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The Paradise Proposal: A Cozy Small-Town Romance with Magic
Kate Cooper comes home to Cypress Grove broke, uninsured, and running out of time. A chronic condition requires expensive medication she can't afford. Her solution? A quiet life tending bar at her mom's tiki hut, making herbal remedies, and hoping the healthcare system fixes itself.
Then Damien Hastings walks into her bar. The firefighter who defended her in high school. The boy she never got over. The man who proposes marriage so she can access his health insurance. It's practical. Logical. Completely platonic. Except the more time they spend together, the harder it gets to remember this is supposed to be fake.
But Damien's leaving for California soon to fight wildfires. Kate's afraid to trust that anyone would choose her for real. Can a marriage that started with paperwork become the kind of love that lasts forever?
Find out in The Paradise Proposal, a heartwarming small-town romance featuring marriage of convenience, gentle magic, and a hero who falls first and hard. Grab your copy to fall in love with Cypress Grove today! The Starlight River Cozy Romance series takes place in Cypress Grove, the same magical town in the Crescent Moon Mystery series. Happy-ever-afters guaranteed.
Then Damien Hastings walks into her bar. The firefighter who defended her in high school. The boy she never got over. The man who proposes marriage so she can access his health insurance. It's practical. Logical. Completely platonic. Except the more time they spend together, the harder it gets to remember this is supposed to be fake.
But Damien's leaving for California soon to fight wildfires. Kate's afraid to trust that anyone would choose her for real. Can a marriage that started with paperwork become the kind of love that lasts forever?
Find out in The Paradise Proposal, a heartwarming small-town romance featuring marriage of convenience, gentle magic, and a hero who falls first and hard. Grab your copy to fall in love with Cypress Grove today! The Starlight River Cozy Romance series takes place in Cypress Grove, the same magical town in the Crescent Moon Mystery series. Happy-ever-afters guaranteed.
168 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2026
47 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Tara Lush
30 books605 followersTara Lush is a RWA Rita finalist, an Amtrak writing fellow and the winner of the George C. Polk award for environmental journalism.
She also writes contemporary romance set in tropical locations under the name Tamara Lush. For many years, she was a journalist with The Associated Press.
Tara is a fan of vintage pulp fiction book covers, Sinatra-era jazz, 1980s fashion, tropical chill, kombucha, gin, tonic, seashells, iPhones, Art Deco, telenovelas, street art, coconut anything, strong coffee and newspapers. She lives on the Gulf coast with her husband and Shih Tzu.
She also writes contemporary romance set in tropical locations under the name Tamara Lush. For many years, she was a journalist with The Associated Press.
Tara is a fan of vintage pulp fiction book covers, Sinatra-era jazz, 1980s fashion, tropical chill, kombucha, gin, tonic, seashells, iPhones, Art Deco, telenovelas, street art, coconut anything, strong coffee and newspapers. She lives on the Gulf coast with her husband and Shih Tzu.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 25, 2026
“two trees with intertwined branches, separate roots, and a shared sky.”
Excerpt From -
The Paradise Proposal by
Tara Lush
I have been meaning to do a book review on this wonderful, fun read. This was an Advanced Reader Copy generously given to me by Tara Lush.
Tara Lush @lushbooks, known for her Crescent Moon Mysteries Series, has written a cozy love story.
Taking place in Cypress Grove. As this is also the home of the Crescent Moon books, you will find a few familiar characters which is quite an enjoyable addition.
The quote from the book (above) sums up the love story between Kate and Damien.
Kate is working at her mother’s beach side bar, The Lime and Salt serving up drinks and tinctures. In walks Damien, a firefighter, whom she hasn’t seen since high school.
Fans of fun love stories will definitely enjoy this one.
In Tara’s words “Cozy stories about love, magic, and justice - always with a happy ending “
Excerpt From -
The Paradise Proposal by
Tara Lush
I have been meaning to do a book review on this wonderful, fun read. This was an Advanced Reader Copy generously given to me by Tara Lush.
Tara Lush @lushbooks, known for her Crescent Moon Mysteries Series, has written a cozy love story.
Taking place in Cypress Grove. As this is also the home of the Crescent Moon books, you will find a few familiar characters which is quite an enjoyable addition.
The quote from the book (above) sums up the love story between Kate and Damien.
Kate is working at her mother’s beach side bar, The Lime and Salt serving up drinks and tinctures. In walks Damien, a firefighter, whom she hasn’t seen since high school.
Fans of fun love stories will definitely enjoy this one.
In Tara’s words “Cozy stories about love, magic, and justice - always with a happy ending “
January 20, 2026
The Paradise Proposal is the first book in the Starlight River Cozy Romance series with magic!
Oh my gosh! I absolutely LOVED this book! I love every book this author loves and the fact that Cypress Grove is the location, I am obsessed. If you haven't read the Crescent Moon Series yet, set in the same Supernatural town, go NOW!
I love the Starlight River and where we meet Kate Cooper, who has recently moved back to Cypress Grove. She has no money and is working at her mom's Tiki bar which is right next to the Paradise Springs.
Ah, enter Damien, her very first crush. He is back for a few months, did I mention he is a hunky firefighter? :)
I loved their chemistry and their banter, and most of all the magic.
Second chance romance and found family. No spice, which I love in cozy magical romances.
I am so excited for the expansion of the Cypress Grove Universe to include cozy romance!!!
Highly recommend and cannot wait for the next book!!!
Oh my gosh! I absolutely LOVED this book! I love every book this author loves and the fact that Cypress Grove is the location, I am obsessed. If you haven't read the Crescent Moon Series yet, set in the same Supernatural town, go NOW!
I love the Starlight River and where we meet Kate Cooper, who has recently moved back to Cypress Grove. She has no money and is working at her mom's Tiki bar which is right next to the Paradise Springs.
Ah, enter Damien, her very first crush. He is back for a few months, did I mention he is a hunky firefighter? :)
I loved their chemistry and their banter, and most of all the magic.
Second chance romance and found family. No spice, which I love in cozy magical romances.
I am so excited for the expansion of the Cypress Grove Universe to include cozy romance!!!
Highly recommend and cannot wait for the next book!!!
February 15, 2026
Beautiful
Kate has come home to Cypress Grove feeling somewhat lost.
Damien is home between fire fighting assignments.
They knew each other in high school, but rumours and gossip barred their way.
The Paradise Proposal is their love story.
It is closed door romance.
The culmination of their wedding day was emotional and beautiful to me.
Thanks Tara for this wonderful story. I'm all for love stories set in the same place as quirky magical mysteries.
Kate has come home to Cypress Grove feeling somewhat lost.
Damien is home between fire fighting assignments.
They knew each other in high school, but rumours and gossip barred their way.
The Paradise Proposal is their love story.
It is closed door romance.
The culmination of their wedding day was emotional and beautiful to me.
Thanks Tara for this wonderful story. I'm all for love stories set in the same place as quirky magical mysteries.
January 11, 2026
The author is one of my favorites, and I always enjoy her work.
A high school romance that was interrupted by small town pettiness resumes ten years later when the couple both return to their hometown.
Excellent! And looking forward to the next one!
A high school romance that was interrupted by small town pettiness resumes ten years later when the couple both return to their hometown.
Excellent! And looking forward to the next one!
March 17, 2026
✅My thoughts:
What a fun cozy romance read! The touch of magic throughout the story was perfect.
Main characters, Kate and Damien, come back to Cypress Grove…..not looking for love. Their past history has them not wanting to have anything to do with each other. But…..there is a chemistry between them that they cannot deny.
I love reading a second chance romance with fun banter that gives me all the feels. And, that is what The Paradise Proposal gave me.
If you are looking for a light-hearted, fun read….this is the book you need to pick up.
What a fun cozy romance read! The touch of magic throughout the story was perfect.
Main characters, Kate and Damien, come back to Cypress Grove…..not looking for love. Their past history has them not wanting to have anything to do with each other. But…..there is a chemistry between them that they cannot deny.
I love reading a second chance romance with fun banter that gives me all the feels. And, that is what The Paradise Proposal gave me.
If you are looking for a light-hearted, fun read….this is the book you need to pick up.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews