Jeffrey Stepakoff somehow remains to be one of the most beautiful writers of love stories I have ever read. If you haven't read his first novel, you need to read it. Anyway, he has a way of drawing you into a characters emotions and showing you exactly what they are thinking and feeling. He pulls the want and need right out of you so that you cry when the characters cry and you hurt when the characters hurt. It really is a remarkable ability.


I love the premise, plot, and characters of this story. There is one thing that did not flow for me though...when Dylan somehow thinks his wife is alive...I mean he knows how she died and maybe I don't understand grief correctly but...that messed up the whole feel of the story for me, I wish there would have been a different obstacle for Grace and Dylan to overcome.


I love how Mr. Stepakoff finds something to give his character passion about and you get to learn right along about each passion as you read. I enjoyed learning about apples and scents as I read and I didn't even realize it until I was done with the book. I love Mr. Stepakoff's writing and will be a fan forever.

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'The Orchard' is a wonderfully written love story.

Grace Lyndon is a workaholic in the perfume and flavors industry, who meets Dylan Jackson, owner of a North George apple orchard, and his sweet daughter Carter.

Jeffrey Stepakoff is once again a master storyteller in this book, as he was in his book 'Fireworks Over Toccoa'. I highly recommend this page-turner for anyone who loves to curl up on the couch and read a good book. ( )

One of my favorite memories as a child is going to pick apples every fall. I will never forget the smells and tastes of the orchard. There is nothing like picking a fresh apple off the tree and biting into it.

When I saw Jeffrey Stepakoff's new book was titled The Orchard, I knew with my love of orchards and apple picking, it was a must read for me. His first book Fireworks Over Toccoa is a wonderful love story that I enjoyed very much. I was anxious to read Mr. Stepakoff's newest book.

The main character, Grace Lyndon is a confident woman who is always in control. I admired her confidence. Grace is a real go-getter. She is a savvy business woman. She develops scents and flavors for major companies and their products. I had never really given much thought to such a job but found myself immersed in learning more about this position. Jeffrey Stepakoff does a fantastic job explaining Grace's job and all it involved. I found it fascinating. I'll never look at scents and flavors the same again.

When Grace tries to track down an exquisite apple's origin, she runs into Dylan Jackson, owner of an apple orchard and his spunky daughter, Carter. Carter is a curious pre-teen who is wise beyond her years. Dylan is a widower, who is not quite ready to give up his deceased wife. The father/daughter relationship between these two is very endearing. Grace wants to research the apples on the family orchard for product development. Dylan is not ready to let anyone in his life or his orchard.

Mr. Stepakoff's writing had me imagining I was in the orchard where I could almost smell and taste the apples. I never knew so much went into growing apples. His writing is wonderfully descriptive. You will almost be able to hear the apple leaves rustling in the breeze. Even though I have never been to the mountains of Georgia, I had no problems picturing them in my mind.

Jeffrey Stepakoff has once again written a beautifully layered love story that builds as it goes along. I am amazed at the amount of research that must have went into this story. It made for a interesting story. I highly recommend this book. I found it romantic and enlightening. I'll be on the lookout for Mr. Stepakoff's next book. ( )