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Stephanie Bloomfield joins her sisters, Valerie and Norah, at their childhood home in Orchard Valley, Oregon, when her father has a heart attack. Steffie hasn't been home for three years, and by the time she arrives, her father has begun to recover. Steffie fled Orchard Valley when the love of her life, Charles Tomaselli, rejected her. She may be a grown woman now, but she's in no hurry to run into Charles again. But Steffie and Charles are thrown together, and in no time at all begin reliving past battles--and renewing old feelings. This time, will he be the reason she stays?

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2006

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About the author

Debbie Macomber

899 books20.7k followers
Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

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5 stars
518 (44%)
4 stars
324 (27%)
3 stars
230 (19%)
2 stars
77 (6%)
1 star
26 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Mariam MJ.
69 reviews3 followers
August 22, 2023
She : stupid, dump, doormat, jackass, stupid, dump, doormat, jackass, doormat, doormat, doormat ...... × 100

He : asshole, asshole, asshole, asshole, asshole, asshole, asshole, asshole ..... × 100


I just want to throw up 🤮
154 reviews6 followers
February 11, 2010
Meh, it was ok. Very odd and awkward progression towards the end. Felt unnatural and just not at all realistic. I realize it's a romance novel and the men in them are likes paragons of perfection but this chick, her thought processes, and his, were very non-sequitur. Still, it was a quick enough and entertaining enough read. I'm just glad I got it at a consignment store versus new/full-process.
Profile Image for Margo.
2,114 reviews130 followers
October 11, 2020
She spends years pining over a man who treated her cruelly for her own good. This author has been around forever, but hopefully she has given up that particular story by now.
Profile Image for Sara Qualls.
47 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2019
These books are carved straight out of cream cheese. But sometimes you need a silly romance you can read in a day or two.
Profile Image for Connie N..
2,802 reviews
October 30, 2022
#2 in the Orchard Valley Harlequin romance series

This book was much less enjoyable than the first in this trilogy. Steffie has just returned for a three-year stay in Italy. At 24, she feels herself much more mature than when she left, and she wants Charles (her former obsession) to know it. Unfortunately, she begins with an impulsive accusation against him based on incomplete information, and things really don't get too much better after that. She continued to be childish, in my opinion, responding sarcastically and refusing to have an open discussion about the past. I agree that her father was being totally intrusive and should not have gotten a pass because of his medical condition, so I'm sure that added to her internal stress. The HEA occurred, but I was totally confused by Charles' explanation about why he was keeping her at arm's length. Lame. The ending was a bit abrupt, seeming as though Macomber had a certain number of pages she needed to adhere to. I will, however, finish the trilogy because I like the premise and look forward to hearing Norah's story since she seems like the most mature of the bunch despite her youth.
Profile Image for Valerie Irwin.
317 reviews6 followers
June 19, 2022
2 Down...One To Go

This story picks up where the first story in this series, Valerie, left off...and oh what a story it is!!!!!

She has loved Charles for so very long, had done everything she could to get him to notice her...and notice her he had!!!! Then he shamed her for her childish displays of a crush that sent her running...not to another city or state...but to a completely different country...Italy! Now, 3 years later, she returns to Orchard Valley after learning that her father has had a massive heart attack where she will have to face Charles once more and confront their past.

This series is wonderful!!!!!! Norah is the last of the 3 sisters in this series and, YES!!!!, I've already purchased that book to read as soon as I end this review!!! Happy reading!!!
367 reviews
January 11, 2018
Father Knows Best

Stephanie left home when the man she loved didn't love her back. After three years she returned home to see her ailing father. He is determined she and her past love are meant to wed. The past must be settled before that can happen.
27 reviews1 follower
August 26, 2019
Father Knows Best

Stephanie left home when the man she loved didn't love her back. After three years she returned home to see her ailing father. He is determined she and her past love are meant to wed. The past must be settled before that can happen
Profile Image for Cathie McManus.
1,464 reviews6 followers
February 26, 2020
This is a story that could happen. I find David to be smug yet funny. Unfortunately, he could ruin Stephanie's life. He thought he was doing what was right. Stephanie and Charles really needed to talk and put the past behind them.
Profile Image for Melody.
107 reviews1 follower
January 6, 2019
The first few chaptersnwedw an repeat of Valerie, these two books could have been written as one. Still a sweet story.
Profile Image for Amira Khalifa.
113 reviews6 followers
June 20, 2021
الرواية أشبه بالأفلام الإنجليزية الكلاسيكية القديمة.
Profile Image for Lis Sigona.
593 reviews
October 31, 2023
Stephanie the middle sister of three. A father’s wish and a dream he experiences during his surgery to have his daughters live happy lives.
Profile Image for Abby.
1 review2 followers
November 26, 2024
Loved this book, but once I got to the end I wanted more to read.
Profile Image for Triin Soom.
274 reviews15 followers
August 7, 2025
Mees, kes arvab endast oi kui palju. Naine, kes on madalam kui muru. Naise isa on ausalt öeldes täiesti peast soe ja ei saa aru, mida suust välja ajab. Ühesõnaga lugemine omal vastutusel. :D
6 reviews
October 27, 2025
predictable

Not one of my favorite Debbie Macomber books. It was sweet, but bit over the top, similar to Valerie. I’m certainly Norah would be much the same.
Profile Image for Gina.
81 reviews
February 6, 2016
I liked these characters better and the (unrealistic) insta-love of the first book wasn't here so much because at least these two had a history... But then their history was so frustrating and so much left unsaid for stupid reasons, etc., etc. And the amount of detail covered from the first book, which I've just read and is fresh in my mind so I really didn't need a recap, let alone half the story rewritten, was quite frustrating...

Also, the conversations, especially between the 3 sisters, but also between the couple themselves, seemed quite unrealistic as well. But maybe that's just me being jaded about how "healthy" families talk to each other, lol.

These books are not doing much for me, but I feel invested now having read 2 of the series so far. Hopefully Norah's story is a redeemer. At least they're fairly short!
Profile Image for Donna Cody.
107 reviews1 follower
June 6, 2016
Dream a little dream


When David first told of his "near death experience" I thought this would be amusing. I never realized the problems that this caused. I did not find any humor in this situation and don't expect the final book in this trilogy "Norah" will just be another story about difficulties. Disappointing.





133 reviews
December 13, 2016
Stephanie

Another wonderful read in the Orchard Valley series. The second sister determines that three years in Italy hasn't changed how she feels about Charles. Her future with him is actually happening. A dream come true.
Profile Image for Lori.
Author 4 books16 followers
August 13, 2010
Second half of Orchard Valley Weddings. Light and quick read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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