Spring Forward (Mystic Creek, #4)

by Catherine Anderson

The New York Times bestselling author returns to Mystic Creek, Oregon, with a story about finding an unforgettable love just around the corner. . . .
 
When a favorite customer on his delivery route needs a favor, Tanner Richards agrees to help without a second thought. The last thing he expects is to face off against the man’s spitfire granddaughter.
 
Crystal Malloy is near her breaking point. Her beloved grandfather constantly skirts the rules at the retirement center where he’s recovering from surgery. She’s caring for his escape artist dog, even if it means abandoning her salon customers, and she has no time for a romantic attraction to the handsome new stranger. 
 
After Tanner’s reassigned to Mystic Creek, Crystal can no longer ignore how much she misjudged the man’s good intentions. She has known too much sorrow to easily open her heart, but she can’t deny that Tanner and his children could gift her with a happiness beyond compare—if only she can forgive herself for the past and accept that she’s deserving of such a love.

• ISBN10: 0399586342
• ISBN13: 9780399586347
• Publish Date: 2 January 2018
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Berkley Publishing Corporation,U.S.
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 448
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780399586347

Reviews

[kimbacaffeinate]

While this is the fourth book each of the books in the Mystic Creek series work as a standalone.

Tanner Richards receives a call from his old neighbor and friend Tuck. Tuck fell and broke his leg and is now living in an assisted living facility in Mystic Creek. He asks Tanner for a small favor.  and ends up costing him. When Tanner is reassigned to Mystic Creek, he meets Crystal thanks to Tuck's dog, an ornery Heeler, who requires biscuits for safe passage in the yard and hates uniforms. I laughed at their first encounter and the tale that unfolds was delightful.

Crystal Mallory is living on a small ranch she recently purchased in hopes of moving her grandfather in once physical therapy has ended. For now, she is taking care of the home and his dog. Crystal came to live with her grandfather after a terrible family tragedy left her estranged from her parents. Anderson gives us her full story helping us understand Crystals fear of commitment, animal care and falling in love.

We get several storylines and each was wonderfully developed. We have Tuck and his dealings in the assisted living facility. Next, we have Tanner and Crystal's budding romance and finally, we have Rip's story. He is Tuck's dog and boy does he give Crystal a hard time. This was an interesting thread that had me laughing and weeping.

There are two romances, but Tanner and Crystal's are at the center. This was a sweet romance, with "fade to black" scenes, sweet kisses, love letters and more. Tanner has two children who added to the mix. The drama was kept to a minimum thanks to other threads but Crystal does experience growing pains as she confronts her personal demons. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer