A Small Town Girl with a Big City Secret

by Melinda Curtis

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Fans of Hallmark movies set in small towns with quirky characters will enjoy this sweet romance between a spunky single mom and a very famous hero.

Mina tells everyone life is just the way she likes it.

Single mother Mina DeWitt is a well-respected, political consultant, now working remotely in small town Harmony Valley. She and her young son live with her grandmother in a quaint home and have built a life with a support network of Liam’s friends and other single moms.

Then she’s given the career opportunity of a lifetime—to be the campaign manager for a very famous San Francisco mayoral candidate, one of those McClouds, someone who could become president one day.

She gave up her dreams to protect her son from the spotlight.

Mina is torn. Her goal had always been to work for a candidate worthy of changing the world. But there are several reasons she can’t take this job. She’d need to be in the city every day, missing out on her young son’s life and unable to care for her increasingly frail grandmother.

Not to mention she’d have to work long hours with Hudson McCloud, who is too handsome and too stubborn. And Mina would have to keep her secret from him—that she’d had a whirlwind affair with Hudson’s brother right before he died, the proof of which being a six year-old boy who bears a striking resemblance to his famous father, a man put on display since birth.

And now everything is at risk – her son’s privacy and his uncle’s dreams.

It doesn’t matter how often Mina turns the McClouds down. They soon show up in Harmony Valley to convince her to join the team. They’re willing to open up to Mina and get to know her better, expecting her to do the same. And as much as Mina wants to be honest, she knows that once the truth is revealed, everything will change.

But will it change for the better?

Fans of romance movies like Speechless, Dave, and The American President, will love this lighthearted, small town romance with a happily-ever-after.

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Book Details

Genre

Contemporary Romance

Subgenre

Office / Workplace, Small Town

Series

Love in Harmony Valley • Book 9

Audience

Adult

Bell Peppers

🫑

Profanity

1 None

Violence

1 None

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco

2 Mild

Publication Date

September 20, 2023

Language Versions

English

Narration Type

Digital

Fiction Form

Novel

Sensitive Themes

Grief or loss of a loved one

Editorial Reviews

"Can I say this probably might just be my absolute fave book of this series!? Well, that is the case and it was such a sweet story that I really didn't want it to end." Amazon Reviewer, 5 Stars

"It’s unusual for me to love all the characters in a story but this one does it. Big stories. Big issues. Big feelings. It was an amazing story for Mina and Hudson. Highly recommend!" Amazon Reviewer, 5 Stars

Another Good Story in this Series 4.5*

Single mother Mina balances her career with giving her five year old son a normal upbringing. However all that she has built is jeopardised when her boss wants her to run a mayoral campaign for Hudson McCloud, who just so happens to be her son’s uncle. Little Liam is a hoot with his constant requests for a brother, a puppy or a chicken! When Hud finds out the truth he is left with a dilemma, pursue his dream or protect his nephew’s childhood.I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sweet story. Can love survive secrets?

I enjoyed this addition to the Harmony Valley series. It had a lovely romance and great moments that built the relationship. Hudson was pursuing Mina to help his political campaign, but she was reluctant because of a secret tie to his family. When it comes out, things become complicated. “‘I’m still confused. I’m still hurt. And yes…’ he spared her a glance ‘…I can be all those things and still love you.’” The characters were great, and the situation they found themselves in was interesting. Mina was struggling to find balance as a single mother. “No matter how hard she tried to be a good single mom, her career conspired against her.” Mina’s son was a cute and fun character. There is also a sweet secondary later in life romance, and a secondary focus on an elderly character, as is standard in this series. I will mention that romances between men and the mother of their deceased brother’s child are not such a common thing that it feels like it makes sense to have two stories with that plotline in one series. So that felt a little off to me, but I mostly ignored it because in all other details in the stories are vastly different. Overall, this is a really enjoyable story. It is part of a series, but it is not necessary to read the previous books first as this can easily be read as a standalone. This is a closed door romance with mild innuendo and no harsh language.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Is there any way this will work?

I just love the characters, especially Liam. He is so cute. He is always asking for a puppy, a chicken or a little brother. Mina is a single mother. Liam's father died before Liam was born, and Mina never told his family. Samuel's family is very well known, and Samuel was not happy about all the notoriety. Mina wanted her son to grow up without being in the limelight. When she meets Samuel's brother, Hud, she is sure that she made the right choice. The problem is, Hud is enamored of Mina and wants to spend time with her. She can't allow that because Liam looks just like Samuel, and she is afraid Hud will guess her secret. What will Hud and his mother say when they discover that Samuel had a child? Mina is sure that the feelings that Hud has for her will change when he does find out. Is there any way this will work?

Sweet story

I've loved all Melinda Curtis books. Funny, clean very entertaining.She brings about laughter and so many more feelings in her books.Bravo! Nice read

Just Enjoy the Now

A great story in this wonderful Love in Harmony Valley series. I really liked Mina, Hudson and of course Liam. We also get to meet some characters from Hudson’s world as well. I loved the story and especially the political aspect. There are some secrets which Mina and Hudson are both dealing with and as the story progresses, we find out that a couple of characters in Hudson’s inner circle knew about Mina’s secret but never told him or his mother. I also thought it was great when the two worlds collided and Hudson’s inner circle including his mother came to Harmony Valley. I also like learning more about some of our older characters’ pasts and even Hudson’s mother has an amazing past. We also get to meet some of Mina’s friends and I’m wondering if we might be seeing future stories for them. Once all the secrets are out and things change for the better for not just Mina and Hudson but also for another set of characters as well, which I loved that coming about. Wonderful story!