A heartwarming story about love, second chances and loss.
The setting is just beautiful
There is humor throughout the story which helps lighten the story.
Definitely a slow burn romance.
Did the story pull on my heartstrings just a little bit? Yes!!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

3* A joint community spirit.

After a devastating hurricane, when the evacuated residents of Bird Island are allowed back they find find many of their homes and businesses destroyed. This is the story of Teddy Wainsworth's determination to rebuild her late mother’s candy store and Jack, a prosperous owner of several restaurants, freshly arrived on the island to help feed the displaced residents and volunteers.

The island is the only location where the endangered Whooping Crane returns to breed, the hurricane flattened the Crane Reserve. As well as rebuilding their own homes, residents and volunteers work to reinstate the habitat for the cranes in time for arrival of the giant birds.

I loved the cover but was disappointed by the contents. Buildings destroyed or severely storm damaged are rebuilt or repaired within days. Teddy had a constant glass half-full attitude, also I was horrified when she asked Dot who fathered her 16-year old daughter. How was Jack able to stay away from his highly successful businesses for so long? And for goodness sake, who wears starched, pressed jeans!

Love Is for the Birds by Diane Owens Prettyman

Bird Isle is a charming small beach town that has just experienced a hurricane, causing significant damage to the island. Teddy returns to find her store has been destroyed, leaving her uncertain about whether to stay and rebuild or move to Houston with her boyfriend. Her home was also ruined, and her mother’s candy shop was completely gone.

One aspect that bothered me was that Jack runs a very successful business, yet is able to spend days away from it without any apparent concern.

Overall, the story proved to be cozy and heartwarming, filled with themes of love, family, community, grief, and healing.

Thank you to NetGalley, Diane Owens, and She Writes Press for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Bird Isle is such an incredibly beautiful small down - but with a deadly hurricane barring down everything might be lost.

In the aftermath of the hurricane, Teddy (the FMC) struggles with not only her overwhelming grief surrounding the loss of her mom, but also finds herself struggling greatly with the loss of her mom's candy store! She meets Jack, a widower and an owner that arrives post-hurricane to help with rebuilding - the friendship quickly progresses into a relationship but I was grateful that it never felt rushed or forced. It was sudden, but the chemistry was there from the beginning and it just worked.

I really loved the focus on the birds and conservation efforts - it was really educational and I really enjoyed learning more about the whooping crane.

Overall this was a cute story, showed a lot of community resilience and how they come together to help each other and rebuild.

This book is an absolute gem. The author masterfully balances the heaviness of loss with the hope of rebuilding, both the town and their lives. Teddy’s determination to restore her mother’s candy store is inspiring, and Jack’s gentle strength makes him such a compelling character. Their connection is natural, blossoming through shared purpose and quiet moments that feel so real. The way the community bands together to save the habitat of the endangered whooping cranes is a lovely metaphor for the characters’ own recovery, and it just adds another layer to this already heart-tugging story. Overall, it’s tender, uplifting, and filled with the kind of quiet strength that remains etched in your mind.

I just finished a great book. Love is for the Birds by Diane Ownes Prettyman is out this fall. Pick it up!

Love is For the Birds by Diane Owens Prettyman is a touching story set on Bird Isle, blending themes of family, friendship, and romance. Teddy Wainsworth returns to her hurricane-devastated hometown, grappling with the loss of her mother and the destruction of her mother’s candy store. Overwhelmed by grief and guilt, Teddy finds unexpected solace in Jack Shaughness, a widower and restaurant owner, who arrives on the island to help in the hurricane recovery efforts.

Their growing friendship, fueled by the shared experience of rebuilding their community, quickly blossoms into a romance. Despite the accelerated pace of their relationship, it is a heartwarming journey. One of the standout elements of the book is its emphasis on bird conservation, particularly the restoration of the Aransas Wildlife Refuge for the annual whooping crane migration, adding depth and educational value to the story.

However, Jack’s hidden secret creates tension, testing their newfound connection. The novel explores whether Teddy can overcome this challenge, adding a layer of emotional complexity to the storyline. The depiction of community resilience and environmental restoration forms the foundation of this heartfelt and hopeful romance.