Love’s Harvest is the fourth book in Judith Keim’s Lilac Lake spinoff series. After tragedy left Sarah Bullard Miller a single mother of young twins she moves home to Lilac Lake and begins working with her parents at Bullard’s Hardware. Many of her peers also left their small hometown but have returned as adults while some, like Aaron Collister, remained and began successful businesses. Now, this returned generation regularly meets to share a meal or a drink at the town’s favorite watering hole and the group continues to grow.

On occasion, Sarah will attend when her parents are able to watch her girls. She rarely stays too long, and often Aaron, who was her high school boyfriend, walks her home. Quiet and unassuming, Aaron always puts Sarah first. While neither pursues anything more initially, when a crisis arises things changed and perhaps they will both find the future they deserve.

This is another lovely story from Ms. Keim and set in her most imaginative setting of Lilac Lake. I very much enjoyed this book and do recommend it.

This is the latest book in the Lilac Lake series and it was wonderful to connect with so many of the characters we’ve met before. It’s a nice mix of some romantic moments, pets, gossip, family and friends.

Love's Harvest by Judith Keim
Planting the seeds of forgiveness might bring the best harvest of all…
Sarah Bullard Miller returns to Lilac Lake with her four-year-old twin daughters following the suicide of her husband. She’s always been part of the group of summer kids who play together with the granddaughters of the woman who owned the Lilac Lake Inn, and she loves renewing those friendships. Keeping busy working at her parents’ hardware store and taking care of the girls, she begins the healing process following her husband’s violent death.
Aaron Collister was Sarah’s high school boyfriend. They’ve always connected with their sensitivity to nature and poetry, which might have seemed strange unless you knew that big, tough Aaron was part Abenaki Indian and had been given many life lessons by his mother. They renew their friendship, but neither is ready to commit to more until a crisis helps them find the way.
This is a spinoff book from the Lilac Lake Inn series, a sweet second-chance, small-town romance. Another of Judith Keim’s books with strong women facing challenges and finding love and happiness along the way.
This is Sarah Bullard Miller and her four-year-old twin daughters Mia and Emily's story.
Tis is Aaron Collister's story.
She’s returned to her home town to be with family.
Sarah is helping out at the family store Bullard's Hardware Store.
Sarah's parents are ready to start semi-retirement and give her more responsibility in the business.
Aaron help with his family's construction business.
I recommend this book.
Love's Harvest by Judith Keim is a 4 star book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.

A sweet small town second chance romance. Sarah after the tragic death of her husband returns home with her adorable twins. Helping out again at her parent’s hardware store and reconnecting with her friends has been good for Sarah, but she still has a long way to go. Letting go of the bad memories is also effecting her present and future. Seeking help is a good first step, well her second time trying. It’s a step must take to help her move forward and see if the feelings she has for her first love are genuine.
Aaron has the patience of a saint, still in love with Sarah, but Sarah must learn to forgive herself and doubts in order to move forward in their relationship.
Thank you #NetGalley and #WildQuillPublishing for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

LOVE’S HARVEST is the latest book in the Lilac Lake series and I can’t wait for more. This is Sarah and Aaron’s story but it was wonderful to connect with so many of the characters we’ve met before. The friends’ group reconnects us with many of them and it was great to see what they are up to now.

There are multiple stories being told as Sarah tries to get on with her life after tragedy struck several years before. She still feels guilty and while she’salways there for her twin daughters, she just seems to be going through the motions at times. Luckily she has a good support network and they offer her lots of wisdom. She and Aaron had dated in high school and are reconnecting but definitely aren’t always on the same page when communicating.

There are romantic moments, illnesses and injuries, pets, small town gossip and businesses, holiday celebrations, family and friends, frustrations, tears, sadness, laughter and more. There are beautiful descriptions of the outdoors as well as some of the indoor settings. The story has a nice flow but Sarah is pushing Aaron away one minute thinking she doesn’t deserve happiness and the next she’s all in. There’s some closure with a hint of a happily ever after but the story ended abruptly.

I rated the book 4.5 stars but rounded to 5 stars here and on other sites.

A sweet read that was interesting and kept me wanting to continue to read. Dealing with suicide is never an easy topic, but this was done with taste. I recommend this book for you to read.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the Publisher and leaving a review by my own choice.

I enjoyed reading Love's Harvest by Judith Keim. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Love's Harvest is the newest addition to A Lilac Lake Book Series written by author Judith Keim. Each book can easily be read as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend reading all of them! For me, each new book is like taking a trip back home to catch up with old friends while also meeting new ones at the same time! Love's Harvest is a beautifully written story about picking up the pieces after tragedy strikes, and finding another chance at love when you least expect it.

Needing a fresh start, Sarah Bullard Miller has returned to Lilac Lake with her four-year-old twin daughters. She is working at her parent's hardware store and preparing to take over when they retire. Sarah is also trying to regain some kind of normalcy in her life after the suicide of her husband two years prior. Returning to Lilac Lake has definitely helped her with the healing process. In addition to her parents, she also has an amazing group of friends that are always there to offer her support.

Aaron Collister has never stopped caring for his high school sweetheart, even though she moved away and got married to someone else. He learned to hide his feelings for her and moved on with his life. However, now she's back and so is their friendship. Can he settle for being just friends, or will she finally realize they were meant to be together?

The story that unfolds is beautifully written and full of heart! Sarah is such a strong female lead...and even though she lived through tragedy, she doesn't let that define her. She is determined to get through it and make a good life for her twins. Speaking of the twins, Mia and Emily steal every scene they are in! They are just too darn cute! As for Aaron, let's just say that it was obvious from the start that he never stopped loving Sarah. I love how patient he is with her and the fact that he is willing to wait no matter how long it takes for her to realize they are meant to be.

Once again, Judith Keim has written a book from the heart. Her characters feel real and relatable, the storyline pulls you in, and the book has all of the feels! She perfectly tells the tale and then wraps it all up with a big shiny bow!

I received an ARC of Love's Harvest from Judith Keim. My views are my own and are in no way influenced by anyone else.

When Sarah Miller lost her husband to suicide, she returned to Lilac Lake with their twin daughters who are four. Sarah needed to heal so after doing having therapy she decided that it’s best to return home and be with family and friends. Being with everyone that she grew up with, they support her, like she needs. Aaron Collister was Sarah’s high school boyfriend and first love. They had a lot in common. They both loved nature and poetry. Now that she’s back, he wants to continue their friendship. She was the only woman for him. He wants to be there for her and the girls. They do a lot of fun things together and Sarah wonders if she ever stopped loving him. They both feel the chemistry. Can Sarah move forward? Can she learn to trust again? She tried to get her husband help but he said he was fine. Was it her fault? Did she not pay enough attention to him, especially after having the twins? His parents seem to think so. Another reason to live in Lilac Lake. Aaron is willing to wait but for how long? He already loves Sarah and the girls. Would they accept him in their lives forever? He sure hopes so. Now if he can get Sarah on board. The characters are wonderful. They just need to heal, let go of the past to move forward with their future. They’re both caring and kind people. I was rooting for them. It was a little emotional. Judith Keim makes you feel everything they feel. It was well written. Worth the read. Judith is one of my favorite authors. Any book of hers is an enjoyable read. I received this book for my honest review. I give it voluntarily.

Love's Harvest by Judith Keim is a book that is filled with characters and so much emotion that I will think about it long after I have finished it.
Sarah has returned to Lilac Lake with her twin daughters to restart her life after the loss of her husband. She has a lot to unravel to deal with the death of her husband.
Returning to Lilac Lake brings her back to Aaron. The feelings she had for him are still deep inside of her. Getting to the life she wants is filled with so much but the way Judith Keim has a way that she fits all the pieces together and she gave me a book that will fill the hearts of many readers.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Judith Keim serves up another helping of her Lilac Lake universe with all the subtlety of a tractor through a flower garden. Our trauma-laden heroine will overcome her mysterious past through pure grit and possibly some therapeutic vegetable gardening, while her Native American love interest dispenses earth wisdom and speaks exclusively in nature metaphors. Because nothing says "authentic character development" like Mystical Indian Man healing Broken White Woman with his profound connection to the land.

The real plot twist? There are no plot twists. Every story beat arrives exactly when you expect it, like a bus that's aggressively on time. The pacing is fine, but it's pacing toward the most predictable destination imaginable.

Worse yet, this book assumes you're already BFFs with the entire Lilac Lake population. Characters waltz in like you should remember them from book three, leaving newcomers wondering why anyone cares about these people and their small-town drama.

That said, Keim writes competently enough, and there's something to be said for comfort reading that delivers exactly what's promised on the tin. If you're looking for challenging literature, keep walking. If you want predictable romance with a side of small-town charm, this'll do the job.

Bottom Line: Decent enough for series fans who know what they're getting into. Newcomers might want to start elsewhere, but it's not actively offensive – just aggressively average.

Love’s Harvest is a warm, uplifting story about family, resilience, and finding joy in a new chapter of life. I loved following Callie as she returned to her family’s vineyard, facing old wounds and unexpected opportunities while rekindling connections both romantic and familial.

Judith Keim blends heartfelt emotion with a rich sense of place—you can almost taste the wine and feel the golden autumn sunlight over the vines. A cozy, feel-good read perfect for fans of second chances and small-town charm.

“Everyone deserves to be happy and loved”

Are you looking for a “feel-good” read? If you are, this is the book you need to pick up.
Main characters are Sarah and Aaron. They use to be high school sweethearts. Sarah is now a widow with 4 year old twin daughters. She’s returned to her home town to be with family.
Can Sarah find happiness again?
Will life let them have a second chance?
Though this is part of a series, each book in the Lilac Lake Inn series can be read as a stand-alone. Though you shouldn’t miss out on reading each book…they are so beautiful and heartwarming.

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

This was so cute and cozy!

I haven’t read the other books in the series yet, but I didn’t find this one hard to follow

It was a great small town, second chance romance and the writing was wonderful

I look forward to reading the others from this author

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC

This is a sweet and emotional small-town romance about healing, second chances, and finding love again. Sarah returns to Lilac Lake with her young twins after losing her husband in a tragic way. Struggling with guilt and grief, she focuses on her kids and her job at her parents’ hardware store, with no plans for romance.

But when she reconnects with Aaron, her old high school boyfriend, things slowly begin to change. Aaron is patient, kind, and great with her kids. Even though Sarah tries to keep things friendly, the sparks between them grow. With help from a grief group and support from her community, Sarah starts to believe she deserves happiness again.

This story is heartfelt and hopeful, with strong, relatable characters. Sarah’s emotional journey is realistic and inspiring, and the romance with Aaron is sweet and satisfying.

Sarah returns to Lilac Lake with her 4-year-old twin daughters after her husband's violent death. She is filled with grief, guilt and struggling to get by. She connects with her high school boyfriend, Aaron who has done well in the time they were apart, but both are interested in a future together. Sarah's parents own the local store but are tired and need to think about retiring, especially when her dad has a mild stroke. It's a lot to manage. I like that this book allowed Sarah time to get her emotional health ready before jumping. A sweet second chance romance that allows real feelings and life to be considered. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest review. Pick up this series, you won't be disappointed.

oh what a beautiful time to be a reader when we get to read books such as these. Judith Kim's lilac lake books have been glorious. and each time i think nah the next cant hit my heart the same...haha she laughs and shows me it can. but its also the pulling together of them all. how they all work on their own and how they all then work together. i love getting involved and immersed into both a story and then the way a writers style feels like coming home. these books, Judith's writing does that for me every single time. p.s please let me visit this place and be adopted into it if only for a short while. thanks!
this chapter brings us all the old ones we know and have fell for but also new ones. and its easy to get involved even if you haven't read the others, though i need you to then go back and read the others simply because your life will be better for it.
this book brings us to Sarah. shes had a rough time of it to say the least after her husbands violent death. so she moves back to her hometown to heal. to find peace. to just be. and along with her is her young daughters. shes not ok but hopes this places might once again help. once back she puts herself to helping her parents at their store.
but of course then comes Aaron. and she knows who he is all right because she once felt something for this man. a lot of something she felt for him. and its clear from the first re-meet that those sparks are a flickering, sparking, flaming. but she knows she cant. she knows she is fit for nothing or no one. he was just her high school sweetheart, time to grow up. right???
Aaron is a patient, kind, brilliant wall of strength. he sees her, he listens to her, he gives her time.
the pair are falling. the reader is falling. we are fell, lol. these two!!!
i just love how Judith wrote this pair. it wasn't a knight in shining armour. it wasn't a quick fix or lusty kiss and wam bam she is sorted. but it wasn't pushed pulled and played with. it was true, warm and steady. it was built, but it smiled and made us all smile too.
this whole book felt true and truly made my heart feel better, stronger, lighter.
this book and the story within it was like a steady,safe hug.
of course we have the town feel we all love in books like this. we have family, friends, found family and people...good people.
i want to stay within these pages, people and Lilac Lake forever. just adored it.

This is a sweet second-chance, small-town romance with strong a woman facing challenges and finding love and happiness along the way.
Sarah is trying to heal following her husband’s death by keeping busy working at her parents’ hardware store and taking care her girls. She was not looking for love.
Aaron was Sarah’s high school boyfriend. Now they reconnect in heir adult life, some feeling are showing back again.
The story unfolded gently, letting both characters heal and grow at their own pace.

Book review: Judith Keim’s Love’s Harvest is a cozy, heartwarming gem with just the right blend of second-chance romance, small-town charm, emotional healing, and swoony men who know how to wield a paintbrush and quote poetry. Huge thanks to Wild Quail Publishing and NetGalley for the gifted ARC—this honest review is brought to you by happy tears and a soft sigh.

Sarah Bullard Miller is not looking for love. She’s barely holding it together. After her husband’s violent death, she moves back to her hometown of Lilac Lake with her four-year-old twin daughters and a heart that feels like it’s been through a demolition crew. She moves in with her kind but gently exhausted parents, helps run their hardware store, and tries to hold it together with grace, caffeine, and sheer willpower.

Enter Aaron Collister—high school sweetheart turned grown-up dreamboat with Abenaki roots, a reverence for nature, and a quiet strength that sneaks up on you like the smell of fresh-cut cedar. He’s not flashy, but he’s present. He listens. He waits. He sees Sarah in a way she hasn’t felt seen in years. If he were a beverage, he’d be something warm and earthy served in a handmade mug. If he were a playlist, it’d be acoustic guitar and long walks through pine trees.

What I love most about Love’s Harvest is that it doesn’t fake the journey. Judith Keim lets Sarah take her time. There’s grief, guilt, and a slow rebuilding of self-worth before romance ever has a chance. Aaron doesn’t swoop in to “fix” anything. He stands beside her like a good friend, a steady presence, and eventually—something more. Their story doesn’t sparkle with grand gestures. It glows with quiet ones.

And then there’s this line that made me pause mid-scroll on my Kindle:
“Sometimes love means waiting in the quiet, being present but not pushing.”
That right there is the soul of this story. No rushing. No rescuing. Just patience and presence, which—let’s be real—is way hotter than fireworks.

Sarah’s daughters are full of mischief and hugs. Her parents are loving and slightly frazzled in a way that’s all too relatable. The town of Lilac Lake is packed with friendly faces, gentle gossip, and the kind of community you’d absolutely want to join if it existed in real life. (If it does, someone please send me the Zillow listings.)

This is technically a spin-off in the Lilac Lake Inn series, but you can absolutely read it as a standalone. Still, once you meet these characters, you may find yourself backtracking to read the others just for more time in this comforting world.

If you love books where strong women rebuild after loss, if you crave slow-burn love stories that bloom organically, and if you’re a sucker for small-town settings where everyone knows your dog’s name—you’ll find a lot to love here. There’s no over-the-top drama or insta-love nonsense. It’s all grounded, heartfelt, and very human.

My only (very minor) wish is that we had just a few more pages at the end to soak in that happy-ever-after glow. But that’s the mark of a good book—you don’t want to leave it, even when it’s over.

So yes, Love’s Harvest is warm, witty, and emotionally rich. Five cozy stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me—and one extra imaginary star for Aaron’s quiet poetry and emotional maturity. Judith Keim has crafted a story that feels like comfort food for the soul.

Love’s Harvest is a tender, second-chance romance that blends small-town charm with deep emotional healing. After losing her husband, Sarah returns to Lilac Lake with her twin daughters, hoping to find some peace—only to reconnect with Aaron, her high school love with a poetic soul and a quiet strength. I loved the way the story unfolded gently, letting the characters heal and grow at their own pace. It felt real, heartfelt, and hopeful—like sitting on a porch swing with an old friend, watching the sunset over the lake. A genuinely lovely read that gave me all the warm feels.