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Review: Blueprint for Love - Small Town Shenanigans #3

Blueprint for Love book cover on blue background

I've really been enjoying the Small Town Shenanigans series by Penny Zeller, also branded as the Love in Cloverdale Falls series (both are apt!). The townspeople are loveable and it's always a joy to see how Henrietta, the chicken, will show up again.

Blueprint for Love is the third book and it's a true rivals to more story with plenty of comical antics along the way. Balancing humour and growth, this is definitely a Hallmark meets HGTV moment.

Content to be aware of: depression

Book Synopsis

He’s a grumpy contractor.

She’s a bubbly interior designer.

Will an unexpected alliance be the blueprint for love?

Eager to prove herself to her demanding boss, Jeanette Wertz travels to Cloverdale Falls with the hopes that helping renovate the local B&B will boost her interior design career. She never imagined the grumpy man she unexpectedly meets on the first day, when her car breaks down on Main Street, is the same man she'll be working with on the renovations. When her every suggestion meets resistance, Jeanette fears she'll never accomplish her assignment in time to meet the deadline. An assignment that could cost her the job of her dreams.

Cameron Krausman enjoys running the family business, but what he doesn't enjoy is going toe-to-toe with a pretty but opinionated interior designer who has an alternative suggestion for every one of his recommendations. Not only must Cameron help his dad recover from a near-fatal health event, but he must now also contend with Jeanette Wertz and her countless ideas.

When differences morph into friendly bets—most of which Cameron loses—things begin to slowly change between the two rivals. Can a series of competitions and an old building in desperate need of an update be enough to turn rivalry into romance?

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

What a wonderful return to Cloverdale Falls! I loved getting to revisit old friends and seeing the investigation team back in action. This is such a special small town where people celebrate quirks like Henrietta the town chicken, while being there for their neighbours. I especially enjoyed getting to meet Cameron and Jeanette—two colleagues who do not get off to the best start but prove that disagreements can still lead to mutual respect. The idea of placing bets not only eases their working relationship but also provides a way for them to better understand each other.

As always, Penny Zeller provides light-hearted banter and antics while infusing the story with gentleness and charm. Scenarios are funny without anyone being made fun of, which is a true marker of the level of care that residents have for one another. With Cameron and Jeanette navigating work and family life, I appreciate that they can draw on their faith and the strength of others. Readers who like stories about home renovations and harmless pranks will find Blueprint for Love to be a sweet, faith-filled book that highlights how God can answer fervent prayers in our most discouraging moments.

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 📱
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: 👍

Book Quotes

By the time Cameron was in junior high, he had a robust amount of verses he could recite by heart whenever needed. But there was something about thumbing through the pages of God’s Word that settled the upheaval inside of him. He read the words as if seeing them for the first time. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” He allowed them to seep deep into his soul, then prayed for his parents.

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