Brewing Love with the Bookworm: A Clean Small Town Romance (Hickory Falls)

Chrislit Award Winner 2025

She hides behind coffee beans and sisterly duty.
He hides behind paperbacks and quiet songs.
But time has a way of revealing everything.

Gwen runs a bustling café in Hickory Falls—and carries some of the town’s darkest secrets.
She’s undercover, keeping an eye on the new doctor, protecting her found family,
and pretending her heart’s not on the line.

Jake came to town for peace, purpose… maybe even a fresh start.
He didn’t expect the guarded barista next door.
She’s not ready for love.
He’s not afraid of her past.

When danger comes knocking, Gwen is reminded:
you can’t always judge a book by its cover.
And sometimes, the safest place… is in someone else’s arms.

Gwen must choose—risk her heart on the quiet man next door,
or play it safe and walk away from her chance at true love.

Brewing Love with the Bookworm is book two in the Hickory Falls series and book thirteen in the interconnected Deanna Lilly universe. Each romance delivers a complete happily-ever-after with no cliffhangers, though readers may enjoy the journey more when read in order (see chart below).

Expect slow-burn chemistry, small-town mystery, found family, and one fiercely loyal barista with everything to lose. Perfect for fans of Hallmark, Lifetime, and sweet kisses under café lights.

Deanna Lilly writes clean, emotional romance for readers who believe love can heal, hope is never lost, and happily-ever-after is always worth the wait.

Ready to fall for Jake? Start reading now.