her family’s fudge shop. But it turns out Declan’s family has been maneuvering for taking over on a technicality. A lot is riding on a contest of who can sell the most fudge- they both REALLY need to win. But neither planned on falling back into love so easily- what if a little bit of compromise and standing up for themselves holds the key to happily ever after for everyone involved?
I really enjoyed the lessons that both Lily and Declan learned in this story. I love how the truth won, and God was able to work evil for such good. I enjoyed learning about fudge while yelling at Declan and Lily in my head about what they should do! The epilogue was so sweet. I can’t wait for the next installment.
I received a complementary copy of this book from Sunrise Publishing. I was not asked to leave a positive review. My opinions are my own.
"What I believe is that people and their opinions our own too can often distract us from hearing what God wants for our lives."
“Meet Me at the Fudge Shop,” is the third book in the series, “Jonathon Island.”
Declan has a big job, or he did until his mother called him to return home. It isn’t just about his family, he has a name to hold up to. Can he help solve the family’s problems?
Lily has returned home. She is back to overtaking her family’s legacy and fudge shop that they used to own. But will everything turn out all right in the end?
A very great book that gives so many good lessons. Sometimes in life we are afraid to stand up for what is right. Who may get hurt if a truth is told? Find out what happens in this tasty adventure.
If you are looking for a good summertime read then I have the perfect series for you. Meet Me at the Fudge shop is the third book in the Jonathon island series. You don't have to read the series to enjoyed this book. The book is set in the small town of Jonathon Island where we meet declan and lily. Their families have a hatfields and McCoys complex with these two in the middle. The story take us on their journey of second chances in love and healing with little bit of drama between these two groups. Who knew fudge can make things a bit sticky sometimes :) I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of sweet small hometown books.
Thank you to Sunrise Publishing for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own
Meet me at the Fudge Shop is a great addition to the Jonathon Island series. Lindsay Harrell and Rachel D. Russell brought the characters of Lily and Declan to life.
A decades old family feud, a fudge competition and sparks that wont stop flying keep this story interesting and entertaining.
I found Lily to be very relatable. She is determined to do her best to protect her family’s fudge shop legacy in spite of her lack of business skills.
Declan feels a tremendous responsibility to save his grandma’s house and if that means getting their fudge shop back in business, that’s what he’ll do.
In order for somebody to win does that mean they both have to lose?
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. Enemies-to-lovers isn't always my fave trope so I think that's why I felt a bit meh about this read; I mostly read it because I love Lindsay Harrel as an author.
The mixed blessing with this series and some of the Christiansen books, as well, is that sometimes I feel like I'm reading more of Susan May Warren than I am the other author. I love me some SMW, don't get me wrong--but I also love most of the other authors involved, and would love to hear more of their unique voices! I also kynda wish they'd stuck with the traditional spelling of "Jonathan" (more personal reasons/preference, though).
Realistic focus on generational sin, including unrealistic expectations, blame, shame and heavy secrets blends into a gritty tale of more former residents. The ending chapters bring hope as rivals begin to challenge toxic family behavior and their unhealthy patterns of responses.
Whether you've visited the fictional island or not, each book is a stand-alone, yet enhanced by the previous volumes.
I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation for a positive review. This is my own opinion.
Lindsay Harrel delivers a sweet, romantic read in Meet Me at the Fudge Shop. In my opinion, you can't go wrong when you combine fudge, ice cream, and a long-standing family feud. This story was all things addictive - chocolate, second chances, and tender romance. With the small town feel of Jonathan Island, this third installment in the series is the perfect addition. Full of flavor, redemption, forgiveness, and love, Harrel certainly brings us a story to remember. I loved every moment.
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Warning! This book will activate your sweet tooth! And it’ll satisfy your craving for a sweet, second-chance romance between two great characters, Declan and Lily, who are easy to root for.
Combine that with a multi-generational family feud with Declan and Lily caught in the middle, a unique contest peppered with suspicions of sabotage, the special charm of Jonathon Island, and the biblical wisdom I’ve come to expect from Sunrise books, and you have the recipe for a great read with “all manner of chaos and joy.” (Awesome book quote!)
I really enjoyed this installment of the Jonathon Island series! While I felt like book 2 fell flat and lacked a spiritual component, this book made up for it a more. It made me excited to keep reading the series. It had a modern-day Romeo and Juliette vibe with a family feud. And I loved the creativity of cooking fudge balanced by serious, business-minded counterpart. And all this surrounded by questions of faith, family, and most importantly, can love bring an end to the feud. This was a fantastic quick-read!