Candy Hearts and Cider - A cozy orchard romance #987767

One return trip. One family legacy. And a love that has been waiting under the trees all along.
Emily Carmichael has always considered Splendid Lake her home, even if she’s spent the last few years trying to outrun the memories. But when her childhood best friend, Jake Hughes, sends word that the historic Hughes Family Orchard is on the brink of collapse, Emily doesn’t hesitate. She packs her bags and heads back to the North Carolina mountains, determined to save the place that raised them.
Jake Hughes is a man of few words and deep roots. To him, the orchard isn't just a business—it’s the memory of his father and the promise of his future. But with a corporate giant circling like a hawk and the centennial anniversary fast approaching, he’s running out of time.
When Emily arrives, the sparks between them are immediate—sharper and sweeter than a fresh-picked apple. As they work side-by-side to save the orchard, the line between "best friends" and "something more" begins to blur. But between the mounting pressure of the festival and the sudden arrival of Jake’s past, their budding romance is put to the ultimate test.
As the first frost of autumn settles over the valley, Emily and Jake must decide if they’re ready to let go of their fears and finally pick the love that’s been ripening all these years.
Scratch, sniff, and cozy up. This is a story about coming home, finding your rhythm, and discovering that the best things in life are the ones that have been there all along.