At Fairfield Orchard

A perfect start to a new series, sure to please many.

A new book from Emma Cane, combining family, heart and a fabulous setting all begin the first of the Fairfield Orchard contemporary romance series. I love a story that uses family ties and obligations all to create a series of challenges, and Cane does her best with the Fairfields.

This story circles around Amy Fairfield and her return, with her twin Tyler to the house and orchard outside of Charlottesville Virginia. Her parents and sister are struggling to keep the orchard profitable, looking to find new revenue streams, and the kids have been called home to help. Well, until their parents announce they are heading off in an RV to travel for the first time.. leaving the Orchard in the sibling’s hands.

Amy is back at Fairfield, and trying to regroup. She’d left university and separated herself from her friends and family in lieu of a relationship that didn’t work out. Now guilty and unsure of her own reception, she’s almost desperate to find the solution to the orchard’s issues.

Jonathan Gebhart is a professor at UVA, with a specialty in Jefferson. Having learned that part of the orchard once belonged to the former president, he’s hoping to be able to comb the family archives, attics, bibles and stories to prove that Jefferson stayed in Virgina, and he believes that the Fairfield’s have the information and proof he needs.

When a talking tree becomes the introduction of Jonathan and Amy, the scene is set. Amy is busy, or so she thinks, realigning her life and men have no part. Even the intrigue of history, a former favorite subject, won’t convince her that the interest she has in Jonathan is more than academic. Jonathan is intrigued by Amy, a bonus in his research, and is welcomed into the warmth and camaraderie that seems to permeate the family.

Both have personal issues to deal with, but surprisingly enough are more than willing to share moments of hurt and their past with one another. With the balance of history, romance and a touch of mystery from both, the story flies…

Family members, friends old and new and quick moments introduce, in brief form, the siblings without overwhelming readers with so many characters. The growth and development of the romance and friendship between Amy and Jonathan, as well as their ability to resolve some of the issues that had been holding them both back was wonderful. A perfect start to a new series, sure to please many.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.