Larchdown Valley Series by Jem Wendel

Can love be found in a derelict garden in this small town romance?Jackson’s plan had been a simple one—fill the van with fuel and drive until it ran dry, then start his life all over again. He was running away—from his ex-wife, his ex-boss, his ex-life. He was excited for a fresh start opening a plant nursery with no one to bother him. But when his van breaks down, he is forced to stay in Larchdown and the longer he stays in the strange village, the more it gets under his skin... moreCan love be found in a derelict garden in this small town romance?Jackson’s plan had been a simple one—fill the van with fuel and drive until it ran dry, then start his life all over again. He was running away—from his ex-wife, his ex-boss, his ex-life. He was excited for a fresh start opening a plant nursery with no one to bother him. But when his van breaks down, he is forced to stay in Larchdown and the longer he stays in the strange village, the more it gets under his skin. When he meets the beautiful but troubled new owner of Larchdown House, his life gets a lot more complicated.Luca’s art career is on the rocks after a spiteful review from his art critic ex-lover. Amid the scandal, he can’t bring himself to leave his apartment or even think about picking a paintbrush. Inheriting his great aunt’s home in the country gives him the chance to escape London and his dismal new life for a while. When he meets a gorgeous gardener on the property, he finds he has a reason to stay. Except the guy is straight . . . isn’t he?Both men must confront their own demons if they want to find their way to each other and learn to trust again.But no one can run from their past forever and when it finally pays a visit, have they done enough to conquer it?Content Warnings: Depression, anxiety and panic attacks. Homophobic slurs. Mention of - Historical violence, childhood sexual abuse and self-harm. Death and suicide of parents. less

ColeI like my life the way it is—my job, having my family close, my animals—and contrary to what my brother thinks, I don’t need to find love. I’ve never needed to find someone before, so I don’t know why he thinks I’m missing out now. But when he brings Johan to help out at the family farm, I discover I just might have some things in common with the Swedish man... moreColeI like my life the way it is—my job, having my family close, my animals—and contrary to what my brother thinks, I don’t need to find love. I’ve never needed to find someone before, so I don’t know why he thinks I’m missing out now. But when he brings Johan to help out at the family farm, I discover I just might have some things in common with the Swedish man. This realisation causes me to wonder if my brother was right after all as Johan quickly becomes the first person to ever make me want . . . more.JohanGoing to England was my chance to bury memories of my cheating ex while following one simple rule: no dating. Despite my best efforts, that rule goes out the window the second I lay eyes on Cole, the gorgeous, smart-as-hell vet of Larchdown Valley. My time in the charming town is limited, so there’s no way I can start anything with anyone, let alone someone who shows no interest in me or anyone else for that matter.Though when we start working together to nurse a dog back to health, I realise it’s too late—I’m falling more for him each day, yet time is running out before I have to return to Sweden. Will I only get my heart broken again? Or will Cole find he does want to share his life with someone, and that someone could be me? less

Thirty years can make strangers of the best of friendsDuncan:Twenty years ago, the pain of having my ex-wife take my kids away from me was so overwhelming that I had to flee to the other side of the planet just so I could breathe.When I find out that my youngest son is getting married, I know it’s time to mend some fences, reopen old wounds, and get my family back. What I didn’t expect was to run into my former best friend, and I certainly wasn’t prepared for the hatred he so clearly has for me... moreThirty years can make strangers of the best of friendsDuncan:Twenty years ago, the pain of having my ex-wife take my kids away from me was so overwhelming that I had to flee to the other side of the planet just so I could breathe.When I find out that my youngest son is getting married, I know it’s time to mend some fences, reopen old wounds, and get my family back. What I didn’t expect was to run into my former best friend, and I certainly wasn’t prepared for the hatred he so clearly has for me. I’d hoped we could rebuild our friendship, but it feels like we take one step forward and two steps back with every conversation we have. I know he feels something for me, so why is he still pushing me away?Harlan:Love and hate are extreme emotions. I’ve experienced both in my life… for the same person. Feelings that he didn’t know I had. I had to carve a cage around my heart just so I could breathe.When I see my former best friend at his son’s wedding, I do the only thing I can, the only thing I’ve ever been good at, and run to the solitude of my fortress in the woods; the cabin and workshop I built from the ground up. What I didn’t expect was for him to chase me, and I certainly didn’t expect to still feel this deep, pure love for him. So why, when I should tell him how I feel, do I spew mean, cruel words at him instead? Why am I pushing him away when all I want is to pull him closer?TW: Depression, mention of suicide (historical) less