Title: Falling in Love on Willow Creek

Series: Highland Falls

By: Debbie Mason

ISBN: 9781538717004

Website: authordebbiemason(.)com

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra                   

Summary:

Single mom-to-be Sadie Gray will do anything to find her younger brother before the law catches up with him. Even if it means returning home to the small town of Highland Falls with a baby due any moment. But when that moment comes sooner than expected, and Sadie finds herself stranded on the top of a mountain—in labor–she couldn’t be more grateful for the park ranger who finds her and helps deliver her daughter safely. Soon they’ve formed a tight friendship, and while he may be hinting at more, Sadie isn’t planning to stick around after she finds her brother.

FBI agent Chase Roberts wasn’t looking for love when he agreed to go undercover as a park ranger to find an on-the-run informant. But he can’t help being drawn to beautiful, warm-hearted Sadie and her sweet baby daughter. He’s always longed to put down roots and start a family. But how can he hope to keep Sadie’s trust when she finds out that his job is to arrest the brother she’s been looking for? (Goodreads)

Review:

Falling in Love on Willow Creek is the third book in the Highland Falls series written by author Debbie Mason. I must say up front – Ms. Mason does not disappoint – and she is a favorite Canadian author of mine! When I am in the mood for romance – she is who I turn to. I have been following this series from book one, but a reader does not have to start from the beginning of the series to appreciate this charming third book.

I love Highland Falls! Each book so far in the series has been engaging, packed with lots of romance and Falling in Love on Willow Creek is no exception. The tale begins with Sadie Gray driving to the city from her latest visit with her grandmother Agnes MacLeod in Highland Falls, when the inclement weather continued to get worse (snow coming down harder and harder). Did I mention that Sadie was pregnant with a ginormous baby bump? Now to me that just spells trouble…and it did. When Sadie decides to turn around and go back to Highland Falls she realizes that her baby is coming NOW, whether she likes it or not. Luckily for her, help presents itself by way of Chase Roberts and Nathan Black (both undercover law enforcement agents – FBI and NCSBI agents respectively). After the baby is born, she is named Michaela after Chase (sort of as Chase is undercover as “Michael Knight” – a park ranger). So on to the crux of why law enforcement is in Highland Falls…they are looking for Sadie’s brother, Elijah, in an ongoing case regarding Brodie (one of their own who was killed in the line of duty). Enough recap for the moment – now on to some thoughts on the story telling and characters ☺

I found the storyline was filled with some interesting twists with respect to Elijah and his tie in to the death of agent Brodie. Both Chase and Nathan had a huge investment in determining the truth with respect to the death of their fellow agent. And let me tell you – I was pleasantly surprised that I did NOT guess who was involved and how. So not only is my romance book filled with gushy, heart stopping romance but it also had some very engaging mystery elements, which kept me engaged and guessing throughout.

I love how the townspeople of Highland Falls stick with one another and help each other out when one of their own is in trouble. Makes you really want to live in Highland Falls (okay – that may just be me…).  I particularly loved the description of Agnes MacLeod (Sadie’s aunt and owner of the store ‘I Believe in Unicorns’) – especially with the recent (January 2022) passing of Betty White:

“People made the mistake of thinking Agnes MacLeod, the adorable Betty White look-alike with a soft Scottish burr, was a pushover.  Sadie knew better.”

And let me say that the slow burn with respect to the main love story between Sadie and Chase/Michael – very enticing and got this romantic at heart right where it matters – in the heart. And to add to the mix that it seemed Sadie’s baby Michaela liked Chase more than Sadie – or at least was easily settled by Chase whereas Sadie had great difficulties with that. Chase just had a more natural way with the baby. 

The town matchmakers had me laughing multiple times. Those ladies will not stop for anything or anybody until they have made the match! And their antics are interesting to say the least. It is comforting, this sense of community.

The whole series is a delight and I am quite enjoying getting to know the residents of Highland Falls. I cannot wait to read the next books in the series -> A Wedding on Honeysuckle Ridge (book 3.5) and The Inn on Mirror Lake (book 4). And I for one hope this series becomes a movie or two!