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The Strawberry Field
When the world breaks your faith, where do you go to begin again?
Dr. Sawyer Berkley once believed in her calling as a healer. But after losing far too many patients during a devastating medical crisis, she’s left doubting everything—her purpose, her abilities, even her future in medicine. No longer trusting herself, she escapes New York City for the quiet solace of Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia… and the lake house her parents left her.
She hasn’t been back since the summer her brother Tommy died. Her plan is ready the house for sale and finally close that chapter of her life. But a chance encounter with Jake Rowan—her brother’s best friend and a living reminder of all she’s tried to forget—changes everything.
Jake has built a grounded, quietly hopeful life on the lake. He recognizes the grief behind Sawyer’s eyes because he carries some of it himself. As their lives begin to intertwine, he shows her that healing can come in unexpected forms—and that even the deepest losses can lead us back to love, hope, and home.
A heartfelt and deeply moving story of second chances, The Strawberry Field invites you to believe that even after great sorrow, the heart can find its way forward again.
Dr. Sawyer Berkley once believed in her calling as a healer. But after losing far too many patients during a devastating medical crisis, she’s left doubting everything—her purpose, her abilities, even her future in medicine. No longer trusting herself, she escapes New York City for the quiet solace of Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia… and the lake house her parents left her.
She hasn’t been back since the summer her brother Tommy died. Her plan is ready the house for sale and finally close that chapter of her life. But a chance encounter with Jake Rowan—her brother’s best friend and a living reminder of all she’s tried to forget—changes everything.
Jake has built a grounded, quietly hopeful life on the lake. He recognizes the grief behind Sawyer’s eyes because he carries some of it himself. As their lives begin to intertwine, he shows her that healing can come in unexpected forms—and that even the deepest losses can lead us back to love, hope, and home.
A heartfelt and deeply moving story of second chances, The Strawberry Field invites you to believe that even after great sorrow, the heart can find its way forward again.
- GenresRomance
210 pages, Paperback
Published December 2, 2025
About the author
Inglath Cooper
69 books955 followersVirginia author Inglath Cooper fell in love with reading as a little girl, devouring most of the books in her elementary school library. At some point, she decided she wanted to pursue a writing career, creating romance fiction that did for others what her favorite books have done for her. “I love character-driven books that leave me feeling as if I’ve really known these people and make me wish I didn’t have to turn the last page.”
“Romance fiction has always appealed to me because it deals with so many of the relationships in a woman’s life. Not only the love of her life, but often her relationship with her mother, sister or best friend. Romance authors have so much room to explore many of the meaningful moments and transitions in women’s lives. And who doesn’t love a good love story?”
Inglath most often writes stories about love and life that are set in small Virginia towns like the one where she grew up. “I like to think the flavor of my hometown shows up in my books both in their setting and through the characters who people it.”
When aspiring writers ask her how to be an author, she says, “Everything I know about writing books I learned from reading books.”
Inglath has been chosen as a RITA® Award winner for best long contemporary romance novel given out each year by Romance Writers of America. Her books are available through Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, itunes.com, and Kobobooks.com.
Outside of writing, Inglath is actively involved in dog rescue, working with The Franklin County Humane Society to place dogs and cats in need of rehoming. She volunteers her time in every capacity possible: serving on the Board of Directors, fundraising, photographing dogs and cats available for adoption and serving as a foster home. “Helping an abused or neglected dog go on to have a wonderful life with a family who loves them is more rewarding than I can possibly say.”
“Romance fiction has always appealed to me because it deals with so many of the relationships in a woman’s life. Not only the love of her life, but often her relationship with her mother, sister or best friend. Romance authors have so much room to explore many of the meaningful moments and transitions in women’s lives. And who doesn’t love a good love story?”
Inglath most often writes stories about love and life that are set in small Virginia towns like the one where she grew up. “I like to think the flavor of my hometown shows up in my books both in their setting and through the characters who people it.”
When aspiring writers ask her how to be an author, she says, “Everything I know about writing books I learned from reading books.”
Inglath has been chosen as a RITA® Award winner for best long contemporary romance novel given out each year by Romance Writers of America. Her books are available through Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, itunes.com, and Kobobooks.com.
Outside of writing, Inglath is actively involved in dog rescue, working with The Franklin County Humane Society to place dogs and cats in need of rehoming. She volunteers her time in every capacity possible: serving on the Board of Directors, fundraising, photographing dogs and cats available for adoption and serving as a foster home. “Helping an abused or neglected dog go on to have a wonderful life with a family who loves them is more rewarding than I can possibly say.”
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 12, 2025
A book of healing
I'm not sure what I expected when I started reading this book. Maybe just another easy read. It was so much more. The early days of Covid were a scary time but what was going on in the big cities seemed far away. We saw it on the news but it didn't really impact us. This book brought that to life.
I'm not sure what I expected when I started reading this book. Maybe just another easy read. It was so much more. The early days of Covid were a scary time but what was going on in the big cities seemed far away. We saw it on the news but it didn't really impact us. This book brought that to life.
January 10, 2026
This is a second-chance romance.
I loved the intro and how the author set the scene surrounding the pandemic. The word choices and language throughout the book were top-notch. Around the midpoint, things seem to speed up and take a turn that's interesting but disappointing also because at that point we see very little. The book probably should have had at least two more chapters to help close out Sawyer fully getting past the demons and seeing a little more of the couple together.
They moved so fast and decisions were made a little too quickly to be believable. But if the only bad thing you can say about a book is there should have been more pages, that's not all bad.
I loved the intro and how the author set the scene surrounding the pandemic. The word choices and language throughout the book were top-notch. Around the midpoint, things seem to speed up and take a turn that's interesting but disappointing also because at that point we see very little. The book probably should have had at least two more chapters to help close out Sawyer fully getting past the demons and seeing a little more of the couple together.
They moved so fast and decisions were made a little too quickly to be believable. But if the only bad thing you can say about a book is there should have been more pages, that's not all bad.
January 1, 2026
Sweet book
The first book I've read that takes place during the early days of the Covid pandemic. Sawyer is an ER physician in NYC with a good man who loves her. A few months later, she is broken and disheartened and feels she had nothing to live for. A return to her childhood home at a Virginia lake and a chance meeting with a man from her past turn her life around. The book is a swift read with great characters, sweet plot and a happy ending.
The first book I've read that takes place during the early days of the Covid pandemic. Sawyer is an ER physician in NYC with a good man who loves her. A few months later, she is broken and disheartened and feels she had nothing to live for. A return to her childhood home at a Virginia lake and a chance meeting with a man from her past turn her life around. The book is a swift read with great characters, sweet plot and a happy ending.
January 11, 2026
What a beautiful inspiring book!
This is a book about grief. And feeling dead. And all the feelings of loss that come with that. It gives the words we might have used to describe those feelings. Then finally clawing and crawling our way back to life. Sawyer was an ER doc in a big city during covid. The medical staff who worked during that era have my utmost admiration and gratitude 🙏.
This is a book about grief. And feeling dead. And all the feelings of loss that come with that. It gives the words we might have used to describe those feelings. Then finally clawing and crawling our way back to life. Sawyer was an ER doc in a big city during covid. The medical staff who worked during that era have my utmost admiration and gratitude 🙏.
December 9, 2025
Really good storyline. I just wish the author had extended the story and dove into it more. It could’ve been so great if she expanded on the romance between Sawyer and Jake and how it developed. Talk more about Hannah’s adoption and grief. About the post-Covid life. I honestly just wanted more details, to dive into the story deeper.
December 17, 2025
I love not just the story but the style of writing. So many parts read like poetry. And the quotes before each chapter are so fitting. Several of them were unfamiliar to me and I have to dig deeper and research them.
When a writer makes the reader want to read even more it’s a win-win for everyone!
When a writer makes the reader want to read even more it’s a win-win for everyone!
December 20, 2025
A lovely story of hope
Nicely written. The characters are flawed in all the right ways and quiet realistic. Touches heavily on the pandemic without once spelling Covid. The story is a full circle and professes faith and hope. All this in a setting very familiar and down the road from me.
Nicely written. The characters are flawed in all the right ways and quiet realistic. Touches heavily on the pandemic without once spelling Covid. The story is a full circle and professes faith and hope. All this in a setting very familiar and down the road from me.
February 3, 2026
A Good Read
I really enjoyed this book. I lost my mom in 2020 during the pandemic so this story resonated with me as it will with so many. However, it is such a good story regardless. My only complaint is I wished it was longer. But that isn’t a negative. I just already miss the characters & the thought of the strawberry field!
I really enjoyed this book. I lost my mom in 2020 during the pandemic so this story resonated with me as it will with so many. However, it is such a good story regardless. My only complaint is I wished it was longer. But that isn’t a negative. I just already miss the characters & the thought of the strawberry field!
May 18, 2026
Really beautiful
Besides the great character development and lovely descriptions to give the reader the ability to “see” the world around them, it was really interesting. The main character was an ER doc during the pandemic and it was heartbreakingly interesting to see it from what felt like the inside.
Excellent book from an excellent author.
Besides the great character development and lovely descriptions to give the reader the ability to “see” the world around them, it was really interesting. The main character was an ER doc during the pandemic and it was heartbreakingly interesting to see it from what felt like the inside.
Excellent book from an excellent author.
May 24, 2026
Not So Great Covid Read
The book falls short of the author's typical literary standards, and the content's focus on the COVID-19 pandemic was unappealing. The narrative lacks engagement, making it difficult to recommend to potential readers. Despite some redeeming qualities, the overall reading experience was unsatisfactory and failed to capture this reader's interest.
The book falls short of the author's typical literary standards, and the content's focus on the COVID-19 pandemic was unappealing. The narrative lacks engagement, making it difficult to recommend to potential readers. Despite some redeeming qualities, the overall reading experience was unsatisfactory and failed to capture this reader's interest.
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August 14, 2026From death comes life....
Sawyer and Jake rediscover their past and become friends again. Trials and tribulations become everyday bonds. Finding their future becomes battles of conscious deeds. Twists and turns make their story become sheer joy. Thank you IC
Sawyer and Jake rediscover their past and become friends again. Trials and tribulations become everyday bonds. Finding their future becomes battles of conscious deeds. Twists and turns make their story become sheer joy. Thank you IC
December 10, 2025
Finding Hope
Nice sort about the challenges we all face in life. Times when we thought that we wanted to be the best at our jobs. Life changing us mostly for the better
Nice sort about the challenges we all face in life. Times when we thought that we wanted to be the best at our jobs. Life changing us mostly for the better
December 12, 2025
So many tragic stories around COVID in the real world, I loved how this story finds a way thru. Beautiful
December 22, 2025
A little disappointing.
This book was a definitely too predictable with not much depth. Not her best work. Almost didn't finish which would be a first with this author
This book was a definitely too predictable with not much depth. Not her best work. Almost didn't finish which would be a first with this author
December 24, 2025
lots to like in this book.
March 7, 2026
very hopeful
I enjoyed this story of devastation and hope. I really loved the characters. Gave me a good cry. So, thank you!
I enjoyed this story of devastation and hope. I really loved the characters. Gave me a good cry. So, thank you!
April 10, 2026
I am biased because I have not read an Inglath Cooper book I did not love! This one took me back to the Covid days and how scary it was. Definitely worth reading.
January 23, 2026
Enjoyable easy read of a girl recovering from nursing burnout from covid in New York.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews