Leaving Normal by Stef Ann Holm

Shake it up a little!

At long last Natalie Goodwin's life is running just the way she wants it. Her new florist shop is all set for a grand opening, and her daughter is enjoying her first semester in college. The house is clean, the bills are paid and cooking dinner every night is now an option. Natalie admits she's just a teeny bit lonely, but recent dating experiences have left her convinced that Mr. Right does not live in Boise, Idaho.

But life has a big surprise for Natalie and he lives right across the street! Never in her wildest dreams did she think she could fall for a man nine years her junior, but then she has never met a man like firefighter Tony Cruz. He turns her well-ordered life upside down, and pretty soon things go from simmering to scalding. Just when the sparks begin to turn into a three-alarm blaze Natalie is caught unawares again -- Tony wants her and a child of his own.

A baby? At forty-three? Natalie is definitely all shook up.

Last of my rereads of my Stef Ann Holm collection. I've notices they all take place in a small town. That's cool. Don't mind that. The last books had the same themes. Someone escaping to the small town. In this one, both characters are settled in the town.

Now, I don't mind the younger man/older woman story line. I can understand the leading lady being uncomfortable and self concious about it. "Shouldn't he be with someone his own age." "what does he see in a woman my age?" etc. But don't DWELL on it. I hate that. He's already said he likes you and interested in you. Accept it and just go with the flow.

This one also had a sub plot with Natalie's father. Cute. He has an obession with Target, which I completly understand. Target is the best. I love it there.

I give this one a B-.