This was a “fluff” read thanks to COVID-19 but better than expected. A soldier with PTSD befriends the mother of a child who is the sole survivor of a classroom school shooting. The soldier is wrestling with whether to sell an inn he inherited on an east coast island and the mother has just opened a cafe on the island, hoping he sells the inn to a resort sure to lure in tourists to keep her cafe busy. Love ensues instead. ( )

Single mother Annie Malone and her daughter Taylor move to Heron Island to start a new life. Annie puts her life savings into opening a French restaurant, hoping that the small town environment will help her daughter recover from the horrible school tragedy that occurred at her school.

Navy SEAL Will Dozier has returned to Heron Island after ten years to sell his deceased grandparents’ inn. When Will meets Annie, he craves the solace of her arms to silence his own emotional demons from a mission gone wrong. He only plans to stay a short time on the island because of his dedication to fighting terrorism, despite silently suffering from PTSD. However, Annie and her troubled daughter weave a spell on his heart, encouraging him to long to stay around much longer than he expected.

Wind Chime Café is a sweet contemporary romance set in picturesque Heron Island on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in the Chesapeake Bay. This is a wonderful story that takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride and tugs at the heartstrings. The reader can't help but feel compassion for Annie and Will’s difficult pasts, their emotional connection is heartwarming, and when you add in young Taylor, it's a endearing relationship that will leave a smile on your face.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the author does an amazing job of transporting the reader to Heron Island with the richly vivid description of the tranquil small island setting and the supportive community spirit of the islanders.

Wind Chime Café is a wonderful story about the courage of facing fears, overcoming struggles, and the healing power of love. It is a beautifully written story about one woman's efforts to build a better future for her daughter, a young girl's strength to let go of her fears, and one man's struggles to accept the things he can't change. Wind Chime Café is a story that will resonate with you long after the last words have been read.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by IndieSage Promotions.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2014/05/wind-chime-cafe-by-sophie-moss... ( )

recommended by Miss Construed