"Sweet Melody" by Heidi McCahan

[reviewsbyerin]

 


Lindsay Carmichael has dreamed of owning a food truck for as long as she can remember. She's managed to open a small bakery and keep her parents' legacy going through her tasty treats, but she dreams of more. The small tourist town of Seabrook, Oregon, only offers good profits for part of the year, and as summer approaches Lindsay hopes she can make enough to keep her doors open year-round.

Heading back to his hometown after several unfruitful years in Nashville trying to write a hit country song, Rhett Foster asks his dad for a job in their family's successful restaurant chain. His father sends him to Seabrook to scout the area for potential expansion, and to help fill his time, Rhett decides to take a barista job at Lindsay's bakery. 

More of a natural risk taker, Rhett encourages Lindsay when he hears about her food truck dreams. When one becomes available, albeit with a lot of TLC required before it's serviceable again, his certainty emboldens her to go for it, even though it means financial risk. If they can't make it work this summer, she won't only lose the truck, but her bakery and the connection to her deceased parents.

Rhett is horrified when he learns that his father has changed plans and now wants to bring a food truck to Seabrook. With the reputation of his well-established chain, his dad's truck could easily drive Lindsay out of business. How can be break the news to her? Can he talk his dad out of his plans before everything falls apart?

This is a sweet romance but packs a punch with its themes of family, dreams, regrets, and missed opportunities. Lindsay is relatable as a struggling business owner who misses her family, and Rhett struggles to continue pursuing his own dreams even while urging Lindsay forward in hers. I would recommend this for everyone who enjoys something light and fun but also touches on deeper subjects in a hope-giving way. 

I received my copy of the audiobook from JustRead Publicity Tours. All opinions in this review are my own.