I wasn't sure I could like this series more but then came Dream Lake with the cheerful Zoe and the gruff and cynical Alex. I think this is actually my favorite of all of them. 
 Zoe is a divorcee who helps her cousin Justine run a bed and breakfast. Justine does the financial and Zoe runs the kitchen to perfection. After Lucy (from Rainshadow Road gets hit by a car and ends up recuperating at the Nolan house; Zoe heads over with muffins to brighten her friends day only to run into Alex who is instantly uncomfortable around the cheery and beautiful Zoe. 
 Alex can't put his finger on what bothers him about Zoe but whatever it is he's drawn to it like a moth to a flame and it doesn't help he's being haunted by a ghost that once lived in his brother Sam's home but has somehow latched onto him! 
 I adored the conversations between Zoe and Alex and some of the best moments where in the beauty and caring of another human being. Alex, while gruff and cynical, has a good heart that has been abused too much. One would think he'd be cruel and yet at every turn Alex surprises us and Zoe! 
 Zoe is lighthearted and cheerful which can be highly annoying in a character but in this case not only does Zoe know when to back off with her cheeriness but so does Kleypas. Zoe is the type of person who knows when to push and when to just be there and smile politely. I really liked her as the heroine! 
 Great read and one I would highly suggest. Now onto the next in the series!