Book Review and ARC Giveaway: One Day in Apple Grove by C.H. Admirand

This is a sweet, light romance with an adorable puppy.

One Day in Apple Grove 
by C.H. Admirand

Pages: 320
Publisher     Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN-10     1402269021
ISBN-13     978-1402269028
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Release date: June 4, 2013
Welcome to Apple Grove, Ohio (pop. 597), a small town with a big heart.
Caitlin Mulcahy loves her family. She really does. But sometimes they can drive her to her last shred of sanity—from her dad ("I'm not meddling, I just want what's best for you") to her eight-months-pregnant older sister to her younger sister, who will do just about anything to avoid real work. Cait just needs to get away, even if for only an hour.

When she sees someone in need of help on the side of the road, of course she's going to pull over. She might even be able to fix his engine—after all, the Mulcahy family is a handy bunch. She's not expecting that former Navy medic Jack Gannon and a little black puppy named Jameson will be the ones who end up rescuing in her.

Review:
Meg is encouraging Caitlin to find a man but not only are the choices limied in their small town, but Cait is overloaded with work. Cait and her two sisters have taken over their father’s ‘handy man’ business. Now older sister, Meg, who has helped raise Cait, is busy with a toddler and a new baby on the way. That leaves Cait covering the jobs for both of them. Meanwhile younger sister Grace manages the office but longs to find adventure in a big city.

One day she is heading home and sees a car that appears stranded. Cait, with her mechanic skills, steps forward to help. She is ‘attacked’ by a little black puppy who is being rescued by Doc Jack  Gannon. Jack is a former Navy medic who has returned to his home town to take over his father’s small town practice.

The stray puppy is enchanted with Cait and Jack asks if she can help him take care of the pup by visiting during the day. Cait and Jack are soon inseparable as they share the joy of training the rascally Jameson. Jack is suffering from PTSD and is reluctant to share his fears and guilt with anyone, including Cait. This causes conflict that has to be resolved to keep their relationship on track.

This is a sweet, sweet story of romance found in a small town. I enjoyed the setting in a charming little town where everyone knows your business. Cait and Jack are really warm characters. Then add their families and Cait’s best friend, Peggy. There are a few struggles and sorrows, especially when the puppy’s real owner shows up a week later to claim him.  If you look at the cover of the book you will see an adorable black pup on the sidewalk. This little character is a star in the book.

This is apparently part of a series set in Apple Grove but this book works fine as a stand alone. I would enjoy reading Ms. Admirand again and am eyeing her Irish Western series. The writing is light and real. All in all this a nice, warm read. 

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Jack is difficult but Cait is willing to stick it out:

Going with her gut, she reached for his hand. He stared at it for a momment, as if he weren’t sure he should touch her, but then finally linked fingers with her and let her draw him toward her.... The steady beaat of his heart reassured her–now it was her turn to reassure him. “I’m not going anywhere.” Page 179.

I received this from Sourcebooks for an honest review.

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