Stranded in a small Colorado mountain town days before Thanksgiving, Molly Jones is exhausted—and doesn’t have the luxury of falling apart, even though her life already has.
Her marriage is over. Her future is uncertain. And the last place she expected to find herself was Jackson’s Bridge.
Bryant is the local bar owner and retired Marine. A grumpy, protector hero—he's guarded, fiercely self-contained, and doesn’t do complications. He prefers a life of service, routine, and keeping his past locked squarely away.
But when Molly needs a room, a job, and somewhere safe to land, Bryant offers her more than shelter without asking for anything in return.
What begins as kindness turns into connection, and what feels temporary begins to feel like home.
New Beginning is a contemporary small-town inspired by Beauty and the Beast, retold as standalone novella that's related to Angela's romantic fiction series, Jackson's Bridge.
A heartfelt, cozy read with emotional depth and a gentle happy-for-now romance that hints at more to come in the series. Perfect for fans of small-town settings, second chances, and meaningful connection.
Angela writes the romantic women’s fiction Jackson’s Bridge Series set in the contemporary western landscape and communities of Colorado. Her stories take time, develop deep connections with characters, and transport readers with breathtaking settings and layered storytelling.
Jackson’s Bridge is your ticket to a world where community matters, kindness prevails, and healing is possible. It’s a celebration of love and resilience, family and friendship, second chances and new beginnings.
The characters are complex, and the plotlines are strong and layered with romance, suspense, western living, drama and tension to provide the emotional pay-off you expect from women's fiction.
Her debut novel (Letting Go) was placed in the Bath Novel Award 2024 Top 100 and quickly found an audience with readers who connect to its emotional depth and themes of courage, family, hope and healing.
Letting Go, the first book in the series, introduces Callie Winters—a woman fighting for her future, while finding the courage to face her past. Readers have called it emotional, heartwarming, and impossible to put down—read the full description here.
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I wa so very kindly sent an ARC of this short story - my opinions are my own.
But oh, I loved this!
It has a sort of Beauty and the Beast vibe, in a sense, because our MMC is a bit beastly hehe, however what enthralled me the most is that this one again takes a look at hard working women and what happens in their world.
Our heroine doesn't set out to have her life the way it turns out - but her choices inadvertedly lead her there nonetheless. Unfortunately, she doesn't master the art of balancing work and home life, and suffers the consequences.
I thought this was beautifully written. Her second chance gives her a second wind and time to have a look at what's what - not to mention the possibility of romance, too!
In a world where so many push for perfection and for women to be powerhouses - nothing wrong with that, mind - it's also important to remember that it's ok if that's not you, either.
Ms Day's writing remains engaging and engrossing, and these short stories are a great way to tide you over until the next big book releases!
Molly is having to rethink what her life looks like and what is most important. When her life falls apart and she finds herself temporarily stuck in this small town and Bryant offers her his help, she never expected to find the answers to her life that she needed. Bryant starts out just wanting to help her as he can sense she has some troubles, but he never expected the pull he feels towards her to be so strong. I did enjoy the different take on a marriage gone wrong. I would say most of the time it’s usually the husband is made out to be the cause of the marriage failing but this story has a twist on that.
This backstory for the Jackson's Bridge series involves Joseph Bryant, owner Bryant's Bar & Restaurant, and Molly Jones. She was travelling to her parents after her marriage unravelled, but an accident left her stranded in the small Colorado town of Jackson's Bridge. Joseph offers her a room and a job to tide her over, but his grumpy countenance doesn't encourage much interaction between them. However, over time their connection alters, and this development is portrayed in a realistic and heartwarming manner. A sweet story, leaving me wanting more! I received an ARC from the author but my opinion is given voluntarily.
A wonderfully written novella about second chances in a small town setting. It's a prelude to a new series, Jackson's Bridge, that will we fantastic if it's anything like New Beginning. Molly and Bryant are strong, realistic, heartwarming characters and the story is a slow, sweet romance with depth. It will warm your heart with it's tenderness and homey feels. A romance that speaks right to the heart. I highly recommend this interesting, enjoyable and entertaing book. I loved it!