Darling Daffodils Farm

Kicking off the Hope Harbor series, this sweet and steamy contemporary from Nicole (the Boston Bolts series) sends aspiring chef Tally Darling home to her family’s New England daffodil farm to help with the spring season after her father’s death. Upon arrival, she’s shocked to find an incredibly handsome, incredibly naked man occupying her bedroom. This is Jessie Walker, the stoic farmhand hired by her late father. Jessie’s life has been difficult, and he promised Tally’s father he would support the farm, including by looking after his widow and daughters, when the man took a chance on him. Tally, who is overwhelmed by grief and guilt about abandoning her family in the first place, aims to help Jessie prepare the farm for tourist and wedding seasons before heading to Nantucket for an apprenticeship. As Tally tries to find her place within her family and the small town of Hope Harbor, she wrestles with chasing her dreams or embracing the comfort of a home made all the more tantalizing by her growing bond with grumpy Jessie, whom she calls “Cowboy.” Meanwhile, Jessie is determined to help the Darlings save the failing farm, and worried that falling for “wildflower” Tally will make it impossible to keep his promises to her late father. There’s plenty of classic small-town charm here, but Nicole makes this story more than just a cozy experience via impressive emotional nuance and plenty of spice. It’s a joyful and swoony delight. (Mar.)