Grace Christiansen loves to cook. It's always been her
dream to become a chef. However, Grace lacks confidence in
herself to carry through with her dream. She is also afraid
to wander very far from Deep Haven, and that would be
necessary to fulfill her dream. When her family gives her a
three-week vacation to Hawaii to attend a culinary school,
Grace is overwhelmed. She doesn't think she can fly that
far away or face the pressure.
Maxwell Sharpe has been to this same school three times and
is heading back again. It's his reward/vacation to himself
for a month-long getaway after each season as a hockey pro.
Grace and Maxwell sit next to each other on the plane out
of LA, and he helps her conquer her fear of flying. When
they learn they are attending the same school, Max becomes
her "swim buddy" to watch after her, encourage her and see
her through her vacation. He's fighting his own demons, as
well. Can they keep their relationship just a friendship,
or will either of them want more? Max makes it very clear
to Grace that he doesn't date at all. Hockey is his life,
or what's left of it to live.
WHEN I FALL IN LOVE is a truly inspirational story about
facing our struggles and moving forward, not just living in
the present or in the past. It's about trusting God with an
open heart, reaching out and living the life He intended
for us to live. Grace and Max are the main characters, but
there are many supporting characters that each have a story
to tell of their own struggles. Susan May Warren
masterfully weaves the plot along, toggling back and forth
from Minnesota to Hawaii as she tells each character's
story. Ms. Warren brings awareness to Huntington's disease
and how devastating it is for a family to go through. WHEN
I FALL IN LOVE is a great read filled with weddings, food
and hockey. What a combination! I was a bit disappointed
that there were no recipes at the end of the book of the
amazing dishes Grace and Max prepared.
Hawaii was the last place Grace Christiansen ever imagined
she'd vacation, much less fall in love. But when her family
surprises her with a cooking retreat in paradise, she is
pulled, or maybe yanked, away from her predictable, safe
life and thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime.
Max Sharpe may make his living on the ice as a pro hockey
player, but he feels most at home in the kitchen. Which is
why he lives for the three-week culinary vacation he takes
each year in Hawaii. Upon being paired with Grace for a
cooking competition, Max finds himself drawn to her
passion, confidence, and perseverance. But just when Grace
dares to dream of a future beyond her hometown, Max pulls
away.
Wrestling with personal demons, Max fights against opening
his heart to a love he knows he should never hope for. And
as his secrets unfold, Grace is torn between the safe path
in front of her and what her heart truly desires. If love
means sacrificing her ideal happily ever after, Grace's
faith will face its toughest test yet.