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Hale's Song
Adelaide Overstreet, newly single, finds herself back where she grew up at her grandparents’ cottage by the lake. Determined to seize the opportunity to use her degree, she embarks on a venture with her oldest friend to rebuild the town’s failing diner.
She’s done with love, done with relationships, done with anything to do with a man.
Until a nine-year old little boy with chocolate brown hair and freckles waltzes into her house one day and asks her what she’s doing. Jensen Johnson doesn’t know it, but his simple action has Addy rethinking her life.
Hale Johnson is a single dad committed to raising his son the right way, not the way he was brought up, with belts and smacks, harsh words and condescending attitudes. With his ex long gone, he has shoved any thoughts of a relationship so far down, it would take a crane to pull it out.
Until a sassy, spirited pastry chef steps into his life. Captivated, he finds himself drawn to her, but he’s unwilling to put himself out there again.
Come meet the folks in Barge Falls, Mississippi, where the air is hot and humid and the tea is always sweet down at Marvie’s Diner!
*This is a contemporary romance with subject matter that may not be suitable for those under 18 years of age*
She’s done with love, done with relationships, done with anything to do with a man.
Until a nine-year old little boy with chocolate brown hair and freckles waltzes into her house one day and asks her what she’s doing. Jensen Johnson doesn’t know it, but his simple action has Addy rethinking her life.
Hale Johnson is a single dad committed to raising his son the right way, not the way he was brought up, with belts and smacks, harsh words and condescending attitudes. With his ex long gone, he has shoved any thoughts of a relationship so far down, it would take a crane to pull it out.
Until a sassy, spirited pastry chef steps into his life. Captivated, he finds himself drawn to her, but he’s unwilling to put himself out there again.
Come meet the folks in Barge Falls, Mississippi, where the air is hot and humid and the tea is always sweet down at Marvie’s Diner!
*This is a contemporary romance with subject matter that may not be suitable for those under 18 years of age*
- GenresRomanceContemporary
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2019
198 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Darlene Tallman
168 books617 followersLover of words. Author of "perfectly imperfect romance". Since starting this journey in August 2016, I've published eight books, two children's books, and have been part of two different coloring books. In short, I'm fulfilling a lifelong dream and would love to have you join me!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
August 9, 2019
Great premise but the dialogue was a tad high schoolish for me.
I liked each character but the immediate attachment to each other was unbelievable for me.
Id prefer a slower build up with more realistic expectations especially since hes a single dad.
I liked each character but the immediate attachment to each other was unbelievable for me.
Id prefer a slower build up with more realistic expectations especially since hes a single dad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2019
I'm a sucker for a single dad romance so this had a great starting point for me. What lost me was the pacing of the story:
Addy just got divorced and moved to her family's cabin. I mean this JUST happened. Then she meets Hale who did the work on the cabin, hired by her d-bag ex to fix it up before he dumped her. So she's licking her wounds which is completely understandable. Hale has INSTA whatever for her, c'mon the woman bakes from scratch and his 9 year old loves her. Addy tells Hale she wants to go slow. Next thing you know they're at warp speed. Fine, it's romance and I don't need a 200 page slow burn but the book couldn't seem to decide if it wanted to go slow or not.
What really bugged me though was when
Addy just got divorced and moved to her family's cabin. I mean this JUST happened. Then she meets Hale who did the work on the cabin, hired by her d-bag ex to fix it up before he dumped her. So she's licking her wounds which is completely understandable. Hale has INSTA whatever for her, c'mon the woman bakes from scratch and his 9 year old loves her. Addy tells Hale she wants to go slow. Next thing you know they're at warp speed. Fine, it's romance and I don't need a 200 page slow burn but the book couldn't seem to decide if it wanted to go slow or not.
What really bugged me though was when
September 24, 2019
Hale Johnson works hard too lead by example for his son. He never regrets having him and has struggled at times as a single dad but he knows there is nothing more important than his son.
Adelaide Overtreet thought she had it all, a happy marriage and career. She was fooled and after a brutal blow as to why her husband wanted a divorce, she moves closer to her best friend to start over. She doesn't expect to fall in love or the fact that she adores his son. Can two people who have different lives come together or will life pull them in different directions.
This was really good. A bit angsty at times but was what I was looking for. Hale is great and I think with Adelaide they are a force to be reckoned with. Great story, perfect for a rainy day.
Adelaide Overtreet thought she had it all, a happy marriage and career. She was fooled and after a brutal blow as to why her husband wanted a divorce, she moves closer to her best friend to start over. She doesn't expect to fall in love or the fact that she adores his son. Can two people who have different lives come together or will life pull them in different directions.
This was really good. A bit angsty at times but was what I was looking for. Hale is great and I think with Adelaide they are a force to be reckoned with. Great story, perfect for a rainy day.
September 1, 2019
Fine
Safe
Safe
September 17, 2019
Such a beautifully written heartwarming emotional story about finding love again. Adelaide (Addy) finds herself living back in Barge Falls Mississippi where her life held some of her best memories, her grandparents cottage that she owns and now calls home. After her divorce, coming back to rebuild her life as a pastry chef and build a life along her best friend Marvie. Lucky for Addy the builder who has been renovating her cottage whilst she was still married has done a wonderful job and now her new life can begin.
Hale Johnson is a single dad to a 9 year old boy JD and long time friend of Marvie's boyfriend Boz as they work together in construction as Hale has done most of Addy's renovations Addy calls on him to continue and finish her deck.
Sparks fly between these two after meeting and their adventures begin. It has been a emotional and enjoyable story to read, filled with lost love, heartache loss and betrayal also with such wonderful moments of humour lust love and sweetness that will remain long after reading. Highly recommended read.
Hale Johnson is a single dad to a 9 year old boy JD and long time friend of Marvie's boyfriend Boz as they work together in construction as Hale has done most of Addy's renovations Addy calls on him to continue and finish her deck.
Sparks fly between these two after meeting and their adventures begin. It has been a emotional and enjoyable story to read, filled with lost love, heartache loss and betrayal also with such wonderful moments of humour lust love and sweetness that will remain long after reading. Highly recommended read.
September 15, 2019
A beautiful story written with so much emotion. Addy is just recently divorced and has no inclination to find love again. She is happy with her life the way it is with her baking, her cat, and of course her best friend Marvie. Hale is a single parent who has raised his 9 year old son JD with the help of his sister. When the 2 of them meet neither one can imagine that they would be lucky enough to find the other person that completes their souls. There is a heartbreaking event that occurs broke my heart, and made me shed a few tears. I am so glad that everything works out and they both get the love and family they deserve.
August 3, 2019
Epically awesome
Love the world building and story line! Adored Addy and Hale in their struggles thru life. Truly deep issues. Be prepared with tissues cuz this story will make a few years escape!
Love the world building and story line! Adored Addy and Hale in their struggles thru life. Truly deep issues. Be prepared with tissues cuz this story will make a few years escape!
May 3, 2021
Real life Romance w/ TEAR JERK LIFE EVENTS
Excellent Work by this author ✍️
My opinion this is a MUST READ ❤️🔥♥️📚
Another BOOK you need to experience on your own .
Reviews by other people may vary.
Depending on how the reader feels.
Judge for yourself ❣️❣️❣️
This book hit me because I’m very sympathetic individual
so I can imagine real life event like this, therefore my
heart bleed 🩸 easy on these super feel book story lines.
#Bibliophile Susan
#BOOKSUGARGETKISSED 💋 BOOK 💋
Excellent Work by this author ✍️
My opinion this is a MUST READ ❤️🔥♥️📚
Another BOOK you need to experience on your own .
Reviews by other people may vary.
Depending on how the reader feels.
Judge for yourself ❣️❣️❣️
This book hit me because I’m very sympathetic individual
so I can imagine real life event like this, therefore my
heart bleed 🩸 easy on these super feel book story lines.
#Bibliophile Susan
#BOOKSUGARGETKISSED 💋 BOOK 💋
January 28, 2023
covers a wide range of emotions
This was such a sweet read covering a full range of emotions. The characters were personable and people you would love in your corner. The storyline was an emotional rollercoaster with a great HEA. I know I only gave a 4 star but I think that is because I normally love an edgier read but when my heads been hurting I revert to an easier read and Darlene Tallman always offers that in her books. A great read for anyone who wants a easy romance book with a HEA
This was such a sweet read covering a full range of emotions. The characters were personable and people you would love in your corner. The storyline was an emotional rollercoaster with a great HEA. I know I only gave a 4 star but I think that is because I normally love an edgier read but when my heads been hurting I revert to an easier read and Darlene Tallman always offers that in her books. A great read for anyone who wants a easy romance book with a HEA
April 3, 2021
What a beautiful novel
I really enjoyed the other few books of Ms Tallman that I’ve read and this one even surpassed the Black Tuxedo MC !
I found everything I loved in this book and the descriptions shone through the words : love, laughter, sadness, the occasional shocked gasp and most of all the sharing within melded families.
I read this on kindle unlimited and have just bought myself a copy...fully intend a reread very soon.
Thoroughly recommended.
I really enjoyed the other few books of Ms Tallman that I’ve read and this one even surpassed the Black Tuxedo MC !
I found everything I loved in this book and the descriptions shone through the words : love, laughter, sadness, the occasional shocked gasp and most of all the sharing within melded families.
I read this on kindle unlimited and have just bought myself a copy...fully intend a reread very soon.
Thoroughly recommended.
January 15, 2022
Perfect
Love Hale. I incredible single father. Takes that job seriously. Addy is incredible. I was sad but also glad to see the story come together. The hardships and the very real issues she had not being able to have children but home for me. Seeing the story unfold, it was perfect. Although in some people's minds this isn't a happy ending, to those of us who truly can't have children it's the happiest dang story ever. Absolutely loved this.
Love Hale. I incredible single father. Takes that job seriously. Addy is incredible. I was sad but also glad to see the story come together. The hardships and the very real issues she had not being able to have children but home for me. Seeing the story unfold, it was perfect. Although in some people's minds this isn't a happy ending, to those of us who truly can't have children it's the happiest dang story ever. Absolutely loved this.
October 31, 2023
Wow!!!!
Wow!!!!
Hale and Addy’s story is filed with love and happiness but starts with some heartbreak. Actually, there’s some heartbreak scattered throughout but trust the process!!! The way the story is woven together, it’s just amazing and your heart and the character’s hearts will all be put together at the end.
I cannot express how much I loved this story. And the epilogue?!?!? Please, I hope those stories get told!!!!!!
Wow!!!!
Hale and Addy’s story is filed with love and happiness but starts with some heartbreak. Actually, there’s some heartbreak scattered throughout but trust the process!!! The way the story is woven together, it’s just amazing and your heart and the character’s hearts will all be put together at the end.
I cannot express how much I loved this story. And the epilogue?!?!? Please, I hope those stories get told!!!!!!
December 25, 2023
There was something about this one. Both Hale and Addy had been knocked down for different reasons at the start, heck even different time periods, yet neither one let it keep them down. Given the opportunity, they welcomed happiness in their lives. And even when life threw hard stuff at them, they rolled with it, totally adjusted their lives to make room for more. All the while there was lots of love around for everyone. It was nice to see how everyone was thriving at the end.
July 23, 2020
OMG I fell in love with Hale and Addy from the very first chapter and the ride Ms. Tallman took us on had me laughing, wanting to strangle her and throw the paperback out the door, crying, but also constantly turning the page to find out what happens next. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes single dad romance with angst as well as ties to future books
February 15, 2021
Why...
2 stars for the cute story before the rest......
*******S P O I L E R S*******
It was an okay book. I was completely into it and thought it was cute up until the sister died. Why make the sister die to fulfill the h’s need to be a mother? She could’ve been happy with the boyfriend’s son or adopted a baby after they married. She had the funds for it apparently.
2 stars for the cute story before the rest......
*******S P O I L E R S*******
It was an okay book. I was completely into it and thought it was cute up until the sister died. Why make the sister die to fulfill the h’s need to be a mother? She could’ve been happy with the boyfriend’s son or adopted a baby after they married. She had the funds for it apparently.
February 26, 2021
Love is all you need
This book was like watching a movie!! So good and so easy to picture everything. I love reading a good love story, and this one surely delivered. It had its ups and downs, tragedies and good laughs. It was just like life!!
A new author to me, but I am definitely checking out all of her work!!
This book was like watching a movie!! So good and so easy to picture everything. I love reading a good love story, and this one surely delivered. It had its ups and downs, tragedies and good laughs. It was just like life!!
A new author to me, but I am definitely checking out all of her work!!
June 16, 2021
I am not sure what to make of this. It was... the oddest read. Mostly read like a teenager wrote it. A lot of different traumas & angst chucked in there. Really perplexed. Like, what was the point of the bio mum coming to the hospital? Made absolutely no sense and added nothing to the tale being told.
This was just... odd.
This was just... odd.
September 5, 2024
What a lovely surprise!
Overall this was such a beautiful story of getting a 2nd chance at finding love.
This story made me cry, it made me laugh and quite honestly made me wish for my 2nd chance.
I loved the surprise ending of the story which tied into the black Tuxedos MC as i hope ti see more
Overall this was such a beautiful story of getting a 2nd chance at finding love.
This story made me cry, it made me laugh and quite honestly made me wish for my 2nd chance.
I loved the surprise ending of the story which tied into the black Tuxedos MC as i hope ti see more
July 22, 2020
Really liked this book!
Ms. Tillman is a relatively new to me author and I am enjoying the journey of getting to know her and her imagination. Hale and his sweetheart are a good couple and the other characters are wonderful addition to this story.
Ms. Tillman is a relatively new to me author and I am enjoying the journey of getting to know her and her imagination. Hale and his sweetheart are a good couple and the other characters are wonderful addition to this story.
August 27, 2020
Wow.
Love, Love, Love. Addy's struggles hit close to home, I got all the feels. I had some specific hopes for certain situations, but I respect the way she portrayed them all the same. I cried, I balled, and then my heart soared!
Love, Love, Love. Addy's struggles hit close to home, I got all the feels. I had some specific hopes for certain situations, but I respect the way she portrayed them all the same. I cried, I balled, and then my heart soared!
March 10, 2021
4.5 great read!
Hale is a single dad raising his little boy when he meets Addy. She's just recently divorced and moved into her grandmother's house. They meet via mutual friends and sparks fly immediately. Love and tragedy bind them.
I LOVED this story! I recommend it.
Hale is a single dad raising his little boy when he meets Addy. She's just recently divorced and moved into her grandmother's house. They meet via mutual friends and sparks fly immediately. Love and tragedy bind them.
I LOVED this story! I recommend it.
September 24, 2021
Hale & Addy
I fell I love with Hale and Addy right along with them. So good! Through all their trials and tribulations and heartbreak. And all the good as well. Love those children! ❤️
I fell I love with Hale and Addy right along with them. So good! Through all their trials and tribulations and heartbreak. And all the good as well. Love those children! ❤️
February 5, 2020
The storytelling is a little rushed for me but it kept my attention for the most part.
February 11, 2020
DNF.
The dialogue was too juvenile.
The dialogue was too juvenile.
March 9, 2020
Dnf. Might try again later. The story just didn’t hold my attention.
July 29, 2020
Excellent
Such a good book! This author knows how to develop her characters, a definite read. When reading be sure to have tissues ready!
Such a good book! This author knows how to develop her characters, a definite read. When reading be sure to have tissues ready!
August 1, 2020
3*
This was ok. Nothing to write home about but am easy enough read. This writer definitely has many styles of writing
This was ok. Nothing to write home about but am easy enough read. This writer definitely has many styles of writing
September 8, 2020
Loved it
I loved this book and have read it a few times now, i can't get enough of darlene's books what a great author
I loved this book and have read it a few times now, i can't get enough of darlene's books what a great author
April 20, 2021
Absolutely loved this book... very sweet and emotional.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews