A solitary sort, 42-year-old Atle Petersheim spends his time hard at work in his wood shop. But as the days get long, he realises just how lonely he's become. When his long-time crush, Sadie Mast, a widow and mother of three, asks him to help her build a room in their barn for her son Cale, Atle can't say no. Eager to pursue Sadie at last, he turns to bookmobile librarian Sarah Anne Miller for courting advice. More than happy to help, Sarah Anne decides the best way to learn about love is through books - romance novels to be precise. Between completing holiday orders for her flourishing food business, helping Cale navigate a dramatic new relationship with his boss's daughter and coming to terms with the trauma her late husband had inflicted upon her and her children - not to mention Atle showing up at her door with flowers - Sadie is in over her head. Though Atle's efforts are initially clumsy and his declarations a bit awkward, Sadie can't help but be charmed by him. He's patient and kind and at times even seems to know far more about romance than he's let on.
adult
Shelley Shepard Gray.
Includes discussion questions.
