Saving Home

Alder Creek #2

by Ginnie Carmichael

This city developer picked the wrong small town.

Nathaniel Westbrook might have charm, expensive suits, and plans to turn Alder Creek into a luxury ski resort, but he's never met someone like me. Emily Spencer doesn't back down.

When the town council ropes me into supervising his research for a week, I plan to make his life miserable. Every building code. Every zoning violation. Whatever it takes to send him packing.

The problem is, he’s nothing like I expected. Instead of brushing me off, he listens. Instead of ignoring the community, he shows up at our spring fair meeting. And instead of treating me like an obstacle, he looks at me like I’m a puzzle he’s dying to solve.

I know I should keep things professional and stay focused on saving Alder Creek. But he's the first man who doesn't flinch when I dig in my heels, who meets my fire with his own.

Now I have to keep fighting him to protect everything I love, or take the biggest risk of my life and trust him with both my town and my heart.

Saving Home is the second novel in the Alder Creek series. It’s a cozy small-town romance with all the sizzling chemistry and none of the spice. Each book can be read on its own, but you'll see familiar faces along the way

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2025

About the author

Ginnie Carmichael writes sweet small-town romance, the perfect blend of cozy and swoon-worthy. After years of traveling as a digital nomad, she’s now happily settled with her two cats, plenty of coffee, and endless love stories to tell.

When she’s not writing, she’s daydreaming new romances, curled up with a book, or unwinding with a cozy video game.

Reviews

[Leah Pretty Pistolz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes:
❤️Enemies to Lovers
🎿Small Town
❤️Cute and Cozy
🎿Forced Proximity
❤️Closed Door

Where you can find it:
Amazon, Kobo, Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play, B&N, and Indigo/Chapters for Kobo!

Rating:
4.5 ⭐️ 1🌶️

Review:
I loved everything about this story, chefs kiss 😘 Saving Home is the 2nd book in the Alder Creek series by Ginnie Carmichael and today is its release day! This story is so cute and has the cozy vibes, it had me wanting to curl up with a nice blanket and coffee by a fire 🫶

The way Nate and Emily met has me smitten and there characters I just love! Nate has plans to turn Adler Creek into a luxury Ski Resort and ends up going up against our feisty Emily who's trying to save home! She try's to not make it an easy process for Nate but in the long run he ends up standing up for what's right and saves Alder Creek and steals Emily heart will he's at it 🫶❤️

Thank you Ginnie for having me on your ARC team! 🫶

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book so much!!

I loved how the main characters met. I loved how Nate stood up for what is right.

I loved Emily the most!! She helped Nate even though she wanted nothing to do with him and could have kept her mouth closed.

The supporting characters were fabulous.

Great read. I am looking forward to the next book.

[Amber Cheek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review

If anything I love more than anything in small towns. I didn't get to understand small towns and the love of the community of them until I moved to one with my husband while pregnant with my first child 7 years ago. I admire Emily's character so much. She is bold, a strong woman, fights for what she cares about and cares about her town. It's not easy to stand up for something you care about. Emily doesn't shy away from danger no matter how complicated it gets. Nate is what you called born with a spoon in his mouth or just raised with everything he needed. He works for the company his father put together. When Emily and Nate met at a sports bar, I thought it was funny because Emily was coming back from a bad date and then ran into a man who didn't match the place she was in. Then a kiss that they exchanged and it never left their finds from that day on. Finding out why Nate was in her town was frustrating because he is a nice guy but his vision for the project of the town wasn't on the right path at the time. I understand why Emily could be furious because she grew up in the town. Nate was a nice guy from the start, but he needed to understand the town more. Despite Emily hating the idea of being near Nate again. She taught him the values and importance of the town. Once he spent time with Emily more and the townspeople. He got to understand the community more and the town. His father, the devil himself, has no heart, no compassion, and he thinks paying off anyone is solving all his problems. Emily and Nate were meant to be in the beginning but misunderstandings are what broke them apart for a while, I'm glad towards the end, they both made up. Nate did the right thing turning in his father and now he uses the money for better uses of program scholarships for students and more job opportunities. Come read this book if you love small town romances with a rich guy and a small town girl falling in love. And a town that is in protection.

[Nicole Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saving Home is a delightful and refreshing small town romance that takes place in Alder Creek. Emily and Nate have a chance meeting in another town after Emily leaves a bad blind date. They hit it off immediately; their chemistry undeniable. Imagine their surprise when they come face to face the following day at Alder Creek town hall. Now Emily sees Nate as the enemy. He hopes to show her they could be so much more.

I love Emily and Nate’s story! Saving Home is like the perfect Hallmark movie - fun banter, low angst, sweet romance, conflict but not drama, kisses only. I love everything about how Emily and Nate met. I was endeared to them from the beginning. Emily is strong and confident, but not unyielding. Nate is charming but also genuine and sincere. I like how he is always so quick to jump in and offer solutions. Emily and Nate are constantly going toe to toe, both quick to challenge the other, but they also have mutual respect for one another. The tension between them is almost palpable. I love how well Nate fits in with Emily’s brother and friends.

I fell in love with Alder Creek right along with Nate. This is book 2 of the series but the first one I’ve read. I’ve already purchased book 1 - Returning Home. I’m excited to go back and read Evan and Abby’s story. I can’t wait to read Conner’s story next.

[Hayley Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Emily and Nate’s story! The developer forced to work with the the person trying to save the town after a already formed connection is fun and felt like a hallmark movie, which I loved. I really liked these two together and I loved following their journey and learning about Alder ridge through their eyes along with Nate. I also appreciated that these “enemies” were mature and rather than disrespectful to one another, they listened to their points openly and tried to help each other. Ginnie also did an amazing job introducing and developing the characters so that their actions and reactions, though somewhat frustrating at times, were understandable. The ending was the perfect conclusion to the start of this beautiful story and relationship and I can’t wait to read more!

[Nathalie DeSousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the first book of this series, so I was happy to see Emily as the female lead in this story along with Nate. They met in a blind date and hit it off, so imagine the surprise when he comes into Alder Creek with a new project and she is tasked with supervising him... so it goes from attraction to unwanted enemy, but he makes it hard for her to hate him. This story has a humorous undertone, banter, and the interactions between them are always laced with chemistry. This book keeps expanding on the small town vibes as well as introduces new elements and characters that add richness to the story, Beautiful love story!.

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

[DreadQueen CinnamonRoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! Sweet as pie, and just as yummy, this book is one you won't want to put down. The characters are lovable and the plot is intriguing. The character development they both go through is heartwarming, and Ginnie Carmichael is one of the few authors I will read TABs from. As much as I love reading the spicy books, these stories absolutely slay on their own without it, and I love that about these books. The heartfelt moments are sweet, and nothing feels like it's missing. Book 2 is a smashing addition to the Alder Creek series, and I cannot wait for book 3!.

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

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet and wonderful romance in a cozy small town Alder Creek. The characters were relatable, authentic and likable. The story is full of all kinds of goodness with an interesting story line, romance, fun witty banter and enough conflict to keep you turning pages. A well written, really good book! Loving this series.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not get enough of this book! Strong female characters are huge for me and Emily is a no nonsense force of nature. This book has plenty of battles, but the tender moments of care and connection balance them out perfectly. Add in the charm and support of the Alder Creek community, and this book is a winner.

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

[Danika Bellemare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone needs to turn this book into a movie right now! The small town feels, the witty banter, the tension between the MMC & the FMC.

The way Ginnie writes surprises me every time. I can picture everything perfectly.

*I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Rosi Armas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its a funny and sweet story about finding love when you least expected. I love the characters, especially Emily, who is dedicated to her business, family and friends 🧡.

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

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. I love how Emily and Nate met. I also love their resolution. Great romance!.

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

[Breanna Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much....super cute. watching their relationship grow was awesome. I can't wait to continue this series.