Today I am reviewing Penny Zeller’s latest release Love in Store.
Book Description:
Can two sworn enemies find true love?
When a prominent resident suggests opening a boutique in Hollow Creek, Montana, little does she know the distress it will cause. Distress for the owner’s spoiled niece, McKenna, who will assist with the shop, and distress for the new sheriff, Clayton Beringer, who finds sparring with McKenna more taxing than apprehending criminals.
McKenna Chapman would prefer to be anywhere but the backward and uncivilized town of Hollow Creek, Montana. She especially could do without that obnoxious, but handsome, Sheriff Beringer. For what type of lawman insists on traipsing into the boutique in search of criminals? Does he not know the first thing about proper etiquette?
As newly-elected sheriff of Hollow Creek, Clayton Beringer has two goals—to make his late father proud and to effectively serve the townsfolk. He knew he might have to capture dangerous criminals on the lam, but he never figured he would have to contend with an uppity, and unfortunately, beautiful, clerk at the boutique.
While unexpected circumstances draw McKenna and Clayton together and force them to realize their growing attraction to each other, evil threatens Hollow Creek. Will they come to terms with the fact that they love each other—while catching an outlaw in the process?
My Review:
Another great book by Penny Zeller
We are back to Hollow Creek for the second in the series. McKenna has moved to work in the boutique her Aunt owns to help support her mother and sister. They have fallen in statue and are now struggling to manage. This job will at least help with some of the costs.
Clayton is the Sherrif who has a rival who is not the nicest person. He wants to be the lawman his pa was and often feels he is inadequate. He has his own issues to deal with.
I found the first interaction between the pair humourous in many ways it was unexpected and different. From this meeting comes a lot of tension. McKenna has to maintain an image even though she doesn’t have money which does lead to presumptions. We also see characters from the first book Love in Disguise which were good to see. While it would enhance your reading of this book to read book one you can still read this book on its own and understand fully what is happening.
I need to give a special shout out to Tippy and her sister Ophie who are interesting to say the least. There are some scenes in this book with these two that are so funny. I would love to see more of both characters.
There is also a sense of danger which adds to the story. There is an outlaw who is on the run and out to cause issues for Clayton and the towns people.
I love the faith journey in this book. It was real and done in a way that makes sense for the characters. Also it wasn’t just one person who helps McKenna it was a series of interactions with people. It was threaded well throughout the book.
If you are looking for a well-paced historical with a sense of danger, then this is the book for you. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
