Whispering Pines Island

Old scars still sting. Old desires still burn. One summer on Whispering Pines Island could either mend their hearts-or break them for good.Cara O'Connell returns to Whispering Pines Island hoping the familiar inn will give her a fresh start. Still reeling from an abusive relationship, she hides her pain behind late-night drinks but can't silence the lingering voice that tells her she'll never be enough.Sam Vervaine knows that voice all too well. Haunted by traumas of his own, his greatest regret is the way things ended with Cara last summer. Now that she's back-and single-Sam is determined to prove he can be the steady friend she needs…even while his heart wants more.As Cara and Sam are drawn together, old hurts collide with the promise of something new. But between unspoken secrets and one mistake that could ruin everything, the path to love won't be simple. On Whispering Pines Island, though, second chances have a way of finding those brave enough to reach for them.That Last Summer is a standalone novel in the Whispering Pines Island collection. Perfect for readers who crave heartfelt romance, flawed but hopeful characters, and the promise of love after heartbreak.Read the entire Whispering Pines Island Collection:That Last SummerSay the Words: A Short Story Sequel to That Last SummerNo Longer YoursCherry Christmas, Baby! A Short Story Sequel to No Longer YoursIf This Were a Love Story Sara LaFontain's books feature unreliable narrators, flawed characters, and people finally finding happiness. Prior to embarking on a writing career, Sara held a variety of jobs including wildlife tour guide, purveyor of fine chocolates, cafeteria worker, English teacher, domestic violence victim advocate, and family law attorney. She currently lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband and two children. When she isn't writing, she's experimenting with new crafting projects, knitting, gardening, and bragging about desert winters.

Last Thanksgiving, Cara O'Connell finally got up the courage to leave her abusive fiancé. This Thanksgiving, she's not the one who has to be brave.Sam Vervaine grew up in an unhappy home, and he's always missed out on holiday celebrations. When Cara invites him to join her family, he thinks it might be fun. Despite all the warnings, he's confident he can handle whatever the O'Connells throw at him. But when the cousins start their 'initiation' and Cara isn't there to support him, Sam begins to question their future.Join Cara, Sam, and Amy as they reconnect two months after the events of That Last Summer. Warning: This is a sequel. It contains spoilers for That Last Summer, part of the Whispering Pines Island collection. Sara LaFontain's books feature unreliable narrators, flawed characters, and people finally finding happiness. Prior to embarking on a writing career, Sara held a variety of jobs including wildlife tour guide, purveyor of fine chocolates, cafeteria worker, English teacher, domestic violence victim advocate, and family law attorney. She currently lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband and two children. When she isn't writing, she's experimenting with new crafting projects, knitting, gardening, and bragging about desert winters.

Cherry Waites came to remote Whispering Pines island to heal after her husband's humiliating affair-but she didn't plan on juggling a new life, a tiny schoolhouse, and the island's grumpiest man. Oh, and the local dating pool? Let's just say it's...challenging.Matteo Capen has three dogs, zero patience for humans, and an impressive talent for avoiding cheerfully persistent teachers. Years of panic attacks and isolation have convinced him that staying alone is safest-until Cherry's stubborn optimism and refusal to give up start to unravel his carefully constructed solitude.Between accidental encounters, canine chaos, and a winter that keeps them trapped on the same tiny island, sparks fly where neither expects them. It turns out starting over isn't so lonely when someone (and three dogs) insist on sticking around.No Longer Yours is a heartfelt slow-burn romantic dramedy full of sharp banter, emotional honesty, and two beautifully messy people learning how to start over. Read the entire Whispering Pines Island Collection:That Last SummerSay the Words: A Short Story Sequel to That Last SummerNo Longer YoursCherry Christmas, Baby! A Short Story Sequel to No Longer YoursIf This Were a Love Story Sara LaFontain's books feature unreliable narrators, flawed characters, and people finally finding happiness. Prior to embarking on a writing career, Sara held a variety of jobs including wildlife tour guide, purveyor of fine chocolates, cafeteria worker, English teacher, domestic violence victim advocate, and family law attorney. She currently lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband and two children. When she isn't writing, she's experimenting with new crafting projects, knitting, gardening, and bragging about desert winters.

It's been nearly two years since Cherry Waites left her philandering ex-husband. Life is better than ever. Except for one little thing… Cherry has a secret. An unplanned but desperately wanted and loved secret. But it's also a secret that might destroy her relationship. Matteo can sense something is amiss with his girlfriend. She's been acting strange lately. He can only come up with one possible explanation: she's planning to break up with him. He'll do anything to change her mind. When the two of them take a Christmas trip, secrets are spilled, tears are shed, and one of Whispering Pines most beloved couples have to make a decision that will change their lives forever. Pick up Cherry Christmas, Baby! to follow the continuing story of Cherry and Matteo. Note: This novella is the sequel to No Longer Yours. Spoilers abound.Warning: contains profanity (but Matteo promises he's working on it!) Sara LaFontain's books feature unreliable narrators, flawed characters, and people finally finding happiness. Prior to embarking on a writing career, Sara held a variety of jobs including wildlife tour guide, purveyor of fine chocolates, cafeteria worker, English teacher, domestic violence victim advocate, and family law attorney. She currently lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband and two children. When she isn't writing, she's experimenting with new crafting projects, knitting, gardening, and bragging about desert winters.

Amanda O'Connell is one mistake away from losing everything.A DUI and a questionable choice with her twin's ID have landed her in the middle of a family intervention-and sentenced her to a summer of forced sobriety working at her cousin's inn on remote Whispering Pines Island. She can't imagine anything worse…until she misses the ferry, winds up in a bar, and gets rejected by the tattooed drummer of her dreams.Everett Ryan has built a life of calm routine. Running the ferry keeps him steady, and playing music with his band is all the rhythm he needs. The last thing he wants is Amanda-a beautiful whirlwind who crashes straight through his carefully guarded peace. With his father's death a constant reminder of the destructive power of addiction, Everett knows better than to let someone like her get too close. But avoiding Amanda is impossible when the only way on and off the island is through him.As summer unfolds, sparks fly, walls crack, and the pull between them grows impossible to deny. Yet Amanda's past is never far behind-and one wrong move could shatter their chance at something real.If This Were a Love Story is a witty, heartfelt novel of second chances, self-discovery, and the unexpected ways love can change everything. Sara LaFontain's books feature unreliable narrators, flawed characters, and people finally finding happiness. Prior to embarking on a writing career, Sara held a variety of jobs including wildlife tour guide, purveyor of fine chocolates, cafeteria worker, English teacher, domestic violence victim advocate, and family law attorney. She currently lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband and two children. When she isn't writing, she's experimenting with new crafting projects, knitting, gardening, and bragging about desert winters.