Todd Valmer should have known better. A farmer who's been through several disasters, he travels to Virginia to fetch his widowed mother to cook and help him around his Texas farm...or that was the plan until she keels over on the train and they get kicked off. Maggie Rose barters for a living and also makes soaps, lotions, and perfumes with a special rose recipe passed down from mother to daughter for generations. She hasn't wanted to marry...until that handsome Texan shows up. Her heart skips a beat, and when he proposes, a hasty marriage follows.
What ensues, however, is a clash of culture and a battle of wills--and it's clear they both mistook instant attraction and infatuation for love. As their marriage loses its sparkle and fills with disillusionment, Todd and Maggie must determine what is worth fighting for. He dreams of a farm. Maggie wants to fulfill the family tradition with her rose perfumes. Todd's mother, however, has entirely different plans for her son that do not include Maggie. In light of their hasty marriage and mistaken dreams, is there any hope of recapturing their love and building a future together?
According to my Goodreads profile, I've already read this book, but it must have been too long for me to remember doing so. I have loved reading the Gooding series since I first stumbled upon Whirlwind years ago. Serendipity was no exception. I picked it up yesterday and finished it yesterday. Marriage of convenience will always be one of my favorite tropes, however conflict driven mainly by miscommunication makes me crazy! This book was a nice balance. The characters were endearing, and it was the perfect little mix of Texas fun with sweet romance. Still not sure how I feel about Ma, but it was so nice to see Linette finally make her match in Gooding. Overall, a pleasant read that is nice and light for a beautiful almost-maybe-spring day. Enjoy the read! Have you read any of the Gooding books? Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments.
