So nice to return to Chesapeake Shores and the amazing O’Brien’s and their crazy family. Yes I think I’m allowed to describe them in such an intimate fashion. You see I’ve not missed one of this heartwarming series by the wondrously talented author Sherryl Woods. Those in the same camp know of what I speak.

LILAC LANE is bursting from the seams with love and family, of course it’s Sherryl Woods. But more importantly it’s about learning who you are even in light of years of lies or mind numbing responsibilities. Not necessarily malicious tales. But we can only guess why those particular lies were deemed necessary. 

Bryan Laramie is a relative newcomer to the area. As head chef for the O’Brien’s Irish Pub he has learning quite a lot about Irish cooking from Nell the family matriarch. Of course as a chef Bryan has fought to keep some of his own menu items included as well. Bryan has settled in well here, made friends and established a fabulous reputation as a fine chef. There’s a wide hole in Bryan’s life. One he has diligently tried to fill. His search for his daughter has gone on for nearly twenty years. It started the day his wife left and took Deanna with her and then summarily disappeared. Every investigator has come up empty handed. 

Kiera has just arrived in America to spend time with her daughter Moira. Moira is happily married to Luke O’Brien the owner of the Irish Pub. They have a baby girl Kate. Moira used Kate as the bait to get her mother to leave Ireland. Well part of the bait. The other bit is her usefulness as a consultant for the pub. 

Well you can see the writing on the wall. Proud chef Bryan certainly doesn’t feel he needs any help especially from this pushy bossy opinionated stubborn lady. And that sets the stage for some endearing and challenging dialog. And because it’s the O’Brien’s matchmaking. 

The tool of choice for the current matchmaking scheme is Irish stew. And the town is taking sides on who will win.

In the midst of all the competition Bryan sees a chance to actually find his lost daughter. There’s so much at stake here. For Bryan, his daughter Deanna and let’s not forget the hopefully blossoming feelings for Kiera. 

In the end it will all come down to making a good stew. Or is that just a metaphor for life and love. A stew is only as good as the quality of its ingredients. And with love well it takes care, patience and trust – three very important ingredients. Don’t you agree?

Fans of the Chesapeake series will adore this latest installment that centers around a boisterous, interfering family whose love knows no bounds. Sherryl Woods graciously creates these unforgettable characters that pop up in each tale. We all have favorite characters from this series and I think we just met a few new ones. Enjoy.