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Dogwood Creek Matchmakers #5
Restoring Love
Sometimes it takes more than hard work and determination to fix matters of the heart.
When Hannah Bloom moves to Dogwood Creek, Tennessee, she’s determined to bring a fresh perspective to Candlescents, her Aunt Vicki’s struggling candle shop. Her happy childhood summers there fostered her deep love of creating pleasant, healing scents that evoke warm emotions and memories for others. Since she has no viable backup plan, Hannah prays her ideas breathe new life into the shop.
If Wyatt Stone can’t live up to his father’s expectations of joining the family legacy of professional, classical musicians, maybe he can earn the stubborn man’s respect. Skilled as a carpenter and passionate about working with his hands, Wyatt moves to Dogwood Creek to train with a master luthier who restores valuable stringed instruments. First, he must prove he has the patience and talent to perform the job well.
As shop neighbors, Hannah and Wyatt frequently cross paths. When he agrees to help with an important project in her store, spending time together is inevitable. Drawn to one another, their feelings begin to blossom amid unexpected challenges. Doing what’s right can sometimes be costly. Will they be able to overcome the daunting obstacles that stand in the way of their happily ever after?
Small-town charm and rediscovered dreams are always in season in Dogwood Creek, Tennessee.
When Hannah Bloom moves to Dogwood Creek, Tennessee, she’s determined to bring a fresh perspective to Candlescents, her Aunt Vicki’s struggling candle shop. Her happy childhood summers there fostered her deep love of creating pleasant, healing scents that evoke warm emotions and memories for others. Since she has no viable backup plan, Hannah prays her ideas breathe new life into the shop.
If Wyatt Stone can’t live up to his father’s expectations of joining the family legacy of professional, classical musicians, maybe he can earn the stubborn man’s respect. Skilled as a carpenter and passionate about working with his hands, Wyatt moves to Dogwood Creek to train with a master luthier who restores valuable stringed instruments. First, he must prove he has the patience and talent to perform the job well.
As shop neighbors, Hannah and Wyatt frequently cross paths. When he agrees to help with an important project in her store, spending time together is inevitable. Drawn to one another, their feelings begin to blossom amid unexpected challenges. Doing what’s right can sometimes be costly. Will they be able to overcome the daunting obstacles that stand in the way of their happily ever after?
Small-town charm and rediscovered dreams are always in season in Dogwood Creek, Tennessee.
- GenresChristian Fiction
151 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 4, 2025
7 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Dawn Kinzer
16 books120 followersDawn Kinzer writes fiction because she believes in the power of story to comfort, challenge, and inspire.
Her work has been published in the Christian Fiction Online Magazine, Backyard Friends magazine, The One Year Life Verse Devotional, A Joyful Heart: Experiencing the Light of His Love, and featured on the radio ministry, The Heartbeat of the Home.
Dawn’s historical romance series, The Daughters of Riverton, takes place in the early 1900s. The setting and some of the characters were inspired by her rural Wisconsin hometown. Sarah’s Smile is the first story in the series, Hope’s Design is the second, and Rebecca’s Song completes the trilogy. "Maggie's Miracle," is a historical short story that takes place in Riveron. By All Appearances is her contemporary romance set in Seattle, which is followed by the sequel, A Night Divine. The historical romance, With a Trusting Heart, was inspired by events that took place at the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo—Seattle’s first world’s fair.
A mother and grandmother, Dawn lives with her husband in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Favorite things include dark chocolate, cinnamon, popcorn, strong coffee, good wine, the mountains, family time, and Masterpiece Theatre.
Her work has been published in the Christian Fiction Online Magazine, Backyard Friends magazine, The One Year Life Verse Devotional, A Joyful Heart: Experiencing the Light of His Love, and featured on the radio ministry, The Heartbeat of the Home.
Dawn’s historical romance series, The Daughters of Riverton, takes place in the early 1900s. The setting and some of the characters were inspired by her rural Wisconsin hometown. Sarah’s Smile is the first story in the series, Hope’s Design is the second, and Rebecca’s Song completes the trilogy. "Maggie's Miracle," is a historical short story that takes place in Riveron. By All Appearances is her contemporary romance set in Seattle, which is followed by the sequel, A Night Divine. The historical romance, With a Trusting Heart, was inspired by events that took place at the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo—Seattle’s first world’s fair.
A mother and grandmother, Dawn lives with her husband in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Favorite things include dark chocolate, cinnamon, popcorn, strong coffee, good wine, the mountains, family time, and Masterpiece Theatre.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 12, 2025
A cute romance novella set in a small town in the Smoky Mountains? Sign me up! I loved being able to visit my happy place vicariously through the pages of Restoring Love by Dawn Kinzer, and I could easily picture the charming town of Dogwood Creek. Hannah and Aunt Vicki’s candle shop drew me right away as well, making me wish I could visit it in real life and may have resulted in my purchasing a couple of scented candles from my fave online shop just in case I was running low. (*May have = totally did. Running low = only if 8 or 9 candles is considered a dwindling supply.) The author gives both Hannah and Wyatt depth and heart, and readers will undoubtedly be rooting for their happily-ever-after as much as I was. This is a quick read, yes, but the character development doesn’t suffer for it. On the contrary, Hannah and Wyatt feel like real people who would be easy to befriend if they did in fact exist someplace other than in our imaginations.
My favorite part of this novella is actually the theme of restoration. And in Restoring Love that theme goes beyond its title. It goes beyond the work of the luthier on battered musical instruments. It even goes beyond the renovation work that Wyatt does at the candle shop or that Hannah does in revitalizing the business itself. It also tenderly reaches past the surface to touch the heart and soul of our characters… and hopefully readers too. We see it in Wyatt’s walk with God. In his relationship with his family. In Hannah’s dreams for the future. Kinzer is never heavy-handed with it but lets this restoration theme flow naturally from the characters’ backstories and their interactions with each other. It makes this sweet romance even more touching and puts the beauty of God’s grace – and HIS perfect restoration work – on gentle display.
Bottom Line: Restoring Love by Dawn Kinzer is a charming, small-town romance that blends gentle chemistry with a meaningful message of healing. The sense of peace that the Smoky Mountains evokes in me also awaits readers in the cozy world of Dogwood Creek, where Hannah and Wyatt’s story unfolds warmly and authentically despite the obstacles in their path. More than just a sweet romance though, this novella tenderly highlights God’s gentle work of restoration too – in relationships, in dreams, and in the deepest parts of the heart. An entertaining and uplifting read with a page count that’s manageable even in the busy seasons of life!
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited.)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
My favorite part of this novella is actually the theme of restoration. And in Restoring Love that theme goes beyond its title. It goes beyond the work of the luthier on battered musical instruments. It even goes beyond the renovation work that Wyatt does at the candle shop or that Hannah does in revitalizing the business itself. It also tenderly reaches past the surface to touch the heart and soul of our characters… and hopefully readers too. We see it in Wyatt’s walk with God. In his relationship with his family. In Hannah’s dreams for the future. Kinzer is never heavy-handed with it but lets this restoration theme flow naturally from the characters’ backstories and their interactions with each other. It makes this sweet romance even more touching and puts the beauty of God’s grace – and HIS perfect restoration work – on gentle display.
Bottom Line: Restoring Love by Dawn Kinzer is a charming, small-town romance that blends gentle chemistry with a meaningful message of healing. The sense of peace that the Smoky Mountains evokes in me also awaits readers in the cozy world of Dogwood Creek, where Hannah and Wyatt’s story unfolds warmly and authentically despite the obstacles in their path. More than just a sweet romance though, this novella tenderly highlights God’s gentle work of restoration too – in relationships, in dreams, and in the deepest parts of the heart. An entertaining and uplifting read with a page count that’s manageable even in the busy seasons of life!
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited.)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
August 6, 2025
I was blessed to get to be an early reader on this book. Dawn has done a great job of sharing a story filled with family tension and forgiveness. But will family keep 2 lovers apart?
It made me want to visit the candle shop and I learned about scents in the book.
I want to go back and read the others in this series.
It made me want to visit the candle shop and I learned about scents in the book.
I want to go back and read the others in this series.
September 1, 2025
A beautiful story written with beautiful words. I was hooked right from the start. The characters were so interesting but they each had their own unique personalities.
I loved that Hannah was trying to restore her aunt’s candle making business. I love scented candles and I burn them at my house. It just makes me feel better. Oh and restoring string instruments is a favorite subject for me too. I have played a bass guitar since I was 12 years old and my daddy played an acoustic and electric guitar so I love any and all instruments. Wyatt made it interesting because of how much he loved doing this. You have to have a love for things to be passionate about it.
I loved Hannah and Wyatt as a couple but individually too. Seemed like even with their problems they were such lovable characters.
Dogwood Tennessee seemed like a place you could live in, especially if you lived by these inspiring characters. Matter of fact the whole book was inspiring.
If you love Contemporary Christian Romance I would recommend this one.
I received a copy of this book from the author but was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I loved that Hannah was trying to restore her aunt’s candle making business. I love scented candles and I burn them at my house. It just makes me feel better. Oh and restoring string instruments is a favorite subject for me too. I have played a bass guitar since I was 12 years old and my daddy played an acoustic and electric guitar so I love any and all instruments. Wyatt made it interesting because of how much he loved doing this. You have to have a love for things to be passionate about it.
I loved Hannah and Wyatt as a couple but individually too. Seemed like even with their problems they were such lovable characters.
Dogwood Tennessee seemed like a place you could live in, especially if you lived by these inspiring characters. Matter of fact the whole book was inspiring.
If you love Contemporary Christian Romance I would recommend this one.
I received a copy of this book from the author but was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
September 4, 2025
Restoring Love by Dawn Kinzer is a heartfelt, tender story filled with charm, second chances, and the kind of small-town warmth that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page. I was completely swept up in the world of Dogwood Creek, Tennessee—a place so vividly drawn it felt like coming home.
Hannah Bloom is a relatable and inspiring heroine, determined to breathe new life into her aunt’s beloved but struggling candle shop. Her love of scent and the emotions it stirs is woven beautifully throughout the story, adding a unique sensory depth. Wyatt Stone, a gifted carpenter and luthier trying to forge a new path outside his father’s rigid expectations, is the kind of quietly strong and sincere character you can’t help but root for.
The chemistry between Hannah and Wyatt unfolds in such an organic, gentle way—sweet, with just enough tension and real-world stakes to keep the pages turning. Their journey is full of heart, faith, and the kind of emotional resonance that makes for a truly satisfying read.
Lovable characters, a beautiful message about finding your purpose and the power of forgiveness, set in the cozy community of Dogwood Creek make Restoring Love a delightful story I’d wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who enjoys clean romance with depth and warmth.
Hannah Bloom is a relatable and inspiring heroine, determined to breathe new life into her aunt’s beloved but struggling candle shop. Her love of scent and the emotions it stirs is woven beautifully throughout the story, adding a unique sensory depth. Wyatt Stone, a gifted carpenter and luthier trying to forge a new path outside his father’s rigid expectations, is the kind of quietly strong and sincere character you can’t help but root for.
The chemistry between Hannah and Wyatt unfolds in such an organic, gentle way—sweet, with just enough tension and real-world stakes to keep the pages turning. Their journey is full of heart, faith, and the kind of emotional resonance that makes for a truly satisfying read.
Lovable characters, a beautiful message about finding your purpose and the power of forgiveness, set in the cozy community of Dogwood Creek make Restoring Love a delightful story I’d wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who enjoys clean romance with depth and warmth.
August 15, 2025
Restoring Love by Dawn Kinzer is the type of story that leaves a smile on the face, even when it’s populated with real-life characters who struggle with self-esteem and trust issues.
For me, Wyatt in particular was an appealing character as he attempted to please his father and forgive the man’s attitude toward him. The demanding guy was certainly not a “Father of the Year” candidate. But like a luthier restoring a battered stringed instrument, with work, relationships can also be restored.
On the other hand, Hannah’s welcome and her concern for her aunt made it easy to see why Wyatt was attracted to her. No spoilers, but I loved the way he expressed his feelings for Hannah. Sweet!
This romance is a quick read but worth every minute. And I came away from it having learned a few things about two occupations I knew little about—restoring stringed instruments and making scented candles. In fact, as I read, I thought it might be nice to try making candles someday, as the women did in the class Hannah taught. I guess that means I was caught up in the story. :)
I received a copy of Restoring Love from the author. My opinions are my own.
For me, Wyatt in particular was an appealing character as he attempted to please his father and forgive the man’s attitude toward him. The demanding guy was certainly not a “Father of the Year” candidate. But like a luthier restoring a battered stringed instrument, with work, relationships can also be restored.
On the other hand, Hannah’s welcome and her concern for her aunt made it easy to see why Wyatt was attracted to her. No spoilers, but I loved the way he expressed his feelings for Hannah. Sweet!
This romance is a quick read but worth every minute. And I came away from it having learned a few things about two occupations I knew little about—restoring stringed instruments and making scented candles. In fact, as I read, I thought it might be nice to try making candles someday, as the women did in the class Hannah taught. I guess that means I was caught up in the story. :)
I received a copy of Restoring Love from the author. My opinions are my own.
September 9, 2025
A sweet story with plenty of emotion, story depth, and relational conundrum to keep readers wondering how this will turn out. In this book set in small town Tennessee, we meet the endearing Hannah Bloom (aptly named) who is determined to keep her aunt's scented candle shop afloat. But she can't do it alone. In comes the hero, Wyatt Stone, a carpenter with handy man skills who struggles to live up to his father's expectations. How can he when he's been repeatedly told he's fallen short by not upholding the family legacy of musical performance? What he really wants is to train as a master luthier—if he can prove himself patient enough. When Wyatt meets Hannah and agrees to fix things for her around the shop, sparks of interest fly between them. There's no shortage of genuine grace and forgiveness in this story. I read this book on an airplane and finished by the time I landed. Highly recommend the latest contemporary story by Dawn Kinzer!
August 7, 2025
What a sweet story! Candles and violins and love
What more could a reader want?!
A beautiful love story that i couldn't put down! Wow
I enjoyed in getting to know these characters Hannah and Wyatt and Aaron too.
I learned much about how the inner workings of the most beautiful instrument in the world in my opinion lol.
Kinzer has done her research well. I feel like I know my own instrument a lot better. I play the Viola.
I am adding this to my shelf of favorites!! Loved loved this book! So different and yet it full filled my soul.
Oh and the candles were a welcome addition too. I felt like I could smell them coming from the pages. My favorite pumpkin spice and apple cinnamon? Yummy lol
5 stars from me for a job well done.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
I highly recommend!
What more could a reader want?!
A beautiful love story that i couldn't put down! Wow
I enjoyed in getting to know these characters Hannah and Wyatt and Aaron too.
I learned much about how the inner workings of the most beautiful instrument in the world in my opinion lol.
Kinzer has done her research well. I feel like I know my own instrument a lot better. I play the Viola.
I am adding this to my shelf of favorites!! Loved loved this book! So different and yet it full filled my soul.
Oh and the candles were a welcome addition too. I felt like I could smell them coming from the pages. My favorite pumpkin spice and apple cinnamon? Yummy lol
5 stars from me for a job well done.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
I highly recommend!
September 7, 2025
Another wonderful story set in Dogwood Creek. I was intrigued by the Candlescents store and Hannah and her Aunt Vicki. Their love for each other and Hannah's ability for candle making and the various scents she created are inspirational. I couldn't put it down.
There is a sweet budding romance that comes at a time when Hannah is very busy with implementing her ideas. Serenity Strings luthier made the book very interesting, and his apprentice, Wyatt, had issues of his own. Put Hannah and Wyatt together, and a whole host of complications take place. I was glued to the pages, wondering what twist their relationship would take next.
The richness of God's grace and restoration was beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. The ending was wonderful and wrapped everything up nicely. Highly recommended.
There is a sweet budding romance that comes at a time when Hannah is very busy with implementing her ideas. Serenity Strings luthier made the book very interesting, and his apprentice, Wyatt, had issues of his own. Put Hannah and Wyatt together, and a whole host of complications take place. I was glued to the pages, wondering what twist their relationship would take next.
The richness of God's grace and restoration was beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. The ending was wonderful and wrapped everything up nicely. Highly recommended.
August 21, 2025
Dawn has done it again! These characters are well rounded and feel like friends and neighbors. I definitely wish I could take one of the planned candle making classes.
I love how Dawn always thoroughly investigates the jobs or interests of her characters. I loved the details about candle making and repairing violins….both of which sound very interesting and flow very well into the theme of the story.
And the theme of the story…wow. Haven’t we all had some type of relationship that needs mending? Or forgiveness? This is so well done here…giving a little tension here and there.
I’m excited to read the story of the other characters in this town as well!
I received a complimentary copy from the author. All comments are my own.
I love how Dawn always thoroughly investigates the jobs or interests of her characters. I loved the details about candle making and repairing violins….both of which sound very interesting and flow very well into the theme of the story.
And the theme of the story…wow. Haven’t we all had some type of relationship that needs mending? Or forgiveness? This is so well done here…giving a little tension here and there.
I’m excited to read the story of the other characters in this town as well!
I received a complimentary copy from the author. All comments are my own.
September 3, 2025
Hannah and her aunt Vicki own Candlescents, a specialty hand crafted candle shop. Next door is the shop Serenity Springs where Aaron Grant repairs stringed musical instruments. When Wyatt comes to work for Aaron he and Hannah soon meet.
Hannah is worried about finding the money to pay for expensive repairs the candle shop needs. Wyatt has an estranged relationship with his father that is causing him anguish. Can the two of these young people open up enough to share their concerns and admit they are drawn to each other?
This was a sweet romance between the younger couple as well as between Vicki and Aaron.
Hannah is worried about finding the money to pay for expensive repairs the candle shop needs. Wyatt has an estranged relationship with his father that is causing him anguish. Can the two of these young people open up enough to share their concerns and admit they are drawn to each other?
This was a sweet romance between the younger couple as well as between Vicki and Aaron.
September 4, 2025
Restoring Love by Dawn Liner is about Gods plans for our lives and weather we are going to help those plans or be a hindrance! The Candle shop needs repairs but there's not enough business to pay for repairs, the Serenity Strings shop needs a mentor because there's too much business. "The Lord will provide, always has, always will." Just one of the quotes I underlined in this book!
Broken relationships are also something of a problem in this small town. Does God "provide" there, also?
This is not a large book, but one you will remember!
Broken relationships are also something of a problem in this small town. Does God "provide" there, also?
This is not a large book, but one you will remember!
September 4, 2025
There’s a lot to be said about a beautifully crafted sentence. And there are plenty of them in Dawn Kinzer’s latest contemporary Christian romance novella.
Not only was her prose music to my ears, but the depth of her characters and the richness of God’s grace in their lives made this, at least for me, her best story yet.
And let’s not forget about the setting. Kinzer filled her Dogwood Creek, Tennessee, neighborhood with scented candles, musical instruments, colorful flowers, scrumptious treats, supportive friends, and two lonely hearts seeking their purpose. (I got so caught up in the story, I went shopping for candles!)
Hannah and Wyatt were the perfect couple. Both loved and cared for others. Both carried scars. Both wanted to make the world a better place. Wyatt, a luthier, repaired damaged instruments. Hannah made aromatherapy candles. I learned a lot about their vocations.
In Restoring Love, Kinzer does an excellent job of tackling loss, nepotism, and heartache with grace, truth, and love, ultimately bringing her readers to a perfect ending.
I received a copy of Restoring Love from the author. My opinions are my own. I also purchased a copy.
Not only was her prose music to my ears, but the depth of her characters and the richness of God’s grace in their lives made this, at least for me, her best story yet.
And let’s not forget about the setting. Kinzer filled her Dogwood Creek, Tennessee, neighborhood with scented candles, musical instruments, colorful flowers, scrumptious treats, supportive friends, and two lonely hearts seeking their purpose. (I got so caught up in the story, I went shopping for candles!)
Hannah and Wyatt were the perfect couple. Both loved and cared for others. Both carried scars. Both wanted to make the world a better place. Wyatt, a luthier, repaired damaged instruments. Hannah made aromatherapy candles. I learned a lot about their vocations.
In Restoring Love, Kinzer does an excellent job of tackling loss, nepotism, and heartache with grace, truth, and love, ultimately bringing her readers to a perfect ending.
I received a copy of Restoring Love from the author. My opinions are my own. I also purchased a copy.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews