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Dove Pond #0.5
Love in the Afternoon
A woman with a legendary green thumb, a man living in an emotional desert, and a small boy unable to connect with others. Can the three of them, with a little help from the charmed town of Dove Pond (and a pesky ghost), turn a nightmare into a fairytale and forge their own happily ever after?
Young widow Sofia Rodriquez has just accepted the position of greenhouse manager for Ava Dove’s booming herbal tea business. Sofia is delighted to have found a job that will make use of her gardening skills and allow her to spend time with her son, Noah, who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s. Adding to her joy is the charming farmhouse she’s renting on the edge of Dove Pond.
The only cloud on Sofia’s horizon is her next door neighbor, Jake, whose yard is a thorny jungle worthy of Sleeping Beauty. Soon enough, Sofia discovers that Jake himself is just as thorny and unpleasant as his yard.
After his fiancé left him, work-from-home IT whiz and game developer Jake Klaine has gone from Prince Charming to complete hermit. But Jake isn’t really alone; he’s living with a ghost: a (formerly) hairy man named Doyle who’s a fan of bad puns and who refuses to leave Jake’s bathtub. This is nothing new for Jake, as he’s been talking to ghosts since he was a boy. He finds real people harder to deal with, like the kid next door who won’t stop bugging him about the new game he’s developing.
Sofia and Jake know all too well that life isn’t a game. They’ve both lost the person they loved most. But under the watchful eye of the ghostly Doyle and Sofia’s new friend Ava, who has abilities of her own, Jake and Sofia decide to take a chance and let in an outsider. Soon they discover that, with a little magic, even the thorniest walls are no match for the innocent trust of a lonely child and the fierce determination of a woman wielding a razor-sharp pruner and a heart big enough to make even the most stubborn flower bloom.
Young widow Sofia Rodriquez has just accepted the position of greenhouse manager for Ava Dove’s booming herbal tea business. Sofia is delighted to have found a job that will make use of her gardening skills and allow her to spend time with her son, Noah, who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s. Adding to her joy is the charming farmhouse she’s renting on the edge of Dove Pond.
The only cloud on Sofia’s horizon is her next door neighbor, Jake, whose yard is a thorny jungle worthy of Sleeping Beauty. Soon enough, Sofia discovers that Jake himself is just as thorny and unpleasant as his yard.
After his fiancé left him, work-from-home IT whiz and game developer Jake Klaine has gone from Prince Charming to complete hermit. But Jake isn’t really alone; he’s living with a ghost: a (formerly) hairy man named Doyle who’s a fan of bad puns and who refuses to leave Jake’s bathtub. This is nothing new for Jake, as he’s been talking to ghosts since he was a boy. He finds real people harder to deal with, like the kid next door who won’t stop bugging him about the new game he’s developing.
Sofia and Jake know all too well that life isn’t a game. They’ve both lost the person they loved most. But under the watchful eye of the ghostly Doyle and Sofia’s new friend Ava, who has abilities of her own, Jake and Sofia decide to take a chance and let in an outsider. Soon they discover that, with a little magic, even the thorniest walls are no match for the innocent trust of a lonely child and the fierce determination of a woman wielding a razor-sharp pruner and a heart big enough to make even the most stubborn flower bloom.
126 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2019
466 people are currently reading
2599 people want to read
About the author
Karen Hawkins
59 books2,992 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Hawkins writes novels that have been praised as touching, witty, charming, and heartwarming. A native Southerner who grew up in the mountains of East Tennessee where storytelling is a way of life, Karen recently moved to frosty New England with her beloved husband and multiple foster dogs. The Dove Pond books are a nod to the thousands of books that opened doors to more adventures, places, and discoveries than she ever imagined possible. To find out more about Karen, follow her at:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
December 26, 2020
Love in the Afternoon by Karen Hawkins is a 2019 Gallery Books publication.
This is a tie-in novella for Hawkins’ delight novel, ‘The Book Charmer’.
Set in Dove Pond, this short story is centered mostly around Jake, who lives inside his own head far too much, and Sofia, a single mother, whose son, Noah, has Asperger’s, and happens to be Jake's neighbor.
Then, there is Doyle, a former neighbor of Jake’s, now a ghost, who has ensconced himself in Jake’s bathtub, wearing a blonde wig, refusing to move on until Jake listens to his advice.
Jake and Noah make a connection over video game programming, giving Sofia a chance to put her green thumb to use by doing a little landscaping for Jake, whose yard is an absolute nightmare.
With a little help from Sofia’s boss, Ava Dove, two people who have suffered the pain of heartbreak, begin to slowly open -up to one another.
Will they have the courage to take the next step? Will Doyle finally make it the other side?
Novellas are often a hard sell for me, but because I just finished The Book Charmer, this companion piece was a nice little bonus. As wonderful as the romantic elements are, Noah and Doyle steal the show!
3.5 stars
This is a tie-in novella for Hawkins’ delight novel, ‘The Book Charmer’.
Set in Dove Pond, this short story is centered mostly around Jake, who lives inside his own head far too much, and Sofia, a single mother, whose son, Noah, has Asperger’s, and happens to be Jake's neighbor.
Then, there is Doyle, a former neighbor of Jake’s, now a ghost, who has ensconced himself in Jake’s bathtub, wearing a blonde wig, refusing to move on until Jake listens to his advice.
Jake and Noah make a connection over video game programming, giving Sofia a chance to put her green thumb to use by doing a little landscaping for Jake, whose yard is an absolute nightmare.
With a little help from Sofia’s boss, Ava Dove, two people who have suffered the pain of heartbreak, begin to slowly open -up to one another.
Will they have the courage to take the next step? Will Doyle finally make it the other side?
Novellas are often a hard sell for me, but because I just finished The Book Charmer, this companion piece was a nice little bonus. As wonderful as the romantic elements are, Noah and Doyle steal the show!
3.5 stars
June 11, 2023
4.5 Stars for Love in the Afternoon: Dove Pond, Book 0.5 (audiobook) by Karen Hawkins read by George Newbern, Tavia Gilbert, and Danny Campbell.
I wish that I lived closer to Dove Pond, I think that I’d like to live there. I’m really enjoying this series. It’s a nice change from what I mainly read.
I wish that I lived closer to Dove Pond, I think that I’d like to live there. I’m really enjoying this series. It’s a nice change from what I mainly read.
September 23, 2024
Quickie little insta-love novella. 3.5 stars
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I have to say that I had some mixed feelings about this book. I really enjoyed the story as it is so unique and original.
The author did a great job on some of the character development and I loved how Jake took to the child. This story is part of a series so I am not sure how much I have missed by not reading the first book.
What I didn’t love was how the ending was rushed and I felt the author could have spent some additional time developing the romance while still keeping this novella length. This is definitely an Insta-Love story so be prepared for that.
With the addition of some supporting characters, this was a sweet, clean romance! There are plenty of humorous parts, a few sad parts, and overall a pleasing read for a summer break.
(copy received for review consideration)
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/love-in-the-...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to say that I had some mixed feelings about this book. I really enjoyed the story as it is so unique and original.
The author did a great job on some of the character development and I loved how Jake took to the child. This story is part of a series so I am not sure how much I have missed by not reading the first book.
What I didn’t love was how the ending was rushed and I felt the author could have spent some additional time developing the romance while still keeping this novella length. This is definitely an Insta-Love story so be prepared for that.
With the addition of some supporting characters, this was a sweet, clean romance! There are plenty of humorous parts, a few sad parts, and overall a pleasing read for a summer break.
(copy received for review consideration)
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/love-in-the-...
February 25, 2022
Holy cow! What a beautiful story LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON is. I finished reading it with tears in my eyes, a huge lump in my throat, and a big stupid smile on my face. My emotions were all over the place and my heart broke over and over again. What an emotional story that is going to stay with me for a long long time. I’ve never read Karen Hawkins before, but she is now on my auto buy list of authors and I will read everything she writes. She blew me and my heart away with the this moving story of Sophia Rodriguez.
LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON is a story about a child with aspergers syndrome, his mom, a video game developer, and a ghost. I’ve never been interested in video games,my kids sure do love them, but the development process was a clever part of the story. When Sofia and her son Noah move to town she doesn’t expect to be spending the majority of her time with Jake. Jake is a coder and a hermit. He is someone that doesn’t like to be around other people due to his past relationship, with A woman who broke him. Once Noah starts coding with Jake, Sofia sees how much Jake cares and how much Noah is learning and growing while working with him. I wasn’t really amused by the ghost, Doyle, but he played an important role. I loved the characters and the treatment of aspergers.
After reading LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON I’m so excited to read more by Karen Hawkins. She captivated my heart from the very first page and never let it go. LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON is going be that book that after you are finished, you are going to want to share it with everyone. Karen puts just the right amount of humor in her writing so you aren’t totally falling apart the whole time and will actually find yourself smiling like an idiot at some parts. Then the very next second, you are sobbing! I fell in love with all the characters in this heart breaking but also heart warming story. I love when an author does that to me. Talk about an emotional roller coaster ride……….I really have book hangover right now and I owe it all to Karen Hawkins!
LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON is a story about a child with aspergers syndrome, his mom, a video game developer, and a ghost. I’ve never been interested in video games,my kids sure do love them, but the development process was a clever part of the story. When Sofia and her son Noah move to town she doesn’t expect to be spending the majority of her time with Jake. Jake is a coder and a hermit. He is someone that doesn’t like to be around other people due to his past relationship, with A woman who broke him. Once Noah starts coding with Jake, Sofia sees how much Jake cares and how much Noah is learning and growing while working with him. I wasn’t really amused by the ghost, Doyle, but he played an important role. I loved the characters and the treatment of aspergers.
After reading LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON I’m so excited to read more by Karen Hawkins. She captivated my heart from the very first page and never let it go. LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON is going be that book that after you are finished, you are going to want to share it with everyone. Karen puts just the right amount of humor in her writing so you aren’t totally falling apart the whole time and will actually find yourself smiling like an idiot at some parts. Then the very next second, you are sobbing! I fell in love with all the characters in this heart breaking but also heart warming story. I love when an author does that to me. Talk about an emotional roller coaster ride……….I really have book hangover right now and I owe it all to Karen Hawkins!
July 9, 2020
This was a cute, quick read. A bit silly in places, but light and sweet. Jake is a great guy, and the game he designed for Noah made my heart squishy. I thought autism was lightly but well portrayed, and the ways in which both Sofia and Jake handled Noah's differences were very thoughtful.
February 27, 2020
This was a great novella that should be read before the longer novel taking place in Dove Pond "The Book Charmer". The main reason why I gave it four stars is once again Hawkins seems to do this weird gaps between the last chapter and her epilogue. We jump ahead to an event, but it's implied something else has gone on that was a trial. Since this wasn't followed up on in the longer novel that I just read, it's weird. I don't know if it will be followed up on or referenced in the next book in the series, "A Cup of Silver Linings" but if that is how long Hawkins is going to wait to follow up on things, it's going to be an issue for readers of this series.
"Love in the Afternoon" has Ava Dove on the periphery of the story, while the novella follows widower Sofia Rodriguez and her son Noah who have recently moved to Dove Pond. Sofia has an affinity for plants and working for Ava to help her out with her tea making business is perfect for her. Ava is also allowing her to rent a home and be mindful of trying to accommodate her son Noah who has Asperger's. Ava's next door neighbor Jake though is not what she is expecting. A computer programmer who seems to live in a home swallowed up by roses, she is worried when her son starts to spend time with him. However, Jake and Sofia both start to feel something more is possible between them and they get a little assistance from a ghost. Yep you read that right.
So I loved all of the characters, even Jake's ghost (no spoilers). It was a heart-warming story and I loved how Jake slowly came out of his shell and realized that he wanted to pursue something with Sofia. And I liked how Sofia was upfront about her former marriage and what she was willing to put up with in the future. I maybe teared up a bit at a game that Jake created that gave Sofia something she talks to him about in a separate conversation.
The ending was kind of a leap in my mind and I have to say that though this is called the Dove Pond series, we don't seem to be focusing too much on the sisters. I hope the next book does.
"Love in the Afternoon" has Ava Dove on the periphery of the story, while the novella follows widower Sofia Rodriguez and her son Noah who have recently moved to Dove Pond. Sofia has an affinity for plants and working for Ava to help her out with her tea making business is perfect for her. Ava is also allowing her to rent a home and be mindful of trying to accommodate her son Noah who has Asperger's. Ava's next door neighbor Jake though is not what she is expecting. A computer programmer who seems to live in a home swallowed up by roses, she is worried when her son starts to spend time with him. However, Jake and Sofia both start to feel something more is possible between them and they get a little assistance from a ghost. Yep you read that right.
So I loved all of the characters, even Jake's ghost (no spoilers). It was a heart-warming story and I loved how Jake slowly came out of his shell and realized that he wanted to pursue something with Sofia. And I liked how Sofia was upfront about her former marriage and what she was willing to put up with in the future. I maybe teared up a bit at a game that Jake created that gave Sofia something she talks to him about in a separate conversation.
The ending was kind of a leap in my mind and I have to say that though this is called the Dove Pond series, we don't seem to be focusing too much on the sisters. I hope the next book does.
October 28, 2020
Love in the Afternoon by Karen Hawkins is a sweet romance novella set in Dove Pond. Sofia, Sofia's son, Noah, and Jake are neighbors. Noah has Asperger's and enthralled with video games. It just so happens that Jake is a game developer and so this sweet story begins with the help of the magic of Dove Pond and a ghost named Doyle.
June 23, 2020
Loved this sweet and charming novella. Sofia, Jake, and Noah were delightful characters, and Doyle the ghost added his own very special persona! This book was filled with warmth and humor and love!
November 21, 2025
Some people do all their living in their own head. It's hard for them to connect with other people.
Some people have trouble managing their emotions. It can be hard for others to understand them.
Some people have been hurt by previous bad choices. It's hard for them to trust themselves.
Liked this small novella, except for one tiny thing. The Dove sisters are pushy. It's presented as this great, wholesome, we just want to help you thing. Really, they are just pushy.
Some people have trouble managing their emotions. It can be hard for others to understand them.
Some people have been hurt by previous bad choices. It's hard for them to trust themselves.
Liked this small novella, except for one tiny thing. The Dove sisters are pushy. It's presented as this great, wholesome, we just want to help you thing. Really, they are just pushy.
August 7, 2020
I had trouble getting into this. After just reading the novel, The Book Charmer, this seemed way too different. It got better and I was really into it and then it ended. I realize it was a novella but I wanted more romance and courting.
April 24, 2021
Loved it
June 21, 2019
Confucious said that “To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.” In Love in the Afternoon author Karen Hawkins tries to deliver a short story full of quirky sweetness, but misses the mark just a hair by adding a touch too much of the quirky.
Jake Klaine sees dead people. He’s been talking to ghosts since he was a small boy and for the work-from-home IT whiz and game developer, they can be good company. In fact, he often likes them more than the living – although his newest haunt is the exception to the rule. His deceased neighbor seems to have taken up near permanent residence in Jake’s guest bathroom and has been demanding a lot of his attention, pretty much ruining the morose self-pity Jake has been indulging in since his fiancée ditched him.
Sofia Rodriquez’s ship has finally come in. After years of bad luck, the young widow has been given a dream job as greenhouse manager for a booming herbal tea business. Not only does the position allow Sofia to make use of her gardening skills but it means she doesn’t have to pay for baby-sitting for ten-year-old Noah, who is autistic. Making her joy complete is the charming farmhouse she’s renting that sits right in front of the greenhouses; the rent is cheap and its close proximity to work means an insanely short commute for her and even more time to spend with Noah. The only potential downside to the situation is that the home next door is overrun with a species of rather aggressive rose bushes but that’s fine by Sofia. She likes having the thorny hedge between her and her neighbor.
Everything is working out beautifully till the day young Noah steps off the bus and bangs on the door of their neighbor’s rose-encrusted cottage. Turns out he was challenged by the boys on the bus to find out about Jake’s hermit-like existence and his disorder prevented him from realizing this was a cruel prank at his expense. Jake is rather bemused by having the boy show up on his doorstep, quickly followed by his curvaceous rather gorgeous mother. What could have been a disaster – a belligerent, ill-mannered child and a firmly reclusive man – works out well, since Noah is a serious gamer and Jake needs someone to test out his latest project. The three quickly work out a deal in which Noah will play Jake’s games and Jake will teach Noah how to write/code his own VG adventures.
Sofia, feeling that Noah is definitely getting the better end of the deal and also slightly guilty about how they foisted themselves on their neighbor, decides she will spend the time Noah is at Jake���s house cooking for Jake and trimming his roses. Any self-respecting romance reader can figure out what happens from there. See the rest of my review at https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
Jake Klaine sees dead people. He’s been talking to ghosts since he was a small boy and for the work-from-home IT whiz and game developer, they can be good company. In fact, he often likes them more than the living – although his newest haunt is the exception to the rule. His deceased neighbor seems to have taken up near permanent residence in Jake’s guest bathroom and has been demanding a lot of his attention, pretty much ruining the morose self-pity Jake has been indulging in since his fiancée ditched him.
Sofia Rodriquez’s ship has finally come in. After years of bad luck, the young widow has been given a dream job as greenhouse manager for a booming herbal tea business. Not only does the position allow Sofia to make use of her gardening skills but it means she doesn’t have to pay for baby-sitting for ten-year-old Noah, who is autistic. Making her joy complete is the charming farmhouse she’s renting that sits right in front of the greenhouses; the rent is cheap and its close proximity to work means an insanely short commute for her and even more time to spend with Noah. The only potential downside to the situation is that the home next door is overrun with a species of rather aggressive rose bushes but that’s fine by Sofia. She likes having the thorny hedge between her and her neighbor.
Everything is working out beautifully till the day young Noah steps off the bus and bangs on the door of their neighbor’s rose-encrusted cottage. Turns out he was challenged by the boys on the bus to find out about Jake’s hermit-like existence and his disorder prevented him from realizing this was a cruel prank at his expense. Jake is rather bemused by having the boy show up on his doorstep, quickly followed by his curvaceous rather gorgeous mother. What could have been a disaster – a belligerent, ill-mannered child and a firmly reclusive man – works out well, since Noah is a serious gamer and Jake needs someone to test out his latest project. The three quickly work out a deal in which Noah will play Jake’s games and Jake will teach Noah how to write/code his own VG adventures.
Sofia, feeling that Noah is definitely getting the better end of the deal and also slightly guilty about how they foisted themselves on their neighbor, decides she will spend the time Noah is at Jake���s house cooking for Jake and trimming his roses. Any self-respecting romance reader can figure out what happens from there. See the rest of my review at https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
July 15, 2019
A sweet, quick read!! This E-novella, is a part of the Dove Pond series.
Synopsis:
A woman with a legendary green thumb, a man living in an emotional desert, and a small boy unable to connect with others. Can the three of them, with a little help from the charmed town of Dove Pond (and a pesky ghost), turn a nightmare into a fairytale and forge their own happily ever after?
Young widow Sofia Rodriquez has just accepted the position of greenhouse manager for Ava Dove’s booming herbal tea business. Sofia is delighted to have found a job that will make use of her gardening skills and allow her to spend time with her son, Noah, who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s. Adding to her joy is the charming farmhouse she’s renting on the edge of Dove Pond.
The only cloud on Sofia’s horizon is her next door neighbor, Jake, whose yard is a thorny jungle worthy of Sleeping Beauty. Soon enough, Sofia discovers that Jake himself is just as thorny and unpleasant as his yard.
After his fiancé left him, work-from-home IT whiz and game developer Jake Klaine has gone from Prince Charming to complete hermit. But Jake isn’t really alone; he’s living with a ghost: a (formerly) hairy man named Doyle who’s a fan of bad puns and who refuses to leave Jake’s bathtub. This is nothing new for Jake, as he’s been talking to ghosts since he was a boy. He finds real people harder to deal with, like the kid next door who won’t stop bugging him about the new game he’s developing.
Sofia and Jake know all too well that life isn’t a game. They’ve both lost the person they loved most. But under the watchful eye of the ghostly Doyle and Sofia’s new friend Ava, who has abilities of her own, Jake and Sofia decide to take a chance and let in an outsider. Soon they discover that, with a little magic, even the thorniest walls are no match for the innocent trust of a lonely child and the fierce determination of a woman wielding a razor-sharp pruner and a heart big enough to make even the most stubborn flower bloom.
I loved how Jake was patient with Noah and took his time working with him. I also got quite a few chuckles out of Doyle's snarkiness.
Fun read!!
Synopsis:
A woman with a legendary green thumb, a man living in an emotional desert, and a small boy unable to connect with others. Can the three of them, with a little help from the charmed town of Dove Pond (and a pesky ghost), turn a nightmare into a fairytale and forge their own happily ever after?
Young widow Sofia Rodriquez has just accepted the position of greenhouse manager for Ava Dove’s booming herbal tea business. Sofia is delighted to have found a job that will make use of her gardening skills and allow her to spend time with her son, Noah, who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s. Adding to her joy is the charming farmhouse she’s renting on the edge of Dove Pond.
The only cloud on Sofia’s horizon is her next door neighbor, Jake, whose yard is a thorny jungle worthy of Sleeping Beauty. Soon enough, Sofia discovers that Jake himself is just as thorny and unpleasant as his yard.
After his fiancé left him, work-from-home IT whiz and game developer Jake Klaine has gone from Prince Charming to complete hermit. But Jake isn’t really alone; he’s living with a ghost: a (formerly) hairy man named Doyle who’s a fan of bad puns and who refuses to leave Jake’s bathtub. This is nothing new for Jake, as he’s been talking to ghosts since he was a boy. He finds real people harder to deal with, like the kid next door who won’t stop bugging him about the new game he’s developing.
Sofia and Jake know all too well that life isn’t a game. They’ve both lost the person they loved most. But under the watchful eye of the ghostly Doyle and Sofia’s new friend Ava, who has abilities of her own, Jake and Sofia decide to take a chance and let in an outsider. Soon they discover that, with a little magic, even the thorniest walls are no match for the innocent trust of a lonely child and the fierce determination of a woman wielding a razor-sharp pruner and a heart big enough to make even the most stubborn flower bloom.
I loved how Jake was patient with Noah and took his time working with him. I also got quite a few chuckles out of Doyle's snarkiness.
Fun read!!
March 26, 2020
Very short story focused on friendship with a ghost and budding romance between neighbours.
Simple, direct, with a bit of fun and very little romance, and what's there it is thanks to Doyle (and Barbara)!
Again, a lot of telling and little showing, with some unanswered questions left * and a hurried finale.
It is not a good introduction to Dove Pond because Ava and Sarah's special abilities are only hinted at, and I wouldn't have catched on it without reading The Book Charmer first.
Sophia and Jake don't appear in the first novel either: and that's sad because Dove Pond is supposed to be a tight knit community where everyone knows everything about anyone! So, followups on the characters should be a given.
Hope we'll have a more cohesive cast of already introduced characters in A Cup of Silver Linings.
The novella ends at 77%, followed by the Papas Rellenas recipe and The Book Charmer excerpt.
*
Time inconsistency between Jake's and Sophia's POV when Noah comes knocking at Jake's door the first time.
Why didn't the roses like Jake?
What happened to the other ghosts?
When would Jake reveal his special ability?
How would Sophia and Noah react?
What happened to Jake's friends, why no one ever visited him?
Simple, direct, with a bit of fun and very little romance, and what's there it is thanks to Doyle (and Barbara)!
Again, a lot of telling and little showing, with some unanswered questions left * and a hurried finale.
It is not a good introduction to Dove Pond because Ava and Sarah's special abilities are only hinted at, and I wouldn't have catched on it without reading The Book Charmer first.
Sophia and Jake don't appear in the first novel either: and that's sad because Dove Pond is supposed to be a tight knit community where everyone knows everything about anyone! So, followups on the characters should be a given.
Hope we'll have a more cohesive cast of already introduced characters in A Cup of Silver Linings.
The novella ends at 77%, followed by the Papas Rellenas recipe and The Book Charmer excerpt.
*
Time inconsistency between Jake's and Sophia's POV when Noah comes knocking at Jake's door the first time.
Why didn't the roses like Jake?
What happened to the other ghosts?
When would Jake reveal his special ability?
How would Sophia and Noah react?
What happened to Jake's friends, why no one ever visited him?
January 11, 2020
I just finished the Book charmer was absolutely charmed by it. When I saw that there was a novella I immediately started reading it. This is the story of Jake and Sofia. Jake is a native of the town of Dove. He has become somewhat of a hermit since the ending of his engagement. Always been prone to being by itself and preferring the games he designs to other people he also has the quirk that he can see and talk to ghosts. When his new next door heighbor moves in with her son, he starts to realize that maybe he is missing out on life with a little help from his older neighbor host., Doyle. I really enjoyed this book. I especially like Jake, Doyle, and Noah.
June 17, 2019
What a fun, heartwarming story this was! Sofia and Jake are endearing characters both struggling through a rough point in life and probably wouldn't have gotten together if it weren't for a ghost. Yes, you read that right. A wig wearing ghost who loves to haunt in Jake's bathtub. But that ghost is on a mission and Jake and Sofia are the lucky recipients of his plan.
This story was sweet and dealt with very real life issues and I love it. It's also set in a town I would love to visit.
If you're looking for a fun read to spend an afternoon with, this needs to be on your ereader!
This story was sweet and dealt with very real life issues and I love it. It's also set in a town I would love to visit.
If you're looking for a fun read to spend an afternoon with, this needs to be on your ereader!
June 8, 2019
This was a sweet, quick read. It’s very instalove but manages to pack a pretty good punch in a short amount of time. This makes for an excellent read if you’re looking for a quick and easy, feel-good story.
*I received an early copy from NetGalley for voluntary review
*I received an early copy from NetGalley for voluntary review
January 25, 2020
Adorable short story in the Dove Pond Sisters saga. The relationships between the characters were unique and thoughtful. I also loved "The Book Charmer" and I look forward to more books in this series.
July 31, 2021
This was a nice summer novella read but I am glad I read it after the first two books as I may not have been too eager to read the main series. This gives a hint about the oddity that goes on in Dove Pond but if you read this first definitely read the next book it gets better.
March 6, 2022
There is something so sweet about Magical Realism. I loved The Book Charmer and so I picked up this novella too. I smiled through the whole thing, the town and the characters are so addicting to me. I loved the addition of a neurodiverse character or two as well. I highly recommend.
December 14, 2021
First, what a horrible title. I almost couldn’t read it for the title. Second, not a book. Novella, probably, at best. That business out of the way, I liked it. Another little addition to the Dove Pond series, which I have enjoyed. It’s not your typical love story, and that’s why I liked it. And all I can say is, this author paints her quirkiest character ever. A quick, fun, sweet read.
October 18, 2021
Sweet addition to the Dove Lake series. A gentle handling of the child who is on the spectrum. Sometimes fiction helps me learn the human side of issues. Ms. Hawkins wrote vividly of the challenges and blessings of raising a child who does not see the world in a traditional fashion.
November 27, 2021
I like the books in this series for their upbeat, positive messages and good plots. This one, though short, was nevertheless a very good story for HEA readers.
October 8, 2022
Loved it!
October 18, 2022
This novella is set in the same world as “The Book Charmer” and I enjoyed it although not as much. The audio narration was decent.
Source: Scribd audio
Source: Scribd audio
March 12, 2023
Love a book with a happy ending
December 16, 2024
Simple and sweet!
September 19, 2025
I want more
Too short! I’m loving this series and really wished this book was longer. Here’s hoping the next book is longer.
Too short! I’m loving this series and really wished this book was longer. Here’s hoping the next book is longer.
September 28, 2019
This beautiful and heartwarming novella was just what I needed, and after reading The Book Charmer before this one, I am definitely a fan of this author. Such wonderful stories and I just want more.
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