Mint Springs Series by Jessie Harper

What if just passing through turns into forever?Lily Gentry never planned on coming back to Mint Springs. Why give everyone in town another opportunity to gossip about the worst night of her life? But when her grandmother’s failing health means bills her family can’t pay, Lily comes home—small town rumor mill be damned.Chance Allen stayed away too long, missing his grandfather’s last days and returning to a run-down farm he barely recognizes... moreWhat if just passing through turns into forever?Lily Gentry never planned on coming back to Mint Springs. Why give everyone in town another opportunity to gossip about the worst night of her life? But when her grandmother’s failing health means bills her family can’t pay, Lily comes home—small town rumor mill be damned.Chance Allen stayed away too long, missing his grandfather’s last days and returning to a run-down farm he barely recognizes. And now it’s his job to make things right by getting the place ready to sell. One problem… he can’t do it on his own.Asking Lily for help isn’t Chance’s first choice. The spitfire from his teenage days isn’t much fun anymore. And Lily’s not keen on working with Chance, either. It’s a means to an end and nothing more. So why is Chance living for every moment with Lily’s baggy sweat pants and messy ponytail? And why is Lily fighting an onslaught of butterflies in her belly every time Chance gives her that easy smile?Maybe being back in Mint Springs isn’t so bad after all…But Lily can’t change her past and some people are determined to make sure she never forgets it. Can she trust Chance to choose her? Can even the most battered hearts be made to shine? less

If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen…Jenna Bard knew there was the possibility she might have a few setbacks on the road to celebrity chef status, but she never expected to lose her restaurant to her ex-husband on her fortieth birthday. The new restaurant out in the sticks might be her last chance to get her life back on track... moreIf you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen…Jenna Bard knew there was the possibility she might have a few setbacks on the road to celebrity chef status, but she never expected to lose her restaurant to her ex-husband on her fortieth birthday. The new restaurant out in the sticks might be her last chance to get her life back on track. Blowing off a little steam before she commits herself to a life of cows and collard greens shouldn’t be a problem, right? Charlie Allen’s always been up for a good time—of course he’s going to take the sexy woman from the hotel bar up on her offer of a one-night stand. But when it turns out she’s the new chef at the restaurant his family has trusted him to run, Charlie knows there’s too much on the line to risk temptation again. Unfortunately, Jenna’s the only thing he’d like to see on the menu.When tensions boil over at work, it’s more than the future of the business on the line. If Charlie can’t convince Jenna the restaurant’s the right choice for her, how will he be able to convince her he’s the right choice? And is Jenna walking out on more than just her culinary dreams?Will their relationship be just a flash in the pan, or can they make it last? less

Sometimes the one you want is the one you shouldn’t…Faith Baker’s never been a girly girl. Debutante ball and Junior League? No, thank you. That’s why working the family farm with her father suits her just fine. She’s more comfortable reeling in a fish than trying to hook a husband and keeping her hands in the dirt means no manicure necessary. She’s spent a lifetime being one of the boys, not chasing them. One notable exception: Cade Allen... moreSometimes the one you want is the one you shouldn’t…Faith Baker’s never been a girly girl. Debutante ball and Junior League? No, thank you. That’s why working the family farm with her father suits her just fine. She’s more comfortable reeling in a fish than trying to hook a husband and keeping her hands in the dirt means no manicure necessary. She’s spent a lifetime being one of the boys, not chasing them. One notable exception: Cade Allen. But lusting after your best friend’s brother is never a good idea, especially when he’s more interested in work than sowing the seeds of romance. Cade Allen relies on facts. Data doesn’t lie, and letting feelings dictate actions can only lead to trouble. His parents’ divorce is a perfect example of that. Helping to run his family’s business in Mint Springs should be easy—crunch the numbers and keep his brothers in line. One wrinkle? Faith Baker. His feelings for Faith have persisted despite his promise to stay away from his brother’s best friend. And there’s no accounting for attraction like that.When they’re both roped into trying to save the town’s run-down mill, it’s the perfect excuse to spend time together guilt-free. But that can’t last forever, and when their expectations look impossibly different, cultivating a future together just doesn’t seem to add up.If you’re going to throw out all the rules, you’d better make it count. less