Dogwood Hill-Sherryl Woods

Dogwood Hill

Sherryl Woods

Mira, Dec 30 2014, $8.99

ISBN: 9780778317326

Retired due to a knee injury from the NFL at twenty-eight, former star quarterback Aidan Mitchell arrives in Chesapeake Shores allegedly to interview for the high school coaching job.  He meets Archie the dog whose owner Widow Liz March apologizes for her dog’s boisterous, friendly greeting. 

Led by the extended O’Brien family, the New Yorker feels welcome, but overwhelmed as it was always his late mom and him only.  He also conceals from everyone his real reason for coming to the Maryland community.  Aidan wants to meet his biological father Thomas O’Brien.  His Uncle Mick offers him a five year coaching contract, but Aiden hesitates, as he is unsure whether he could be near his “family” for that length of time.  Instead he counters with a one year deal and a four year option to take over a team with a several years losing streak.  As he works with his new team, Aidan must deal with a player’s demanding father, his O’Brien secret, and his feelings for Liz; who after being burned by her husband, reluctantly reciprocates.

The twelfth Chesapeake Shores (see The Christmas Bouquet and A Seaside Christmas) is a warm family drama starring two engaging leads struggling with respective overflowing plates made much more complex by their love for each other and further compounded by trust issues.  Series fans will relish this feel good contemporary.

Harriet Klausner