Esther Shepherd has built a quiet, predictable life in Sunshine Bay—running her beloved bistro, sharing movie nights with her closest friend, and keeping her heart firmly guarded. After past heartbreaks, she’s convinced herself that love is best admired from a safe distance.
Curtis Woodrow has leaned on Esther more than he ever intended. When his wife (and Esther’s friend) passed away from cancer four years ago, it was Esther who helped him through the darkest days. She never asked for anything in return. But lately, Curtis has been seeing her differently... not just as a friend, but as the woman who just might hold his future.
As Curtis rebuilds his life and Esther tries to protect her own heart, their comfortable friendship begins to shift. With the gentle nudging of a nosy cat named Pearl—and the unexpected arrival of Esther’s estranged brother—buried feelings and secrets begin to surface.
Will Esther risk the safety of the life she’s built to take a chance on something more? And can Curtis let go of the past long enough to embrace a future that looks nothing like he planned, but everything he needs?
Whisking Love and Building Dreams is a sweet, emotional story of second chances, chosen family, and the quiet, steady love that grows when you least expect it.
Jeanine Lauren is a USA Today bestselling author of heartwarming women’s fiction and cozy romance. Her stories celebrate second chances, small-town charm, and love in the second half of life. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her curled up with a book, walking by the ocean, or spending time with family in her home on Canada’s west coast.