cover image Accidentally in Love

Accidentally in Love

Cathy Woodman. Pegasus, , $15.95 ISBN 978-1-68177-238-7

Woodman’s leisurely latest Talyton St. George contemporary (after Follow Me Home), set in a fictional town in Devon, England, highlights the charm and romance of a small country village. Shannon is working as a veterinary nurse at Otter House, a practice that sees just about every type of animal from rabbits to large dogs. When she meets the new vet, Ross, their personalities clash at first, but their chemistry is intense, and soon they become friends. Shannon and Ross both need new places to live, so they decide to move in together; when Shannon feels jealous over his ex-girlfriend, she realizes she might be hoping for the friendship to turn into romance. Woodman’s expertise as a veterinarian imbues the novel with a sense of realism. Though the story gets off to a somewhat slow start, it gains momentum when the relationship between Ross and Shannon heats up, especially after they struggle with emotional attachments to the patients they treat and Shannon suffers a disfiguring accident. Her angst is balanced by Ross’s nurturing and the love of their furry friends, leading to a sweet finale. (Nov.)