Children’s book illustrator Garet Allen has just escaped her most recent ill-fated relationship and accepts a temporary teaching position at a rural public school. After all, how hard can teaching kids about art really be? Apparently, pretty hard because her first day on the job is a complete disaster, and that has nothing at all to do with the fact that Tess Hill, the captivating and overly conscientious music teacher, shares the same classroom.

Tess, a dedicated teacher and single mother focused on creating a stable life for her daughter, is immediately attracted to the handsome, cavalier Garet for all the wrong reasons. Everything about Garet says short-term, and Tess refuses to consider anything less than forever. She’s not about to give her heart away to someone she can’t count on.

Can Garet and Tess survive three months sharing the same classroom without killing each other…or falling in love?

Release Date: January 2021
Available: Bold Strokes Books, Bookshop, Amazon

Reviews for The Mandolin Lunch

“A very sweet and gentle book. This is one of those books that is perfect for a winter day on the couch with a nice mug of hot cocoa.” — Meike Zande van der

“…I simply adored this story and the three main characters, Garet, Tess, and Tess’ daughter June who is six…I savored the simplicity of life in this book….” — Michele R

“I very much enjoyed this book from beginning to end! … I absolutely loved the daughter and her relationship with Garet. Thank you for this one! Totally recommend!” — Lena Mitterhuber