Lucky Spring

by Mary K Tilghman

434 pages, Paperback

Published October 2, 2026

Reviews

[Charissa Costa Bauhaus]

LUCKY SPRING was my very first book by Mary K Tilghman, and it was such a joy. A Chincoteague island girl meets a handsome, incognito country music superstar on spring break, and the sparks immediately fly.

This story is packed with Delmarva references for us local folks, and there are even more fun tidbits if you've ever been a country music fan like I have. The romance is fun and just so easy to fall into; the characters are likable even when they make poor choices (🤣); and the plot arc builds in a way that feels realistic and natural.

LUCKY SPRING is charming, sweet, and feels so much like home that you’ll find yourself wishing we all could live this life! And you know what’s so great? This is going to be a series, readers!! Definitely recommended for romance fans! 🧡

[Stephanie Augustine]

Obsessed.

I'm a sucker for wholesome romance stories and this truly was one.

Anne is a woman scorned by love due to her sister being betrayed. This affected Anne a lot but it's more than that. She is the youngest of three girls and has tried to define herself. She finally got the opportunity to do so by moving away from her small town and working in Baltimore. However, during spring break she is drawn to someone playing the fiddle. Little did she know she was about to meet mega country star Garret Williams - but to her, he's Just Joe.

Joe is trying to relax before he goes on a long tour. Joe loves performing and singing but the celebrity status always has him questioning. Then he meets Anne and he can see his future. He wants to be with Anne and have a family. But as his career is just starting to take off, is he ready to give it up now?

I loved everything about this. Anne and Joe are both great main characters. They are trying to figure themselves out, all while chasing their dreams. It is clear that Joe falls first and he is not ready to give up on Anne. Anne is reserved and doesn't want to get her heart broken. But Joe enters her life and she wants him in it.

This is definitely a long distance romance where they are trying to navigate the beginning of their relationship with life changing events. The book is so well written and just moves. The pacing in the book never seems slow and each scene truly is important. All of the characters are great.

In a romance, it's exactly what you expect but I wouldn't want it any differently. I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes sweet romances - it focuses on he falls first, rockstar, and small town

[Toni Ogden]

Lucky Spring is the latest book by author Mary K. Tilghman, and it did not disappoint. It had all the coziness of a warm hug with a country music kick. I became so caught up in Anne and Garrett’s story that I felt as though I was a part of their friendship group and going through their struggles with them. The plot and characterizations were spot on, and Anne and Garrett’s conflicts both internal and external felt real and relatable. By the end of the book, I was cheering for their well-deserved HEA, yet at the same time I didn’t want it to end.

I’m looking forward to more amazing stories by Mary K. Tilghman.

[Kathy Patterson]

Lucky Spring is a sweet, engaging romance that puts some refreshing twists on familiar tropes. What I particularly enjoyed was that the central conflict never felt manufactured. The characters behave like sensible adults, and the obstacles to their relationship come from the realities of their very different lives rather than misunderstandings or conveniently bad decisions.

Anne is independent and pragmatic, while Joe is genuinely likable, and their relationship was easy to root for without either character having to undergo a personality transplant along the way. The Chincoteague Island setting adds plenty of Eastern Shore charm, too.

[Leona Puglia]

Whether you're a fan of romance, country music or fearful women with broke hearts, you will love this story. Anne had her heart broken as a teenager and is reluctant to trust any man, much less one that would put her in a long distance relationship. Joe Williams, AKA Country Music sensation, Garrett Williams, wants to convince Anne to trust him. What will it take to win Anne's heart? Not his sparkling smile or his musical talent. You're are going to be mystified by Anne and routing for Joe, at the same time. This story is puzzling, infuriating and heartwarming.

[Reading is escaping reality]

This is super cute and all home feeling. There is a pull between them from the moment she hears him play. But there is also reason why she wants to stay away, but this man does not give up on her! Just Joe does everything he can, and it’s so adorable! There is zero spice if that is what you’re hoping for, don’t. The pov was really back and forth which at first was hard to follow, but overall really stinking cute!!!


I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Alyssa Roberts]

I enjoyed having both musical instruments and places in Maryland intertwined throughout this sweet romance. I ended up rooting for the main characters so much that whenever I had to put the book down, I could not wait to get back to them. Great fun seeing how things worked out.

[D. Dopkin]

Tilghman’s best yet! Anne meets Joe by chance while on spring break. The arc of the story follows Anne into her budding career and romance, the struggles and uncertainties she must overcome, as well as her deep distrust of men.