Now and Then and Always by Melissa Tagg

About the Book
“It was just a house. Just a weathered old house in a hidden grove, shuttered and still . . . ”

Last year, after traumatic circumstances forced her from her job as a nanny, Mara Bristol finally found a place to belong—the winsome Everwood Bed & Breakfast at the edge of Maple Valley, Iowa. For months, she’s helped its owner, Lenora, maintain the ramshackle property despite their shortage of guests. But when Lenora fails to return from a month-long trip and the bank threatens foreclosure, Mara worries she’s once again alone . . . abandoned . . . about to lose the only true home she’s ever known.
Detective Marshall Hawkins is no closer to whole today than he was two years ago . . . the day his daughter died. Between his divorce, debilitating migraines, and a dependence on medication, his life is falling apart. And when a reckless decision on the job propels him into administrative leave, he has no other plan but to get in his truck and drive. A one-night stay at the Everwood was supposed to be just that. But there’s something about the old house—or maybe its intriguing caretaker—that pulls him in.

Together, Mara and Marshall set out to save the Everwood. But its secrets run deeper than they could’ve imagined. As they renovate the house and search for its missing owner, they’ll each confront the pain that brought them to the Everwood in the first place . . . and just maybe discover a faith and love to help them carry on.

My Thoughts
I feel like I’ve been waiting for this book for pretty much forever. I’ve built it up so high in my mind that you’d think the real thing wouldn’t even have a prayer of meeting my expectations. But guys, it not only met them, it exceeded them! Such an absolutely and wonderfully amazing book that I couldn’t love more if I tried!
Marshall is so broken as the story starts and my heart broke for him and I fell in love with him all at the same time. The loss he’d faced was unimaginable and I can’t even fathom thar kind of pain. Two years later and he was a shell of the man he once was. But even through his hurt he was still kind and he cared about people. I loved watching as his time in Maple Valley started to slowly heal him and lead him back to the ultimate Healer.
Mara hadn’t had an easy life either. Her father left when she was young, her mom basically checked out from then till her death, she had to deal with a stalker, and through it all was alone with no one to lean on and no place that felt like home. Until she stumbled onto the Everwood, Lenora, and a place to belong.
Marshall and Mara were wonderful together, a perfect team from the start. Their meet-cute was hilarious and I loved watching their relationship grow as the book went on. They both had a lot of healing to do and God used a quiet little bed & breakfast, each other, and the right words at the right times to draw them closer to him and to help them heal.

I honestly loved every second of this book from the lighthearted moments to the deep ones everything was beautifully crafted to create an amazing story! Maple Valley is my fictional home and I loved getting to come back again. I cannot wait for the next time!

Meet the Author
Melissa Tagg is the award-winning author of the popular Walker Family series, the Where Love Begins series and the Enchanted Christmas Collection. She’s a former reporter, current nonprofit grant writer and total Iowa girl.
Melissa's recent releases include a 2018 ACFW Carol Award Winner (One Enchanted Noel), an RT Book Reviews TOP PICK (All This Time) and a Publishers Weekly Spring Top Ten Pick (Like Never Before).

Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as workshops and women’s retreats. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever—not that she’s biased—watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. Melissa loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com and on Facebook and Instagram.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.