What do you think?
Rate this book
The Paradise Proposal: A Cozy Small-Town Romance with Magic
On the Starlight River, love has a way of resurfacing — especially when a little magic is involved.Kate Cooper comes home to Cypress Grove with a maxed-out credit card and no real plan beyond helping her mother run the tiki bar perched beside the legendary Paradise Springs. What she doesn’t expect is magic stirring in the air… or Damien Hastings walking back into her life.
Her first crush.
Her almost.
The one she never quite got over.Damien is only home for a few short months before returning to his dangerous work as a wildfire firefighter, and Kate knows better than to fall for someone with an expiration date. But in a town where herbal remedies actually work, well-meaning witches have few boundaries, and the springs seem to amplify buried feelings, resisting him may be impossible.
As long fall nights turn into stolen moments by the enchanted water, Kate must decide whether protecting her heart matters more than risking it — especially when a little magic might be nudging her toward a second chance.
The Paradise Proposal is a cozy, magical, closed-door romance set in the world of the Crescent Moon Mysteries, featuring small-town magic, instant soul-deep connection, and happily-ever-afters that arrive faster than expected.
Perfect for readers who
Hallmark-style romances with emotional certainty (closed-door, feel-good love stories)Cozy small-town romance with a touch of everyday magicFound family, insta-love without spice, and guaranteed happy endings
Her first crush.
Her almost.
The one she never quite got over.Damien is only home for a few short months before returning to his dangerous work as a wildfire firefighter, and Kate knows better than to fall for someone with an expiration date. But in a town where herbal remedies actually work, well-meaning witches have few boundaries, and the springs seem to amplify buried feelings, resisting him may be impossible.
As long fall nights turn into stolen moments by the enchanted water, Kate must decide whether protecting her heart matters more than risking it — especially when a little magic might be nudging her toward a second chance.
The Paradise Proposal is a cozy, magical, closed-door romance set in the world of the Crescent Moon Mysteries, featuring small-town magic, instant soul-deep connection, and happily-ever-afters that arrive faster than expected.
Perfect for readers who
Hallmark-style romances with emotional certainty (closed-door, feel-good love stories)Cozy small-town romance with a touch of everyday magicFound family, insta-love without spice, and guaranteed happy endings
168 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2026
20 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Tara Lush
28 books588 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
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!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews