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The Sunshine Corner #1
The House on Sunshine Corner
This captivating enemies-to-lovers romance about a daycare teacher who clashes with a brooding dad is perfect second-chance love story for fans of Debbie Mason.
Abby Engel has a great life. She's the owner of Sunshine Corner, the daycare she runs with her girlfriends; she has the most adoring grandmother (aka the Baby Whisperer); and she lives in a perfect hidden gem of a town. All that's missing is the thing she wants the most: a family. But after a stint of online dating and a string of bad blind dates, she's ready to give up. And then her ex-boyfriend (aka the love of her life) walks back into town...
Carter Hayes has no intention of staying in Heart's Hope Bay. He's there to help his sister out for a few weeks, and then he's back on a plane to Las Vegas. But small-town living has its appeal, and it’s not long before Carter's reminded of just how much he loves his hometown...and the one woman he’s never been able to forget. But after breaking her heart all those years ago, can Carter convince Abby that he’s her happy-ever-after?
Abby Engel has a great life. She's the owner of Sunshine Corner, the daycare she runs with her girlfriends; she has the most adoring grandmother (aka the Baby Whisperer); and she lives in a perfect hidden gem of a town. All that's missing is the thing she wants the most: a family. But after a stint of online dating and a string of bad blind dates, she's ready to give up. And then her ex-boyfriend (aka the love of her life) walks back into town...
Carter Hayes has no intention of staying in Heart's Hope Bay. He's there to help his sister out for a few weeks, and then he's back on a plane to Las Vegas. But small-town living has its appeal, and it’s not long before Carter's reminded of just how much he loves his hometown...and the one woman he’s never been able to forget. But after breaking her heart all those years ago, can Carter convince Abby that he’s her happy-ever-after?
316 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 24, 2021
23 people are currently reading
3051 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
August 15, 2021
The House on Sunshine Corner by Phoebe Mills is the first book in the contemporary romance The Sunshine Corner series. This first book of the series is a second chance romance. And being the first book of the series I’m not totally sure if this one is the type of series to continue or switch characters in the next of the series.
Abby Engel has most everything she could want in life, good friends, her business she has started all on her own and her grandmother who helped raise her. The one thing Abby is missing in her life though is someone to share it with and to start a family of her own. No one though has ever come close to making her feel like her high school sweetheart did.
Carter Hayes left Heart’s Hope Bay the first chance he came across after not having the happiest of childhoods. Carter’s only regret was leaving the girl he had fallen for back in those days but he knew it was for the best. Now that Carter has returned to town though he didn’t expect to run right into Abby Engel and keep seeing her at every turn in the small town.
I always enjoy a good second chance romance since I know the characters have a history to build on and not feel like it is an instalove situation. I enjoyed getting to know Abby and Carter and felt sympathy towards both of their situations in the story. It did seem like this one waited until the last minute to wrap things up which left a question in my mind. Overall though it was an enjoyable read with likable characters and a great small town setting.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Abby Engel has most everything she could want in life, good friends, her business she has started all on her own and her grandmother who helped raise her. The one thing Abby is missing in her life though is someone to share it with and to start a family of her own. No one though has ever come close to making her feel like her high school sweetheart did.
Carter Hayes left Heart’s Hope Bay the first chance he came across after not having the happiest of childhoods. Carter’s only regret was leaving the girl he had fallen for back in those days but he knew it was for the best. Now that Carter has returned to town though he didn’t expect to run right into Abby Engel and keep seeing her at every turn in the small town.
I always enjoy a good second chance romance since I know the characters have a history to build on and not feel like it is an instalove situation. I enjoyed getting to know Abby and Carter and felt sympathy towards both of their situations in the story. It did seem like this one waited until the last minute to wrap things up which left a question in my mind. Overall though it was an enjoyable read with likable characters and a great small town setting.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
February 26, 2024
✰ 2.5 stars ✰
“— Sometimes the best things we never knew we needed are the ones that just fall into our laps. But you have to be willing to break from the plan and run with them.”
I guess it's not really fair to judge it so harshly, since I did go in knowing what to expect and what just might not work for me. A sweet minimal angst small town second chance romance that can work well for cleansing the soul and mind after some rather heavy angsty reads - which, let's face it, I do have plenty of. So seeing two high school sweethearts finally have a chance to rekindle the spark that they willingly let burn out almost twelve years ago was a nice light hearted breather - very cozy, very charming, very comfy, very lovely. 💛 💛
“If her life were a puzzle, it’d be a mosaic of beautiful colors and patterns, fitted together near perfectly…except for a few missing pieces. And those pieces were what she wanted most—the beautiful house and attentive spouse and amazing kids.”
Twenty-nine year old preschool owner Abby is feeling the burn of her age - all her close friends are settling down and having babies, which is in fact exactly what she wants for herself, too! She wants a family, she wants the 2.5 kids with the white picket fence and the dog that'll slobber all over them with his hearty hugs and laughs. But, to have that she needs her Mr. Right - who sadly isn't right in front of her or found in their small town of Heart's Hope Bay on the coast of Oregon, where she and everyone she knows has spent their entire lives here. And just when she's resigned to her fate and given up all hope of ever finding her one and only, enter 'Carter Hayes, her high school sweetheart, the boy she’d given two years of her life—not to mention her heart—to, and the one who’d gotten away.' ❤️🩹❤️🩹
“How can you even remember what questions we asked? That was a million years ago.”
“I remember it all, Abby.”
The rekindling of their attraction was done very sweetly; in the sense, that they were very upfront about it, knowing that even though their breakup was of a mutual understanding, the desire they still felt for each other was still very much there - 'how the whole world seemed to disappear when he was around' - very much clear in the way that neither of them had been very successful at finding love with anyone else since then. Even if they are aware that their wants of the future are very much not on the same page - 'she definitely still wanted a family, badly—something he actively shied away from' - I liked how they were so comfortable with each other and their hearts' desires. 🥰 It's further reassured in the way Carter so easily slid back into his life in their small town, and her arms. I like that when someone is still so very much in love, they resort back to their seventeen-year-old selves - ones who still feel like they have to hide away their excursions - guilty of wanting to be together. It's cute. Even their spicy scenes were quite endearing, but still packed with enough sizzle to satisfy those who want a little heat in their cozy romances. 😌
“But back then, she’d been naive and inexperienced—both in love and in life. Now she was old enough to realize what they had together was unique. It was all-consuming and raw, an ocean current pulling her under. And even though she could swim, she wasn’t sure she wanted to.”
But, as it is with all things perfect, there is the inevitable possibility that this wouldn't last - that it doesn't mean anything. And sadly, it came in the form of a bit of a contrived 3rd act breakup that could have easily been avoided if they had been a bit more mature and level-headed and clear-minded, they could have worked it out a bit better. 'It was the cruelest twist of fate —that her overwhelming focus on the one thing she wanted could be the exact reason she wasn’t getting it.' For it was how they were both raised that greatly played a part in what either of them wanted for themselves in the future. 🥺 That chip on their shoulder really affected them a great deal, so when it did blow up in their faces, it did feel a bit unfair, since they knowingly continued their relationship. Yet, 'life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans' and Carter's return home was exactly the wake-up call he needed, so he wouldn't live a life of regrets. And while I did feel that the ending was a bit too saccharine and cliche for me, to the point of almost being corny, I do like that Carter, at least, learned something from it. True, a bit suddenly, but still enough for him to make the right decision - even if it was years in the making. 👍🏻
“They weren’t touching—hell, they weren’t even close to touching—but it didn’t matter. They could have been across the room from each other, and Abby still would’ve felt this unrelenting tug. This current pulling her closer and closer to him, not caring in the least how much she fought it.”
I would have liked a little more of the preschool factor; we didn't get quite enough interaction with the kids, themselves. Rather, we got a glimpse into all the other familial issues that were burdening her fellow peers, which, in a way, didn't really serve any helpful purpose to their relationship, so I don't know why it was necessary. Unless, of course, they were characters from a previous book, so maybe there is that. One other glaring issue that I had that sadly I can't quite ignore was the writing choices at certain points - I mean, 'Carter made a masculine hum of satisfaction', okay, did masculine have to be included there? 🤨 It also got a bit redundant over the number of times Abby kept mentioning, hence reminding us in the process, of how badly she wanted a family of her own. Yes, I understand that it was something she desired more than anything - oftentimes leading to her jealousy and hurt over her friends having their happily ever after. And also, one of the main reasons for opening a preschool, so that she could be surrounded by kids and be more interactive with her community, but once or twice was more than enough to prove a point. 😩 Or maybe I was just bitter at how relatable her thoughts were to my own?? 😔
Still, it could have been worse; that's always the silver lining I tend to remind myself after reading something that quite wasn't spectacular, but still redeemable to some points that might make me want to revisit The House on Sunshine Corner. 🌞
“— Sometimes the best things we never knew we needed are the ones that just fall into our laps. But you have to be willing to break from the plan and run with them.”
I guess it's not really fair to judge it so harshly, since I did go in knowing what to expect and what just might not work for me. A sweet minimal angst small town second chance romance that can work well for cleansing the soul and mind after some rather heavy angsty reads - which, let's face it, I do have plenty of. So seeing two high school sweethearts finally have a chance to rekindle the spark that they willingly let burn out almost twelve years ago was a nice light hearted breather - very cozy, very charming, very comfy, very lovely. 💛 💛
“If her life were a puzzle, it’d be a mosaic of beautiful colors and patterns, fitted together near perfectly…except for a few missing pieces. And those pieces were what she wanted most—the beautiful house and attentive spouse and amazing kids.”
Twenty-nine year old preschool owner Abby is feeling the burn of her age - all her close friends are settling down and having babies, which is in fact exactly what she wants for herself, too! She wants a family, she wants the 2.5 kids with the white picket fence and the dog that'll slobber all over them with his hearty hugs and laughs. But, to have that she needs her Mr. Right - who sadly isn't right in front of her or found in their small town of Heart's Hope Bay on the coast of Oregon, where she and everyone she knows has spent their entire lives here. And just when she's resigned to her fate and given up all hope of ever finding her one and only, enter 'Carter Hayes, her high school sweetheart, the boy she’d given two years of her life—not to mention her heart—to, and the one who’d gotten away.' ❤️🩹❤️🩹
“How can you even remember what questions we asked? That was a million years ago.”
“I remember it all, Abby.”
The rekindling of their attraction was done very sweetly; in the sense, that they were very upfront about it, knowing that even though their breakup was of a mutual understanding, the desire they still felt for each other was still very much there - 'how the whole world seemed to disappear when he was around' - very much clear in the way that neither of them had been very successful at finding love with anyone else since then. Even if they are aware that their wants of the future are very much not on the same page - 'she definitely still wanted a family, badly—something he actively shied away from' - I liked how they were so comfortable with each other and their hearts' desires. 🥰 It's further reassured in the way Carter so easily slid back into his life in their small town, and her arms. I like that when someone is still so very much in love, they resort back to their seventeen-year-old selves - ones who still feel like they have to hide away their excursions - guilty of wanting to be together. It's cute. Even their spicy scenes were quite endearing, but still packed with enough sizzle to satisfy those who want a little heat in their cozy romances. 😌
“But back then, she’d been naive and inexperienced—both in love and in life. Now she was old enough to realize what they had together was unique. It was all-consuming and raw, an ocean current pulling her under. And even though she could swim, she wasn’t sure she wanted to.”
But, as it is with all things perfect, there is the inevitable possibility that this wouldn't last - that it doesn't mean anything. And sadly, it came in the form of a bit of a contrived 3rd act breakup that could have easily been avoided if they had been a bit more mature and level-headed and clear-minded, they could have worked it out a bit better. 'It was the cruelest twist of fate —that her overwhelming focus on the one thing she wanted could be the exact reason she wasn’t getting it.' For it was how they were both raised that greatly played a part in what either of them wanted for themselves in the future. 🥺 That chip on their shoulder really affected them a great deal, so when it did blow up in their faces, it did feel a bit unfair, since they knowingly continued their relationship. Yet, 'life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans' and Carter's return home was exactly the wake-up call he needed, so he wouldn't live a life of regrets. And while I did feel that the ending was a bit too saccharine and cliche for me, to the point of almost being corny, I do like that Carter, at least, learned something from it. True, a bit suddenly, but still enough for him to make the right decision - even if it was years in the making. 👍🏻
“They weren’t touching—hell, they weren’t even close to touching—but it didn’t matter. They could have been across the room from each other, and Abby still would’ve felt this unrelenting tug. This current pulling her closer and closer to him, not caring in the least how much she fought it.”
I would have liked a little more of the preschool factor; we didn't get quite enough interaction with the kids, themselves. Rather, we got a glimpse into all the other familial issues that were burdening her fellow peers, which, in a way, didn't really serve any helpful purpose to their relationship, so I don't know why it was necessary. Unless, of course, they were characters from a previous book, so maybe there is that. One other glaring issue that I had that sadly I can't quite ignore was the writing choices at certain points - I mean, 'Carter made a masculine hum of satisfaction', okay, did masculine have to be included there? 🤨 It also got a bit redundant over the number of times Abby kept mentioning, hence reminding us in the process, of how badly she wanted a family of her own. Yes, I understand that it was something she desired more than anything - oftentimes leading to her jealousy and hurt over her friends having their happily ever after. And also, one of the main reasons for opening a preschool, so that she could be surrounded by kids and be more interactive with her community, but once or twice was more than enough to prove a point. 😩 Or maybe I was just bitter at how relatable her thoughts were to my own?? 😔
Still, it could have been worse; that's always the silver lining I tend to remind myself after reading something that quite wasn't spectacular, but still redeemable to some points that might make me want to revisit The House on Sunshine Corner. 🌞
November 24, 2022
if you want to read a small-town romance featuring high school sweethearts reuniting after many many years, read the house on sunshine corner. it was fun, cute, romantic, and super cozy!!!! the perfect read between heavy books idk i feel like that would be a great time to read this.
i definitely want to read the next book because it's enemies to lovers, she's a preschool teacher, he's a single dad. THEY HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER SINCE KIDS BECAUSE HE'S HER BROTHER'S BESTIE aaaaand they have always bicker and hated each other lmao that sounds perfect. also the third book is accidental pregnancy if i remember correctly. LIKE THIS SERIES IS MADE FOR ME IM SURE.
also there's sex in this book if you want to know. not SUPER SUPER EXPLICIT but it's not fade to black!!!
i definitely want to read the next book because it's enemies to lovers, she's a preschool teacher, he's a single dad. THEY HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER SINCE KIDS BECAUSE HE'S HER BROTHER'S BESTIE aaaaand they have always bicker and hated each other lmao that sounds perfect. also the third book is accidental pregnancy if i remember correctly. LIKE THIS SERIES IS MADE FOR ME IM SURE.
also there's sex in this book if you want to know. not SUPER SUPER EXPLICIT but it's not fade to black!!!
August 27, 2021
Abby and Carter were high school sweethearts, very in love for two years until Carter went off to college, while Abby attended close to home. Carter was content to make a clean break and they didn’t stay in touch, since Heart’s Hope Bay was a place he wanted to escape after years of contention his cruel father.
Now ten years later, Carter is back in town helping his sister with his three-year-old niece, Sophia. While he visited briefly in the past he never ran into Abby, but as his niece attends Abby’s preschool/daycare, running into her will be inevitable. Seeing Abby again brings up all the old feelings and attraction, but even more intense. He’s never had the same connection with any other woman. Even so, he can’t let his attraction get in the way of his career goals which seem to finally being coming together.
Abby’s always loved Heart’s Hope Bay where her grandmother took her in, as it provided the stability her mother never gave her. She’s always wanted to settle down with a family of her own right there surrounded by the people she’s grown to love. I could totally understand Abby, since Heart’s Hope Bay, a small coastal town in Oregon, sounded lovely and picturesque! Abby loved Carter; his leaving took a long time to get over. Abby knows that getting involved with him again will only lead to heartbreak but being around him only underscores what they had together: a once in a lifetime love.
I’m a sucker for second chance romances and I was rooting for Carter and Abby since the love they had in the past was there again and even more intense. Carter was a sweetheart with Abby, helping with the house renovations, and with his three-year-old niece, but boy did I want to smack him! He kept on with the “I must stay on track with my career goals, so I don’t turn into my deadbeat dad” mantra! I need proper groveling to forgive a character for being frustrating and dense, so I was pleased Carter snapped out of it and got a clue!
The House on Sunshine Corner was a sweet, second chance romance with one of my favorite settings: small, charming coastal town with lovable and quirky secondary characters. After some of the exchanges between Savannah and Noah, I’m really looking forward to the next installment which seems like it’ll be a fun enemies-to-lovers romance!
A copy was kindly provided by Forever in exchange for an honest review.
Now ten years later, Carter is back in town helping his sister with his three-year-old niece, Sophia. While he visited briefly in the past he never ran into Abby, but as his niece attends Abby’s preschool/daycare, running into her will be inevitable. Seeing Abby again brings up all the old feelings and attraction, but even more intense. He’s never had the same connection with any other woman. Even so, he can’t let his attraction get in the way of his career goals which seem to finally being coming together.
Abby’s always loved Heart’s Hope Bay where her grandmother took her in, as it provided the stability her mother never gave her. She’s always wanted to settle down with a family of her own right there surrounded by the people she’s grown to love. I could totally understand Abby, since Heart’s Hope Bay, a small coastal town in Oregon, sounded lovely and picturesque! Abby loved Carter; his leaving took a long time to get over. Abby knows that getting involved with him again will only lead to heartbreak but being around him only underscores what they had together: a once in a lifetime love.
I’m a sucker for second chance romances and I was rooting for Carter and Abby since the love they had in the past was there again and even more intense. Carter was a sweetheart with Abby, helping with the house renovations, and with his three-year-old niece, but boy did I want to smack him! He kept on with the “I must stay on track with my career goals, so I don’t turn into my deadbeat dad” mantra! I need proper groveling to forgive a character for being frustrating and dense, so I was pleased Carter snapped out of it and got a clue!
The House on Sunshine Corner was a sweet, second chance romance with one of my favorite settings: small, charming coastal town with lovable and quirky secondary characters. After some of the exchanges between Savannah and Noah, I’m really looking forward to the next installment which seems like it’ll be a fun enemies-to-lovers romance!
A copy was kindly provided by Forever in exchange for an honest review.
September 21, 2021
I received this from a Goodreads giveaway for an honest review.
A sweet, predictable romance filled with light banter, loyal friends and a quirky, beloved grandmother.
Abby, owner of Sunshine Corner Daycare, has dreamed of a family of her own. After a series of bad dates, she has almost given up on love, until her high school boyfriend, Carter, shows up to help his sister after a car accident. Sparks fly, but can things work out a second time around for Abby and Carter?
While I enjoyed the quaint town setting, Abby and her girlfriends, I found Carter to be rather unlikable and selfish.
A sweet, predictable romance filled with light banter, loyal friends and a quirky, beloved grandmother.
Abby, owner of Sunshine Corner Daycare, has dreamed of a family of her own. After a series of bad dates, she has almost given up on love, until her high school boyfriend, Carter, shows up to help his sister after a car accident. Sparks fly, but can things work out a second time around for Abby and Carter?
While I enjoyed the quaint town setting, Abby and her girlfriends, I found Carter to be rather unlikable and selfish.
October 6, 2021
I won this book on Goodreads. It is an enjoyable romance story about a woman who runs a daycare and is building a preschool, finding love with the man that left town years ago.
August 22, 2021
The one that got away …
Carter and Abby were once high school sweethearts but didn’t want the same things. Carter wanted a career with no wife or kids and Abby wanted a career with a husband, 2.5 kids and a white picket fence.
I am going to be honest, at first I thought this was going to be a cheesy story but @phoebemills proved me wrong. I can’t believe this is a debut novel. A second chance, funny, sweet, steamy small town romance that was hysterical, serious and sensitive. I loved the chemistry between Carter and Abby which includes some steamy scenes. Yes it was predictable but this okay because the story was good and fast-paced. The secondary characters are fantastic. I am very excited to read about Savannah and Noah next!
Thank you to Forever Grand Central Publishing for gifting me with this book in exchange for an honest review.
My only complaint would be the cover doesn’t do the book justice.
Carter and Abby were once high school sweethearts but didn’t want the same things. Carter wanted a career with no wife or kids and Abby wanted a career with a husband, 2.5 kids and a white picket fence.
I am going to be honest, at first I thought this was going to be a cheesy story but @phoebemills proved me wrong. I can’t believe this is a debut novel. A second chance, funny, sweet, steamy small town romance that was hysterical, serious and sensitive. I loved the chemistry between Carter and Abby which includes some steamy scenes. Yes it was predictable but this okay because the story was good and fast-paced. The secondary characters are fantastic. I am very excited to read about Savannah and Noah next!
Thank you to Forever Grand Central Publishing for gifting me with this book in exchange for an honest review.
My only complaint would be the cover doesn’t do the book justice.
March 25, 2024
2.5 stars
First, can I just exclaim about how pretty the cover of this book is? It comes across as the coziest cover with the colours so bright and stunning that it makes you believe that you are falling into the brightest and happiest story in a small-town that you can't help but want to live in. I LOVE this cover.
Unfortunately, that's where the love of this book ended. When it came to the story, I found it cute but overall...just average and 'okay'. I think part of my reading experience was impacted though by reading this through the audiobook with a narrator that I wasn't the biggest fan of.
I will say that I loved the relationship between Abby and her grandmother!
It was a cute story but not one that I could say I loved (or even be able to remember once I finished).
***I received a physical copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***
First, can I just exclaim about how pretty the cover of this book is? It comes across as the coziest cover with the colours so bright and stunning that it makes you believe that you are falling into the brightest and happiest story in a small-town that you can't help but want to live in. I LOVE this cover.
Unfortunately, that's where the love of this book ended. When it came to the story, I found it cute but overall...just average and 'okay'. I think part of my reading experience was impacted though by reading this through the audiobook with a narrator that I wasn't the biggest fan of.
I will say that I loved the relationship between Abby and her grandmother!
It was a cute story but not one that I could say I loved (or even be able to remember once I finished).
***I received a physical copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***
August 12, 2021
I love a second chance romance. This was incredibly sweet and steamier than expected. Proud owner of the Sunshine Corner daycare, Abby dreams of having her own children to care for someday. When ex-boyfriend Carter Hayes unexpectedly appears in town, it’s a reminder that despite their reignited chemistry after eleven years, his career remains top priority.
As the two pair up to tackle renovations at the daycare, I really loved their upfront communication with each other. Their playful fling was super fun, flirty, and kept me curious how it would arrive at a happily-ever-after.
As a mother myself, I loved the commentary on parenthood throughout this story. With Carter assuming a family and career can’t coexist, I liked the message of finding fulfillment even when plans go astray.
This had a great group of friends (and a spunky grandmother), which have their own conflicts featured throughout the story. I’ll be looking forward to seeing how they play out in book two!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for review
As the two pair up to tackle renovations at the daycare, I really loved their upfront communication with each other. Their playful fling was super fun, flirty, and kept me curious how it would arrive at a happily-ever-after.
As a mother myself, I loved the commentary on parenthood throughout this story. With Carter assuming a family and career can’t coexist, I liked the message of finding fulfillment even when plans go astray.
This had a great group of friends (and a spunky grandmother), which have their own conflicts featured throughout the story. I’ll be looking forward to seeing how they play out in book two!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for review
May 1, 2022
The House on Sunshine Corner by Phoebe Mills is a great second-chance romance between Abby and her high school sweetheart Carter. Abby owns and runs a daycare out of her family house with her grandmother. Carter is back in town to help his sister, who was injured, and his little niece. He does not expect to see Abby again and have all those feelings rush back to him. They broke up because of Carter's need to get out of the small-town ASAP! Now Carter has to determine if his life and job in Las Vegas are what makes him happy or the remarkable woman in the house on sunshine corner.
Thank you, Forever, for my gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you, Forever, for my gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 24, 2022
Today we are going to talk about @authorphoebemills and her book. Listen y’all her writing is an absolute delight.
The books take place in a small town called Heart’s Hope Bay which is too cute. In book one The House on Sunshine Corner we focus on Abby and a second chance romance with her high school love, Carter.
These books are so good they can be read as stand alone books but y’all they are so much better together. I found myself rooting for the love stories. The characters were real and the romance was so good, there was steam but be very PG.
Y’all do yourself a favor and read these books! I want to say thank you to @readforeverpub for sending me these copies in exchange for my review they are books I will for sure reread and continue to love.
The books take place in a small town called Heart’s Hope Bay which is too cute. In book one The House on Sunshine Corner we focus on Abby and a second chance romance with her high school love, Carter.
These books are so good they can be read as stand alone books but y’all they are so much better together. I found myself rooting for the love stories. The characters were real and the romance was so good, there was steam but be very PG.
Y’all do yourself a favor and read these books! I want to say thank you to @readforeverpub for sending me these copies in exchange for my review they are books I will for sure reread and continue to love.
August 26, 2021
I love a second-chance romance. Set it in a small town populated with interesting people and I'm all over it. That's exactly what Phoebe Mills does in her debut novel: The House on Sunshine Corner. It's a promising start to a new contemporary romance series that has me eagerly anticipating more stories.
Abby and Carter were high school sweethearts but he couldn't wait to leave Heart's Hope Bay behind and she can't imagine living anywhere else. When he returns several years later to help care for his niece while his sister recovers from an injury, one of the first people he runs into is Abby, who runs the daycare his niece attends. Suddenly, he's running into her everywhere. Unfortunately, the issues that have kept him away from his hometown still stand between them, not the least of which is Abby's desire for marriage and children when Carter has sworn to steer clear of both. But it's also abundantly clear the chemistry they once shared still simmers. Could a no-strings affair while he's in town really get those pesky feelings out of their system once and for all or will it just prove what everyone has always known: these two are meant to be together.
Mills has penned a charming, heart-tugging story with characters I became attached to and invested in. I wasn't expecting the issues that Carter kept secret from Abby during their teens. They were real stumbling blocks to him staying in Heart's Hope Bay and added another layer of emotional depth to their story. I understood Abby's need to keep her roots there but, after learning more about Carter, I also understood why he wouldn't want to (I really had no idea how the author was going to work that out). I enjoyed the ease of long-time friendship that existed between them with the added edge of tension that came with both their physical attraction as well as the limited time period before Carter would once again leave her behind. It kept the story moving and kept me eagerly reading.
I love Abby's group of friends. They have such a tight bond, the kind that allows them to be refreshingly honest with one another while always having each other's backs. I'm excited to read each of their stories as the series moves forward. I also enjoyed Abby's grandmother and the tight bond they share. I hope she - and her predictions - will continue to be present for future books.
If you enjoy small-town, second-chance romances with humor, heart, a likable cast of characters, and just enough steam, give Phoebe Mills' The House on Sunshine Corner a try. Book two, A Wedding on Sunshine Corner, is scheduled to be published March 29, 2022. I've already added it to my reading calendar.
ARC received for fair and unbiased review
Abby and Carter were high school sweethearts but he couldn't wait to leave Heart's Hope Bay behind and she can't imagine living anywhere else. When he returns several years later to help care for his niece while his sister recovers from an injury, one of the first people he runs into is Abby, who runs the daycare his niece attends. Suddenly, he's running into her everywhere. Unfortunately, the issues that have kept him away from his hometown still stand between them, not the least of which is Abby's desire for marriage and children when Carter has sworn to steer clear of both. But it's also abundantly clear the chemistry they once shared still simmers. Could a no-strings affair while he's in town really get those pesky feelings out of their system once and for all or will it just prove what everyone has always known: these two are meant to be together.
Mills has penned a charming, heart-tugging story with characters I became attached to and invested in. I wasn't expecting the issues that Carter kept secret from Abby during their teens. They were real stumbling blocks to him staying in Heart's Hope Bay and added another layer of emotional depth to their story. I understood Abby's need to keep her roots there but, after learning more about Carter, I also understood why he wouldn't want to (I really had no idea how the author was going to work that out). I enjoyed the ease of long-time friendship that existed between them with the added edge of tension that came with both their physical attraction as well as the limited time period before Carter would once again leave her behind. It kept the story moving and kept me eagerly reading.
I love Abby's group of friends. They have such a tight bond, the kind that allows them to be refreshingly honest with one another while always having each other's backs. I'm excited to read each of their stories as the series moves forward. I also enjoyed Abby's grandmother and the tight bond they share. I hope she - and her predictions - will continue to be present for future books.
If you enjoy small-town, second-chance romances with humor, heart, a likable cast of characters, and just enough steam, give Phoebe Mills' The House on Sunshine Corner a try. Book two, A Wedding on Sunshine Corner, is scheduled to be published March 29, 2022. I've already added it to my reading calendar.
ARC received for fair and unbiased review
August 14, 2021
3.5⭐
[I received a physical copy for an honest review]
The House on Sunshine Corner is the debut novel of author Phoebe Mills. A sweet small town romance about high school sweethearts reconnecting.
Abby is happy with the path her small town life is taking, the only thing missing the is the thing she wants most in the world, a husband, and children of her own. Carter has managed to stay as far away from his small hometown as possible since high school and has no plans of moving back ever. He's only visiting for a few weeks to help out his sister and niece. He doesn't plan on running into his ex around every corner, or being unable to resist his still present connection to her. Love wasn't their problem in high school it was the fact the both had very different plans for the future. Casual between them isn't a smart idea when hearts are already involved from the start.
"There was only one person in the world, by merely speaking, could send shivers racing down her spine, igniting long forgotten memories in their wake."
This book is filled with a lovely cast of characters and the small town setting I adore. Abby is a sweetheart and Carter is charming, even if he's more than a bit stubborn. The have a playful sort of connection with each other has if no time has passed between them. While trying to avoid a situation destined to end in heartbreak, there's a decent amount of sexual tension between. When they give in, we are treated to steamy open door intimate scenes that prove that it's more than casual between them from the start.
The House on Sunshine Corner is a sweet, slightly steamy small town romance. A great debut novel by Phoebe Mills, and I look for3ward to reading more books she writes in the future.
[I received a physical copy for an honest review]
The House on Sunshine Corner is the debut novel of author Phoebe Mills. A sweet small town romance about high school sweethearts reconnecting.
Abby is happy with the path her small town life is taking, the only thing missing the is the thing she wants most in the world, a husband, and children of her own. Carter has managed to stay as far away from his small hometown as possible since high school and has no plans of moving back ever. He's only visiting for a few weeks to help out his sister and niece. He doesn't plan on running into his ex around every corner, or being unable to resist his still present connection to her. Love wasn't their problem in high school it was the fact the both had very different plans for the future. Casual between them isn't a smart idea when hearts are already involved from the start.
"There was only one person in the world, by merely speaking, could send shivers racing down her spine, igniting long forgotten memories in their wake."
This book is filled with a lovely cast of characters and the small town setting I adore. Abby is a sweetheart and Carter is charming, even if he's more than a bit stubborn. The have a playful sort of connection with each other has if no time has passed between them. While trying to avoid a situation destined to end in heartbreak, there's a decent amount of sexual tension between. When they give in, we are treated to steamy open door intimate scenes that prove that it's more than casual between them from the start.
The House on Sunshine Corner is a sweet, slightly steamy small town romance. A great debut novel by Phoebe Mills, and I look for3ward to reading more books she writes in the future.
July 24, 2021
The description at the top of the blurb for The House on Sunshine Corner describes this as a book full of ”warmth, humor, heart, and a dash of magic”, and I couldn’t agree more with that description.
The House on Sunshine Corner is a second-chance, small town romance and a debut book from Phoebe Mills. We meet our main character Abby as she runs The Sunshine Corner daycare center in the home where she lives with her grandmother. Just when she least expects it, her high-school ex-boyfriend Carter walks into the daycare center to drop off his niece, as he’s spending a few weeks at home helping his sister while she recovers from an injury. From that moment, it seems like they can’t escape each other around town.
I found this to be a great summer romance read. The writing was easy to get lost in, and even when it dealt with some more serious topics including Carter’s complicated relationship with his father and Abby’s struggles to expand her business. Some of the plot points were predictable, but I didn’t mind as much as I might have with other books as I enjoyed the characters, both the main characters and the supporting characters.
I particularly loved Abby’s friends in town and their bond. I also loved Carter’s niece and the way that she popped up throughout the story. Overall this was a sweet story, and I’m excited to see where the story goes in the next book in the series.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The House on Sunshine Corner is a second-chance, small town romance and a debut book from Phoebe Mills. We meet our main character Abby as she runs The Sunshine Corner daycare center in the home where she lives with her grandmother. Just when she least expects it, her high-school ex-boyfriend Carter walks into the daycare center to drop off his niece, as he’s spending a few weeks at home helping his sister while she recovers from an injury. From that moment, it seems like they can’t escape each other around town.
I found this to be a great summer romance read. The writing was easy to get lost in, and even when it dealt with some more serious topics including Carter’s complicated relationship with his father and Abby’s struggles to expand her business. Some of the plot points were predictable, but I didn’t mind as much as I might have with other books as I enjoyed the characters, both the main characters and the supporting characters.
I particularly loved Abby’s friends in town and their bond. I also loved Carter’s niece and the way that she popped up throughout the story. Overall this was a sweet story, and I’m excited to see where the story goes in the next book in the series.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 27, 2021
Have you ever read a book because there was an adorable dog on the cover? I'm not saying that is why I read this book but I'm also not not saying that is why I read this book 😁
Well regardless of what furry reason I read this second chance romance, I found it absolutely delightful! 💙💛💙💛💙💛💙
You immediately like both the hero and heroine Carter and Abby. The sweet attraction between them was magical. They have wonderful chemistry. You can't help but find their love of their family very endearing. You root for Carter and Abby to overcome their conflict and achieve their happily ever after from the very beginning.
There is only minor conflict in this book and very little angst which made it a very easy read. Babies and the preoccupation with them was a bit over the top and grandma led the charge on that but it was still nice to get those family happily ever after feels from this book.
There is some heat in this book but not a lot.
Overall it was a lovely weekend afternoon read that made me feel really good and want another dog 🐕 😁💙💛💙
Well regardless of what furry reason I read this second chance romance, I found it absolutely delightful! 💙💛💙💛💙💛💙
You immediately like both the hero and heroine Carter and Abby. The sweet attraction between them was magical. They have wonderful chemistry. You can't help but find their love of their family very endearing. You root for Carter and Abby to overcome their conflict and achieve their happily ever after from the very beginning.
There is only minor conflict in this book and very little angst which made it a very easy read. Babies and the preoccupation with them was a bit over the top and grandma led the charge on that but it was still nice to get those family happily ever after feels from this book.
There is some heat in this book but not a lot.
Overall it was a lovely weekend afternoon read that made me feel really good and want another dog 🐕 😁💙💛💙
August 31, 2021
Sunshine Corner was a great summery read! So cute, quick and quaint!!
This was a super sweet small town, second chance romance with former high school sweethearts Abby and Carter. They had a steamy relationship as teens, and 10 years and experience brings an even stronger connection as adults. They prove the saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder…
I really enjoyed the friendships and the bond between Abby and her grandmother. I liked how both characters had to evaluate their lives to see what fulfilled them most.
I liked how the attraction was still present and stronger than ever between Carter and Abby. There were magnetic sparks between the two that I could feel through the page.
It was pretty predictable. The town was so super small that they were constantly running into each other every 15 minutes. I would’ve preferred a little less Gia.
I wasn’t too fond of how things played out in the end. It was good, but a bit unfair for someone to have to give up on their dreams/goals.
This was a super sweet small town, second chance romance with former high school sweethearts Abby and Carter. They had a steamy relationship as teens, and 10 years and experience brings an even stronger connection as adults. They prove the saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder…
I really enjoyed the friendships and the bond between Abby and her grandmother. I liked how both characters had to evaluate their lives to see what fulfilled them most.
I liked how the attraction was still present and stronger than ever between Carter and Abby. There were magnetic sparks between the two that I could feel through the page.
It was pretty predictable. The town was so super small that they were constantly running into each other every 15 minutes. I would’ve preferred a little less Gia.
I wasn’t too fond of how things played out in the end. It was good, but a bit unfair for someone to have to give up on their dreams/goals.
September 8, 2021
The House On Sunshine Corner was such a cute second chance romance. This is not usually my favorite trope but this book drew me in and I read it in about 2 days! This story follows Abby and Carter who were highschool sweethearts but broke up when they went to college. Years later Carter is back to help out his family after an accident and Abby runs the local daycare. The chemistry between him and Abby is still hot and sparks fly! I really enjoyed all the side characters in this one too and can't wait to read more in this series. Thank you Forever Publishing for my gifted copy for review!!
August 13, 2021
Summary in a few words: The one who got away, reconnecting, and finding out if they can really work together.
Heat rating 3/5
Such a cute Summer book! It definitely had some heat and it was such a wonderful love story between two lost high school sweethearts. Life can be complicated and goals for our future are always changing and evolving. This story was very realistic and had some great discussions about the complications of real-life relationships. Definitely a cute up-lifting story for any romance lover.
Heat rating 3/5
Such a cute Summer book! It definitely had some heat and it was such a wonderful love story between two lost high school sweethearts. Life can be complicated and goals for our future are always changing and evolving. This story was very realistic and had some great discussions about the complications of real-life relationships. Definitely a cute up-lifting story for any romance lover.
August 31, 2021
I thought this book was absolutely adorable! I loved all of the characters! I adored Sofia! I loved the whole daycare setting. I spent 8 years in the business and it was so rewarding! This book had me chuckling several times. It was just a perfect summer read! It is available today so be sure to get yours today!!! I also listened to the audiobook while reading along in the book. The narrator did an excellent job! I loved the character voices and her expression was spot on! I highly recommend listening while reading along!
March 1, 2022
I am a sucker for a good contemporary second chance romance ❤️. Reading about Abby and Carter gave me absolute butterflies. This book was very well written with relatable characters. Abby was definitely my favorite character and I loved her character development in this book.
The chemistry between Abby and Carter was well written and definitely kept my attention throughout the book. I did feel that this book was slow at some points and did wait a bit to wrap things up, but it was so worth the wait 📚
The chemistry between Abby and Carter was well written and definitely kept my attention throughout the book. I did feel that this book was slow at some points and did wait a bit to wrap things up, but it was so worth the wait 📚
July 7, 2021
This small town second chance romance is a light easy read, perfect for summer.
Abby and Carter were high school sweethearts who wanted different things and went their separate ways after graduation. Abby stayed in Hearts Hope Bay (not a fan of the town name) and started her own daycare and dreams of having a family while Carter got out as fast as he could and wants nothing more than to work and not have a family. 10 years later Carter is back in town for a few weeks and when he and Abby bump into each other the chemistry is still there.
I enjoyed Abby and Carter both separately and together and I also loved all the side characters (especially 3 year old Sofia). I smiled, I laughed, I teared up, the steam level was just right and there wasn't much angst which I enjoyed. The only thing I did not like was how often it was mentioned that Carter did not want to stay in town and fall in love and start a family and that Abby did want a family. It just annoyed me after a while. I also wasnt a fan of the town name, it just diesnt flow nicely. But overall I loved this book and I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Thank you to @netgalley and @readforeverpub for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Pub date 8/24/21
Abby and Carter were high school sweethearts who wanted different things and went their separate ways after graduation. Abby stayed in Hearts Hope Bay (not a fan of the town name) and started her own daycare and dreams of having a family while Carter got out as fast as he could and wants nothing more than to work and not have a family. 10 years later Carter is back in town for a few weeks and when he and Abby bump into each other the chemistry is still there.
I enjoyed Abby and Carter both separately and together and I also loved all the side characters (especially 3 year old Sofia). I smiled, I laughed, I teared up, the steam level was just right and there wasn't much angst which I enjoyed. The only thing I did not like was how often it was mentioned that Carter did not want to stay in town and fall in love and start a family and that Abby did want a family. It just annoyed me after a while. I also wasnt a fan of the town name, it just diesnt flow nicely. But overall I loved this book and I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Thank you to @netgalley and @readforeverpub for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Pub date 8/24/21
October 3, 2021
I really enjoyed Abby and Carters story a lot. The characters were well written and developed. I am glad they ended up together and glad Carter realized he should stay.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2021
I bought this book from its cover only and so glad I did. Really cute story and can't wait to read more by this author.
March 5, 2022
Overly generic and did not grab my attention. DNF.
March 7, 2022
Very generic with bland characters. It wasn’t awful, just nothing special. 2.5 ⭐️
July 13, 2023
Sentí el final muy apresurado.
September 6, 2021
This contemporary romance was so fun!
This enemies to lovers, single parent romance was a joy. It's also second chance, and that always seems to work in these small town romances for me.
Abby loves her life as the owner of Sunshine Corner Daycare. She's ambitious, and loves her small town life. Carter has always belived that business and family can't work together. When they are unexpectedly reunited, sparks fly again, and we go from that point.
I can't believe this was a debut. It was solid, and I can't wait to see what comes from this author in the future!
This enemies to lovers, single parent romance was a joy. It's also second chance, and that always seems to work in these small town romances for me.
Abby loves her life as the owner of Sunshine Corner Daycare. She's ambitious, and loves her small town life. Carter has always belived that business and family can't work together. When they are unexpectedly reunited, sparks fly again, and we go from that point.
I can't believe this was a debut. It was solid, and I can't wait to see what comes from this author in the future!
July 17, 2021
Phoebe Mills has written a beautiful second chance romance with a great storyline and wonderful characters. I couldn't put this book down once I started reading. It made me laugh, smile, cry and really feel for the characters. They were realistic, fun, quirky and genuine.
This is the story of Abby, a young single teacher who is working to renovate her home from the daycare center to a full fledged preschool. She has been dating much to her chagrin, as the men have been, well interesting, but not potential husband-material. She has set her focus on renovating her place and helping her friends through their life situations when her high school sweetheart returns to town.
Carter returns to town to help his sister and niece while his sister recovers from surgery. Part of that help involves bringing her to daycare, at you guessed it, Abby's place. Abby is more than a little surprised to see Carter as is he to see her but they both play it off, ok. Over the time he is in town Carter is convinced to help Abby with her renovations.
Will the time together allow them to find the love they once had, or more? Or does it prove to them once and for all that what they were meant to find love elsewhere? Read this incredible novel to find out!
This is the story of Abby, a young single teacher who is working to renovate her home from the daycare center to a full fledged preschool. She has been dating much to her chagrin, as the men have been, well interesting, but not potential husband-material. She has set her focus on renovating her place and helping her friends through their life situations when her high school sweetheart returns to town.
Carter returns to town to help his sister and niece while his sister recovers from surgery. Part of that help involves bringing her to daycare, at you guessed it, Abby's place. Abby is more than a little surprised to see Carter as is he to see her but they both play it off, ok. Over the time he is in town Carter is convinced to help Abby with her renovations.
Will the time together allow them to find the love they once had, or more? Or does it prove to them once and for all that what they were meant to find love elsewhere? Read this incredible novel to find out!
January 3, 2022
Carter Hayes returns to his sleepy hometown of Heart's Hope Bay along the Oregon coast. He left town 10 years ago getting a degree in architecture and works in Las Vegas. He is there to help with his three year old niece Sophia for a couple of months while his sister Becca recovers from a broken ankle. Of course he will run into Abby Engel, his high school sweetheart. She owns and runs Sophia's daycare which she is planning to expand into a preschool.
This is a gentle second chance romance. The attraction between the two is still there but so are the reasons that separated them. She wants a family ands to stay near her grandmother and friends. He has bigger aspirations. The story is told from both MC's POV and both have friends and family that add to the storyline. It is easy to guess who will be the feature leads in the next in the series. I think the only downside for me is so much focus on babies. Grandma actually predicts who will be pregnant next and a couple is having marital problems because of surprise pregnancy. It is fitting for the age of the characters but except for the romance it fills a lot of the story.
This if for contemporary romance readers who enjoy very little language and some heat. Expect minimal angst and living in a town with the name of Heart's Hope Bay you know there will be a happy ending. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.
This is a gentle second chance romance. The attraction between the two is still there but so are the reasons that separated them. She wants a family ands to stay near her grandmother and friends. He has bigger aspirations. The story is told from both MC's POV and both have friends and family that add to the storyline. It is easy to guess who will be the feature leads in the next in the series. I think the only downside for me is so much focus on babies. Grandma actually predicts who will be pregnant next and a couple is having marital problems because of surprise pregnancy. It is fitting for the age of the characters but except for the romance it fills a lot of the story.
This if for contemporary romance readers who enjoy very little language and some heat. Expect minimal angst and living in a town with the name of Heart's Hope Bay you know there will be a happy ending. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. I will admit that I chose this book based on the title and the cover alone...I didn't even have to read anything about it to know that I was going to enjoy the book :) It just sounded and looked like a happy book...and who doesn't like happy? It is the first of a series and I will absolutely read the rest. This is a second chance at romance novel full of fun and interesting characters and I loved everything about it. I would recommend it to any romance readers out there. :)
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