Part of Cedar Cove, book 1
First published 2010
Judge Olivia Lockhart sits in her Cedar Cove courtroom facing young couple Cecilia and Ian Randall. They want a divorce, but Olivia believes they haven't worked hard enough to save their marriage. She delivers an unexpected ruling: Divorce Denied. The decision creates a storm of controversy throughout the small town. Local newspaper editor Jack Griffin writes about the case, and suddenly everyone has an opinion about Olivia's judgment. Olivia faces criticism while dealing with her own complicated life. Her marriage ended years ago. Her daughter Justine keeps her at arm's length. Her outspoken mother Charlotte drops by the courtroom uninvited and shares her views freely. Meanwhile, Olivia finds herself drawn to Jack Griffin, though she's not sure where that attraction might lead. The divorce case forces the whole community to examine what marriage means and whether love deserves a second chance. Cedar Cove becomes a place where people must confront their deepest beliefs about commitment, forgiveness, and starting over.
Genres: fiction, drama, romance, family-life, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Cedar Cove
367 pages · Kindle Edition · Mira