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Hearts in Hendricks #3
Love Like Air
Love Heals a Broken Heart Unless Secrets Stay Untold
Running a bakery and staying one step ahead of a mining company determined to buy her family homestead keep Debi Thomas busy in the lakeshore town of Hendricks. Since her ex-husband ruined her desire for romance, she’s more content selling donuts than dating anyway.
Widower Mick Graham has long admired effervescent Debi, and not just for her baking talents. But keeping his preteen daughter out of the principal’s office and his mother-in-law out of his hair have made dating a low priority.
When an accident thrusts Mick and Debi together, she wonders if Mick is the one to heal her heart. However, trouble brews for their budding romance when she discovers Mick might be behind the mine president’s lucrative offer for her property, an offer almost too good to refuse. Can Mick make her a better one—a second chance at love?
Running a bakery and staying one step ahead of a mining company determined to buy her family homestead keep Debi Thomas busy in the lakeshore town of Hendricks. Since her ex-husband ruined her desire for romance, she’s more content selling donuts than dating anyway.
Widower Mick Graham has long admired effervescent Debi, and not just for her baking talents. But keeping his preteen daughter out of the principal’s office and his mother-in-law out of his hair have made dating a low priority.
When an accident thrusts Mick and Debi together, she wonders if Mick is the one to heal her heart. However, trouble brews for their budding romance when she discovers Mick might be behind the mine president’s lucrative offer for her property, an offer almost too good to refuse. Can Mick make her a better one—a second chance at love?
218 pages, Paperback
Published May 15, 2019
174 people are currently reading
320 people want to read
About the author
D.E. Malone
23 books485 followersD.E. Malone writes sweet contemporary romance and is the author of the Hearts in Hendricks and Blueberry Point romance series. She also writes for the middle grades as Dawn Malone, and her work has appeared in Highlights for Children, Pockets, the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and other magazines and newspapers. She loves traveling to places off the beaten path which inspire the small-town settings in her stories. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, hiking, volunteering with shelter dogs, and continuing her never-ending quest for the holy grail of bakeries.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 9, 2020
Well. This one was just as adorable as the next. Sugary sweet all the way through. I loved that Debi struggled with a traumatic past relationship. It felt so real especially with phrases that feel almost triggering. Mick is a dream (disregard that he's totally my type) I loved that he was given the space to be a widow and still to love. Lovely. Just read it, trust me.
August 7, 2022
Another winner from D.E. Malone
I don't know how these books keep getting better and better but they do! This story was so cute, beautiful, and full of strong personalities. I love how family was a good part of it, but so was standing up for yourself and being who you want to be. The characters were so well developed, chemistry bursting throughout, and oh my goodness I just couldn't put it down. Having dealt with manipulative family members in the past, I could seriously feel for different people in the book and what they were going through and it made me cheer at each turning point.
I HIGHLY recommend this book, the entire series, and everything D.E. Malone has written ❤️
I don't know how these books keep getting better and better but they do! This story was so cute, beautiful, and full of strong personalities. I love how family was a good part of it, but so was standing up for yourself and being who you want to be. The characters were so well developed, chemistry bursting throughout, and oh my goodness I just couldn't put it down. Having dealt with manipulative family members in the past, I could seriously feel for different people in the book and what they were going through and it made me cheer at each turning point.
I HIGHLY recommend this book, the entire series, and everything D.E. Malone has written ❤️
May 12, 2021
This was a fun new addition to the series, yet it completely stood on its own. There were characters from the other books, but their roles were minor.
Debi is a very sweet person, but she struggles to trust, especially men. Mick has a complicated family situation with a surly preteen and an overbearing mother-in-law. Yet together they are able to make each other happy and open up their hearts again. I wish there had been more of their actual relationship development and getting to know each other as I felt there were a few holes, but I still really enjoyed it.
Debi is a very sweet person, but she struggles to trust, especially men. Mick has a complicated family situation with a surly preteen and an overbearing mother-in-law. Yet together they are able to make each other happy and open up their hearts again. I wish there had been more of their actual relationship development and getting to know each other as I felt there were a few holes, but I still really enjoyed it.
May 19, 2021
A very good book .
I really enjoyed reading this romance. It felt like you could be in the story roo. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves a good love story.
I really enjoyed reading this romance. It felt like you could be in the story roo. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves a good love story.
May 7, 2023
This was my favorite book so far in the series. Debi's spunky personality shines through Ms. Malone's words. And Stella almost stole the show with her pre-teen angst. Her attitude was depicted all too realistically for someone who is living with a 12 year old currently 😅 I also have to mention the gorgeous cover that drew me to the series in the first place. I love looking for the little details from the book captured between the swirling blacktop road.
June 28, 2025
Sweet Plans
Debi Thomas and Mick Graham meet directly after a passing truck nearly hits her on a rainy day. She has seen Mick and his daughter Stella around especially because they are regulars at her donut shop. They are mostly polite toward her and the pain in her arm was something she was likely to not require a doctor for, but Stella was upset when she saw her mother's old shirt on her as there were painful memories about her death.
Time goes by, and Mick does ask Debi to dinner at his home with Stella. Stella is for her Dad's happiness, yet she has reservations about her situational experiences at school.
The school situation has settled by a very gracious teacher who knows Stella's sensitivities and writing talent. Mick agrees with the instructor, though he seems to have hinted at a firmer punishment for Stella's misbehavior.
Debi's shop is a place where most of the town goes to buy desserts and beverages, and she has become accustomed to connecting to the people and putting announcements on her bulletin board. She has two employees that help her have some work-life balance. She has hobbies, a home, and lands to fill her time-- after a divorce two years before.
The dinner does go on as planned, and Stella does appear to grow warmer to having Debi around. Debi is believing the new changes in her personal life could be a real fit for her, though she really loves the productivity she has on her own.
The plot of the story involves a huge decision, and affects how the story would go on.
Debi Thomas and Mick Graham meet directly after a passing truck nearly hits her on a rainy day. She has seen Mick and his daughter Stella around especially because they are regulars at her donut shop. They are mostly polite toward her and the pain in her arm was something she was likely to not require a doctor for, but Stella was upset when she saw her mother's old shirt on her as there were painful memories about her death.
Time goes by, and Mick does ask Debi to dinner at his home with Stella. Stella is for her Dad's happiness, yet she has reservations about her situational experiences at school.
The school situation has settled by a very gracious teacher who knows Stella's sensitivities and writing talent. Mick agrees with the instructor, though he seems to have hinted at a firmer punishment for Stella's misbehavior.
Debi's shop is a place where most of the town goes to buy desserts and beverages, and she has become accustomed to connecting to the people and putting announcements on her bulletin board. She has two employees that help her have some work-life balance. She has hobbies, a home, and lands to fill her time-- after a divorce two years before.
The dinner does go on as planned, and Stella does appear to grow warmer to having Debi around. Debi is believing the new changes in her personal life could be a real fit for her, though she really loves the productivity she has on her own.
The plot of the story involves a huge decision, and affects how the story would go on.
May 18, 2019
A Breath of Fresh Air! "Love Like Air" is the well-crafted third book in the charming Hearts in Hendricks Series. Set in the small, seasonal tourist town of Hendricks on the beautiful and peaceful North Shore of Lake Superior, this story contains plenty of small town fun and quirky characters.
Mick Graham has been a customer of Debi Thomas' donut shop for years. A chance encounter makes them both wonder if their friendship could evolve into a romance. But does their budding romance stand a chance against hurdles such as interfering family members, trust issues, and an overzealous mining operation? Will this story of new beginnings have a happy ending for Mick and Debi?
I enjoyed this book as much as the first two in the series and look forward to the next Hearts in Hendricks book.
Mick Graham has been a customer of Debi Thomas' donut shop for years. A chance encounter makes them both wonder if their friendship could evolve into a romance. But does their budding romance stand a chance against hurdles such as interfering family members, trust issues, and an overzealous mining operation? Will this story of new beginnings have a happy ending for Mick and Debi?
I enjoyed this book as much as the first two in the series and look forward to the next Hearts in Hendricks book.
May 14, 2019
I was thrilled to read Debi's story after having met her in the first two books in this series. D.E. Malone did a great job revealing just enough about her character in both Love Like Water and Love Like Fire to make me want to know her past.
Mick, the male lead, was delightful. Vulnerable, unsure of himself, and caring. I was rooting for him to succeed the whole book.
I also appreciated that this story could stand alone. Had I not read the first two in the series (which were both so sweet!), I would not have been lost or felt like I was missing out on anything.
Another great story, more fun characters, and a lovely visit back to Hendricks.
Mick, the male lead, was delightful. Vulnerable, unsure of himself, and caring. I was rooting for him to succeed the whole book.
I also appreciated that this story could stand alone. Had I not read the first two in the series (which were both so sweet!), I would not have been lost or felt like I was missing out on anything.
Another great story, more fun characters, and a lovely visit back to Hendricks.
December 28, 2024
It was a very sweet romance book. I enjoyed the characters and their development. One of my only complaints is that for some reason I kept picturing Debi as being like 50 or 60 and not 30 something. I’m not sure why, maybe it was the way she talked or her name or her occupation, or maybe all three. I also felt like it was well paced up until the end. Things moved quite quickly there and I would have even liked some more details about some of the side plots. I like it better than the first, but I think I prefer the second to this one. But overall it was an easy and fun read, just what I was wanting.
May 23, 2022
Love in the Air
Debbie and Mick's story starts with a truck almost hitting Mick and his daughter Stella and seeing it knock down Debbie their neighbor down in a puddle of mud next to her mail box. Misunderstanding on both Debbie & Mick side due to his ex-mother-in-law wanting to buy Debbie's Family's property. Can they overcome Gretchen schemes and find Love?
Debbie and Mick's story starts with a truck almost hitting Mick and his daughter Stella and seeing it knock down Debbie their neighbor down in a puddle of mud next to her mail box. Misunderstanding on both Debbie & Mick side due to his ex-mother-in-law wanting to buy Debbie's Family's property. Can they overcome Gretchen schemes and find Love?
September 15, 2020
Just a wonderful beautiful story. I love how this story had a different dilemma then the other two but just as beautiful and full of love. These characters once again had me there in the middle of everything. I laughed and I cried. I can't wait for the fourth one...
May 12, 2019
Believable characters, well-written dialog.
Romance built slowly on friendship...
And poetry . . .
I love the poems included in the story!
Romance built slowly on friendship...
And poetry . . .
I love the poems included in the story!
January 7, 2021
Sweet romance! Quick read and great to see more of the town!
January 15, 2021
I'm a big fan of second chances and finding love during middle age. I enjoyed Debi and Mick's story but it didn't grab me as much as I had hoped.
May 14, 2024
Why we moving so damn fast.
May 20, 2025
sweet read
New author to me and quite liked the story and characters apart from the mother-in-law. A sweet rather than sexy read, even with the bakery aspect.
New author to me and quite liked the story and characters apart from the mother-in-law. A sweet rather than sexy read, even with the bakery aspect.
May 27, 2025
Idk how they fell in love in 200 pages but I loved it. The ending was awesome 🍩
June 7, 2025
An easy and nice read but not my favourite, would have liked to see the romance develop more
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews