I absolutely fell for Josie and Tucker. They get off on the wrong foot when he picks her up at the airport. When she gets hurt and he becomes her PT, the connection and attraction can't be denied. They both try to stay away, but have a hard time with that. As they grow closer, they both realize that they want more than friendship, but her stay has an expiration date.
When fate intervenes and she has to stay longer than planned, she sees a whole new side to him and it is one that she can't refuse being near. He has the same problem, only he hasn't felt this way since his deceased wife. As they work together to help a young girl who is one of his patients, secrets beyond his control come to light and threaten to end what they have started to build. When the little girl goes missing, it could spell the end for this couple.
A wonderful read that had me hoping and praying for a good outcome, happily ever after, and more stories in this wonderful setting.

Sweetwater Springs#2, I don't think it's necessary to read the first book to enjoy this book, both characters were introduced in that book but they didn't meet until this one. This was a nice and easy read, the characters have a fun introduction mainly bad first impressions and misconceptions but still instant chemistry even though both of them fight the connection. It's an emotional journey for both of our main characters, Josie Kellum is at a crossroads and unsure where she wants to go. Tucker Locklear discovers something from his past that turns his world upside down.

It was only supposed to be a week long vacation, Josie came to visit her best friend and maybe write a follow-up on the last article she wrote about Sweetwater Springs. But first she sprains her knee and needs to take PT with Tuck and then her landlord calls and tells her there's been a fire and she needs to find someplace else to stay for the next month. Josie's best friend talks her into staying in Sweetwater but she can't stay at the B&B because it's all booked. Luckily Tuck has an apartment above his garage she can rent.

Tuck's wife has been dead for quite a while now, he claims he's ready to move on but no one has managed to catch his interest until Josie. Josie proved to be very different from his initial opinion and the more time he spends with her the more he likes her. Josie decides that her current job isn't going the direction she wants to go but what she thinks she wants and what she needs are two different things.

Overall, it was a feel good romance and I really enjoyed it. Like the first it's not explicit she leaves everything like that up to your imagination. I loved this slow burn romance, it was perfect for Tuck and Josie. This small town romance is definitely one I need to keep reading.

I love the small home town feel of this setting. From the small business shops in downtown to the small cottage on the outskirts of town. You have Tuck, the strong physical therapist that travels to his clients. When he meets Josie she seems the typical workaholic who can't relax even on vacation. He gets to know her more when she twists her ankle and becomes a client, the softer side of her. There is also a sullen girl who has refused treatment for an accident that left her in a wheelchair, the same accident that killed her mom. There is a real depth of character that I really enjoyed in this book, and looking forward to the next book in this series.

Favorite Quote:

“I just wanted to tell you how I felt. Then I wanted to take you inside and show you.” A slow grin emerged on her lips. “I’ve always loved show-and-tell,” she whispered.

My Review:

This is such an adorably sweet and easy to follow small-town series with relevant family issues, secrets, and heart-squeezing moments. I enjoyed the colorful descriptions and stories of the quirky and eccentric characters inhabiting Sweetwater, each with their own unique spin that makes them stand out several shades from the norm. I also greatly appreciated the long-overdue implementation of a Native American as a successful and hard-working professional as a main character. I adored the kindness and thoughtful patience and insights of Tuck and look forward to peeling back his sister’s tale in a future installment.

I love a good small town romance and this book certainly satisfied my craving. It has an amazing group of characters with a nice slow burn romance between Tucker and Josie. Tucker is the town's physical therapist who has spent the last few years mourning the loss of his wife. No woman has peaked his interest until NY magazine editor/writer Josie Kellum comes to town. Why her?? They are so different and she will only be around a short time. She has heartbreaker written all over her. He just needs to lay low until she leaves town. Easier said than done!

I highly recommend this one.

Springtime at Hope Cottage by Annie Rains is a wonderful followup to the first book in the Sweetwater Springs series. Josie Kellum is a big city journalist who comes to visit her friend Katelyn in Sweetwater Springs for just a short time, but turns into an extended stay. Tucker Locklear is a physical therapist. Both are a bit damaged by their past.

This book is well written. All of the characters are so wonderful! I definitely recommend this title.

When Josie gets "stuck" in Sweetwater Springs she starts to rethink her life and wonder what could be next in her life. I really enjoyed this book was super fun read. Some parts of the book was a little predictable how ever it did not take away from the story overall. The story has a way of getting to your heart for sure. The author draws you in and has away of wanting you to book your next trip to Sweetwater Springs. I love small town romances and I just love small town books they have away of making you feel like you are catching up with friends and that was very much the case with this book. This book does have adult situations and may no be suitable for all readers. I really can't see what happens next in Sweetwater Springs and see where the author goes next with this wonder group of characters. If you are looking for quick and fun read grab this book I don't think you will be disappointed.

4 1/2 stars

With a title composed of both Spring and Hope, you should very much expect that this romance, Springtime at Hope Cottage by Annie Rains, will be an uplifting story about people getting second chances and finding spiritual renewal–and it is.

Springtime at Hope Cottage begins with an airport meet-cute in which Josie pulls out a can of pepper spray on her “attacker,” Tuck who was sent by her best friend to pick her up. Immediately Tuck decides that this big city girl is a snob and spoiled because of her expensive purse and more expensive shoes. Josie, on the other hand, thinks Tuck may be one of the yummiest things she’s ever seen. The more time they spend in each other’s company, the more attracted they become to each other (well, it is a romance) and Tuck’s first impression melts away.

I enjoyed Springtime at Hope Cottage. It’s the perfect novel for a little down-time. Both characters are realistically drawn, behave the way reasonable grown-ups should behave, and are extremely likable. The townspeople add that small town touch that so many of us readers enjoy. There’s also a little mystical element that I found charming. There are a few surprises that add depth and will go unmentioned because: spoiler.

Quote: “You want a man who will carry you when you fall down while chasing after some crazy bird.”

She giggled unexpectedly.

“Someone who will pull you off life’s treadmill and show you the beauty of this world and make you see the beauty in yourself, inside and out. Someone who thinks you’re funny, smart, and the most loving, giving person he’s ever met.”
end quote

And with this Tuck enters the category of being perfectly swoon-worthy.

While this was the second novel in the Sweetwater Springs series, I didn’t feel that I missed anything (although I probably did) by not reading the first. It works very well as a standalone.

If you’re looking for a sweet romance with small town charm, a surly pre-teen, a beautiful therapy dog, nature, spaghetti dinners, and fairs, you might want to give Springtime at Hope Cottage a try.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and Forever publishing in exchange for an honest review.

I’m giving this book two stars because the cover is breathtaking and it’s probably more me. I did not finish this book. I hate the hero and couldn’t get into it. Maybe one of these days I’ll give it another try and have a different reaction.



I voluntarily read an early copy.

Josie needed a vacation. Sweetwater Springs is the obvious choice. Since her best friend runs a successful B&B. Josie meets Tucker when he picks her up at the airport. Her relationship with him continues after she falls and injures her knee. Tucker, a physical therapist, offers his services. The Josie receives a call. Her apartment was involved in a fire. Which means she can’t go home. Stuck, she agrees to live in an apartment above Tucker’s garage. What could go wrong?

Tucker has decided to move on after his wife’s death, 2 years ago. While he was attracted to Josie, he knows that having a relationship with her wouldn’t happen. But, the more they get thrown together, the more Tucker realizes that he needs Josie in his life. Can he convince her to stay in Sweetwater Springs?

Josie: I liked Josie’s character. I liked that she was real and that she was easy to relate to. She was a spitfire. She didn’t hold back her opinions on things. But she also had a soft side. She didn’t throw temper tantrums when her love interest had different views than her. Instead, she talked about it with him. I loved it.

Tucker: I liked him. He was the perfect foil for Josie’s character. Where she was always on the go, he was more laid back. I did like that he was a physical therapist. It was interesting to read about the different ways that he helped people heal. As for his relationship with Josie, he eased into it. There was no Instalove. No jumping into bed the first hour they met. Instead, he formed a relationship with her. It was refreshing to read.

Springtime at Hope Cottage was a great romance to read. The plot was easy to follow. The romance between Tucker and Josie was realistic and believable.

The plotlines of Springtime at Hope Cottage were well written. There was zero unnecessary drama in the book. Y’all know what I mean. A character comes out of nowhere to throw a wrench in the relationship of the main characters. Not here. The only surprise wasn’t a surprise. I figured it out early in the book. But, I still liked how that storyline played out

My only complaint with Springtime at Hope Cottage was that I didn’t get a feel for Tucker and Josie sexually. There was sexual tension but those scenes were far between. By the time they did have sex, I couldn’t get into it.

The end of Springtime at Hope Cottage was sweet. The author did a fantastic job of wrapping up all the storylines. Nothing was left hanging. There were no sudden twists in the plot. It was a sweet ending to a sweet story.

I would give Springtime at Hope Cottage an Adult rating. There is sex. There is language. There is mild violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Springtime at Hope Cottage. I would also recommend this book to family and friends.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Springtime at Hope Cottage.

All opinions stated in this review of Springtime at Hope Cottage are mine.

Have you read Springtime at Hope Cottage?

What are your thoughts on it?

Do opposites really attract?

Let me know!!

So cute! I love Sweetwater Springs... you know I'm a sucker for the small town companion series. It reminds me a bit of Haven Point, if I had to compare it to an existing series I already love. This one centers around Josie and Tuck. Josie was Kaitlyn's (from the previous book) high-powered journalist friend from New York, who ends up stranded in Sweetwater Springs for longer than expected. She falls for Mitch's (also from the previous book) friend Tuck, who has been slowly getting through the loss of his wife.

I loved that this was relatively low-drama, with the characters (mostly) talking about how they felt and working through their issues in a logical way. Josie and Tuck made a great couple and had some good chemistry. It was nice to see Josie grow as a character and realize that she wanted something different from her life. Tuck also goes through some major changes during the book too; it was nice to see him open up more. I think there were some pieces that could have had a little more focus or development, based on the severity of these changes in their lives. I don't want to get into spoilers, but I think a lot of the characters under-reacted to things. It was nice because, like I said, there wasn't as much drama, but I would have thought stronger reactions could have happened here. It didn't dampen my enjoyment of the book in any way, but just felt slightly unrealistic. 

I'm eager to read more in Sweetwater Springs and get to know the town even more. The next plot summary sounds PERFECT, with the ~forbidden romance~ of Alex, another friend from this group of guys, with Tuck's sister! I can't emphasize enough: this series so far is WONDERFUL.

I received this book for free through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Josie Kellum, NYC magazine editor is all work. When she decides to visit her friends B & B for the weekend, she's ready to relax, but not for too long. Due to unfortunate circumstances on her part she ends up needing a physical therapist. That's where Tuck Locklear comes in. Can he help this all work girl rest long enough to have a little play?
This was the first time I've ever read a book of Annie Raines. When I first started reading, I had no idea this was the second book in the series. I never felt lost or as though I was missing a part of the story. While it was an easy and quick read, it had more substance than most love stories do. I really enjoyed Maddies character and what she brought to the book.
All in all, I truly enjoyed this story and will recommend this book & author to my patrons.

Sweetwater Springs is such a lovely small town. It's the type of place that I would love to go visit for a quiet, relaxing vacation.

Josie and Tuck couldn't be more different. She's a workaholic from the city. He's a go with the flow, get out and be one with nature small town guy. Their differences made them the perfect complement for each other.

This book was wholesome and heartwarming. While it brought tears to my eyes a time or two, it left me feeling hopeful. I can't wait until the next visit to Sweetwater Springs!

*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*

It was so nice to return to Sweetwater Springs. In this small town romance, we follow 2 characters we met in the previous novel. Big City Workaholic, and the local widower cross paths and sparks fly. The dynamic between the two was lovely, and I liked how gradual the development felt.
Rains does a great job depicting small town life, and the beautiful area around this small town. This book also involves the trope of involving a child in the dynamic of the couple, which I love!
All love making scenes are fade to black, so if you don't like explicit scenes, this series is great for you.
Crassy or Classy 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Story 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Enjoyment 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Springtime At Hope Cottage was a sweet and adorable addition to the Sweetwater Springs series.

If you have read the first book, you will remember our leading lady Josie is Kaitlyn's friend who wrote the story about the B & B and Sweetwater Springs.

The last thing Josie wants it to leave NYC or to find love. However, now she is back in town, and Sweetwater Springs is doing it's thing.

I adore Josie, and what woman cannot love Tuck? The sparks flew between them, and the emotion jumped off the pages. I couldn't wait to turn each page to see where Josie and Tuck's adventures would take us next.

I laughed, I smiled, and my heart hurt at times as events were revealed. But mostly I just couldn't get enough of these lovelies and this town.

Now I am impatiently awaiting more.

Springtime at Hope Cottage by Annie Rains was a heartwarming small-town romance. It was a light, feel good book that I enjoyed reading. I loved the storyline and the story concept. The main characters are Tucker and Josie. Both have life issues that they are dealing with, but the sparks were flying when these too meet! He is a physical therapist and she is a New York magazine writer. The small North Carolina town of Springwater Springs was a perfect location for this story. There were a few twists to this story, but that just made it better. A perfect book to read if you want a nice pick-me-up.

Love, love, love! Love the characters, love the storylines, love the small town (I'd love to visit or even live there!) and love the cover (Just gorgeous and oh so charming!) There's just so much to love when it comes to Annie Rains. Her books just keep getting better and better! I've been following this author since her first series and will continue reading her until she stops writing.

This book follows the first book in her newest series, Christmas on Mistletoe Lane, which takes place in the fictional North Carolina town of Sweetwater Springs. Josie comes to visit her best friend, who inherited a B and B from her grandparents, Kaitlyn's story is told in the previous book. There she injured herself and neets her sexy physical therapist, Tucker and things go from there. The story includes, Tucker's therapy dog, Shadow and also Tucker's 11 yr. old patient,

Josie is a NY City journalist who travels to Sweetwater Springs to visit her friend Kaitlin. While there, a number of bad things occur, making Josie rethink her future.

This is the first book of Ms Rains that I've read. I enjoyed reading about Sweetwater Springs, about the people that live there. However, there were elements that made the book score lower in my opinion. 1) The fact that Josie couldn't boil water. What 30 year old, living on her own, can't at least make a basic dish like cooking noodles? 2) The way Josie went overboard and bought all these items for Maddie as if to buy her love. 3) That both Tucker and his sister lost their spouses to death. Would make me think twice about dating either one of them. lol

I liked Tucker - he seems like your typical nice guy next door. His struggles with moving on after the death of his wife made you feel his pain.

Springtime at Hope Cottage brings us back to the charming little town of Sweetwater Springs. It's the second book in the series but it can be read and enjoyed as a complete standalone. It was a quick read, and was high on sweetness, low on angst.

Josie and Tuck seemed to be complete opposites at first- work focused city woman meets family oriented small-town man- but there was an attraction and pull between them. As they spent more time together, they discovered more about each other, and feelings stronger than attraction began to develop between the characters. I loved the slow burn of their romance. It had the right combo of silly banter, lighthearted fun, sweet moments, and emotional connection.

Overall, Springtime at Hope Cottage was a pleasant and heartwarming story. I look forward to returning to Sweetwater Springs when Snowfall on Cedar Trail releases!




**Complimentary copy for review provided by Forever Romance. All opinions expressed here are honest and entirely my own.**

The second book in this is as good as the first. Annie does an awesome job of continuing the story like it never left off. She pulls you in and you feel like you're part of the story. I'm looking forward to the next installment.