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The Handyman’s Sweetheart
He’s her childhood best friend. She’s the reason he never stopped looking back. Can an old inn and a few love letters give them the future they were always meant to have?
Ellie Harper has spent her life keeping Harper House—her family’s lakeside inn—afloat. But with repairs piling up and bookings dwindling, saving it feels impossible. The last thing she needs is Lucas Morgan, the boy who once swore he’d always be there… right before he left town without a word.
Lucas never planned to stay away forever. Now a skilled restoration expert, he’s back for the summer—and determined to prove he’s not the same guy who walked away. Helping Ellie fix the inn is easy. Earning back her trust? That might take a little more time.
As they unearth long-lost love letters hidden in the attic, Ellie and Lucas find themselves drawn into a decades-old romance—one that feels eerily familiar. With every repair, every shared memory, and every lingering glance, their own story starts to rebuild itself.
But when Lucas’s past comes calling, will he leave again? Or will Harper House finally give them a reason to stay?
A swoon-worthy second chance romance packed with small-town charm, slow-burn tension, and a love that refuses to be forgotten.
Ellie Harper has spent her life keeping Harper House—her family’s lakeside inn—afloat. But with repairs piling up and bookings dwindling, saving it feels impossible. The last thing she needs is Lucas Morgan, the boy who once swore he’d always be there… right before he left town without a word.
Lucas never planned to stay away forever. Now a skilled restoration expert, he’s back for the summer—and determined to prove he’s not the same guy who walked away. Helping Ellie fix the inn is easy. Earning back her trust? That might take a little more time.
As they unearth long-lost love letters hidden in the attic, Ellie and Lucas find themselves drawn into a decades-old romance—one that feels eerily familiar. With every repair, every shared memory, and every lingering glance, their own story starts to rebuild itself.
But when Lucas’s past comes calling, will he leave again? Or will Harper House finally give them a reason to stay?
A swoon-worthy second chance romance packed with small-town charm, slow-burn tension, and a love that refuses to be forgotten.
79 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 29, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 5, 2025
3.5 - 4 *
Since Ellie's parents died, she had been struggling to keep Harper House open for travelers and guests. When Lucas arrives back in town, he won't be swayed from fixing what needs to be done.
As this is really short (lunch time short) and can't say much more as it would give it away. After reading a heavy suspense before this, my heart was kept in place with a steady rhythm by Ellie and Lucas.
This author kept the pace and reconciliation so smooth and I enjoyed the calmness. I will keep an eye out for more from this author.
Since Ellie's parents died, she had been struggling to keep Harper House open for travelers and guests. When Lucas arrives back in town, he won't be swayed from fixing what needs to be done.
As this is really short (lunch time short) and can't say much more as it would give it away. After reading a heavy suspense before this, my heart was kept in place with a steady rhythm by Ellie and Lucas.
This author kept the pace and reconciliation so smooth and I enjoyed the calmness. I will keep an eye out for more from this author.
March 8, 2026
This story had so much promise but it was soooooo rushed. There’s a ton of backstory missing and along with it the current moments jump forward way too quickly. There are also characters who are talked about as if you should know who they are and why there is issue with them, but you don’t. The author basically assumes you know the story so why tell you any additional information.
If the author actually took the time to flush out the story and these missing pieces, this would have been a really good book. Which is the only reason why it got 2 stars and not 1.
If the author actually took the time to flush out the story and these missing pieces, this would have been a really good book. Which is the only reason why it got 2 stars and not 1.
May 1, 2025
Sweet
It was a sweet read before bed. Ellie is feeling very defeated by the pressure of her circumstances when Lucas returns to help repair the inn and just maybe for her. I enjoyed this nice short story although it felt a little disjointed in a place or two. It may have needed another chapter to properly smooth everything out.
It was a sweet read before bed. Ellie is feeling very defeated by the pressure of her circumstances when Lucas returns to help repair the inn and just maybe for her. I enjoyed this nice short story although it felt a little disjointed in a place or two. It may have needed another chapter to properly smooth everything out.
July 2, 2025
Such beautiful writing! I loved the sentence structures and the flow. They are a very sweet couple, and I'd loved the emotional depth that this little book plumbed.
However, I felt discombobulated at times with the passages of time. Statements such as saying Lucas had always been there for her... but hadn't he left? Little things that seemed to puzzle me came out toward the end.
However, I felt discombobulated at times with the passages of time. Statements such as saying Lucas had always been there for her... but hadn't he left? Little things that seemed to puzzle me came out toward the end.
May 5, 2025
A quick read novella
The difficulty with novellas are that it can be challenging to really feel you get to know and understand the characters. If this had been a little longer it would have allowed me to feel that the emotions between the two main characters were real.
The difficulty with novellas are that it can be challenging to really feel you get to know and understand the characters. If this had been a little longer it would have allowed me to feel that the emotions between the two main characters were real.
September 5, 2025
Cute, quick read. I appreciated the sentiment of the story. I would have loved more on the letters, who wrote them, what happened to them, did they ever find out anything? I was left with so many questions.
February 14, 2026
Lucas and Ellie - This second in series features a Cedarwood Valley couple who were childhood besties. A clean shorty that can be enjoyed by anyone who loves a good story without naughty language or deeds.
May 31, 2025
Super cute book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews