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Between the Pages: an Elderberry Ridge meets Coral Bay prequel novella
Maggie Reynolds is signing retirement papers and packing up thirty years of teaching memories when grief threatens to overwhelm her newfound freedom. Three years after losing her beloved husband Robert, she's been going through the motions of living—until she discovers the perfect brick building for the bookstore they'd always dreamed of opening together. Can a sixty-two-year-old widow really start over with nothing but determination and a head full of literary dreams?
When Maggie takes the leap and buys the abandoned newspaper building in charming Thistlepoint, she's determined to create something meaningful. Between the Pages will be more than just a bookstore—it will connect the three mountain communities of Elderberry Ridge, Thistlepoint, and Coral Bay through the stories that bind them together.
But Maggie discovers she's not renovating alone. A chance encounter over Pride and Prejudice introduces her to James Harrison, a widowed marine biologist carrying his own quiet heartache. As their friendship deepens over shared books and gentle conversations, Maggie begins to wonder if her new chapter might include an unexpected love story.
Meanwhile, Emma Collins, a young teacher with a green thumb and a wounded heart, searches desperately for both a home and the courage to trust her dreams again. And Liam Walker, a gifted landscaper rebuilding his family's legacy one garden at a time, might be exactly what she needs—if fate will finally let them meet.
A heartwarming small-town romance about second chances, the healing power of books, and discovering that the best stories are the ones still waiting to be written.
—————————————————————————————————————
A World Introduction Novella
The perfect starting point for both the Elderberry Ridge and Coral Bay series
Clean Romance Second-Chance Love Small Town Feel-Good Fiction
When Maggie takes the leap and buys the abandoned newspaper building in charming Thistlepoint, she's determined to create something meaningful. Between the Pages will be more than just a bookstore—it will connect the three mountain communities of Elderberry Ridge, Thistlepoint, and Coral Bay through the stories that bind them together.
But Maggie discovers she's not renovating alone. A chance encounter over Pride and Prejudice introduces her to James Harrison, a widowed marine biologist carrying his own quiet heartache. As their friendship deepens over shared books and gentle conversations, Maggie begins to wonder if her new chapter might include an unexpected love story.
Meanwhile, Emma Collins, a young teacher with a green thumb and a wounded heart, searches desperately for both a home and the courage to trust her dreams again. And Liam Walker, a gifted landscaper rebuilding his family's legacy one garden at a time, might be exactly what she needs—if fate will finally let them meet.
A heartwarming small-town romance about second chances, the healing power of books, and discovering that the best stories are the ones still waiting to be written.
—————————————————————————————————————
A World Introduction Novella
The perfect starting point for both the Elderberry Ridge and Coral Bay series
Clean Romance Second-Chance Love Small Town Feel-Good Fiction
102 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2025
39 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 13, 2025
A charming novella that can be read as a quick stand alone or as a prequel to either the Elderberry Ridge or Coral Bay Series by author, Charity Farmer.
Maggie was an English teacher in Elderberry Ridge for 30 years. He husband passed a few years ago and she has decided to retire and open the bookstore they dreamed about.
James is a retired marine biologist who’s still grieving the loss of his wife from cancer, three years ago. Even tho’ he’s helping his daughter take over the family charter business, it’s not enough to keep him occupied. He takes his wife’s favorite book, (PRIDE and PREJUDICE), out for a walk and ends up having a quiet visit with a cup of coffee in a local shop in the next town over.
Maggie has been scouting real estate locations for a long time but remembers a place her husband tho’t would be a perfect bookstore. It is in Thistlepoint, the next town over. After a busy day visiting the building and the bank, Maggie decides a cup of tea is just what she needs. While resting at a small table, enjoying the view of the harbor, Maggie notices an handsome man reading her favorite book - guess what it is?
BETWEEN THE PAGES is a very quick read that introduces readers to the characters that will be featured in the series I mentioned above. The themes are: second chance at love, small town fiction, clean romance. There are no sexual encounters or foul language in this volume.
Aside from Maggie and Jim, there’s a young teacher who rents Maggie’s house and might have romantic interest in a gardening expert that did work on the bookstore, Jim’s daughter and the contractor who rehabbed the store. They will each play anchor roles in the two series mentioned. Elderberry Ridge, Coral Bay and Thistlepoint are the three towns where everyone lives and works with the book store, BETWEEN THE PAGES, being a link for uniting people and neighborhoods📚
Maggie was an English teacher in Elderberry Ridge for 30 years. He husband passed a few years ago and she has decided to retire and open the bookstore they dreamed about.
James is a retired marine biologist who’s still grieving the loss of his wife from cancer, three years ago. Even tho’ he’s helping his daughter take over the family charter business, it’s not enough to keep him occupied. He takes his wife’s favorite book, (PRIDE and PREJUDICE), out for a walk and ends up having a quiet visit with a cup of coffee in a local shop in the next town over.
Maggie has been scouting real estate locations for a long time but remembers a place her husband tho’t would be a perfect bookstore. It is in Thistlepoint, the next town over. After a busy day visiting the building and the bank, Maggie decides a cup of tea is just what she needs. While resting at a small table, enjoying the view of the harbor, Maggie notices an handsome man reading her favorite book - guess what it is?
BETWEEN THE PAGES is a very quick read that introduces readers to the characters that will be featured in the series I mentioned above. The themes are: second chance at love, small town fiction, clean romance. There are no sexual encounters or foul language in this volume.
Aside from Maggie and Jim, there’s a young teacher who rents Maggie’s house and might have romantic interest in a gardening expert that did work on the bookstore, Jim’s daughter and the contractor who rehabbed the store. They will each play anchor roles in the two series mentioned. Elderberry Ridge, Coral Bay and Thistlepoint are the three towns where everyone lives and works with the book store, BETWEEN THE PAGES, being a link for uniting people and neighborhoods📚
October 17, 2025
Enjoyed reading this book.
October 7, 2025
A Wholesome Story About New Beginnings
This brief story introduces us to 6 characters that I imagine are featured in Coral Bay and Elderberry Ridge. Most of these characters share the common theme of starting new chapters in their life.
There are romantic undertones, but if you are reading for spice, this is not the book for you. It is wholesome and pure throughout, and much of the focus is on new directions in life and genuine connection between communities.
It was nice to see honestly about some of the struggles and required effort in the undertaking of some of the characters' dream projects, and seeing everyone's individual skillsets work together to make Between the Pages a reality was really refreshing.
Actually, the gardening information in the book inspired me to start looking into native plants that we could nurture in our own yard. My husband has gotten really into gardening lately, so he was thrilled when I expressed interest in contributing to the landscape with him. That actually leads me to another aspect I loved about the book, which was Robert's support of his late wife Catherine's passion for literature even when he himself was more of a non-fiction guy. The detail about them excitedly looking for antique books together was one of my favorite parts.
I think one of my favorite lines in the books sums up the connections in the story quite nicely, as well as Maggie's overall goal with her new bookshop:
"Sometimes the simplest shared interests could build meaningful connections."
Overall this is a short, sweet, and meaningful read that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys stories about community, connections, and new beginnings.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout in exchange for an honest review.
This brief story introduces us to 6 characters that I imagine are featured in Coral Bay and Elderberry Ridge. Most of these characters share the common theme of starting new chapters in their life.
There are romantic undertones, but if you are reading for spice, this is not the book for you. It is wholesome and pure throughout, and much of the focus is on new directions in life and genuine connection between communities.
It was nice to see honestly about some of the struggles and required effort in the undertaking of some of the characters' dream projects, and seeing everyone's individual skillsets work together to make Between the Pages a reality was really refreshing.
Actually, the gardening information in the book inspired me to start looking into native plants that we could nurture in our own yard. My husband has gotten really into gardening lately, so he was thrilled when I expressed interest in contributing to the landscape with him. That actually leads me to another aspect I loved about the book, which was Robert's support of his late wife Catherine's passion for literature even when he himself was more of a non-fiction guy. The detail about them excitedly looking for antique books together was one of my favorite parts.
I think one of my favorite lines in the books sums up the connections in the story quite nicely, as well as Maggie's overall goal with her new bookshop:
"Sometimes the simplest shared interests could build meaningful connections."
Overall this is a short, sweet, and meaningful read that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys stories about community, connections, and new beginnings.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout in exchange for an honest review.
November 29, 2025
Quick introduction:
This short, sweet prequel whet my appetite and I enjoyed getting to know some of these small town characters. It centered around Maggie and the opening of her new bookstore but also introduced others who will no doubt be featured in upcoming books. It will be interesting to see Maggie's match making skills at work!
I did find it a little repetitive in places, but then the story also jumped ahead without giving backstory. It was also rather predictable and everything worked out a bit too perfectly.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This short, sweet prequel whet my appetite and I enjoyed getting to know some of these small town characters. It centered around Maggie and the opening of her new bookstore but also introduced others who will no doubt be featured in upcoming books. It will be interesting to see Maggie's match making skills at work!
I did find it a little repetitive in places, but then the story also jumped ahead without giving backstory. It was also rather predictable and everything worked out a bit too perfectly.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 30, 2025
Beautifully written 📚⚓️😍‼️“….the bookstore stood ready to welcome new beginnings. A bridge between mountains and sea, past and future, endings and possibilities yet to be discovered.” Between the Pages: An Elderberry Ridge Meets Coral Bay Prequel Novella was such a pleasant read & entertaining the old & new adventures of life. …serendipity’s trifecta 🤩‼️
October 20, 2025
4.25*
This was an endearing read. This just left me feeling good. The author painted a lovely picture of both the characters and their world. Made my day.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout in exchange for an honest review.
This was an endearing read. This just left me feeling good. The author painted a lovely picture of both the characters and their world. Made my day.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2025
The perfect melding of books and community.
You might just Find yourself thinking of actually making your dreams come true as you read this happening Between the Pages.
You might just Find yourself thinking of actually making your dreams come true as you read this happening Between the Pages.
September 30, 2025
Great read. I love a good, interesting book about people coming together and helping each other. Plus a bit of romance
September 30, 2025
As an avid reader and bookstore lover this story was perfect for me despite a few grammatical issues.
October 4, 2025
cute
The seeds of a great series planted in this lovely book. The characters are interesting. Can’t wait to read the rest.
The seeds of a great series planted in this lovely book. The characters are interesting. Can’t wait to read the rest.
October 18, 2025
A nice cozy book to read on a warm fall day.
I enjoyed this story. The characters were well developed & interesting. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series.
I enjoyed this story. The characters were well developed & interesting. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series.
October 30, 2025
Slow, easy read
Interesting prequel setting up future book titles. Introduces many interesting characters, and story lines, that will be interesting to explore.
Interesting prequel setting up future book titles. Introduces many interesting characters, and story lines, that will be interesting to explore.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews