Book Review: Second Bloom

 

     I recently read Christina Hamlett's newest book titled Second Bloom. 'Intriguing title' I thought when I first picked it up. Lucy Fischer has been a widow for a year. She decides to leave her family on the east cost and return to California's Monterey Peninsula where she had lived with her husband and was the owner of a Tearoom on the lower floor of their home. She'd return and open the Tearoom once again and renew old friendships and acquaintances. Nearing fifty, Lucy knew she needed something she enjoyed in her life again. The house was still in good shape, but the yard and gardens were a disaster. She calls a Garden Business to see if they could give her some ideas. That's when the owner of a landscaping business shows up to give Lucy some advice on what to do with what's there. His name is Kai Kim. 

       Lucy hires him, despite the cost, as she had been drawn to this Korean man and wanted to know more about him. As the planning and landscaping go on, Lucy finds herself attracted to Kai but disregards it as he is younger than she. 

    Work on on her yard goes on with many visits with Kai as he gives her his ideas and then proceeds to have a work crew create the new garden which will add  lovely views for customers of her Tearoom. Her attraction to him grows stronger as the weeks go by.

      Lucy's life is filled with interesting people, one who is a longtime friend, another who is a divorcee looking for a new husband and wanting to make Lucy here best friend. There are others, all of whom seem life-like and fill Lucy's days. The one that interests her most, however, is Kai, the landscaper. 

     This is a story of second chances, a lot of advice from well-meaning people and one who is an irritant from the past, and the possibility of a new life a new romance. A delightful read. 

Your can find the book online and in bookstores. Christina Hamlett is a prolific author with 55 books, many stage plays, and articles. She has brought us a lovely tale once again.