Love Gently Falling by Melody Carlson

After several years working at an upscale salon in Hollywood, Rita Jansen returns home to Chicago when her mother has a stroke. She learns her mother is in for a long recovery and decides to visit the hair salon she grew up loving—Hair and Now. Business is down with the lower portion of the mall under construction and another, more updated salon on the upper level of the mall. Rita decides to take on the job of remodeling the hair salon in the short time she has at home—all to be completed in a few weeks time before Valentine’s Day. As Rita reconnects with her best friend from high school—a friend she has lost touch with—and another friend, Johnny, from high school, Rita learns friendship can be rekindled (and maybe something more). Johnny always seems to be there when she needs him, willing to lend a hand. But since she’s going back to California, she doesn’t want to get attached to Johnny romantically.

It’s been years since I’ve read anything by Melody Carlson. I know she focused on YA books for a while and I lost touch with her so when the opportunity came up to read Love Gently Falling, I was happy to read it. While the book was an entertaining read, it wasn’t my favorite. Perhaps it’s a personal preference but I enjoy romances from both the hero and heroine’s perspectives as it gives the reader a more round picture. And while there is tension in most romance books because the main characters don’t share their feelings with each other, there comes a point in time when it’s gone too far. There was little meat to this story. It would have been enhanced with more focus on Rita’s relationships with her family members or more in-depth conversations with her best friend. If you need a break from more heavy or in-depth books and are looking for a light, cute romance, this one is a good choice.

Available for preorder from Amazon or Family Christian Stores. Available everywhere January 6, 2015

****FaithWords/Center Street provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.