Maple & Moonlight

Amongst my top 3 books from Daphne

Bewertung am 04.05.2026
Bewertungsnummer: 3128978
Bewertet: Buch (Taschenbuch)

If you love Daphne's books, you need to get her newest #lumbersnack! Didn't we already guess in Sap & Secrets that Maple Farmer Josh has built this super grumpy & brooding facade to protect his heart for caring too much and having too much love to give? He can't say no when others are in need but needs to keep it low attention. So of course he'll rent out his quiet cottage - under value - for the new Kindergarten teacher in town. Here comes single mother Celine, barelling into his life and lights up his heart. She is constantly in a flight or flight state, overwhelmed and distrustful of the Maplewood residents because she's only known affection as a currency & condition. Like all of Daphne's books (that I have read so far): - all the men are huge walking green flags not morally-grey, having a bit of a knight-in-shining-armor complex needing to save/heal the damsel who doesn't want to be rescued but still make her swoon; - usually the L word comes pretty fast - this time even without any hesitation - HEA without third act breakup just working through disagreements - the drama is not the relationship but the crime rattling the town and connecting the books within the series While I can't speak from experience, I felt like the neurodiversity and domestic-abuse representation were woven in delicately, creating awareness. I loved how Josh is so sure in himself - he's extremely observant and sees/knows what others needs and freely gives his ressources to make others feel true happiness and belonging. I also loved how the children (like animals) instinctively know he's a good guy and adopt each other into their lifes helping them grow into carefree versions. I don't know who needed whom more. A feel-good story of a perfect (family) match that I read it in one session.