Savannah leads aqua aerobics at a senior citizens' community, but diving into the pool to rescue a small dog turns out to be an awkward way to meet the new owner of the home, who jumps in believing she's in trouble. WHISPER'S EDGE had been neglected by its absent owner but that man's grandson is now intent on making changes. First though Savannah has to help Tristan change his wet clothes, and she's hoping she still has a job.

This is part of the Cricket Creek series, where the Kentucky town's recent baseball stadium project has revitalised the area. Tristan, a lawyer, hadn't realised how many seniors lived in permanent mobile homes, and he decides to stay reticent about his plans for the time being. Savannah lives on site and hasn't a boyfriend, given that she'd have to go into town to find someone her own age. Maybe that's why she finds Tristan suddenly attractive? But he's her boss, and she'd better look busy. The administrator, Kate, decides that she's going to haul young Savannah out for a meal and given there's only one restaurant in town, they meet Tristan. He and Savannah find they have a lot to talk about, such as her dream to visit Hawaii, but Tristan is silent about his plan to redevelop Whisper's Edge.

I enjoyed the busy retirement community, where activities, craft sessions and gardening contests are high priority and evenings are spent reading out of doors or barbecuing. As a riverfront property it has prospects for costlier housing and the wise handyman Ben is quick to guess that Tristan's considering profits. The town is pleasantly cosy, with modest prosperity from small businesses such as baking, vintage clothing and handmade jewellery. Kate realises she has an entire wardrobe of clothes she's never worn, saving them for some special occasion that never arrives. Deciding to start making her life special she enjoys wearing her new clothes, and a man who already admires her notices the difference. Little details like that add realism to this quiet, atmospheric, romantic tale.

LuAnn McLane has written several Cricket Creek novels and contemporary romances with fun titles like Redneck Cinderella. In WHISPER'S EDGE we see that mature people are not too old for romance, and that turning thirty can be worth celebrating!

Book Summary

Cricket Creek, Kentucky, is a sweet river town known for its theater, shopping, and cuisine. But tough times are affecting the residents of the local retirement community—until a handsome hero shows up…

Savannah Perry loves her job as social director of Whisper’s Edge, a retirement community on the picturesque waterfront of Cricket Creek. Raised in foster care, twenty-nine-year-old Savannah feels treasured and loved by the retired residents, who treat her as their adopted granddaughter and rotate having her over for dinner. But the community is struggling to stay afloat financially—until Tristan McMillan swoops into town, rescues a dog, and, well, saves the day…

Business-minded Tristan bought Whisper’s Edge from his estranged grandfather to prove his worth to the curmudgeon and to turn a quick profit. He never expected to fall for the charms of a village of crafty retirees—or to fall hard for a small town girl like Savannah. Suddenly the man who knows all about making money finds himself needing lessons in love and what really matters in life…