Melissa Abbott Catches the Bouquet: A Sweet Beach Town RomCom

by Grace J. Croy

She’s a single mom, not looking for a relationship. He’s a single man in possession of a good fortune, ready to fall in love.

Melissa:
Before the flight to my daughter’s destination wedding even leaves the ground, I have a claustrophobic episode. I’m saved by the handsome stranger sitting next to me. I don’t expect to ever see him again once the plane lands, but Hawaii is smaller than I thought.
Danny’s wonderful, but there’s too much that separates us, like geographical distance and socioeconomic status. Besides, I have my relationship with my daughter to mend, a sister who wants Danny for herself, and a life back home that's about to change forever. I’m practical. The opposite of practical is pretending that whatever’s happening between Danny and me could become something more.

Danny:
I walked off that plane knowing I had to see Melissa again, but I never expected to find her ogling me from a hotel balcony just a few hours later. It’s a twist of fate I’m not going to waste. Melissa thinks there’s too much keeping us apart to make anything long term work, but I’m here to prove that the best love stories happen when they’re least expected. I just have to survive her sister first.

110 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 29, 2026

About the author

Visit Grace's website gracejcroy.com and join her MVR (Most Valuable Reader) group to get her e-book, KISS ME, JANE free.

She is the author of both historical and contemporary romance that is clean and uplifting.

Grace loves reading, writing, her cats, travel, and delicious potatoes. She lives in Utah in a little house at the bottom of a little mountain, where the snow piles high in the winter.

She graduated with a BA in English from Utah State University, and then went on to study Library and Information Science from Emporia State University. When she's not writing, she works as a librarian. It’s the second-best job in the world—she gets paid to buy books, plan awesome community events, and advise readers on what books to try next. Creating stories is, of course, the best job in the world.

Her favorite places to travel include New Zealand, California, and Paris. No matter how long she's away, she always loves to come home.

Reviews

[Patty Baumeister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review
Melissa Abbott Catches The Bouquet
A Novella Written By Grace J. Croy
Fiction - Romance
Published July 2026
110 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a sweet closed door romance between two older characters who meet on a plane.

Melissa Abbott and Danny Chapman meet on a plane going to Hawaii. They both don’t realize how much their lives interconnect.

Danny is a 45 year old divorced workaholic. Melissa is a 43 year old widow on her way to her daughter’s wedding. Neither one expected to find romance on this trip.

This is quick read that will have you smiling while you read it.

“As long as Danny is mine, everything else is frosting on top.”

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy Grace J Croy this book of yours is divine . It’s a great storyline and characters are perfectly penned . I love this sweet wholesome story no end. And a great portrayal of life and love mid forties style with a smile as wide as a crocodile when it’s aimed at each other. So sweet and swoon ,it has you dreaming of their honeymoon . Daniel/Danny and Mel/Melissa’s honeymoon that is. Not her daughter, Emma’s. Ya see her daughter is the one with the bouquet anyway.

Her daughter Emma leaves her in a dilemma as there’s a big event in Spruce Hollow that she needs to attend , excusing the pun spruce up her business. She was persuaded to stay put while her sister Sarah became a friend come surrogate mum. All she could do was stay mum but she was feeling a bit left out , truth be known a bit glum. .

Nathaniel,and his family are wealthy beyond compare ,of that there’s no doubt ,and being proud Melissa does care . She feels the pressure of them paying the cost of an air fare paid for her too much so she’ll pay her fare in budget class thank you very much. She isn’t a keen flyer having only been there twice ,the last two decades past ,so it’s no wonder she’s nervous poor lass ( excuse the pun since we were discussing money earlier and she has none) . Dang and blast but for her dear daughter she will suffer the flight from Denver to Hawaii. Economy class. Claustrophobia raises its ugly head as she’s shown her seat. The middle one hemmed in . But as he sees her break into a slight sweat ,he feels sorry for her poor pet. Offers her the outer seat,ever so sweet.

Here he is minding his own business , not in business class as he’s already given up that one . But this hon has him undone and though she’s a stranger, it’s instant attraction for them both. He’s going to a wedding too. They discussed many things both checked for rings. Imagine the satisfaction of knowing that your face is glowing red because of something the other one said.

Strangers meet all the time but the speed in which he fell first is epically beautiful and the fact that it’s reciprocated too is tops I’m telling you . These two and their entourage are brilliant casting and I’m blasting through their story so quick.And the descriptive scenes in this book are detailed well ,they’re epic. Swell . Thanks to the author who certainly knows her lighthearted romance tropes filled with characters and their hopes and dreams and maybe some schemes ,like wooing a certain person’s uncle only for him to think of you as a carbuncle. Ouch ,gotta knock the confidence but it’s not about come up pence but out on a brace smile and wish your completion well.

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️

The next book in the Midlife Meet Cute Beach Read series is here! An easy to read, sweet romance that is just over 100 pages by Gracy J Croy, Melissa Abbott Catches the Bouquet has wonderful vibes and a reminder that even in the midst of chaos, magic is able to happen. Each book in this series focuses on a new couple, later in life, and many different life paths. While some are getting a second chance at romance, others are experiencing it for the first time, but all of them are in their 40s.

Melissa and Danny meet in the midst of Melissa having a moment on a plane. While flying to Hawaii, there is an instant attraction on the plane and each deboard thinking they won’t ever see each other again. Imagine their surprise when they end up in close proximity and Melissa has yet another embarrassing moment being caught by Danny. These two in the beginning of their romance made me laugh more than once. I loved Melissa being herself from the get go and Danny falling for her.

Melissa is our logical FMC who feels that there is too much going on in her life to ever consider a romance. She is mending things with her daughter, her sister will not take a hint, and geographically they just won’t work. Danny is all in and is determined to show Melissa that what they feel doesn’t come along often. He has his hands full with fighting off another character, but he is sweet throughout the entire story. I absolutely love when the MMC is all in and is willing to show the FMC they can make their relationship work.

Grace not only gives us a wonderful story, but introduces us to readers who are likely to get their own stories from this book. The friendships that surround Melissa are genuine, honest, and real. This group of women reminded me a lot of my own group of friends and I would be lost without them. I definitely recommend this book and the series as a whole. So many authors have put together a fantastic collection that any romance reader can enjoy.

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
💐Small Town Romance
💙Single Mom FMC
💐Persistent MMC
💙Author FMC
💐Mile High Meet Cute
💙Destination Wedding
💐Vacation Romance
💙Closed Door Romance

[Angie (mushmysteriesandmore) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awww, this story was so cute. Imagine meeting a stranger on a plane, having a lovely conversation and then finding out you’re actually heading to the same event in Hawaii. (This would never happen to me, FYI; I don’t want a conversation when I’m trapped in an enclosed space; I want to read my book in peace haha).

Danny helps Melissa out on the plane to save her from having a panic attack, and they end up having a lovely conversation. But then they leave the plane and head for their own business in Hawaii. It’s only when Melissa is in her hotel room and checking out the view of the beach that she notices Danny getting out of the water. Not only are they at the same resort, but they are attending the same wedding; her daughter is marrying his nephew. Not only that, but Melissa’s sister has already set her sights on Danny, but his sights are on Melissa.

I loved Danny and Melissa. Danny never once leads Sarah on; he’s clear from the start, even before he meets Melissa, that he has no interest in her, but Sarah is determined. This causes Melissa some turmoil as she is loyal to her sister, but she’s really attracted to Danny and feels a definite connection with him.

Melissa was a lovely person; I did feel sorry for her with the distance between her and her daughter, both physically and emotionally. As the mother of the bride, she felt she should be more involved. I wanted to dislike her daughter, but when they finally cleared the air, it all made sense. I still felt Sarah was a bit mean towards Melissa over Danny but she sort of redeemed herself at the end.

[Liberty Munson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A meet‑cute that could have felt gimmicky...two strangers seated together on a flight to Hawaii turns it into something genuinely wonderful. Melissa and her seatmate spark instantly, the kind of connection that feels both improbable and inevitable. The twist, of course, is they they’re headed to the same wedding, neither of them aware of it yet.

What I loved most is how the author balances the thrill of a vacation romance with the challenge of real‑world logistics. They live in different cities, they’re both navigating complicated lives, and the story never pretends those hurdles don’t matter. Instead, each obstacle adds to the story. Every time something threatens to pull them apart, that unmistakable connection snaps the plot forward. It’s the kind of pacing that makes you say “just one more chapter” until suddenly you’re at the end. The novella format works beautifully here...tight, bright, and emotional. There's just enough of the internal conflict to keep the pages turning without ever feeling rushed.

If you love stories where fate keeps nudging two people together, where chemistry sparks fast but the emotional payoff builds slowly, this one is a delight. It’s the kind of book you finish with a smile and a little sigh, already requesting the bonus epilogue.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

For such a quick read, there was a lot going on! We meet Melissa as she is boarding a plane at the last minute to make the flight to her daughter’s wedding. She hasn’t flown in over 20 years, is claustrophobic and has a middle seat in the back of the plane by the restrooms.

As luck would have it, Danny notices that she is about to have a panic attack and offers her his aisle seat. He is also heading to a wedding, his nephew’s. The two begin chatting while she crochets and then see each other at the same hotel. It doesn’t click that they are at the same wedding until they see each other at one of the pre-wedding dinners.

The family dynamics were written very well. I instantly had issues with Melissa’s daughter and sister. However, Grace shows that there is more to their actions and words that would seem on the surface, and instant dislike for them faded by the end of the book. The dynamic between Danny and his brother was also well done in the sense that Danny wished he could have a life outside of the business but it seems like he had to sacrifice one for his brother to have it.

My favorite part of the book was how Danny and Melissa continue to hide the frog she was crocheting on that flight for each other. This was such a warm story about a second chance at love.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part of the Midlife Meet Cute Beach Read Series and each book can be read as a standalone.

This is a cute quick read where Danny and Melissa have their meet-cute during a flight to Hawaii. While there is instant attraction on the flight, Melissa, who is a window, enjoys the time together believing that they will never see each other again, and Danny, who is ready for something meaningful in his life, is planning when he can see her again.

When they find that they are staying at the same hotel, it seems like everything is lining up for them to explore the possibility of a relationship, but there are some road blocks that could break the up before anything even happens.

This is a cute read that can be read within a sitting. As I read the book, there were times I laughed out loud, groaned, and openly smiled. I found myself quickly becoming endeared to Melissa and Danny and loved how their relationship progressed. I also loved Melissa's girlfriend group and am excited to hear that they will get their their own story.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Quote:
"The wedding bouquet really is magic."

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This enjoyable sweet romance is the perfect short read. With a Hawaiian destination wedding it is the perfect escape that will leave you smiling. It is part of the Midlife Meet Cute series and I like that the characters are not just starting out.but have experienced life.

Melissa and Danny have an awkward encounter on a plane that quickly turns to a connection and an enjoyable flight but neither thinks to get contact information. Flash forward to the destination wedding for Melissa’s daughter and as luck would have it Danny is the groom’s uncle. As they spend time together the connection grows but real life is messy and their lives are very different. Family lore connected to catching the bouquet leads to family drama and an unexpected chance at love.The characters felt real and I like the way the sweet fairytale meet cute was balanced with real life issues.

If you enjoy sweet romances in beautiful settings I recommend adding this to your tbr.

Thanks to the author for the free, gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melissa Abbott Catches the Bouquet by Grace J. Croy. It is part of The Midlife Meet Cute Beach Reads Series. What I love about these kinds of series is that you get to sample new authors that you otherwise wouldn’t have on your radar. That is the way it is with Grace J. Croy, she is new to me but I certainly enjoyed this mid-life story. Melissa and Daniel/Danny fall for each other on a plane trip to a destination wedding in Hawaii. Melisa has some family relationship issues, but I appreciated how it all was resolved. I especially liked the epilogue at the end. Perhaps Sarah, Mellissa’s sister, will get her own story soon. Also I liked how the characters are settled, mature and the kind of characters I would want as friends. Melissa Abbott Catches the Bouquet is a novella length but is long enough for me to say I want more books by Grace J. Croy in my future reading.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly , my thanks for the ARC of this adorable 5 star read. I loved how everything came together and for a short book it really had a lot packed into it. The main characters were absolutely fabulous and they were written so well by the author. The banter and conversations were wonderful to read. Lots of great side characters which made this a lovely book to read. So glad that things happened the way they did and everybody was happy at the end. This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I will definitely be on the lookout for her other of her books so this will not be my last by her. It's a very quick read, so if you enjoy second chance a little later in life romances you have to read this one.

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa is on her way to Hawaii for her daughter’s wedding. She’s a bit nervous to fly. It’s much appreciated when a man
changes seats with her. After they depart she goes to the hotel,
And checks in with her friends. What she happens to see is a man that looks very familiar to the man on the plane. It’s him. Her friends say he must be staying at your hotel. Well she doesn’t know. That’s until she sees her daughter that night. She learns Danny is the grooms uncle. Her sister has her eyes set on him too. Yikes! Well Melissa doesn’t know how it happened, but there’s something there she can’t describe. She tells her sister basically she has no chance with him.
A beautiful ending and great bonus epilogue.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 rounded down

this was definitely my favorite novella from the series so far! This was my first book by Grace Croy and I really enjoyed her writing! It was engaging, had good flow and serials and I was locked into the story from start to finish.

I think my biggest challenge with romance novellas is that more often than not the tension and yearning you want isn’t believable or felt, that was NOT the case here. I believed their romance and the tension was dripping off the page.

I was really angry with Emma most of the book but once you find out WHY she was acting the way she was, it made up for it a tiny bit.

I loved Danny. He was so sweet and emotionally intelligent.. and we love that.

Def recommend this one!

[Leann Arave · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a darling story, I loved it from the first page. It didn’t hurt that it was set in Hawaii. I love the characters. Melissa 40 something widowed, mother of the bride. On her way to her daughter’s destination wedding period. On the flight, she meets very handsome and very kind man. Danny is on his way to his nephews wedding when he meets an intriguing woman on his flight. I love the storyline, it was sweet and so charming. It made for a great easy afternoon read. I highly recommend reading this story, it is part of a series, but can be read as standalone. It is a clean, wholesome, midlife romance that will make you smile. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m never disappointed when I read one of this author’s books. Her stories are wonderfully entertaining and fun! I read this short romcom in one quick seating and I enjoyed every moment! I always appreciate pleasant characters and humour. I prefer only clean reads. The pacing in the author’s books are always fast and they bring the reader right into the action. I appreciated the very good communication between the various characters, even when it was hard. Not even books with stories around! This is the perfect read for a quick summer read with no cliffhanger and it can be read alone. I look forward to her next release!

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well well this one was definitely good, interesting and very fun to read. Not loving small spaces Melissa did not enjoy being on planes and more when they have little to no space for your feet to breathe but she had made it to the wedding. Danny was going to a family members wedding but was also thinking about what to do with is life since all he has done is work work and work. But when these two people meet on the plane, life takes a different turn but definitely gives them a beautiful story to tell in the future. Really enjoyed the story, the characters, the sceneries and all was very well written.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this.

When Melissa travels for her daughter’s wedding, she meets a handsome stranger on her flight…and is soon tangled in a series of unfortunate (but really comedic) events.

This one delivers from the first chapter to the end! Really short, too (done in one sitting), but there’s room given to explore Mel’s relationship with her daughter, and sister, and the afore-mentioned handsome stranger. It’s perfect if you don’t have a lot of time but still want a great, feel-good clean romance with laugh-out-loud moments and just enough flirty talk to make you giggle like a schoolgirl (I did that shamelessly a few times 🤭).

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the way the two main characters met. He saved Melissa on the flight when he realized she was about to have a full blown panic attack. Danny stole my heart at that moment. He rescued a damsel in distress just because he is a gentleman with a heart of gold.

A beautiful wedding destination in Hawaii, two random people who met on an airplane thinking they would never see each other again, and some really swoony moments made this sweet novella a little piece of paradise in written form. I sighed and smiled a lot as I read.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author @authorgracejcroy for the gifted copy.

I really enjoyed this summer read novella. Melissa and Danny were so cute. I loved that Danny was down to earth and respectful. I really enjoyed their meet cute and then the second awkward sighting. The banter between them was so fun and Melissa’s best friends were so supportive and fun. I was surprised by her sister and daughter’s actions, you just couldn’t help rooting more for Melissa and Danny. Overall a sweet and enjoyable read, totally recommend.

This is book five in the Midlife Meet Cute Beach Reads series. A clean, closed door multi author series about characters getting their chance at later in life romances.

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet romantic story that swept me off my feet. Who knew how flying from Denver to Honolulu would totally change the lives of Melissa and Danny, the nice gentleman who was willing to trade seats with Melissa because she was suffering from claustrophobia right before their plane took off?

This book was so much fun to read because of the characters, the humor, and how Melissa’s sister Sarah wanted Melissa to get Danny to ask her out. I especially liked that both characters were in their 40’s and getting a second chance at love. So sweet! I received an advanced copy of this book, nd I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Laure · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Frosting on top"

Melissa Abbott is on her way to her daughter's destination wedding in Hawaii when she meets the gorgeous single man in the seat next to her. Turns out he is the groom's uncle and Melissa decides that Danny Chapman is way out of her league. Fortunately for her, Danny does not agree.

Sweet and funny quick beach read with wonderful and realistic characters and a happily ever after. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC provided by the author.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has some really great mid-life stories, including this novella. Melissa is a widow who struggled to support and raise her daughter. Melissa’s now starting a small business, as her daughter is about to marry into a wealthy family. Danny is the prospective groom’s uncle and a successful businessman. Melissa and Danny randomly meet each other on the plane traveling to the young couple’s destination wedding. Their story has relatable characters, dual points of view and some interesting family dynamics on the way to a HEA. Enjoyable and well-written romance!

[Denice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this sweet and swoony story. I loved that the characters are older and getting a second chance at love. Danny is wonderful and considerate but has been too devoted to his work. Melissa is a single mom with her own store in a small town. Their meet-cute on the plane is priceless, then the next meeting is surprising and awkward and not because of them. I loved how the characters changed, gained more understanding that made this such a fun quick read. Fun quote: "Just keep your lips away from mine. I only have so much self-control, and I'm close to empty."

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

MELISSA ABBOTT CATCHES THE BOUQUET by Grace J Croy is an engaging, sweet, later-in-life, beach romance featuring an original meet cute, insta-attraction, a destination wedding, and a cinnamon roll MMC who falls hard.

There are plenty of comedic moments and family drama, with the MFC’s sister aggressively chasing after the MMC, who’s definitely not interested.

This fun, kisses-only romance is a great example of “some of the best love stories happening when they’re least expected.”

I’d definitely recommend it!

I was given an advanced copy and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Midlife Meet Cute: Danny and Melissa

This was actually really, really cute. I loved Danny. He was a sweetheart. And I really wanted to wrap Melissa up in a hug after the way she was treated by her daughter and her sister. They’re pretty horrible with the way they acted. Sure, there was a ‘reason’, but geez… they were pretty thoughtless…

I loved the ‘Froggy’ game they played, and their ending was a little different, but super cute.
Such a sweet little escape read.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve found that a good author can get me involved and interested in the characters quickly. I rooted for Melissa and Danny and truly enjoyed their story. Characters I could believe, those I had to come to terms with, and circumstances that kept throwing the mains together toward a HEA. This is your chance to “catch” this quick, later in life, clean, and enjoyable read.

I gratefully received an ARC copy, but all opinions are my own.

[Michele Coen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one in the Midlife meet cute beach read series.
They all can be read as standalone.
This one can be read in a sitting but hold on to your beach drink because there is alot that happens.

Melissa and Danny meet as strangers on a flight to Hawaii, but will they meet again? The details of Hawaii made me feel like i was there. Highly recommend reading

I was given an ARC and these are my honest opinions

[Brittany Landrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚ARC Review📚

Melissa Abbott Catches the Bouquet ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


This was such a fun read! It’s a mid-life, closed door romance with some cute banter thrown in. I loved the connection with Danny and Melissa and their meet-cute. The description of Hawaii was beautiful. It’s a great read for summer!


This book is part of the Midlife Meet Cute Beach Reads Collection. Thank you to the author for my advanced audiobook copy. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.

[De Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely adorable and so very cute. I honestly thought I was going to get a super cheesy story. But instead it was so endearing and genuine. Their connection felt honest and their chemistry felt real. There’s definitely some ups and downs with them. But that undeniable pull they share has them coming back together always. And it’s so heartwarming. The ending we got felt perfect for the story and for our MCs.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this quick read! There was so much going on from the get go, but it never felt overwhelming or outrageous. The immediate connection between Melissa and Danny and their continued comfort with one another was one of my favorite things about this book. I love a good meddling family, but thankfully meddling doesn’t always work out according to the original plan. This was an absolutely fabulous feel good read for an afternoon of relaxation.

[Karen Brasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melissa Abbott Catches the Bouquet

This is a short but sweet story of an accidental meet on an airplane that quickly turned into something more. It makes for an interesting beach read. Melissa is heading to Hawaii for her daughter’s destination wedding. Danny is heading to Hawaii for his nephew’s wedding. Trapped together in economy seating on the plane they seem to have an instant connection. I recommend you read their story to find out more.