Back of Book: 

I swore I'd never move back to Alder Creek.

Not after losing Dad at sixteen, when grief turned every familiar corner into a reminder of what I'd lost. Not after building a successful career at one of Chicago's top architecture firms.

But when Mom traded Colorado winters for Florida beaches, someone had to deal with our family home. Three weeks should be plenty. Renovate, sell, move on.

I definitely didn't plan on Evan Spencer—my best friend's handsome older brother and my secret high school crush. Back then, he was the star football player with a million-dollar smile. Now he runs the town's most successful construction company alongside his sister.

When he offered to help renovate the house, I couldn't say no. Not when he speaks about Dad with such genuine respect.

Between his quiet understanding, his adorable dog's enthusiasm, and friendships that picked up right where they left off, Alder Creek is making me question every reason I had for leaving.

But I have a plan, and it doesn't involve falling for my old crush or letting Alder Creek feel like home again.

Returning Home is the first novel in the Alder Creek series. It’s a cozy small-town romance with all the sizzling chemistry and none of the spice. Each book can be read on its own, but you'll see familiar faces along the way. 

Book Number: One 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A small town best friend's brother romance featuring two people who discover the beauty present in their hometown. 

Abby is a successful architect living in Chicago that swore she would never move back to her hometown of Alder Creek, Colorado. Ever since her father died, the town is filled with too many painful memories. Now, she is back in town to renovate her childhood home to sell after her mother moves to Florida. Abby is grateful to see her best friends, Melissa and Emily again, but she doesn't expect to still feel butterflies when she runs into her high school crush, Evan Spencer. Abby has the three week renovation schedule planned out to a tee, and then it's out of Alder Creek for good. But as she works on renovating the house with Evan, she begins to reconsider. Maybe a quiet life in Alder Creek surrounded by the people that make her happiest is just what her life has been lacking all this time. 

This is a sweet, small town romance that reads as though one is watching a Hallmark movie. Abby reluctantly returns to her hometown to restore her childhood home to sell, only to fall for Evan, the man who is helping her redo the house. She starts to admire the quaint vibe of the town and relishes in the time she gets to spend with her best friends that never left. It's closed door and the third act conflict is minimal, so very Hallmark-y, minus an overdramatic grand gesture (and I say this in a good way). It may not be the most in depth story, but it's pretty cute. 

I honestly haven't read many best friend's brother romances, but I thought this book did it quite well. Abby and Emily are the best of friends, and Emily's brother is Evan, the love interest. I really enjoyed how all three of them interact with one another. Their friendship is rock solid and it's really fun seeing them all interact at family dinners and local football games. 

My favorite part of this novel has got to be all the small moments that Abby and Evan share with one another. From their hiking trips to their kitchen endeavors, to them demolishing a wall together to taking Evan's dog, Scout, on walks, seeing the little things between these two was very cute and wholesome. I personally appreciate reading romances that are down-to-Earth and simplistic in realistic ways from time to time. They are a great reminder that finding your perfect person doesn't have to involve a movie perfect grand gesture but rather takes two people falling for one another bit by bit. 

Another thing I particularly enjoyed is watching Abby learn to love her hometown again. Grief is a powerful force and it often clouds one's entire worldview. After the death of her father, Abby found living in Alder Creek to be too painful, so she moved to Chicago and buried herself in work. Ten years later, she sees things a little different and finds it easier to focus on the happy memories. Alder Creek is such a cozy small Colorado town, and it was fun getting to know the residents there. I'm glad to hear this is the start to a series, because some of the characters are really interesting and I would like to learn more about them. 

Overall, "Returning Home" is a cozy, clean romance set in a small town that could be straight out of a Hallmark movie. I appreciate the realistic, down-to-Earth relationship that Abby and Evan share and the way these two coexist with one another so effortlessly. The little moments these two share are so precious and provide a great reminder that grand gestures aren't the only way to show someone your love. Alder Creek is adorable, and I enjoyed getting to know the residents of the town. I look forward to discovering Emily's happily ever after in book two if the opportunity presents itself!