Reader be warned– this is one of those books that will defy the expectations you might naturally draw from its basic plot description. On its face it sounds like the set-up for a classic fun and slightly shallow Hallmark movie, but Schisler’s ability to write complex flawed characters, and the deeper themes of grief, depression, the search for a home–both physical and spiritual–make this a much more poignant and satisfying experience than you might expect. 

Fresh from her discharge from her position as a Naval Intelligence Officer, Andi Nelson finds herself back in the small Ozarks town she once worked so hard to escape. After years on the road, and grieving the death of her team, she yearns to put down roots and make a home for herself. But home is not as she remembered it. The city’s major employer has shut down, drug addictions are rising, and people are talking about selling their property and abandoning what looks to be a ghost town in the making–at least,until Andi’s younger brother talks her into his hare-brained scheme to revitalize the town. Standing in their way, however, is the annoyingly young and handsome town mayor, Wade Montgomery. 

But as Wade and Andi clash, she sparks in him something his grieving heart hasn’t felt in a long time; something that opens his eyes to a conspiracy threatening to kill the town outright. On certain nights, the town’s police force is suspiciously missing. Vacant buildings on main street are bought by an anonymous buyer and left to rot. And even more alarming, the town’s bank account has been completely cleaned out with a blank-faced corporation paying the day to day bills. What starts as a sweet, slow-burn cozy romance gradually becomes a small town thriller to save a town and to save Wade and Andi’s chance to finally find a home after years of nomadic lives. Fans of cozy romance and mysteries will find this a satisfying read.

One of the main themes of the book is grief. For himself, Wade has moved back to the Ozarks from his New York City law job to care for a mother with premature-onset dementia. Andi lost her friends and a love-interest in a tragic mission in the field,– one she feels personally responsible for as the Intelligence Officer of her assigned team. I particularly found Andi’s character heartening. At first I was confused by her membership in the Navy Seals, as no woman has yet joined their ranks in real life, but it turns out that women like Andi do serve in the Naval Special Warfare Intelligence roles and leadership positions with the Seals, and I appreciated seeing the respect and trust among Andi and her fellow soldiers in the flashbacks.

 Although a soldier and excellent shot, Andi’s femininity is not despised by the story’s narrative. Although she loved her work in the Navy, after years on the move she is more than ready to settle down in one place and fight for a home for herself. This confidence is inspiring and causes her to feel no conflict between her past as a soldier and her future aspirations to become the town’s baker. She and Wade protect each other in physical and emotional ways throughout the story. Neither of them is made out to be some superhuman who needs no one. These complex characters would feel clumsy and unrealistic in many authors’ hands, but Schisler’s mastery of prose and character makes it seem natural and effortless on the page. Their story felt delightfully human. Veterans and military personnel will find much to relate to and will appreciate a story that goes beyond stereotypes. 

This is very much a cozy, clean and slow burn romance with elements of mystery. Although the main characters are adults, younger readers won’t find anything inappropriate or too heavy here. This book is also a good choice for secular and religious readers alike. Although not overtly a religious book, Wade’s influence slowly leads Andi back to attending Mass. Even an atheist reader, however, will relate to the deep themes of depression, grief and the search for meaning. This book will especially appeal to fans of Hallmark movies, because the initial setup sounds like a classic Hallmark film– however I hesitate to make that comparison too strong. Due to the deep themes of depression, grief, and the search for meaning, this story is a far cry from the often fun but shallow stories Hallmark is known for.  In short, it’s not high literary fiction, neither is it cheesy junk-food, but it is high quality aged cheddar cheese sure to appeal to a broad readership.