What do you think?
Rate this book
Hawthorne Harbor #1
The Day He Drove By
A widowed florist, her ten-year-old daughter, and the paramedic who delivered the girl a decade earlier...
Paramedic Andrew Herrin delivered Gretchen Samuels's daughter on the side of the road when she and her husband couldn't make it to the hospital in time. When their paths cross again in small-town Hawthorn Harbor, she's a widow and the baby is ten-year-old Dixie.
Dixie gets along great with Drew, and Gretchen finds herself falling in love with the man who's rescued her on the side of the road twice now. But when Drew's ex-girlfriend comes back to town, Gretchen's trust issues rear their ugly head.
The day Drew drove by Gretchen's van changed his whole life. He wants her and her daughter in his life, but he can't keep reassuring her that he and his ex are over. Way over.
Can Drew and Gretchen find their way toward true love?
Previously published as Love in Lavender and The Paramedic's Second Chance.
This is a full-length sweet/clean contemporary beach romance in the vein of your favorite Hallmark movie by USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson.
Paramedic Andrew Herrin delivered Gretchen Samuels's daughter on the side of the road when she and her husband couldn't make it to the hospital in time. When their paths cross again in small-town Hawthorn Harbor, she's a widow and the baby is ten-year-old Dixie.
Dixie gets along great with Drew, and Gretchen finds herself falling in love with the man who's rescued her on the side of the road twice now. But when Drew's ex-girlfriend comes back to town, Gretchen's trust issues rear their ugly head.
The day Drew drove by Gretchen's van changed his whole life. He wants her and her daughter in his life, but he can't keep reassuring her that he and his ex are over. Way over.
Can Drew and Gretchen find their way toward true love?
Previously published as Love in Lavender and The Paramedic's Second Chance.
This is a full-length sweet/clean contemporary beach romance in the vein of your favorite Hallmark movie by USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 25, 2018
6059 people are currently reading
1208 people want to read
About the author
Elana Johnson
175 books2,053 followers3-time USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson writes adult contemporary beach romance. She is the author of over 130 books across two names, and there's nothing better than sun, sand, and swoon-worthy kisses! Unless it's a sweet-and-sexy cowboy - read those under her pen name of Liz Isaacson. Or an emotional, heartfelt women's fiction novel - read those under her pen name of Jessie Newton.
Learn more at:
www.elanajohnson.com
www.lizisaacson.com
www.authorjessienewton.com
Learn more at:
www.elanajohnson.com
www.lizisaacson.com
www.authorjessienewton.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 273 reviews
September 29, 2018
4.5 Stars
What's meant to be will always find a way...
After her husband dies in a car accident, Gretchen Samuels and her daughter Dixie find themselves back in Hawthorne Harbor. Not only was she the happiest she's ever been while living there, this was also the only place that has ever felt like home. Determined to make it on her own, Gretchen has become fiercely independent. She doesn't ever rely on anyone else and will wear herself out before she even thinks to ask someone for help.
Three years ago, Drew Herrin left Hawthorne Harbor when his ex-girlfriend broke up with him. Since then he has sworn off women. He doesn't need them in his life. But Drew feels restless and can't shake the feeling that something is missing from his life. He's not sure exactly what it is, he just knows he feels incomplete. He's hoping he'll figure out what it is now that he's back home in Hawthorne Harbor.
While travelling down the Lavender Highway, Drew sees a stranded van along the side of the road. Seeing the van brings back memories from ten years ago when he delivered a baby on the side of the road. He often thinks about the family he helped that day, wondering what happened to them and how they're doing. Imagine his surprise when he discovers that it's Gretchen and Dixie, the mom and little girl he helped bring into the world.
From the moment Drew sees Gretchen again, he feels a connection to her. He can't explain it but all he wants to do is help and protect her and Dixie in any way that he can. He quickly notices that Gretchen is still fiercely independent but he's determined to do whatever he can to keep them both in his life.
As time goes by, Drew and Gretchen are able to build their friendship and nurture it into something more. They fall in love slowly and have a hard time admitting it out loud. When outside forces threaten to destroy the bound they have made, it will take determination, dedication, love and a wishing well to make sure they get their HEA.
Oh my gosh! You guys! Can I tell you how much I adored this book?! It was SO good! I loved Gretchen, Drew and of course Dixie! I was invested in these three from the very beginning and was rooting for their HEA!
This was a great start to a fun new series! I can't wait to read the other books! I have already purchased books 2 and 3 and pre-ordered book 4! I'm looking forward to spending more time in Hawthorne Harbor!
This is my very first book by Ms. Johnson and I can already tell you that it won't be my last! I am looking forward to reading all her other books!
And let's just take a moment to look at these two. I'm loving this casting! What do you think?
Nominated for a 2018 Swoony Award, vote here http://bit.ly/2CWYB9U
What's meant to be will always find a way...
After her husband dies in a car accident, Gretchen Samuels and her daughter Dixie find themselves back in Hawthorne Harbor. Not only was she the happiest she's ever been while living there, this was also the only place that has ever felt like home. Determined to make it on her own, Gretchen has become fiercely independent. She doesn't ever rely on anyone else and will wear herself out before she even thinks to ask someone for help.
Three years ago, Drew Herrin left Hawthorne Harbor when his ex-girlfriend broke up with him. Since then he has sworn off women. He doesn't need them in his life. But Drew feels restless and can't shake the feeling that something is missing from his life. He's not sure exactly what it is, he just knows he feels incomplete. He's hoping he'll figure out what it is now that he's back home in Hawthorne Harbor.
While travelling down the Lavender Highway, Drew sees a stranded van along the side of the road. Seeing the van brings back memories from ten years ago when he delivered a baby on the side of the road. He often thinks about the family he helped that day, wondering what happened to them and how they're doing. Imagine his surprise when he discovers that it's Gretchen and Dixie, the mom and little girl he helped bring into the world.
From the moment Drew sees Gretchen again, he feels a connection to her. He can't explain it but all he wants to do is help and protect her and Dixie in any way that he can. He quickly notices that Gretchen is still fiercely independent but he's determined to do whatever he can to keep them both in his life.
As time goes by, Drew and Gretchen are able to build their friendship and nurture it into something more. They fall in love slowly and have a hard time admitting it out loud. When outside forces threaten to destroy the bound they have made, it will take determination, dedication, love and a wishing well to make sure they get their HEA.
Oh my gosh! You guys! Can I tell you how much I adored this book?! It was SO good! I loved Gretchen, Drew and of course Dixie! I was invested in these three from the very beginning and was rooting for their HEA!
This was a great start to a fun new series! I can't wait to read the other books! I have already purchased books 2 and 3 and pre-ordered book 4! I'm looking forward to spending more time in Hawthorne Harbor!
This is my very first book by Ms. Johnson and I can already tell you that it won't be my last! I am looking forward to reading all her other books!
And let's just take a moment to look at these two. I'm loving this casting! What do you think?
Nominated for a 2018 Swoony Award, vote here http://bit.ly/2CWYB9U
October 15, 2023
The Day He Drove By is the first book in the Hawthorne Harbor series. This was a sweet romance that I enjoyed.
I love stories with strong female characters which this story had. Overall this was a charming and feel-good story. Recommended.
I love stories with strong female characters which this story had. Overall this was a charming and feel-good story. Recommended.
March 7, 2023
DNF at 77%
Frankly, I was bored. I liked the start of the story, but then it started to drag and I had no interest in picking it up to keep reading.
Most of the time I like Drew, but there were times he was just annoying.
Gretchen, well, I didn't really care for her either.
When the whole "he isn't telling the truth" thing started, I quit.
I did like finding out what flavor of ice cream Drew made.
Frankly, I was bored. I liked the start of the story, but then it started to drag and I had no interest in picking it up to keep reading.
Most of the time I like Drew, but there were times he was just annoying.
Gretchen, well, I didn't really care for her either.
When the whole "he isn't telling the truth" thing started, I quit.
I did like finding out what flavor of ice cream Drew made.
May 16, 2024
This was a cute and easy read! It was really quick and I enjoyed the characters. The setting was cute and I loved the vibes of the lavender farm. The romance was really sweet, but I wish there had been a bit more development there. I didn’t see a big connection between Drew and Gretchen other than the fact that they shared this history through the birth of Dixie. This is a good one if you’re looking for a nice palate cleanser type of read.
October 7, 2018
This is a new-to-me author so I wasn’t sure about this book. Loved it. It has a strong woman as the main female character and I love strong women. Don’t want to say more because I don’t want to spoil even one page.
July 24, 2019
Zero stars
October 27, 2018
This story was a sweet love story with a few other elements thrown in just to throw a few twists and turns in. The scenes were described so well by the author I actually envisioned myself being there smelling what the characters smelt feeling the atmosphere, especially the lavender festival scene that was so detailed the emphasis on the community feel definitely came through in the authors words.
I like the first introduction to the characters in this book, gradual introductions and learning about them and their quirks, the fact that Gretchen had to be so independent and that she was so stubborn about accepting any kind of help even if it wasn't the right thing to do but as the story progressed her personality started to change.
Drew was lonely, bitter and a bit lost when he met Gretchen but he felt the chemistry that they both experienced and acted on it, his character showed more, his gentle nature definitely attracted Dixie and he was so good at communicating with her making her feel part of his world, he was kind and for once in a love story he wasn't bossy and dominant and didn't need to have a big ego to show his strength as a man it was a quiet strength.
I say this was a love story but it wasn't insta-love it was about managing to accept a second love without the guilt or grief destroying it, it was slow developing feelings that didn't need the sex scenes to emphasise, it was a slow burn building love.
Overall I enjoyed this story it was a feel good book that would be good when your looking for a light book or recovering from s reading slump.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2019
Very slow, nuanced but deliberate. The couple in question are undecided and so am I about my verdict on this book.
July 27, 2021
Ayy si son como yo! Romanticos totales! Les recomiendo estos! Puro corazon! ❤ahh my heart melted! Y son 6 libros!! Going on the second one!
September 28, 2018
Romance, clean; series but stand alone read.
This was more of a 3.5 for me as a reader. I love her gorgeous covers, so rounded up. Gretchen's story as she returned to Hawthorne Harbor, and brought her daughter to try to make a life, and meeting up with Andrew (Drew) again, was a beautiful, heartfelt read. Honest, hurting hearts, trying to find a future and finding each other. My favorite kind of read. Loved seeing all the family and friend connections, the farm history, Gretchen's past and her present coming together as she tries to make a place for herself and her daughter, finding family, and her heart again. Lovely start to this series. Always a good read, and a lovely fall with anything E. J. writes.
This was more of a 3.5 for me as a reader. I love her gorgeous covers, so rounded up. Gretchen's story as she returned to Hawthorne Harbor, and brought her daughter to try to make a life, and meeting up with Andrew (Drew) again, was a beautiful, heartfelt read. Honest, hurting hearts, trying to find a future and finding each other. My favorite kind of read. Loved seeing all the family and friend connections, the farm history, Gretchen's past and her present coming together as she tries to make a place for herself and her daughter, finding family, and her heart again. Lovely start to this series. Always a good read, and a lovely fall with anything E. J. writes.
February 2, 2024
recensione a cura del blog "Libri Magnetici" by Milly
Ho appena terminato la lettura di un romanzo molto dolce e delicato, una trama che ti trascina tra le sue pagine. Una scrittrice che non conoscevo e che mi ha piacevolmente colpito.
Si tratta di un romanzo in cui i protagonisti si sono conosciuti anni prima in una situazione particolare, Drew ha aiutato Gretchen a partorire nella macchina poiché non ha fatto in tempo ad arrivare in ospedale.
Trascorrono gli anni e la vita di entrambi cambia radicalmente. Si rivedono dopo dieci anni in quella città che li ha visti protagonisti, da piccoli, di molte avventure. Entrambi sono cambiati, la vita li ha cambiati.
Lui tornò verso il suo furgone e lei si meravigliò di quanto fosse sempre stato rilassato e spensierato. Tutto nella sua vita era così teso e lei invidiava la sua disinvoltura.
Gretchen ha deciso di ritornare in quella cittadina in cui ha vissuto parecchie estati della sua infanzia. Per poi tornare a distanza di anni e stabilirsi lì, e far crescere sua figlia Dixie. Il caso vuole che si scontri nuovamente con Drew, arriva una seconda volta in suo soccorso e questa volta sarà molto diversa dalla prima.
Voleva condividere con lei le sue giornate difficili. Quelle facili. Quelle pigre. Quelle piene di impegni. Adorava Dixie e, proprio come Jess, avrebbe fatto di tutto per renderla felice.
Da qui in poi le loro vite si intrecciano in un modo particolare che entrambi non si aspettano. Drew ha il cuore ferito, eppure la vicinanza di lei sta cambiando la sua visione dell’amore. La famiglia di lui sarà parte integrante della storia, come anche gli amici che circondano i protagonisti.
La storia in sé come dicevo, è molto dolce, parla di seconde possibilità, di due persone che hanno sofferto.
Il destino ha fatto in modo di farli incontrare una seconda volta e farli innamorare.
Buona lettura.
Gretchen lo cercò e si rilassò ulteriormente quando apparve con il suo bel sorriso, i suoi caratteristici jeans blu e una maglietta grigia.
quattro stelle
Ho appena terminato la lettura di un romanzo molto dolce e delicato, una trama che ti trascina tra le sue pagine. Una scrittrice che non conoscevo e che mi ha piacevolmente colpito.
Si tratta di un romanzo in cui i protagonisti si sono conosciuti anni prima in una situazione particolare, Drew ha aiutato Gretchen a partorire nella macchina poiché non ha fatto in tempo ad arrivare in ospedale.
Trascorrono gli anni e la vita di entrambi cambia radicalmente. Si rivedono dopo dieci anni in quella città che li ha visti protagonisti, da piccoli, di molte avventure. Entrambi sono cambiati, la vita li ha cambiati.
Lui tornò verso il suo furgone e lei si meravigliò di quanto fosse sempre stato rilassato e spensierato. Tutto nella sua vita era così teso e lei invidiava la sua disinvoltura.
Gretchen ha deciso di ritornare in quella cittadina in cui ha vissuto parecchie estati della sua infanzia. Per poi tornare a distanza di anni e stabilirsi lì, e far crescere sua figlia Dixie. Il caso vuole che si scontri nuovamente con Drew, arriva una seconda volta in suo soccorso e questa volta sarà molto diversa dalla prima.
Voleva condividere con lei le sue giornate difficili. Quelle facili. Quelle pigre. Quelle piene di impegni. Adorava Dixie e, proprio come Jess, avrebbe fatto di tutto per renderla felice.
Da qui in poi le loro vite si intrecciano in un modo particolare che entrambi non si aspettano. Drew ha il cuore ferito, eppure la vicinanza di lei sta cambiando la sua visione dell’amore. La famiglia di lui sarà parte integrante della storia, come anche gli amici che circondano i protagonisti.
La storia in sé come dicevo, è molto dolce, parla di seconde possibilità, di due persone che hanno sofferto.
Il destino ha fatto in modo di farli incontrare una seconda volta e farli innamorare.
Buona lettura.
Gretchen lo cercò e si rilassò ulteriormente quando apparve con il suo bel sorriso, i suoi caratteristici jeans blu e una maglietta grigia.
quattro stelle
Want to read
September 25, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (9/25/18)!💝
July 18, 2021
Torn! 2.5 Stars.
So, I read the whole story because I wanted to know how it ended. I couldn’t NOT read it. However, I didn’t really like Gretchen at all and I don’t think her experiences (as noted in the book) made her feelings/actions understandable. Drew was awesome, though.
So, I read the whole story because I wanted to know how it ended. I couldn’t NOT read it. However, I didn’t really like Gretchen at all and I don’t think her experiences (as noted in the book) made her feelings/actions understandable. Drew was awesome, though.
January 23, 2019
This is a sweet read filled with lots of emotion as Gretchen tries to figure out what she wants, what she can handle, and how it will affect her daughter. Drew has his own issues to work out which makes this feel like real life.
I did get frustrated with Gretchen. She took not asking for help to the beyond ridiculous level making the grand gesture at the end necessary. In a way, it kind of ruined the real-life feel of the story for me. I wish she had given in more gradually and accepted Drew's love naturally. After all, he let her help him. Thank goodness for Dixie and her wish making!
I give this story something between a 3.5 and a 4. I enjoyed it while reading, finished, moved on and sort of forgot about it.
1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure
Movie Ratings in relation to my review:
Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"
PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door
PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.
PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on-screen sex
R--swearing (F-bomb, on “screen” sex, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always
I did get frustrated with Gretchen. She took not asking for help to the beyond ridiculous level making the grand gesture at the end necessary. In a way, it kind of ruined the real-life feel of the story for me. I wish she had given in more gradually and accepted Drew's love naturally. After all, he let her help him. Thank goodness for Dixie and her wish making!
I give this story something between a 3.5 and a 4. I enjoyed it while reading, finished, moved on and sort of forgot about it.
1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure
Movie Ratings in relation to my review:
Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"
PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door
PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.
PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on-screen sex
R--swearing (F-bomb, on “screen” sex, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always
January 12, 2020
If you like your romances sweet and clean, then this one is for you. Ms. Johnson did a wonderful job of delivering a solid story. Gretchen Samuels moved back to Hawthorn Harbor with her young daughter, Dixie, after her husband's death. She always felt with Hawthorn Harbor was home. She would visit her grandparents here every summer and play in the lavender field with the neighbor's son, Andrew Herrin. Ten years earlier, Drew, now a paramedic, helped to deliver, Gretchen's daughter on the side of the road. Drew comes to Gretchen's aid for a second time when she has a flat tire and needs to get to town to deliver her flowers!
The road to Gretchen and Andrew's HEA is a precious story. It is filled with some profound sentiments and words as well as laughter and tears.
I adored the dual POV. There were a few moments with that really helped me to connect to the character at a given situation.
This is a wonderful start to the series and I look for more. There was a hint at the end as to the next story so I really look forward to it.
If you love your romance to be sweet and clean or really just a good feel-good romance, then you should give this one a try. I highly recommend this story to anyone.
The road to Gretchen and Andrew's HEA is a precious story. It is filled with some profound sentiments and words as well as laughter and tears.
I adored the dual POV. There were a few moments with that really helped me to connect to the character at a given situation.
This is a wonderful start to the series and I look for more. There was a hint at the end as to the next story so I really look forward to it.
If you love your romance to be sweet and clean or really just a good feel-good romance, then you should give this one a try. I highly recommend this story to anyone.
May 29, 2018
A charming, clean romance, this story speaks of second chances and new beginnings. Gretchen returns to Hawthorne Harbor after her husband dies, to start over again with her daughter Dixie, the baby that Andrew Herrin delivered on the roadside 10 years before. In his career as a paramedic, it was one of the highlights of Andrew’s experience, filling him with excitement and pride, especially when he meets Mom and daughter again after so many years. The connection between Dixie and Andrew is even stronger than the initial flame of attraction between Gretchen and Andrew. Being a single Mom, Gretchen is cautious about becoming involved with Andrew and trust issues almost become her downfall. The story is well written, set in a small town, where neighbours look after one another and secrets can’t be kept. I found the book easy to read and look forward to reading further books in this series. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
July 10, 2022
Did not like Gretchen
I liked Drew a lot and think he could do a lot better than Gretchen. She seemed so negative and I didn't get the feeling she really loved flowers even though she grew them and made arrangements with them, like it was just a slogging job. Then so selfish and stubborn and self-centered towards the end, I raced through the final chapters just to get finished. I've enjoyed other books Elana has written, but not this one. At all.
I liked Drew a lot and think he could do a lot better than Gretchen. She seemed so negative and I didn't get the feeling she really loved flowers even though she grew them and made arrangements with them, like it was just a slogging job. Then so selfish and stubborn and self-centered towards the end, I raced through the final chapters just to get finished. I've enjoyed other books Elana has written, but not this one. At all.
July 9, 2021
Unfulfilled promise
This story could be so amazing but clumsy writing and poor editing had me gritting my teeth. The heroine is also very confusing and confused but I suppose that’s the human condition. Won’t read any others in the series for the sake of my feet, despite the promising storylines. Please do some editing and this could be a delightful series.
This story could be so amazing but clumsy writing and poor editing had me gritting my teeth. The heroine is also very confusing and confused but I suppose that’s the human condition. Won’t read any others in the series for the sake of my feet, despite the promising storylines. Please do some editing and this could be a delightful series.
September 5, 2021
I know lots of people love Elana Johnson / Liz Isaacson books, but I've DNF'd each one I've tried to read. To me, they seem very slow, and I don't care enough about the characters to keep pushing through the listless plot.
March 3, 2023
Boring !!!! Dull, indecisive characters. It could be a good story but bad editing. It looks more like a book of recipes and how to make ice cream as the author describes the process so much. It took a lot of effort to finish reading.
January 5, 2019
The story line had potential, but the characters are too sickly and sweet. I gave a 2* for the effort of actually sitting down and writing, which is more than most of us can do.
September 3, 2019
I couldn't even finish this book. I really tried but stopped at 52%. The story line seemed great but the flow of the story.wasn't cutting it for me. It was too boring.
July 31, 2020
Sweet and cute. Definite Hallmark movie vibes.
February 11, 2023
"The Day He Drove By" by Elana Johnson
Gretchen Samuels and her ten-year-old daughter, Dixie, move to Hawthorn Harbor, a small coastal town in the Pacific Northwest of Washington state. As a child, Gretchen spent her summers here with her grandparents. This is where she was the happiest—helping to work on her grandparents’ lavender farm, basking in their love. She enjoyed the beach and her next-door neighbor, Drew Herrin her best summer friend.
However, Gretchen grew up and got married. With her grandparents getting older, Gretchen and her husband Aaron moved to help with the farm. Gretchen gets pregnant, and Aaron drives her to the hospital but Gretchen knew they couldn’t get there in time. Aaron feared he’d have to deliver the baby on the side of the road but a call to a paramedic has him arriving just in time. The paramedic turns out to be none other than Drew, Gretchen’s first love.
The grandma passes away, and Gretchen’s grandfather sells the farm and moves away. Gretchen and her family go to live in the busy city of Seattle until Aaron gets killed in an accident, leaving Gretchen a widow and almost penniless. With thoughts of returning to Hawthorn Harbor, Gretchen manages to scrape up enough cash to open a flower shop and rent a small cottage.
Whom should she encounter after all these years but Drew, who comes to her rescue again when she has a flat tire on her way to taking Dixie to school. Also, back in town, Drew left his job in Medina to be closer to his family.
Drew immediately bonds with Dixie, and the three spend a lot of time together. Gretchen finds herself falling for Drew again, but can a relationship work? She learns the reason Drew returned to his hometown is boredom with his job and missing his family. The fact that he left three years prior was because he was dumped by his ex. Finally, over that pain, he is happy to be back home.
Not wanting to show her feelings, Gretchen plays it cool, for she thinks Drew loves Dixie more than her. When Drew’s ex arrives back in town, Gretchen feels her budding romance with Drew is over, and he will return to her. Of course, there is tension and doubts. What woman wouldn’t wonder if when her new boyfriend’s ex comes back into his life if he will go back to her?
The first issue of The Hawthorn Harbor Second Chance Romance series will have the reader inhaling the salt air laced with the scent of lavender and feeling the camaraderie of the small-town populace. Drew’s endeavor to concoct the perfect lavender-flavored ice cream to will the award in the Lavender Festival will also have one salivating over his different recipes.
Will well-defined characters and a welcoming and descriptive setting, two friends from long ago have a chance at love? Will it happen? A charming read that will have readers anticipating the next book in this series.
Gretchen Samuels and her ten-year-old daughter, Dixie, move to Hawthorn Harbor, a small coastal town in the Pacific Northwest of Washington state. As a child, Gretchen spent her summers here with her grandparents. This is where she was the happiest—helping to work on her grandparents’ lavender farm, basking in their love. She enjoyed the beach and her next-door neighbor, Drew Herrin her best summer friend.
However, Gretchen grew up and got married. With her grandparents getting older, Gretchen and her husband Aaron moved to help with the farm. Gretchen gets pregnant, and Aaron drives her to the hospital but Gretchen knew they couldn’t get there in time. Aaron feared he’d have to deliver the baby on the side of the road but a call to a paramedic has him arriving just in time. The paramedic turns out to be none other than Drew, Gretchen’s first love.
The grandma passes away, and Gretchen’s grandfather sells the farm and moves away. Gretchen and her family go to live in the busy city of Seattle until Aaron gets killed in an accident, leaving Gretchen a widow and almost penniless. With thoughts of returning to Hawthorn Harbor, Gretchen manages to scrape up enough cash to open a flower shop and rent a small cottage.
Whom should she encounter after all these years but Drew, who comes to her rescue again when she has a flat tire on her way to taking Dixie to school. Also, back in town, Drew left his job in Medina to be closer to his family.
Drew immediately bonds with Dixie, and the three spend a lot of time together. Gretchen finds herself falling for Drew again, but can a relationship work? She learns the reason Drew returned to his hometown is boredom with his job and missing his family. The fact that he left three years prior was because he was dumped by his ex. Finally, over that pain, he is happy to be back home.
Not wanting to show her feelings, Gretchen plays it cool, for she thinks Drew loves Dixie more than her. When Drew’s ex arrives back in town, Gretchen feels her budding romance with Drew is over, and he will return to her. Of course, there is tension and doubts. What woman wouldn’t wonder if when her new boyfriend’s ex comes back into his life if he will go back to her?
The first issue of The Hawthorn Harbor Second Chance Romance series will have the reader inhaling the salt air laced with the scent of lavender and feeling the camaraderie of the small-town populace. Drew’s endeavor to concoct the perfect lavender-flavored ice cream to will the award in the Lavender Festival will also have one salivating over his different recipes.
Will well-defined characters and a welcoming and descriptive setting, two friends from long ago have a chance at love? Will it happen? A charming read that will have readers anticipating the next book in this series.
July 19, 2022
Nice, very Nice!
The Day He Drove By by Elana Johnson, is a first read by this author. I am a sucker for small town romances especially if the setting is the Pacific Northwest, a part of the country I have loved all my life. And when I read that Elana and some writer friends were conducting a virtual Girl's Road Trip cross country through books , I couldn't resist joining in. Since the pandemic all the road trips I have hoped to take during my retirement have been curtailed. Travelling through reading has been my only outlet.
Elena Johnson's depiction of the lavender fields of Hawthorne Harbor brought back memories of trips to Half-moon Bay ,passing flower farms and markets on the way, and the feelings of a simpler happier time in my childhood. I could literally smell the salt from the ocean and feel the breeze through my hair. Through words, I was driving my SUV through Washington State to attend the lavender festival in Hawthorne Harbor, my best friends in the seats beside me! Yahoo! We are on a road trip!
And just like on a road trip, Ms. Johnson made sure that we meet the locals, especially the main characters of The Day He Drove By, Drew and Gretchen. Again, Elena Johnson, creative mind has developed characters so real you will think they alive and picnicking next to you. What a joy it is to be able to relate book friends. To be transported to a beach in Washington State, is magic to behold l! I usually like my romance with a bit more heat and steam. But I appreciate the talent it takes as another reviewer noted, to illustrate the emotions, feelings and sexual tension, involved in a blossoming new love, using words without erotica. And as I myself am no longer in those giddy teenage years, where every love was my one and only love, I like that Elena describes the true nature of second chance love between adults who are into their mid-life. The slow build and burn of romance is different than the flash in the pan, wild monkey sex of our early 20s ! It was much more believable than I have read earlier in my readings. I nice change of pace.
So the first selection of the girls road was a nice interlude and a great place to start. I hope to read more of Ms Johnson books once the road trip is over.
The Day He Drove By by Elana Johnson, is a first read by this author. I am a sucker for small town romances especially if the setting is the Pacific Northwest, a part of the country I have loved all my life. And when I read that Elana and some writer friends were conducting a virtual Girl's Road Trip cross country through books , I couldn't resist joining in. Since the pandemic all the road trips I have hoped to take during my retirement have been curtailed. Travelling through reading has been my only outlet.
Elena Johnson's depiction of the lavender fields of Hawthorne Harbor brought back memories of trips to Half-moon Bay ,passing flower farms and markets on the way, and the feelings of a simpler happier time in my childhood. I could literally smell the salt from the ocean and feel the breeze through my hair. Through words, I was driving my SUV through Washington State to attend the lavender festival in Hawthorne Harbor, my best friends in the seats beside me! Yahoo! We are on a road trip!
And just like on a road trip, Ms. Johnson made sure that we meet the locals, especially the main characters of The Day He Drove By, Drew and Gretchen. Again, Elena Johnson, creative mind has developed characters so real you will think they alive and picnicking next to you. What a joy it is to be able to relate book friends. To be transported to a beach in Washington State, is magic to behold l! I usually like my romance with a bit more heat and steam. But I appreciate the talent it takes as another reviewer noted, to illustrate the emotions, feelings and sexual tension, involved in a blossoming new love, using words without erotica. And as I myself am no longer in those giddy teenage years, where every love was my one and only love, I like that Elena describes the true nature of second chance love between adults who are into their mid-life. The slow build and burn of romance is different than the flash in the pan, wild monkey sex of our early 20s ! It was much more believable than I have read earlier in my readings. I nice change of pace.
So the first selection of the girls road was a nice interlude and a great place to start. I hope to read more of Ms Johnson books once the road trip is over.
November 10, 2023
A heartfelt clean romance!
This is Gretchen's and Drew's story.
We first met Andrew in The Day He Left Town! That was about Tony. Andrew is Tony's brother.
Gretchen has come back to Hawthorne Harbor to basically lick her wounds after the death of her husband! Back to the one place that always felt like home for her.
This was the place that her grandfather lived and she came every summer to be with him on his lavender farm. She got her love of flowers and lavender from him.
And that's also where she first met Drew. As a paramedic, Drew delivered Gretchen's baby on the side of the road.
Now 10 years later, they're both back in Hawthorne Harbor. And once again Drew comes to the rescue.
As a single mom, Gretchen has struggled to rely upon other people. She's had to do things on her own. Her family left her. Her husband left her. She's gotta do it on her own.
But when she collapses while working and breaks her foot, she's forced to get help with her daughter.
And who steps in .... Drew, of course!!!
It's a forced proximity romance because she must get help to manage her business and take care of Dixie.
It's a second chance romance as she gets a second chance at love as her first husband died in a car accident.
It's also a story of learning to rely on others to handle the daily responsibilities of life, to know that we don't have to go it alone. And it's a chance to find love again after a terrible loss.
This author does a good job of weaving in the other characters' lives into the storyline. Gretchen's BBF is Janey who just happens to be the love interest of Drew's brother Adam!! That story is coming up.
This story was also about lavender. As not only did her grandfather own and run a lavender farm, so does Drew's parents. And with his mom and step-dad getting up in age, he decides to try his hand at lavender farming fulltime.
Drew is also a budding chef. He keeps trying out recipes for lavender ice cream. His kitchen has fun equipment to make his own ice cream. And he wants to win the festival and be crowned lavender king!!!
So that's a fun part of the story. We read different ways to make ice cream. It would be fun to have some of those recipes!!
It's a cute, totally clean romance. It's worth reading!!
This is Gretchen's and Drew's story.
We first met Andrew in The Day He Left Town! That was about Tony. Andrew is Tony's brother.
Gretchen has come back to Hawthorne Harbor to basically lick her wounds after the death of her husband! Back to the one place that always felt like home for her.
This was the place that her grandfather lived and she came every summer to be with him on his lavender farm. She got her love of flowers and lavender from him.
And that's also where she first met Drew. As a paramedic, Drew delivered Gretchen's baby on the side of the road.
Now 10 years later, they're both back in Hawthorne Harbor. And once again Drew comes to the rescue.
As a single mom, Gretchen has struggled to rely upon other people. She's had to do things on her own. Her family left her. Her husband left her. She's gotta do it on her own.
But when she collapses while working and breaks her foot, she's forced to get help with her daughter.
And who steps in .... Drew, of course!!!
It's a forced proximity romance because she must get help to manage her business and take care of Dixie.
It's a second chance romance as she gets a second chance at love as her first husband died in a car accident.
It's also a story of learning to rely on others to handle the daily responsibilities of life, to know that we don't have to go it alone. And it's a chance to find love again after a terrible loss.
This author does a good job of weaving in the other characters' lives into the storyline. Gretchen's BBF is Janey who just happens to be the love interest of Drew's brother Adam!! That story is coming up.
This story was also about lavender. As not only did her grandfather own and run a lavender farm, so does Drew's parents. And with his mom and step-dad getting up in age, he decides to try his hand at lavender farming fulltime.
Drew is also a budding chef. He keeps trying out recipes for lavender ice cream. His kitchen has fun equipment to make his own ice cream. And he wants to win the festival and be crowned lavender king!!!
So that's a fun part of the story. We read different ways to make ice cream. It would be fun to have some of those recipes!!
It's a cute, totally clean romance. It's worth reading!!
October 12, 2023
The Day He Drove By by Elana Johnson is the first book in the Hawthorne Harbor series. Ten years ago, paramedic Andrew Herrin delivered Gretchen Samuels’s baby girl on the side of the road when she and her husband couldn’t make it into town. It was a story Andrew told time and time again and it is a reason he loved being a paramedic. Their paths cross again, now Gretchen is a widow and the baby is ten year old Dixie. He once again comes to her rescue when her van gets a flat tire. As their new friendship grows, Gretchen finds herself falling for Andrew but she remains unsure. Can Andrew convince Gretchen that he wants her and her daughter in his life?
The Day He Drove By is a sweet small town romance. I enjoyed Andrew as a man who had his heart broken before and trying to find his own happiness in life, love and career. Gretchen is a woman who is afraid to love again. When circumstances keep putting Andrew and Gretchen together, she can’t help but be drawn to his sweet and kind nature. Even though the misunderstandings are predictable for a romance, they were realistic and common misunderstandings. I enjoyed all the supportive characters and the small town community feel. There is even a hint at the couple for the next book. If you enjoy clean, sweet small town romance, I recommend The Day He Drove By.
The Day He Drove By is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook
The Day He Drove By is a sweet small town romance. I enjoyed Andrew as a man who had his heart broken before and trying to find his own happiness in life, love and career. Gretchen is a woman who is afraid to love again. When circumstances keep putting Andrew and Gretchen together, she can’t help but be drawn to his sweet and kind nature. Even though the misunderstandings are predictable for a romance, they were realistic and common misunderstandings. I enjoyed all the supportive characters and the small town community feel. There is even a hint at the couple for the next book. If you enjoy clean, sweet small town romance, I recommend The Day He Drove By.
The Day He Drove By is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook
November 10, 2018
I've discovered that two of the most popular genres of books purchased are horror and romance. With that in mind, I've decided to read a few romance novels again - even though I'd previously given up because everything I'd found left me a little cold. I believe one of the ways to really enjoy a sweet contemporary romance is to suspend disbelief. This is the same thing we do when reading a fantasy with dragons or other monsters, so why not in a romance?
I'm noticing that the sweet contemporary romance genre is a master of finding a fun quirk for the characters to focus on. In this story, Drew is a paramedic, his family owns a lavender farm and he's obsessed with making ice cream. Gretchen has lost her husband, is trying to make ends meet as a single mom and follow her dream as a florist. Match made in heaven? Or at least in a lavender field? Not until they have plenty of misunderstandings, and agonize over moments wondering why they've fallen for the other person, who has become unobtainable for said misunderstandings.
I've decided I'm a fan of this style of romance because I know it won't get too racy, the characters are always fun and quirky, and in the end, I know it will work out. The fun is along the path, seeing how the author will create a happily ever after.
For more suggestions for reading go to www.talesuntangled.wordpress.com
I'm noticing that the sweet contemporary romance genre is a master of finding a fun quirk for the characters to focus on. In this story, Drew is a paramedic, his family owns a lavender farm and he's obsessed with making ice cream. Gretchen has lost her husband, is trying to make ends meet as a single mom and follow her dream as a florist. Match made in heaven? Or at least in a lavender field? Not until they have plenty of misunderstandings, and agonize over moments wondering why they've fallen for the other person, who has become unobtainable for said misunderstandings.
I've decided I'm a fan of this style of romance because I know it won't get too racy, the characters are always fun and quirky, and in the end, I know it will work out. The fun is along the path, seeing how the author will create a happily ever after.
For more suggestions for reading go to www.talesuntangled.wordpress.com
July 7, 2022
a second chance at love
After her husband dies in an accident Gretchen and her daughter move to the town where she spent summers with her grandparents. She was always happiest there. They were living there when her daughter was born on the side of the road delivered by a paramedic when they couldn't get to the hospital in time. Eleven years later the same paramedic stops to help her when she has a flat tire. Drew is attracted to her and wants to get to know her better. He makes a habit of being there to help her and gradually their attraction grows. Their relationship grows slowly and I like that aspect of the story.
Drew's folks take Gretchen and Dixie in when she breaks her foot and make them a part of their lives. They both have trouble understanding and expressing their feelings. Since their relationship is a little uncertain when an old flame of Drew's trys to come between them things blow up.
Drew is such a sweetheart in taking care of both Gretchen and Dixie I just had to fall in love with him too. Thinking of a new beginning was difficult for Gretchen because it had been just her and Dixie for so long. Her sole interest had been being a good mother. Their happy ending was sweet. Dixie is quite a character and a little bit of an instigator.
After her husband dies in an accident Gretchen and her daughter move to the town where she spent summers with her grandparents. She was always happiest there. They were living there when her daughter was born on the side of the road delivered by a paramedic when they couldn't get to the hospital in time. Eleven years later the same paramedic stops to help her when she has a flat tire. Drew is attracted to her and wants to get to know her better. He makes a habit of being there to help her and gradually their attraction grows. Their relationship grows slowly and I like that aspect of the story.
Drew's folks take Gretchen and Dixie in when she breaks her foot and make them a part of their lives. They both have trouble understanding and expressing their feelings. Since their relationship is a little uncertain when an old flame of Drew's trys to come between them things blow up.
Drew is such a sweetheart in taking care of both Gretchen and Dixie I just had to fall in love with him too. Thinking of a new beginning was difficult for Gretchen because it had been just her and Dixie for so long. Her sole interest had been being a good mother. Their happy ending was sweet. Dixie is quite a character and a little bit of an instigator.
Read
February 5, 2023Not my review, just the info from the book. But, it was a sweet romance novel filled with the smell of lavender as you read it…..
A widowed florist, her ten-year-old daughter, and the paramedic who delivered the girl a decade earlier...
Paramedic Andrew Herrin delivered Gretchen Samuels's daughter on the side of the road when she and her husband couldn't make it to the hospital in time. When their paths cross again in small-town Hawthorn Harbor, she's a widow and the baby is ten-year-old Dixie.
Dixie gets along great with Drew, and Gretchen finds herself falling in love with the man who's rescued her on the side of the road twice now. But when Drew's ex-girlfriend comes back to town, Gretchen's trust issues rear their ugly head.
The day Drew drove by Gretchen's van changed his whole life. He wants her and her daughter in his life, but he can't keep reassuring her that he and his ex are over. Way over.
Can Drew and Gretchen find their way toward true love?
This is a full-length sweet/clean contemporary beach romance in the vein of your favorite Hallmark movie by USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson.
A widowed florist, her ten-year-old daughter, and the paramedic who delivered the girl a decade earlier...
Paramedic Andrew Herrin delivered Gretchen Samuels's daughter on the side of the road when she and her husband couldn't make it to the hospital in time. When their paths cross again in small-town Hawthorn Harbor, she's a widow and the baby is ten-year-old Dixie.
Dixie gets along great with Drew, and Gretchen finds herself falling in love with the man who's rescued her on the side of the road twice now. But when Drew's ex-girlfriend comes back to town, Gretchen's trust issues rear their ugly head.
The day Drew drove by Gretchen's van changed his whole life. He wants her and her daughter in his life, but he can't keep reassuring her that he and his ex are over. Way over.
Can Drew and Gretchen find their way toward true love?
This is a full-length sweet/clean contemporary beach romance in the vein of your favorite Hallmark movie by USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 273 reviews