When a catering job goes awry in Los Angeles, Bailey Sterling decides to move back to her hometown of Icicle Falls, Washington, a quaint little mountain town that is a tourist destination. The family welcomes Bailey with open arms until a business venture with Todd Black has Bailey's sister Cecily up in arms. Cecily is a little older than Bailey and is still trying to find Mr. Perfect. She's struck out twice already. Cecily is now dating two different men at the same time.

Luke Goodman is the production manager for the Sterling's family-owned chocolate factory, Sweet Dreams, and Todd runs a tavern, The Man Cave, just outside of town. Cecily knows she should choose Luke, but bad-boy Todd really zings her strings. Todd offers to front the money for Bailey to open a tea shop in an old Victorian he just purchased. While working together, a friendship begins to bud and blossom between Bailey and Todd that seems to be so much more in Cecily's eyes. Can Cecily decide which man is the right one before it's too late? Or will Bailey steal Todd from her sister?

What a delightful story! This is my first visit to Icicle Falls, but I'm sure I will visit more often. THE TEA SHOP ON LAVENDER LANE is number five in this series by Sheila Roberts. The characters are fascinating. There couldn't be more of a contrast between Luke and Todd, yet each is a strong, dynamic character. The town sounds charming, and Ms. Roberts makes you want to pack your bags and take a trip to the Northwest. The storyline moves along at just the right pace and keeps you completely engaged. Small-town gossip helps to develop the plot, as does the sage wisdom of Muriel Sterling, as Bailey reads her mother's book. The end of this book includes notes to the reader on serving tea and some wonderful recipes mentioned in the story.

Book Summary

When it comes to men, sisters don't share!

After a fake food poisoning incident in L.A., Bailey Sterling's dreams of becoming a caterer to the stars collapse faster than a soufflé. Now Bailey's face is in all the gossip rags and her business is in ruins. But the Sterling women close ranks and bring her back to Icicle Falls, where she'll stay with her sister Cecily.

All goes well between the sisters until Bailey comes up with a new business idea—a tea shop on a charming street called Lavender Lane. She's going into partnership with Todd Black, who—it turns out—is the man Cecily's started dating. It looks to Cecily as if there's more than tea brewing in that cute little shop. And she's not pleased.

Wait! Isn't Cecily seeing Luke Goodman? He's a widower with an adorable little girl, and yes, Cecily does care about him. But Todd's the one who sends her zing-o-meter off the charts. So now what? Should you have to choose between your sister and the man you love (or think you love)?