A sweet love story which takes place in Magnolia, Georgia. Bill Wellington left the town right after graduation and chose the big city where he would become a well known professor and not the "geek" everyone made fun of in school. But he also left so he wouldn't be around to watch the girl he fell in love with marry someone else.

Lindsay Jones always thought her and Bill were good friends who would stand by one another always. But when Bill leaves suddenly and never returns her calls or mail, she is hurt by his lack of caring. It is now years later and Lindsay is providing care for Bill's grandmother. When Granny falls and hurts herself, Lindsay must contact Bill and he needs to come and help out his Granny. How Bill wants to help her and how Lindsay wants to help her are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Watching them settle their differences and admit their feelings for each other though will be a battle (that was fun to watch). ( )

Bill Wellington returns to Magnolia, Georgia after his mother is injured in a fall. He's convinced that the best thing for her is to come live with him in Boston, Massachussetts, and he doesn't want to listen to Lindsey, who's taken care of Bea Wellington for some time, or to Bea herself. Lindsey tries many things to get him to change his mind.

Bill and Lindsey were childhood friends. Lindsey struggles to understand why Bill pushed her away and chose not to communicate with her for many years--not even when she was left standing at the altar. They spend most of the book fighting their attraction for each other.

The town has an odd superstition that those who join hands around a particular tree will be together forever.

Despite being a Christian, Lindsey doesn't think to pray about her relationship with Bill until about 3/4 of the way through the book. ( )

rabck box from bookstogive 03/11; Billy held Lindsay's hand around the forever tree when they were teens, and then left town. She's still in Magnolia, taking care of her extended family and his grandmother. Now he's back, convinced that moving Grandma Bea to Boston is the best thing for her...but granny's got a romance going, and she's not going anywhere! ( )

This book has a lovely, dreamy, summery cover. I had no idea that Georgia could be so pretty—of course I’ve never been there. And the story has a lovely summery feel, so I’m really grateful to the Novel Journey blog for sending me a free copy and giving me the chance to read it.

The story starts with a local legend, that couples who hold hands round the Forever Tree will forever love each other. It sounded sweet, though I at once began to think of a science experiment I supervised when my kids were in elementary school, where they had to measure trees—not entirely romantic. Of course, the couples in this book are somewhat older, and don’t necessarily believe in local legends. But the idea drew me in.

Soon I was following the trials of Bill, who lives in the city and wants his Granny to move, and Lindsey who lives in the country and wants Granny to stay. Ah the tangled webs we weave, everyone wanting the best for everyone else, and nobody listening… except, of course, it’s a story and they do eventually listen. It was a rare treat, a love story where I really wasn’t sure what the right answer would be. And isn’t that like life?

A touch of legend, a touch of God’s blessing, and a touch of wise old Granny brings it all together. A lovely summer romance for those hot summer days. Thanks Missy Tippens. ( )