His Sunshine

Candles and Curves #1

by Megan Wade

Ava isn't one for adventure, so when she learns about a tiny town called Whisper Valley in a strange kind of way, it takes a bit of courage to pack her bags and go there herself.
At first, she thinks she'll just be there for a visit, but when a dented bumper and a torn-off wiper introduces her to the reclusive, William Moore, she'll have to find a way to pay him back. But with little money, she hopes he'll be OK with a pretty smelling candle and an IOU.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

88 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2022

About the author

Megan Wade is a USA Today Bestselling Author of curvy billionaire romance featuring confident plus-size heroines and alpha heroes who adore them. With 70+ books published, she's known for steamy love stories with guaranteed happily ever afters. Her signature style: high heat, low drama, and heroines who never have to shrink to find love.

Reviews

[QuinnReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magical Candles

There's magic in them there candles. 😉 This is a really sweet with heat novella. Oh, the insta-love is strong and a tad over-the-top, but it's a fun and cute story. Ava and Duke's first encounter really sets the stage. 😂

Duke: “She wanted to fight me.”

Dottie: “Fight you?” Dottie’s eyes bug out. “Dear brother, what are you getting yourself into?”

Duke: “Honestly, I have no idea. But I’m looking forward to finding out.”

I enjoyed this and look forward to more from the Whisper Valley Soulwink Society.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Bonnie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read a couple of novellas from this author and I get why some folks feel empowered by them, but they keep ticking a lot of subtle harm alarms for me. I mean, skipping past the instalove thing which...whatever, this one hits the beat of "I'm 29 and haven't ever had sex or a relationship because I'm fat and too much" and then describes her as a bridal jessica rabbit, and, come on, how much am I suspending my disbelief here? Sure, some men and women don't come into their sexuality until later in life, and also, the repeated theme of "fat and unloved" is, well, it's a real fucking bummer. Lots of fat people find love when they're young! Lots of skinny folks don't find love until they're older! Also, really, she had no friends? Just, pack up her life so she could marry a dude 19 years her senior, less than a month after meeting him, because he wouldn't fuck her until she married him because she was a virgin? None of the characters actually have any level of development, just. blergh. Oh, and then there's a real random epilogue where they started trying to have a baby as soon as they got married but then didn't actually conceive for two years, and sure, this is 100% possible and even potentially likely, but also, what? Just WHAT. Reminder to self, don't ever bother reading another one of these books, no matter how many times you see the ads for them.

[Amos24601 · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute

What an adorable start to another soulwink series. I don’t even know why I love this idea of a soulwink so much, but I do. These cute little insta-love books are becoming my jam.

I loved Duke. He tried so hard not to be grumpy at times. But his love for his sister and his softness for Ava was so endearing. Ava was spunky and adorable. They seemed well matched from the start, even if they had some doubts. And poor Ava getting whacked in the face with the door? Talk about poor luck! We also get a cameo or two from previous characters and that was a nice little surprise.

This was a cute little afternoon read that left me smiling. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series as it comes out.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute start to a spin off series and I really loved how these two came together. Duke and Ava met under difficult circumstances but they sparked chemistry and decided to go on a dinner date. That turned into a disaster, and while they both figured there was no chance, they found themselves coming together again. Things went so much better and the heat got turned up ;P I loved the open communication between them - neither held back from being vulnerable and it paid off big :D

[Jenn Theis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the top and just plain sweet. It was fun to revisit Whisper Valley and read Ava and Duke's story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rainbows

I think this was the sweetest of them all. No matter your age, when loves finds you, grab it and hold on tight.

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet, lighthearted story. The characters are down to earth, everyday folks. Ava is in town because of the smell of her candle. She wants to explore the town where it originated and what the candle smells like. To her it smells like home. She also had her cards read. She is getting ready to go back to her cabin and accidentally backs her car into a truck. The next thing she notices is a big, burly muscular man who is smiling and chuckling at her story. When she sees Duke she feels this man is the man of her dreams and she is ready to throw herself at him and have his babies, but first she needs to get his name! When Duke sees Ava he thinks she is beautiful and feels an instant connection. Ava feels the attraction and she makes the first move. Ava asks Duke out for dinner and will he go or not? Will this be an attraction or a fling or something more? Duke feels like Ava “kitten” could be his woman. He is big but he is also - kind, compassionate, protective, understanding and loving. Ava is curvy, beautiful, energetic, bubbly but she is more cautious, but she feels the same sparks “the soulwink” possibly? What does that mean she lives somewhere else? What will happen? This story is a sweet, heart thumping, life changing romance filled with tenderness, passion and a whole lot of love. It is an entertaining, funny at times, enjoyable, feel good story you can’t help but love!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hanna Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book number 1 of the Candles and Curves series and focuses on Duke and Ava. Ava is in town visiting Whisper Valley to get specific candles. While she's there she meets a few of the members of the soulwink society and ends up getting a reading that tells her that she will meet her twin flame, or her soulmate, soon. Almost immediately following her reading she accidentally hits Duke's car. When the two meet they both instantly feel the connection to each other and waste no time setting up a date that unfortunately goes incredibly bad. They both feel inadequacies initially following their date but it doesn't take them long to realize that all the past hurts led them right where they belonged. They both know that they have finally found the one meant for them and don't waste any time building their forever. This was a great story and a great continuation of stories about the soulwinks of Whisper Valley.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzanne Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Wade takes us back to Whisper Valley (yay!) for more soulwinks in a new spinoff series, Candles and Curves. Sunshine Through the Rain is the first book in the series, a steamy, swoony age-gap instalove that will absolutely make you melt. Ava has been feeling restless with her life in Sugar City, and after buying a candle from a store in Whisper Valley and finding that it smells like "home" somehow, she decides to pay the small town a visit. Duke relocated to Whisper Valley a couple years ago, opening up his own garage and helping his sister restore an old vineyard and its farmhouse. Duke and Ava's meet-cute is hilarious (only bested by their first date). Ava is such a fun, loveable character, and Duke is the epitome of swoon-worthy. Then there's the return of some of our favourite characters from the Cocktails and Curves and Hermits and Curves series! A wonderfully entertaining, swoony romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I want to be the thing he wants so bad it drives him to distraction."

His Sunshine is the first book in the Candles and Curves series, which is a spin-off of the Whisper Valley Soulwink Romance books. The ladies of the Soulwink club are at it again and are now selling candles that have rocks from the lake. What the unsuspecting purchasers do not know is that if they are able to smell the candle then that are in for a soulwink adventure to finding their true love in Whisper Valley. This first book is about visitor Ava crashing into new resident and local mechanic Duke. All it takes is a broken windshield wiper used as a weapon to have his heart running a mile a minute. But with an age difference that he thinks will never work will the soulwink pull these two together or will they just have a passing wink.
I really enjoyed this first book in the new spin-off series. I am looking forward to reading the next to see how the candles bring new romance to Whisper Valley.

[Knight Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning to Whisper Valley for another Soulwick short story as only Megan Wade has been able to create the imagery. Ava Monroe buys one of Clementine Valentine's special candles made with the lake rock and smells like Whisper Valley so she decided to come to check the small town out. As she was pulling away from Clementine's shop, she accidentally backed into a pickup. In the process of leaving a note the owner Duke Fox walked up. The meeting was interesting to say the least with them agreeing to have a date at Valentine Bar and Grill that night. This story will keep a smile on your face with all the humor and the help of the Valentine wives better known as the "Whisper Valley Soulwick Society". Enjoy this wonderful entertaining story of insta-love.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that the Soulwink is back. I loved Sunshine Through the Rain: Book 1 of Candles and Curves. Ava is visiting Whisper Valley to buy candles when she meets Duke. After a disaster of a first date she thinks it’s time to cut her losses and go back him but when Duke shows up for a do over, she realizes maybe he is her twin flame like the tarot cards predicted. Duke was letting his past dictate his future and he almost lost Ava but he knows she’s meant to be in his life. Has the Soulwink struck again? Such a great storyline and lovable characters. I can’t wait foe the next installment. I would definitely recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachel Isaacs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful edition to the Whisper Valley Soulwink Society books. Megan Wade is becoming my go-to when I'm in the mood for a quick read that is guaranteed to be sugary sweet, low-drama, and an HEA ending that you never doubt is on it's way.

I also love that that Soulwink phenomenon isn't restricted to just the Valentine family. Now that those special rocks are being put to use in candles, the soulwinks can spread. AND! If Ava is going to start making jewelry out of those same rocks??? Around town and online in an Etsy store??? Soulwinks will spread throughout the entire world!!! It'll never end!!! (Which I am totally fine with).

Can't wait to read into Dottie's story. Until then, my sweet tooth has once again been satisfied.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love them, I actually collect them, their use in this story is very creative and magical with the realistic element that many have for their favorite candle scent. Wow, what a way to meet your soulwink, let the magic burn. Duke is a good man, kind, patient and handy. Ava is more eccentric in an exciting way. They are both likeable and instantly attracted to one another. Enjoyed reading this new soulwink, steamy romance and experiencing how sometimes thing that seem not so good can be turned around so pleasantly. Definitely lives up to it's title. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava has found her way to Whisper Valley to buy some candles. While there she has a Tarot card reading where she is told she would find her twin flame. As Ava is leaving she backs into Duke’s truck. When Duke meets Ava he realizes she could be more for him. Duke also realizes that he is much older than Ava but she certainly does not care. The Whisper Valley soul wink is at it again. Ava and Duke are so good together with great chemistry and you can’t fight that soul wink. This is an excellent story and I loved it. Soul winks are real and I love reading about them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laura Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clementine reads Ava’s tarot cards. She is very excited about what they said. I agree with the author’s stance as well as the character’s. Being told that ‘if you just lose so and so amount of weight this guy will be perfect for you. No one should have to change in order to receive and fall in love. It’s one thing if you have health problems that would resolve itself if you lost weight, quite another to be told by a so called family member or friend that you need to lose weight to be loved. That makes me angry and I’ve gone through that for most of my life.

A car crunchy later, she meets Duke. Her car took more damage than his so he says she is all good because he can fix his truck himself. Dude! Duke is awesome! Duke’s real name is… I’m so sorry for him. Poor baby. His sister Dottie is a riot.

The return of the soulwink society. Woohooo. I loved this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava and Duke's story is the first in the new series, but we do get to see some old friends as the fate is bringing the two souls together and they wink.

Ava was drawn to Whisper Valley to get a candle and finds that one after another incident happen and she ends up in the man, Duke, that her soul winked at.

Duke is an older man, moved to town to help his sister and start his business. When he comes across Ava around his truck, he finds that his Kitten is just a feisty and cute.

Loved their story it warmed my heart and made me smile.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gianina Diaz (gianina.books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ava está en la ciudad por el olor de su vela. Quiere explorar el pueblo donde se originó y cómo huele la vela, para ella huele a hogar. También hizo que le leyeran sus cartas. Ella se está preparando para regresar a su cabaña y accidentalmente choca su auto contra un camión. Lo siguiente que nota es un hombre grande, corpulento y musculoso. Cuando ve a Duke, siente que este hombre es el hombre de sus sueños y está lista para arrojarse sobre él y tener sus bebés.
Cuando Duke ve a Ava, piensa que es hermosa y siente una conexión instantánea. Ava siente la atracción y da el primer paso, invita a cenar a Duke. Él siente que Ava podría ser su mujer.

[Sue Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ‘Soulwink’ of Whisper Valley returns! This novella picks up five years after the previous books chronicling the romances of the Valentine cousins. You don’t have to have read the previous books, but it helps if you have. Ava, on holiday in Whisper Valley, damages a car as she leaves the yoga studio – not an auspicious start to her first encounter with sexy, older mechanic, Duke. I enjoyed the instant chemistry between these two – a common theme in these books; and their romance proceeds apace as they fall under the ‘spell’ of the local area. An enjoyable read with the predictable HEA.

[Rowena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute start to a new series!

A cute new series! We get more of the soulwinks in this newest release that doesn’t disappoint. The girls find a way to spread Whisper Valley Soulwink romance and it starts with Duke and Ava. It was a chance meeting for this two adorable couple, but from that first meeting it was instant. It didn’t start off in the right direction, but when they stop fighting what was meant to be, it made for a cute storyline. An enjoyable romance read and I can’t wait for more of this new series.

[Raylene Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava had her card read at Bendy Bodies yoga studio and can it really happen to her. That she can met her twin flames or not? But when she back into a truck and own hurts her car and then breaks the window shield wiper. She meets Duke who owns the truck and she leave him a candle. They met for dinner that night and she in up meeting the door and now she has a swelled face. will Duke come looking for her or not? it a good story and funny also.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Candles and Curves series. This series is connected to both the Cocktails and Curves and the Hermits and Curves series. You don't have to read them but if you have then you'll recognize some of the characters. I was super happy to see that the author was continuing the soulwink stories. I loved the Hermits and Curves series. Duke and Ava’s story is a quick age gap instalove, with plenty of sweet and heat. Their story left me smiling and I can’t wait to read the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bees · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been hands-down, one of my favorite series. I love the idea of the soul wink and the subsequent society of amazing women who become this incredibly supportive and loving group of ride or die friends. The crazy part is that is only the subplot. The intense chemistry (emotional and physical) is off the charts and will ensure you walk away with a smile and also seeking out more resident’s stories from this community.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[gnome204 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too Fast-paced imo

The book starts off right away as she visits a small town immediately after her tarot reading. We don’t really get a lot of chemistry going on for the characters either, so we don’t get to bond with them in my opinion. The MMC is also not as grumpy as i’d hoped; instead, he could be characterized as uneasy to be friends with, but not grumpy. I get that this is supposed to be a short read, but I think that they rushed the book too much. I ended skipping the second half of the book as it got too boring for me to read.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunshine through the Rain begins another adventure of the heart in Whisper Valley as that delightful phenomenon known as the soul wink mesmerizes again.
Main characters Ava and Duke are the perfect pairing and with a tad intervention from fate it soon becomes obvious that this well written, short novella will become another enjoyable read in a storyline that never fails to please!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mistie Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Soulwink Society returns! I just love these stories... They make my heart sigh a happy sign! Ava and Duke were just wonderful. Neither of them felt that they were good enough for the other, but the reality was that they were each other's perfect match. I loved their story and watching them arrive at a perfect HEA was so satisfying! I'm so looking forward to Dottie's Soulwink!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candles and Curves is a new series by Megan Wade. It was a beautiful story and showed that even though Ava and Duke had kind of a mediocre start it's clear that it's hard to fight when something is meant to be so also in the case of Duke and Ava true love you know too even if you fight against it. Megan Wade has made a good start with this new series. I'm already looking forward to the next part.

I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great series and I loved Duke and Ava’s addition in it. When Ava hits Duke’s cars accidentally she makes it worse in a series of hilarious misfortunes trying to leave him a note. When he comes upon her at his car he finds himself intrigued. They agree to a date and both leave feeling they messed up but fate brings them together again for an adorable HEA!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so happy that we didn't have to leave behind Whisper Valley and instead we get a whole new series of Soulwink girls and their dreamy and perfect guys to entertain us. This one all starts with a fender bender. I've had a lot of those in my lifetime and not once have I ever met anyone like Duke. Bummer me!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love me a soulwink romance! I really enjoyed how Ava and Duke met and that he was able sort himself out and see what was right in front of him. I liked them both as characters and believed in their connection and chemistry. The story held my interest from start to finish and I am looking forward to reading the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.