The Hero Next Door

Carrie Nichols

Feb 2022 · Small-Town Sweethearts Book 6 · Sold by Harlequin

About this ebook

Love—and kittens—to the rescue!

Olive Downing has big dreams for her Victorian bed-and-breakfast. She doesn’t need her handsome new neighbor pointing out the flaws in her plan. But Cal Pope isn’t the average busybody. The gruff firefighter can be sweet, charming—and the perfect partner for the town fundraiser. Then Cal surprises her with two adorable rescue kittens. Maybe there’s a soft heart underneath his rough exterior that needs rescuing, too…

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Small-Town Sweethearts

Book 1: The Marine's Secret Daughter
Book 2: The Sergeant's Unexpected Family
Book 3: His Unexpected Twins
Book 4: The Scrooge of Loon Lake
Book 5: The Sergeant's Matchmaking Dog
Book 6: The Hero Next Door

Ratings and reviews

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Booksprout and I am voluntarily reviewing it. While this is a part of a series and some of the prior couples make appearances or are mentioned, you don't have to read them to fully understand and enjoy this one. It stands on it's own very nicely. There was a sexy scene here so just a word of caution if you don't like that sort of thing. You can just skip that portion. This story was written in a dual POV format. I really enjoyed that as I really helped me to better understand both characters and their complicated backgrounds. Calf's father run off with other people's money with his much younger secretary while Cal was a teenager. Cal's mother never recovered from the humiliation and depression from this. That shaped Cal into not wanting a wife or children. Olive comes to town after winning a Victorian mansion in a contest. Olive is the complete opposite in her wanting a husband and children to fill the empty house. Olive lost her parents at a young age and was placed into foster care. That also played into Olive's desire for a family. This was a wonderful story of coming to terms with the past and letting things go. They are a part of the past but they don't have to be your future; especially if the right person comes along for the journey.

We are back in Loon Lake, VT, and this time the story belongs to Olive Downing and Cal Pope. Olive recently moved to town when she won a Victorian B & B. Though rather dilapidated , Olive is in love with it and determined to bring it back to it’s glory. Cal Pope, recently promoted to Fire Marshall, is her grumpy neighbor who seems to be constantly rescuing her . Something both seem to resent at first, but as time goes on, a sort of relationship develops. These two have been hurt in the past and guard their hearts. Olive was an orphan who spent many years in the foster system and later was betrayed by someone close to her. While Cal’s dad embezzled his clients’ money and abandoned his family leaving him not trusting marriage and love. Their current perspective of life reminds the readers that one’s childhood does in fact affect the adult one becomes. Can they find happiness together or will the lack of trust, a self-fulfilling prophecy, and the tendency of looking back to the past and not the present and future, keep them apart? This was a good addition to the series, but if new to it, it also that works as a stand alone. I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Olive Downing and Cal/Calvin Pope the new new fire marshal of Loon Lake, Vermont, become neighbours when he comes back to town. Cal has a lot from his past that he has to overcome if he is going to move forward and so does she. I enjoyed seeing them get a HEA. The story is well written and was well worth reading. This is a new Author to me. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

About the author

Carrie Nichols loves to travel, is addicted to British crime dramas, and knows a Seinfeld quote appropriate for any occasion. She has one tolerant husband, two grown sons, and two critical cats. To her dismay, Carrie's characters--much like her family--often ignore the wisdom and guidance she lovingly offers. She writes stories that contain heart, home, and humor.Website: https://carrienichols.com/