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South Carolina Sunsets #13
Piece By Piece
A scattered marketing escapee. A puzzle shop owner with a past he refuses to explain. One bookstore wall between them.
Liza Forrester left her high-pressure Charleston marketing career with no plan except spend two weeks in Seagrove helping her mother's oldest friend Dixie redo the sad little children's corner at Down Yonder Books, eat her weight in comfort food, and figure out what her life is supposed to look like now. Then Dixie sprains her wrist, two weeks turns into a whole summer, and Liza finds herself running a bookstore in a town where everybody knows her name by Tuesday.
Next door, Grant Whitmore is unpacking boxes in his brand new shop, The Puzzle Post, and hoping nobody asks him a single question. He walked away from a tech career that made him a small fortune, and all he wants now is quiet, order, and a life where no one needs anything from him. Especially not the loud, sunshiny woman on the other side of the wall who keeps waving at him through the window.
Then Julie signs them both up for the summer festival committee without asking either one, and Liza dreams up a Books and Brains night that ropes their two shops together whether Grant likes it or not. She talks too much. He barely talks at all. And she came to town carrying a box of her late father's old crossword books, with no idea how much they're about to matter.
Come spend a summer in Seagrove, where old friends stop by, sweet tea flows on every porch, and two people who drive each other crazy might be exactly what the other one is missing.
Grumpy/SunshineOpposites AttractSmall Town RomanceSecret IdentityForced ProximityStarting OverFound FamilySlow Burn RomanceHeat Just Kisses Heartwarming Series Book 13 of South Carolina Sunsets HEA Third Person, Dual Content Clean romance, no explicit content, gentle references to grief for a late parent
Perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber, Robyn Carr, and Sherryl Woods. Come back to Seagrove. The porch light's on.
Liza Forrester left her high-pressure Charleston marketing career with no plan except spend two weeks in Seagrove helping her mother's oldest friend Dixie redo the sad little children's corner at Down Yonder Books, eat her weight in comfort food, and figure out what her life is supposed to look like now. Then Dixie sprains her wrist, two weeks turns into a whole summer, and Liza finds herself running a bookstore in a town where everybody knows her name by Tuesday.
Next door, Grant Whitmore is unpacking boxes in his brand new shop, The Puzzle Post, and hoping nobody asks him a single question. He walked away from a tech career that made him a small fortune, and all he wants now is quiet, order, and a life where no one needs anything from him. Especially not the loud, sunshiny woman on the other side of the wall who keeps waving at him through the window.
Then Julie signs them both up for the summer festival committee without asking either one, and Liza dreams up a Books and Brains night that ropes their two shops together whether Grant likes it or not. She talks too much. He barely talks at all. And she came to town carrying a box of her late father's old crossword books, with no idea how much they're about to matter.
Come spend a summer in Seagrove, where old friends stop by, sweet tea flows on every porch, and two people who drive each other crazy might be exactly what the other one is missing.
Grumpy/SunshineOpposites AttractSmall Town RomanceSecret IdentityForced ProximityStarting OverFound FamilySlow Burn RomanceHeat Just Kisses Heartwarming Series Book 13 of South Carolina Sunsets HEA Third Person, Dual Content Clean romance, no explicit content, gentle references to grief for a late parent
Perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber, Robyn Carr, and Sherryl Woods. Come back to Seagrove. The porch light's on.
232 pages, Paperback
Published July 30, 2026
About the author
Rachel Hanna
111 books3,337 followersRachel Hanna is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of clean Southern women's fiction. She has published over 54 books and sold more than 2.5 million copies worldwide.
Her stories are set on the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia and in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia. Her heroines are often starting over in midlife, and they find new friends and sometimes new love along the way. The romance is just kisses. Readers say her books feel like coming home.
New readers usually start with The Beach House, book 1 of her South Carolina Sunsets series.
Rachel lives in North Georgia with her husband of almost 30 years and two spoiled rescue dogs. When she isn't writing, she's out in the garden or hunting for blue and white pottery in an antique shop.
Her stories are set on the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia and in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia. Her heroines are often starting over in midlife, and they find new friends and sometimes new love along the way. The romance is just kisses. Readers say her books feel like coming home.
New readers usually start with The Beach House, book 1 of her South Carolina Sunsets series.
Rachel lives in North Georgia with her husband of almost 30 years and two spoiled rescue dogs. When she isn't writing, she's out in the garden or hunting for blue and white pottery in an antique shop.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 21, 2026
I feel like these books are way to short and three or four of them could be one book. The writing and storyline are good but having to buy 13 short books not my idea of a good idea.
August 27, 2026
Piece by Piece is exactly why I fell in love with Rachel Hanna’s storytelling all those books ago. The very first book I ever read from her was The Beach House, and it’s still my favorite — but this newest installment reminds me why this series continues to feel like home.
This book follows Liz and Grant, two complete opposites who somehow fit together perfectly. Liz arrives in Seagrove after a painful experience at work, one she’s not ready to talk about. She slips quietly into town to help Dixie at the bookstore, pouring her energy into the children’s section while trying to rebuild her confidence piece by piece.
Next door is Grant, the quiet, puzzle‑loving shop owner with a secret of his own. He’s reserved, private, and definitely not a “joiner.” Liz, on the other hand, is sunshine and chatter and big ideas — including her plan to combine books and puzzles into a community event she calls Books & Brains. Grant isn’t thrilled, but watching Liz gently nudge him out of his shell is one of the sweetest slow-burn arcs in the series.
And of course, one of my favorite parts: we get to catch up with old friends. Julie and Dawson — the couple who started it all — make an appearance, and it feels like checking in on family. Dixie (who doesn’t love Dixie?), SuAnne, and Janine all bring that familiar Seagrove charm that makes this town feel like somewhere I genuinely want to move to.
This story is warm, comforting, and full of heart. It’s about secrets, healing, unexpected connection, and finding the courage to start again. It’s the kind of book you think about long after you finish it — the characters linger, the town wraps around you, and the romance unfolds in that signature Rachel Hanna slow-burn way that makes you smile.
I’ve loved Seagrove since the very first book, and Piece by Piece feels like catching up with old friends while meeting new ones you can’t help but love. I’m already looking forward to the next book coming out next year.
“Piece by piece. That’s how you build a life.
This book follows Liz and Grant, two complete opposites who somehow fit together perfectly. Liz arrives in Seagrove after a painful experience at work, one she’s not ready to talk about. She slips quietly into town to help Dixie at the bookstore, pouring her energy into the children’s section while trying to rebuild her confidence piece by piece.
Next door is Grant, the quiet, puzzle‑loving shop owner with a secret of his own. He’s reserved, private, and definitely not a “joiner.” Liz, on the other hand, is sunshine and chatter and big ideas — including her plan to combine books and puzzles into a community event she calls Books & Brains. Grant isn’t thrilled, but watching Liz gently nudge him out of his shell is one of the sweetest slow-burn arcs in the series.
And of course, one of my favorite parts: we get to catch up with old friends. Julie and Dawson — the couple who started it all — make an appearance, and it feels like checking in on family. Dixie (who doesn’t love Dixie?), SuAnne, and Janine all bring that familiar Seagrove charm that makes this town feel like somewhere I genuinely want to move to.
This story is warm, comforting, and full of heart. It’s about secrets, healing, unexpected connection, and finding the courage to start again. It’s the kind of book you think about long after you finish it — the characters linger, the town wraps around you, and the romance unfolds in that signature Rachel Hanna slow-burn way that makes you smile.
I’ve loved Seagrove since the very first book, and Piece by Piece feels like catching up with old friends while meeting new ones you can’t help but love. I’m already looking forward to the next book coming out next year.
“Piece by piece. That’s how you build a life.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Welcome back to Seagrove, SC where the weather is sunny and warm and so are most of the citizens. They make you feel welcome to their community and it was just so for Liza Forrester, who needed a change of pace to find out what will happen next in her life. So when the opportunity to work with a family friend, the unique Dixie who owns Down Yonder Books and revamp the children's corner of the shop, she doesn't hesitate to come to this delightful southern town. But Liza has a secret and she's not sure people will see her in the same light they always have.
For Grant Whitmore, the quiet puzzle guy, who comes to open a shop all things with puzzles, he just wants to live a quiet life and not have to answer too many questions about himself. See he has a secret and when Liza breezes into his life, and he somehow knows that his secrets could come out and the obscure life he wants might not be so quiet.
When they are asked to work together on the town Summer Festival, they each become more and more involved with the town and themselves and secrets won't be kept secret anymore. And the two find out that something is missing in their lives and will they take a chance and become some much more than friends.
I just love visiting back at Seagrove and finding out what Dixie, Julie and Dawson and all the other residents are up to. Rachel Hanna does a wonderful job of weaving this small town where a stranger is not a stranger for long and becomes woven into the town and the lives of those who live there. You just want to wander into Down Yonder Books, have a browse and chat and maybe a sweet tea and a cookie. Or any of the other shops in the town square. I hope that Rachel Hanna continues to write about this wonderful small town.
Received an ARC copy for my honest review.
For Grant Whitmore, the quiet puzzle guy, who comes to open a shop all things with puzzles, he just wants to live a quiet life and not have to answer too many questions about himself. See he has a secret and when Liza breezes into his life, and he somehow knows that his secrets could come out and the obscure life he wants might not be so quiet.
When they are asked to work together on the town Summer Festival, they each become more and more involved with the town and themselves and secrets won't be kept secret anymore. And the two find out that something is missing in their lives and will they take a chance and become some much more than friends.
I just love visiting back at Seagrove and finding out what Dixie, Julie and Dawson and all the other residents are up to. Rachel Hanna does a wonderful job of weaving this small town where a stranger is not a stranger for long and becomes woven into the town and the lives of those who live there. You just want to wander into Down Yonder Books, have a browse and chat and maybe a sweet tea and a cookie. Or any of the other shops in the town square. I hope that Rachel Hanna continues to write about this wonderful small town.
Received an ARC copy for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book for free, and this is my honest review.
A cozy, sun‑washed small‑town romance full of gentle healing, quirky community charm, and two opposites who fit together better than either expects.
Rachel Hanna crafts a tender summer story in Seagrove, where Liza Forrester—burned out from her Charleston marketing career—arrives with nothing but a two‑week plan, a box of her late father’s crossword books, and a desperate need to breathe again. When that two weeks becomes a whole summer, she finds herself running Down Yonder Books, embraced by a town that feels like comfort food.
Next door, Grant Whitmore opens The Puzzle Post with one goal: quiet. After walking away from a lucrative tech career, he wants order, solitude, and zero questions. But Liza—sunny, chatty, and impossible to ignore—keeps knocking on his metaphorical (and literal) wall. Their dynamic is deliciously opposite‑attracts: she talks too much, he barely talks at all, yet their connection grows piece by piece through shared projects, festival committees, and the unexpected significance of those old crossword books.
The romance is soft, slow, and deeply character‑driven, wrapped in porch‑swing sweetness and Seagrove’s signature found‑family warmth. A lovely 4.5‑star read for fans of grumpy/sunshine, community‑centered stories, and cozy romances where two people who drive each other a little crazy end up being exactly what the other needs.
A cozy, sun‑washed small‑town romance full of gentle healing, quirky community charm, and two opposites who fit together better than either expects.
Rachel Hanna crafts a tender summer story in Seagrove, where Liza Forrester—burned out from her Charleston marketing career—arrives with nothing but a two‑week plan, a box of her late father’s crossword books, and a desperate need to breathe again. When that two weeks becomes a whole summer, she finds herself running Down Yonder Books, embraced by a town that feels like comfort food.
Next door, Grant Whitmore opens The Puzzle Post with one goal: quiet. After walking away from a lucrative tech career, he wants order, solitude, and zero questions. But Liza—sunny, chatty, and impossible to ignore—keeps knocking on his metaphorical (and literal) wall. Their dynamic is deliciously opposite‑attracts: she talks too much, he barely talks at all, yet their connection grows piece by piece through shared projects, festival committees, and the unexpected significance of those old crossword books.
The romance is soft, slow, and deeply character‑driven, wrapped in porch‑swing sweetness and Seagrove’s signature found‑family warmth. A lovely 4.5‑star read for fans of grumpy/sunshine, community‑centered stories, and cozy romances where two people who drive each other a little crazy end up being exactly what the other needs.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Liza Forrester is in Seagrove, briefly, to help her mother’s dear friend, Dixie, renovate the children’s section of her bookshop. Grant Whitmore opens a puzzle shop in Seagrove, right next to the bookshop. Liza and Grant are as opposite as opposite can be but when they’re teamed up on the summer festival committee, something neither one of them wanted, they get to know each other better and slowly develop an attraction to each other. Briefly starts looking more permanent for Liza and Grant finds the walls he built around his heart starting to crumble. Both are looking for life changes. Can they find them together?
Such a lovely, heartwarming story! Secrets are revealed, hearts are mended, new beginnings seem possible.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Such a lovely, heartwarming story! Secrets are revealed, hearts are mended, new beginnings seem possible.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 7, 2026
I liked Grant & Liza's story but overall I'm just over this series. There are too many errors and the format is the same for each part of the series now (new to the island people fall in love & the main characters are a very slight part of the story). I don't know if it was an author error or audiobook narrator error but Grant's brother went from being Owen to Oscar then back to Owen. Why is Dixie back full time at the book store? She "retired" & left the store to Julie so she & Harry could go travel the world before healthcare issues took control. Julie's daughter Meg was helping her with the store then all of sudden they're both gone from the book store. So many inconsistencies with these new parts of the series that makes it frustrating to listen to. I'm done & won't bother with any new installments.
August 25, 2026
This book is definitely for all of those “what if” and “would have/could have/should have” dreamers who are living life but wondering what is still out there. Nina, Harper, and Claire make a pact while celebrating Claire’s fiftieth birthday. Each month the three promise do something new and something hard together. This story resonates of the friendships we make with those who show up for us time and time again through the good days and the bad…the times of celebration and of grief…through the most unlikely of friendships. It brings with it tears and laughter and the ultimate lessons: learning to say yes to the difficult, cherishing what is right beside us, and trusting there is more goodness to come. Many thanks to R. Hanna for allowing me to be part of the ARC team for this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another hit from Rachel. I have no idea how you come up with these amazing stories time after time, but each time I read one, I feel like it's the best one that I have read. Liza and Grant come to town with their own life problems looking for nothing but to get away from what life threw at them. They are slow to become friends and slow to open up, but eventually do and find they were meant to be. Wouldn't be a good love story without conflict, and this is no different. Can I live in Seagrove?? Love having many of the residents from past books pop in and out. Another 10 out of 10 for me!
August 25, 2026
Wow!! Another great story that I had to finish in one sitting. While this is part of a very well written series, it can be a stand alone. The emotions, inner struggles, and love never disappoint in any of her stories. I love revisiting all the characters, and it’s a book about a bookstore!! What can be better than that. This story will warm your heart and make you wait for the next one. I hope this series continues!! Rachel Hanna is an auto buy author for me. She NEVER disappoints. A clean read that draws you in from the first chapter. Well done, as always!!
August 25, 2026
“Piece by Piece” by Rachel Hanna is a wonderful addition to the South Carolina Sunsets series. It’s set on Seagrove Island and follows Liza and Grant as they search to solve the puzzles that are holding them back. With the help of the engaging and supportive people on Seagrove Island, they take us along on the journey to find the missing pieces. Hanna’s writing beautifully captures Southern hospitality and the power of community, making this book a must read.
Pour yourself a sweet tea and enjoy.
Pour yourself a sweet tea and enjoy.
August 25, 2026
Rachel Hanna is a master of character development! Liza, a bright, fun, loud young woman from the corporate world, and Grant, a quiet, introverted, precise puzzle creator who is used to STAYing in the background of life meet in Seagrove, reveal their secrets and insecurities, and slowly and sweetly begin to create a life together. Rachel Hanna tucks many gems of wisdom throughout the story. This is a book that will STAY with me for a long time.
August 25, 2026
I have continued reading the Seagrove Series since the first story. I have enjoyed meeting the characters and following the stories of each of them, and Piece by Piece is no different! In this book, we are introduced to Liza and Grant, new to the scene. Both have complex and interesting backgrounds, and the interwoven storyline makes it a page turner. If you haven’t read the series this book is still worth the read. If f you haven’t, you will appreciate the cameos from the regular characters.
August 28, 2026
This is by far the best story I’ve read of Rachel’s!
I haven’t read all her book yet, but quite a few! Rachel obviously did a lot of research writing about crossword puzzles! The detail was amazing and the story of Liza and Grant was really well done. It was hard to believe that two total opposites would finally realize that they could finally have healing in the small island of Seabreeze.
Rachel, you have a big job ahead of you finishing the final book in the series #14.
I haven’t read all her book yet, but quite a few! Rachel obviously did a lot of research writing about crossword puzzles! The detail was amazing and the story of Liza and Grant was really well done. It was hard to believe that two total opposites would finally realize that they could finally have healing in the small island of Seabreeze.
Rachel, you have a big job ahead of you finishing the final book in the series #14.
October 6, 2026
Piece By Piece is a warm small-town romance filled with grumpy/sunshine chemistry, opposites attract, and second chances.
What I appreciated most is the charming setup of a bookstore owner and puzzle-shop owner slowly drawn together while their businesses, community, and personal histories become intertwined. A lovely choice for readers who enjoy clean romance, found family, and heartwarming small-town stories.
What I appreciated most is the charming setup of a bookstore owner and puzzle-shop owner slowly drawn together while their businesses, community, and personal histories become intertwined. A lovely choice for readers who enjoy clean romance, found family, and heartwarming small-town stories.
August 25, 2026
In this book, we get to meet Liza & Grant. Liza begins to work at the bookstore and Grant owns a puzzle store next door. Through working together on community events, the reader gets to know them as they get to know each other. I also appreciated all of the past and supporting characters in Seagrove like usual.
If you are looking to escape, and love puzzles, this book is for you!
If you are looking to escape, and love puzzles, this book is for you!
September 18, 2026
Difficult to review
Outstanding book, characters and location, as usual. But this one is more sterile, technical and more explanations of actions. Not overly romantic, but full of friendship. Not so much two people together as two individuals that eventually find their way together. I enjoyed this book but found it very hard to review.
Outstanding book, characters and location, as usual. But this one is more sterile, technical and more explanations of actions. Not overly romantic, but full of friendship. Not so much two people together as two individuals that eventually find their way together. I enjoyed this book but found it very hard to review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is Rachel Hanna at her very best! South Carolina Sunsets will always be my favorite series of hers and this is book 14 and I hope it will never end!
I highly recommend this book and this series!
I highly recommend this book and this series!
September 5, 2026
As Always wonderful.
This Was a great Book. All of your Book are so special!!. So full of love great characters, places for us to visit and always want to return to. Thank You Rachel Hanna. Looking forward to The next one. Hugs
This Was a great Book. All of your Book are so special!!. So full of love great characters, places for us to visit and always want to return to. Thank You Rachel Hanna. Looking forward to The next one. Hugs
September 8, 2026
it was worth the wait, Rachel!
A simple boy meets girl story? Absolutely not! I think this is Rachel Hanna’s best yet. I’m still weeping, not because it’s sad but because it’s a wonderful story that opened and grew piece by piece.
A simple boy meets girl story? Absolutely not! I think this is Rachel Hanna’s best yet. I’m still weeping, not because it’s sad but because it’s a wonderful story that opened and grew piece by piece.
October 8, 2026
a book full of hope that you won’t want to put down
This book gives people hope fora better life after experiencing grief, it kept my attention and I didn’t want to put it down. Easy to read
This book gives people hope fora better life after experiencing grief, it kept my attention and I didn’t want to put it down. Easy to read
Review of advance copy received from Author
Excellent book, best one yet. I loved Grant & Liza story. Dixie is such a hoot
August 25, 2026
I loved this story. So much is the details that add so much to the characters and the story. Well worth the read.
Read
August 27, 2026Struggled to get into this one and skimmed through the second half
August 27, 2026
Easy book to listen to. Enjoyed this clean romance
August 29, 2026
What a fun love story involving crossword puzzles! Read this in one sitting.
August 31, 2026
Good story!
September 2, 2026
I really enjoyed this story.
September 4, 2026
Another great book in the series. Cant wait for Book 14.
September 5, 2026
oh so good!
This one was excellent! New characters, same small town on the same island but lots of loving, caring people and their well meaning and intertwined lives!
This one was excellent! New characters, same small town on the same island but lots of loving, caring people and their well meaning and intertwined lives!
Read
September 5, 2026Loved this Series
Loved the diversity of characters. There were plots U didn't see coming but such a sweet and wonderful series....Thank You!!
Loved the diversity of characters. There were plots U didn't see coming but such a sweet and wonderful series....Thank You!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews