In Macomber’s romance novel, Robin Masterson and the very bitter Cole Camden have something in common besides living next door to each other. Both lost people in their lives. Robin lost her husband when her son Jeff was just a baby and Cole lost both his son and wife. Robin has moved on and is trying to be a good mother to her son while Cole simmers in bitterness. When Jeff decides he wants a dog, the closest dog there is belongs to Cole. With the determination of the young, Jeff persists in spending time with the dog while time begins to heal the wounds of the past so that the future is clear.

A lovely story that reminds us all that what we need is often closer then we think. ( )

Father’s Day is Debbie Macomber’s 42nd stand-alone romance novel. When widow, Robin Masterson, and her 10-year-old son Jeff move out of their apartment into a house with a garden, Jeff is looking forward owning a dog. Unfortunately, Robin feels they can’t afford a dog just yet. Luckily, there’s a lovely black labrador right next door. Trouble is, Blackie is owned by Cole Camden, and Cole seems to be the unfriendliest man in the neighbourhood. Jeff has a way with animals, and it seems, with unfriendly men, as well, as soon Cole is smiling more often, especially at Robin. But once Robin learns about the tragedy in Cole’s past, she’s not sure of his motives when he asks her to marry him. Another sweet romance from Debbie Macomber. ( )