When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren

Back of the Book

Hawaii was the last place Grace Christiansen ever imagined she’d vacation, much less fall in love. But when her family surprises her with a cooking retreat in paradise, she is pulled—or maybe yanked—away from her predictable, safe life and thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime.

Max Sharpe may make his living on the ice as a pro hockey player, but he feels most at home in the kitchen. Which is why he lives for the three-week culinary vacation he takes each year in Hawaii. Upon being paired with Grace for a cooking competition, Max finds himself drawn to her passion, confidence, and perseverance. But just when Grace dares to dream of a future beyond her hometown, Max pulls away.

Wrestling with personal demons, Max fights against opening his heart to a love he knows he should never hope for. And as his secrets unfold, Grace is torn between the safe path in front of her and what her heart truly desires. If love means sacrificing her ideal happily ever after, Grace’s faith will face its toughest test yet.

My thoughts

Susan May Warren took this book to the next level.  It picks up right where the last one leaves off, but where the last ones have Grace in the background, in this book she is in the spot light and totally lovable.  The love between Grace and Max is so sweet that I had to read the book twice, the first time to see if they would end up together, and a second time to enjoy more of their dialogue.  The book had a lot more back and forth, between her in Hawaii, and her family at home.  But it never seemed choppy and the transitions never seemed out of place.