Meet Me on Lilac Lane: A Jonathon Island Novel

Jonathon Island #2

by Andrea Christenson, Susan May Warren (editor)

The Jonathon Island series is created by USA Today bestselling, award-winning author Susan May Warren.

He was her late husband's best friend, but for him she'd always been the one.

Mia Jonathon Franklin has been living a nightmare for the last two years—ever since her husband and high school sweetheart died in a fishing boat accident, leaving her to care for her two young kids on her own. She's managed to stay afloat, but her husband's paltry life insurance money is gone—and if she can't find a way to support her family, she may lose the cozy cottage she and Troy had meant to grow old in.

So when Mia is offered a chance to buy her own house for a dollar if she can find business owners to move to Jonathon Island, it seems like the answer to her prayers. That is until she learns the ridiculous quota required to complete the deal. She’s in over her head...until her late husband's best friend offers to lend a hand.

Cody Hart has been haunted by survivor's guilt since the boating accident that claimed his best friend's life. Torn between his own dreams of reopening his family's fishing business and his desire to help Mia, the woman he has loved since their youth, he steps up to help. She needs him and he’s not going to let her down…or let his heart cause her more pain.

As Mia and Cody work together to breathe new life into the island's Main Street, their shared history and undeniable connection threatens to reignite long-buried feelings. Can they overcome the obstacles that stand in their way and find the courage to embrace a second chance at love, or will the weight of their pasts and the uncertainties of the future keep them from the happiness they both deserve?

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

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Inspirational, Audiobook, Clean Romance, Christian Fiction

380 pages, Paperback

Published May 25, 2025

About the author

Andrea Christenson is a contemporary Christian romance author. She’s a pastor’s wife with a biblical studies degree and over 20 years of ministry experience. Her stories are clean, faith-filled, and family-honoring, and can be trusted to entertain the heart, engage the mind, and edify the soul.

Andrea lives in Plymouth, MN, with her husband and two daughters.

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Don’t close yourself off from love just because you’re scared.”

When tragedy hits Jonathon Island and leaves one of their own seemingly unscathed, it upturns the town, families, and businesses, leaving one with a heaping serving of survivor’s guilt.

You’ll read about a young widow with children who is determined to prove that she’s a survivor and can move forward if she could only learn to control the loss in her life. She learns what it takes to make her weakness her greatest strength.

You’ll also hear from the survivor who not only lost his best friend but also his dreams. With the help of the town’s revitalization initiative, he bolsters the courage to redeem his past and reclaim that which he’d always loved.

This is my favourite of the series so far! The dynamic between the push and pull was emotionally on point and well balanced, the believable romantic tension between characters was well balanced, and they were so authentically crafted and facing real-life issues that I felt I knew them. I loved Finn’s dinner choice - naked noodles - and have added that to our menu! LOL.

This novel about second chances and building resilience after a traumatic event is one you won’t want to miss. It’s everything I was looking for in a contemporary romance. I closed my Kindle, realizing that I'd just experienced a supremely satisfying read and given my emotions a real workout.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet and emotional story! If you love best friends to more and single parent tropes in a small town, this one’s for you.

Mia and Cody have been best friends since childhood, and Cody’s loved her all his life. But when Mia marries Cody’s best friend Troy, Cody steps aside, happy to watch their love grow. After Troy’s tragic passing, Cody promises to be there for Mia and her kids, but loving her from the sidelines proves harder than he expected.

As Mia struggles to save her home on Lilac Lane, Cody works alongside her. If she can’t pull it off, she’ll have to move, and Cody could lose both his best friend’s family and the woman he’s always loved.

This story was heartfelt and emotional. Cody and Mia both grieve, but their healing brings buried feelings to the surface. The chemistry between them was so good, and Cody is just such a great guy. I was rooting for him the whole way.

My only small complaint? It got a bit wordy at times, and I wished for an epilogue. But still, a beautiful read overall!

I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Widow Mia is struggling financially. The opportunity to make her mortgage disappear if she can attract enough new businesses to Jonathon Island is beyond appealing. As she puts her all into this task, is there a second chance at love in store?

[Allyson Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet read. Mia, a single mother of two and widowed, is doing her best to provide for her two young children and keep their house from being foreclosed. Cody, who had loved Mia since they were children, wants to keep his and Mia's late husband's business afloat. Both Cody and Mia struggle with guilt, fears, and loss. Meet Me on Lilac Lane is an awesome read with realistic characters, a chance at love, and overcoming fears.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You need to let go of what other people think of you and cling to what God says about you.”

“You are forgiven. You are loved.”

Meet me on Lilac Lane was a sweet story about people experiencing horrible tragedy and trying to move on while trying to deal with the loss, guilt and moving forward in life.

Mia was a strong female lady who struggles with making a life for her boys on the island she loves. I just adored her little ones and all they got into. The friendship between Cody and Mia was sweet and I enjoyed watching their relationship grow.

The characters made a lot of decisions based on fear and unplaced guilt and assumptions due to miscommunications. It was refreshing to see reconciliation and understanding and new beginnings when the characters just sat down and had conversations.

A sweet contemporary about new beginnings on a small loveable island.

“You don’t have to let one bad thing define you. Or even a series of bad things.” Liam cleared his throat. “God loves you, man, and that’s what defines you. Do what He created you to do.”

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

[Sian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy five stars. This is really shaping up to be a cozy and wholesome multi-author series. The continuity of voice between this book and the first one was impressive. It felt like I picked up with things on Jonathon Island right where we left off after Dani and Liam's story. Given Cody's personality I was excited for his romance with Mia. They felt like friends to more with as much history as they had! They were both very relatable in all of their emotions as they learn to stop resisting the possibility of a happy ending for each of them. This was a tear jerker!

The single mom trope was definitely leaned into and not just an accessory to the romance. Cody's story of learning to stop being passive/letting life and happiness pass him by was such a vulnerable plight for an MMC that I wish I saw more of in books. I also liked the faith content. The ending was great! These characters feel three-dimensional and I cannot wait to continue this series. I would say be prepared to cry!

In this book:
-single mom/widow
-friends to more
-small town
-grief & forgiveness
-childhood crush
-secret pining

CW: grief, panic attack/PTSD

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet novel is full of tender moments that will cause many happy sighs. Cody Hart, the hero, is swoon worthy, with the biggest heart, and a fierce love for Mia Franklin. He’s the guy every smart woman would want in her life. Mia, the heroine, lost her husband two years before the story starts and wants nothing more than to build a good life for her two adorable children. The story deals with overcoming loss and learning to trust not only other people but also God when bad things happen. In some ways, it’s almost an underdog story where both the hero and heroine must fight for the things they love most. The book will keep you entertained and invested to find out if Cody and Mia will finally see each other for what they’ve always been—more than friends. You’ll love Meet Me on Lilac Lane, but I recommend reading the series in order for everything to make sense.

[Kim - Inside the Wong Mind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet Me on Lilac Lane
by Andrea Christenson
Book 2 in the Jonathan Island series
Rating: 4/5

Wow. Another winner for the Jonathan Island series! I have read the prequel and the first book in this series and this next story does not disappoint! We were introduced to Mia and Cody’s characters in the first book and I was happy to read what happened to them. Who doesn’t enjoy a friends-to-lovers and second chances romance? Cody’s guilt and Mia’s pride keep getting in the way though and it’s frustrating to the reader how long it takes them to work through their past. Faith is subtly woven throughout the book. Both characters need help restoring their relationships with their fathers. I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful story.

Highly recommend this fun, heartwarming, clean romance that will keep you reading until the end!

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

[Jeanne Alfveby Crea · Rating 4 out of 5]

You're going to want to read the next story in the Jonathon Island series! This best friends to more, and single parent story will tug at your heartstrings.

Mia Jonathon Franklin and Cody Hart have been best friends since childhood. Troy Franklin moved to the island and they become an inseparable group of three best friends. Cody has loved Mia all his life, but when Mia and Troy begin dating and eventually get married, Cody truly wishes them both happiness. After Troy’s tragic accident, Cody promises to be there for Mia and her kids, but loving her from afar is more difficult than he imagines.

Sweet story of second chances and triumphing over traumatic events. I am loving this series. Perfect for contemporary romance loves with a setting in a small town and all the fun characters that come with a small community. Mia's children are adorable too.

Thank you to Sunrise Publishing for allowing me to read an early copy, all opinions are my own.

[Deena Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful trip back to the island I’ve grown to love! Meet Me on Lilac Lane tells us the story of Mia and Cody.

Mia is a mother of two and a widow—and about to lose her home. With no job on the horizon and her husband’s life insurance running out, she can’t afford the mortgage on the only home her children have ever known.

Cody is the son of a commercial fisherman who is desperate to restart the business he worked alongside his dad. He was there the night his best friend Mia’s husband was killed. The weight of that night threatens to take him under.

An unusual opportunity rises for Mia, and it just might save her home. Cody has promised to look out for Mia and her children and comes along side her to make sure she succeeds.

The story is heartwarming and emotional, and the setting is colorful and gorgeous. Many background characters shine and the sense of community leaps off the pages.

You’ll want to relocate to Jonathan Island—I guarantee it! I received an advance copy from the publisher. I’m under no obligation and my review has not been solicited.

[Joni Truex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable story with likable characters set on Grand Island. Romance and friendships are a major storyline. Family plays an important role. This book was provided through Sunrise Publishing for me to read. The opinions expressed here are my own thoughts.

[Brandi Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sweet friends-to-more romance!

Mia Jonathan Franklin love Jonathan Island. It’s her family’s legacy, where she grew up, and where she wants to raise her children. But being a widow and single mom without stable employment has her in jeopardy of losing her home—that is until she strikes a deal with the town council. While her housing situation is quite a pickle, it’s not the only thing that’s stressing her out.

Cody Hart has been in love with Mia since he first met her when they were kids, but he put his feelings on the back burner when their other best friend, Troy, decided to pursue her. It’s been two years since his tragic death, but Cody still doesn’t feel right about pursuing Mia—not when he feels responsible for it happening in the first place. As the two spend more time together, they’re forced to navigate their complicated feelings for one another.

This was a story of two friends navigating grief and figuring out how to move forward after the loss of someone they both loved and treasured. It’s also a story of what moving forward looks like in the midst of fear and uncertainty about the future.

I loved both of the MCs—and Cody was a phenomenal MMC! His dedication to his best friend even after his death was admirable and noble. I also really loved the audiobook—the narrator did such a great job with all the characters.

If you love stories set in small-towns with a sweet mix of friends-to-more and he falls first, be sure to check this one out!

Thank you to Sunrise Publishing for complimentary access to the audiobook. This is my voluntary honest review.

[Cassondra Perea · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jonathan Island is a small, close knit community. The charming town once known for its idyllic scenery and budding community, is in dire need of a population boom. Desperate for new residents and business, the town council has devised an unconventional plan, the only problem is they need help executing it. Enter Mia Jonathan. As a young widow and mother of two, she was unprepared for being both the sole caregiver and provider. On the verge of losing her home, Mia agrees to work alongside the town council to not only vet, but finalize fourteen new tenants. If she is able to lock in the necessary applicants they have agreed to, pay off her mortgage. Will Mia be able to achieve the goal within the limited timeframe, or will she be forced to uproot her children from the only home they have ever known?

Meet Me On Lilac Lane by Andrea Christenson is the second book in the multi-author, interconnected series. This fun concept was the brain child of Susan May Warren. Teaming up with six Christian authors, they collectively wrote the Jonathan Island Series with consists of one novella (prequel) and six full-length novels that can be read together or as standalones.

Upon completing Meet Me On Lilac Lane, I was intrigued by Andrea Christenson’s writing style. While this is categorized as a romance and it does feature a sweet, wholesome love story, I would describe it more as women’s fiction. The bulk of the story focused on Mia Jonathan’s journey as a young mother and single woman. She openly share how her becoming pregnant out of wedlock changed the dynamic between her family, how she viewed herself, and her relationship with God.

Christenson did a terrific job featuring faith at the forefront of the book. She made sure to keep the relationship between Mia and Cody chased. The two engaged in a courtship that patiently perused each other as they actively worked through the pain of the past. In addition, many people encouraged Mia to seek the Lord when contemplating what her next moves would be. In the end, the Lord far exceeded her wildest expectations.

Special thanks to Sunrise Publishing, Susan May Warren, and Andrea Christenson for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review. I look forward to continuing on with the rest of the series!

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of a revitalization of a community, restored relationships and romance which can happen between two souls when they reclaim control over their lives by facing their fears and letting them go.

Mia lost her husband, Troy, 2 years ago in a boating accident. She has struggled financially and mentally, at times blaming herself for her husband's death. She has a young child to raise, but she refuses to ask for help from her family. A new job opportunity, which entails helping to entice new business owners to the island, sounds like a dream, but there are some heavy stipulations attached to it.

Cody lost his best friend, Troy, in that same boating accident. He has carried guilt about his best friend's death ever since that fateful night. He does everything he can to help Mia out. He wants to rebuild his business, but he also wants to help Mia out as well, when she will accept his help.

Both Cody and Mia need to find their own forgiveness for something that they had no control over. They have carried guilt for far too long. This might be my favorite book so far in this series. These characters were so real with their pain, but also stronger than they gave themselves credit for being. Resilience comes to mind when I thought of how to describe Mia. She was also a little stubborn mixed in with a little pride as she did not want to ask anyone for help. She wanted to stand on her own two feet, but this was a positive attribute which is why she was strong. Cody was a sweetheart in every sense of the word. He just wanted to make the world a better a place. He would give you the shirt off of his back. This book was very emotional, with many ups and downs, but through it all you see two people grow into something bigger and better all while also helping to bring life back to this sweet community known as Jonathan Island.

Thank you to Sunrise Publishing for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Courtney Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided for review consideration—thoughts are entirely my own!

From the very first page, this story wrapped around my heart like a warm hug. Returning to Jonathon Island feels like coming home—especially with Mia and Cody’s deeply emotional, slow-burn romance taking center stage.

After the tragic loss of her husband, Mia is trying to stay strong for her kids and rebuild the life she’s worked so hard to hold onto. When a unique opportunity arises to save her home and help her town, she’s all in—until the impossible deadline makes her question everything. Enter Cody—her late husband’s best friend, and the man who’s always loved her from afar. Together, they breathe new life into the island... and maybe into each other.

This book gave me all the feels! 🥹 It’s a perfect blend of:
💕 Second-chance-at-first-love
💕 Widow/single mom strength
💕 Survivor’s guilt + redemption
💕 Small-town revival
💕 Childhood friendship turned forever kind of love

There’s so much heart and healing in this story—grief, hope, renewal, and that sweet, tender kind of romance that lingers long after the last page. Watching Mia and Cody navigate their past and slowly rediscover joy made my heart ache in the best way. And don’t even get me started on the community—the island is vibrant, supportive, and bursting with warmth.

If you love faith-filled, emotionally rich romances set in small towns that feel like family—this is your next must-read.

[Alyssa Amey Madjeski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really enjoying these books set on Jonathon Island! Meet Me on Lilac Lane tells the story of widowed single mom Mia and her late husband’s best friend Cody as they navigate their guilt, emotions, and feelings two years after the accident. There’s a lot riding on Mia’s ability to meet the quota and get the businesses on the island back up and running, but the stubborn woman won’t ask for help! Both Mia and Cody have a lot to learn in this story- learning that God has designed us to lean on one another, learning to not be passive and go after what’s important, learning how to overcome fear and guilt, and learning to open up to another person. They also both had to reconcile with their fathers, and it brought a lot to the story as well. It was such a good journey, and the pages just flew by. At this point in the series I’m getting invested in the town and success of the project, and I’m really rooting for these characters. The emotions in this story are so on-point and well developed. I also loved Finn and Maggie, Mia’s adorable munchkins, and I definitely laughed out loud a time or two at their antics (especially as a toddler mom myself)! I definitely recommend this series for contemporary romance readers!

I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not asked to leave a positive review. My opinions are my own.

[Rosalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these Jonathon Island books! Unfortunately, I won't be getting quite all of them to read and review (due to travel plans this summer), but hopefully, you, my reader, will get to read them all!

This one was sweet, but it felt a bit heartbreaking at times.

Mia was a young widow, and now she found herself looking at financial hard times. And she wanted to show the world she could do it on her own.

But what if that meant losing her house? The only home her two little children had ever known?

And then there's Cody. He was Mia's best friend her whole life. And, also, Troy's best friend. Cody really wanted Mia to be more, but Troy was always in the middle.

I loved seeing this all take place on Jonathon Island, and watching their relationship....grow...and then...sputter...and then grow....and on and on.

It kept me reading until the very end!

Jonathon Island is a sweet little island town, full of intriguing and fun people.

I can't wait to read the next one!

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

[Marylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun story from the fictional Johnathon Island.
This one will warm your heart and give you hope.
In this story, author Andrea Christenson brings back many of the past characters from the first two books and creates a touching tale of lost love and healing for broken hearts.
Mia has seen dark days after losing her husband, and she just wants to stand on her own two feet. However, life keeps getting in the way, and now she might lose her house. Cody had loved Mia for as long as he could remember, but when she met Troy, he backed off and stayed just a good friend. The three did everything together until Tory died in a boating accident that Cody feels everyone blames him for. Now he just wants to make amends.
This book is a sweet story of healing from grief, strengthening family relations, nurturing friendships, tender love, and pursuing one's heart's desires. It’s a story full of God’s provisions and His leadings.
Andrea Christenson's writing flowed smoothly, and all the characters were fun to get to know. I laughed and cried during many moments in 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.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet story! Heartfelt and emotional, I loved it!

I really liked Mia. She's a widow with two young children who's barely making ends meet and is on the verge of losing her home. Things seemed dire, but I loved her determination. She never gave up and was constantly striving to make things better for her kids. It was inspiring to read about. Speaking of her kids, Finn and Maggie were a handful but absolutely adorable!

Cody was very likable and hardworking. He was a great guy. He blamed himself for the death of his best friend, who was also Mia's husband. Seeing him wrestle with that guilt was heartbreaking, but I loved seeing him light up around Mia and her kids. While there were some obstacles in the way of him and Mia getting together, I was rooting for them. They were so good together. Exactly what the other needed.

I loved visiting Jonathon Island again and look forward to visiting it again in the next book! If you're looking for a sweet, small-town romance with a strong message of faith, grab a copy of this book.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would definitely be classified as a hallmark feel-good read despite the loss of a spouse as the main driving factor to the storyline. Everything felt surface level and a bit cheesy at times. One line however made me cringe as feelings are getting worked through (again) and Cody says something along the lines of wanting to kiss her until they both forget Troy (deceased friend/husband). It just seemed wrong especially since both of them were still mourning and struggling with his death.

Overall, it seemed like feelings and situations changed so easily without anything really happening. I don’t know how to explain that fully but the same internal monologue happened throughout the book and then all of a sudden life’s big ah ha moments were happening. Everyone involved had courage and cleared up years of miscommunication with talks that were at odds with their actions for the past however-many-years.

I pushed through this one sadly just to finish it and try out the next book in this multi-author series. There seems to be a lot of great reviews though, so I’m going to say that this book just wasn’t for me.

[Connie Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book in the Jonathon Island series is just as special as the first! I loved the setting, the characters, and the underlying theme of overcoming loss and learning to trust God. I admired the young, widowed mother who'd struggled to stay afloat after losing her husband two years ago, but my favorite character was certainly Cody Hart. He'd loved Mia since childhood but stepped aside when his best friend stole her heart. Troy, Mia, and Cody had once been 'the three musketeers' until their marriage and a tragedy changed this forever.

Author Andrea Christenson shares a poignant picture of a complicated history marked by a longtime friendship and Cody's unrequited love for Mia. His desire to help her and her adorable children seems futile until...unexplained feelings assault Mia when Cody is nearby!

If you enjoy sweet romance, second chances, and a strong message of faith, grab a copy of Meet Me on Lilac Lane. I believe you'll love Jonathon Island as much as I do!

I received a digital copy from Sunrise Publishing. There was no obligation for a positive review.

[Brittany Searfoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Jonathon Island series is made up of great stories, wonderful characters, and relevant life references that stand out from the standard contemporary romance fare. This next book was just as sweet and full of important choices as the previous two books. I really liked the budding relationship between Mia and Cody, especially because Cody was so kind and patient with Mia. He was also patient with his father, who was still heartbroken about an unfortunate accident that claimed the lives of Mia’s husband and father-in-law. Though it was frustrating at times with the “will they or won’t they” aspect of Mia and Cody’s relationship, I enjoyed the story very much and highly recommend it and the rest of the series. I’m looking forward to the next book in!
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book for the publisher. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Natalie Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this series! Jonathon Island is the kind of fictional place I wish I could visit in real life. Mia and Cody’s story is an uphill, heart wrenching journey. Everything is stacked against them. After losing her husband in a boating accident, Mia is a single-mother in danger of losing their home. Cody’s been in love with Mia for as long as he can remember, but he stepped aside when she married his best friend, and what’s more, he feels responsible for Mia’s husband’s deadly accident. His guilt, as well as his love for Mia, pushes him to be there for her, to help her anyway he can, yet he keeps her at a distance, believing she’s the one woman he can never have. They both have so many spiritual and emotional obstacles to overcome, making their relationship all the more complicated but their HEA all the more meaningful.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited for Cody and Mia's story after meeting them in the first book of this series. It was clear that they had great chemistry and I was excited to see how Andrea would weave their story together.

After a bit of a slow start for me, I was not disappointed! I really enjoyed watching Cody grow in bravery and shed his guilt in order to win Mia's heart and fight for his place in her life. Likewise, I was rooting for Mia the whole time to succeed in her job of bringing new business to the island and to conquer her fears to be with Cody.

This friends to more romance was such a sweet second book to this series. I also loved that Liam and Dani played important roles in the romance between their friends, especially since Cody and Mia both played roles in the two of theirs. I'm excited to keep visiting Jonathan Island with the next four stories!

[It's Sunrise Again · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Me on Lilac Lane is a sweet friends to more romance. I love the childhood friends beginnings and the struggle of friendship with this season of life.

There are so many sweet moments in Meet Me on Lilac Lane that I enjoyed from Mia's kids being adorable, to the community of Jonathon Island, and of course Mia and Cody themselves.

I found the process of working to fill the shops and houses really interesting and it an unusual topic to take. I'm enjoying reading the journey of Jonathon Island's rebuilding process.

If you haven't already read Meet Me at The Grand I would highly recommend reading it first, as Dani and Liam are friends with both Mia and Cody.

I received a complimentary copy from Sunrise Publishing. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely series. The setting is beautiful. This particular story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

Cody and Mia are both struggling with grief. When Troy died, one lost his best friend. The other lost her husband. They both blame themselves. They both have to face the lies that swirl around in their heards before they can ever give their hearts to another.

While I liked this story, it did focus heavily on processing their grief. It brought up my own emotions surrounding grief and loss. I think others would probably relate to it as well. They're a couple that I was rooting for though, and I look forward to seeing how their relationship progresses as we see glimpses of them in future books.

[Rebekah Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

“…it's not good for you to try to do everything on your own. God made us
to be dependent on each other."

So true in the aspect of relationships, “Meet Me on Lilac Lane,” is written by Andrea Christenson and is a wonderful story on learning to trust the Lord and not being afraid to ask for help when we need it.
Oftentimes, we may think it as cowardly or we have a bit of pride in, “I can handle things myself,” when we fail to realize the desperation we may be in and the importance it is figuratively and sometimes spiritually to put that pride aside and just get the help we need.

Cody and Mia both learn these important aspects in their lives with the trials they go through.

Excellent read and well worth the time.

[Joan Arning · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying these sweet stories set on Jonathon Island! Jonathon Island used to be a thriving place but in recent years, it has gone downhill. Mia's husband drowned in a boating accident leaving her with two young children and a mortgage on their house. Cody works repairing buildings on Jonathon Island but he wants to have his own fishing business. He's been in love with Mia since they were teenagers but feels responsible for her husband's death. You will wonder if they can work through all of their guilt. I recommend Meet Me on Lilac Lane to others. I highly recommend Andrea Christenson's latest book. I received a complimentary e-book of Meet Me on Lilac Lane. This is my honest opinion.

[Jessica Baker (A Baker's Perspective) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mia and Cody's story was so sweet. I couldn't imagine being Mia - losing your husband, being a single parent, and just going through all the struggles that she had. But she did it, and just kept going. Then there's Cody. Sweet Cody. He had much to learn, but the way he cared for Mia just really got to my heart. **sigh**

Meet Me on Lilac Lane is a welcome addition to this lovely series. And though written by different authors, they have the same sort of feel to them, and at no point did I feel as if the stories didn't belong together. Christenson writes great tension, romance, and sweet settings. I thoroughly enjoyed this story!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Laura (kroosreadsandreviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this series on Jonathon Island! I couldn't wait to read more about Mia and Cody. Both characters have been deeply affected by the loss of Troy two years ago. Mia is now a widow with two young kids and Cody still feels that the accident was his fault.

It is so cool how the town is trying to influence people to come to the island by offering $1 home for starting a business. Mia and Cody both work so hard to try to make it happen.

I'd be silly not to point out who the real stars of the book are though, Finn and Maggie, are the two kids of Mia and they are just adorable.

Thanks to Sunrise Publishing for the arc. The opinions are my own.