I know as a reader, I get very annoyed when characters in books act immaturely. Miscommunication is a major red flag for me, and characters talking over each other and not listening. I like to read about mature characters, especially ones who have jobs! That's why I write that style, and I wanted to make a list of some other books that I think you would like if you feel the same. If you've finished the Windsor Peak series and are looking for something similar to read, try one of these!

I read "Road Trip" by Mary Kay Andrews this summer and really enjoyed it. It's not a typical romance, because the relationship between the two sisters is really what's at the surface - but enough romance appears to make my heart happy!

Maeve is an English professor who is considering writing her own book, so of course I loved her. When she travels to Ireland with her sister, they search out their family history and solve a little mystery along the way. Maeve and Therese find romance in unexpected places, and the story is heartwarming. 

​Melissa Ferguson's "Meet Me In the Margins" features two main characters who have careers, including a woman writer (I'm sensing a theme!). She has a mysterious editor who she meets through the notes he leaves in her manuscript. It's sweet and funny, and the insight into what it's like to actually stress over editing was fun to live through someone else. Any book that celebrates a love of writing, reading and readers is usually a win for me!

​I love Katherine Center books, and this one was no exception. Having Hannah be responsible for protecting Jack was such a fun twist, and I loved watching their relationship develop. Both characters were mature, and dealt with their past issues in a healthy way (eventually). It's a fun, sweet book that got me hooked on Katherine Center!

A little less romance and more women's fiction, but Pamela Kelly is local to me and I enjoy her books, so I wanted to have her on the list! She writes emotional, character driven stories that feature mature characters. This one features three sisters and their path to self-discovery, and is set on beautiful Nantucket. What more could you need?

What books would you add to the list? 

If you're here, you are probably looking for a bingeable small-town romance series with connected families, recurring characters, emotional depth, closed-door romance, and happily-ever-afters! I'm happy to tell you that you are in the right place, because the Windsor Peak novels fit this exactly. If you're a fan of Robyn Carr's Virgin River, Sherryl Woods Chesapeake Shores, Susan Mallery, Rachel Hanna or Debbie Macomber, you will love Windsor Peak.

There are currently two series, but they are best read by starting with "Coming Home". This book freatures wounded military heroes, single dads, emotional healing, found family, small-town romance, and Virgin River-style comfort. The book will introduce you to the town of Windsor Peak and the Burrows family, who are featured in the first three novels (and the last two). Intermingled with the Burrows are their friends, who you'll get to know leading up to their love story. You could start in the middle, and you would be fine, but you would miss the bread crumbs that lead you to their pairing! 

I even suggest not reading the book blurbs of the books that are coming up in the series, so you'll be surprised when you start to notice something! Some pairings are pretty obvious from the start, but a lot of people thought that Patrick Burrows would be paired up with someone other than who he was - and half the fun was the surprise!

The Monahan trilogy should be read with the original series. Healing Promise comes after Our Home, but before Christmas Home, which is a little tricky. In the future, I'll be careful and not cross paths like this!

I hope you’re all having a wonderful summer!  Reading out by the pool is my favorite thing, and we’ve had such nice weather that I’ve been able to get lots of days in doing just that. I’ve also been able to do a lot of writing outside this summer, which is amazing. I’m working on the next Windsor Peak book, and then also working on a spin off for a new series - very exciting stuff!  

The new series will take place in a town similar to Windsor Peak, and even kick off with some familiar faces. I can’t say too much about it yet, but I’m very happy with it and can’t wait to see what happens. I can’t say goodbye to Windsor Peak, though, so the next installment there will (hopefully) be out this fall. 

I hope you all have been enjoying Ben and Stella’s story. I loved writing it so much, even though I almost threw it away halfway through (thanks for talking me off the ledge, Mom!). They have such history, and revisiting some of the major moments in the Burrows family was more emotional than I thought it would be.
It also left me questioning where to go. The Burrows have some big shoes to fill, but I’m going to shift the focus to another family that you’ve already met. We’ll still see some favorites in the background and in novellas, but I’m having fun bringing this new family to life!

There are a few things in the works now that I’m so excited to share with you, but I have to wait for now. For now, I wish you a wonderful rest of July, and I’ll keep you posted on new projects!  Make sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram, I try to post regularly there!