Stephanie

Orchard Valley #2

by Debbie Macomber

Stephanie Bloomfield joins her sisters, Valerie and Norah, at their childhood home in Orchard Valley, Oregon, when her father has a heart attack. Steffie hasn't been home for three years, and by the time she arrives, her father has begun to recover. Steffie fled Orchard Valley when the love of her life, Charles Tomaselli, rejected her. She may be a grown woman now, but she's in no hurry to run into Charles again. But Steffie and Charles are thrown together, and in no time at all begin reliving past battles--and renewing old feelings. This time, will he be the reason she stays?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Harlequin Romance, Hqn, Category Romance

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2006

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Mariam MJ]

She : stupid, dump, doormat, jackass, stupid, dump, doormat, jackass, doormat, doormat, doormat ...... × 100

He : asshole, asshole, asshole, asshole, asshole, asshole, asshole, asshole ..... × 100


I just want to throw up 🤮

[Melina]

Meh, it was ok. Very odd and awkward progression towards the end. Felt unnatural and just not at all realistic. I realize it's a romance novel and the men in them are likes paragons of perfection but this chick, her thought processes, and his, were very non-sequitur. Still, it was a quick enough and entertaining enough read. I'm just glad I got it at a consignment store versus new/full-process.

[Margo]

She spends years pining over a man who treated her cruelly for her own good. This author has been around forever, but hopefully she has given up that particular story by now.

[EeeJay]

Read like a typical 1980s teen romance (ala: Sweet Valley) - It only works if you're a tween.

[Sara Qualls]

These books are carved straight out of cream cheese. But sometimes you need a silly romance you can read in a day or two.

[Gerrie]

2.5 out of 5 stars

[Monica Gearhart]

I enjoyed the story but I think the ending was rushed.

[Connie N.]

#2 in the Orchard Valley Harlequin romance series

This book was much less enjoyable than the first in this trilogy. Steffie has just returned for a three-year stay in Italy. At 24, she feels herself much more mature than when she left, and she wants Charles (her former obsession) to know it. Unfortunately, she begins with an impulsive accusation against him based on incomplete information, and things really don't get too much better after that. She continued to be childish, in my opinion, responding sarcastically and refusing to have an open discussion about the past. I agree that her father was being totally intrusive and should not have gotten a pass because of his medical condition, so I'm sure that added to her internal stress. The HEA occurred, but I was totally confused by Charles' explanation about why he was keeping her at arm's length. Lame. The ending was a bit abrupt, seeming as though Macomber had a certain number of pages she needed to adhere to. I will, however, finish the trilogy because I like the premise and look forward to hearing Norah's story since she seems like the most mature of the bunch despite her youth.

[Valerie Irwin]

2 Down...One To Go

This story picks up where the first story in this series, Valerie, left off...and oh what a story it is!!!!!

She has loved Charles for so very long, had done everything she could to get him to notice her...and notice her he had!!!! Then he shamed her for her childish displays of a crush that sent her running...not to another city or state...but to a completely different country...Italy! Now, 3 years later, she returns to Orchard Valley after learning that her father has had a massive heart attack where she will have to face Charles once more and confront their past.

This series is wonderful!!!!!! Norah is the last of the 3 sisters in this series and, YES!!!!, I've already purchased that book to read as soon as I end this review!!! Happy reading!!!

[Carolyn Jenkins]

Father Knows Best

Stephanie left home when the man she loved didn't love her back. After three years she returned home to see her ailing father. He is determined she and her past love are meant to wed. The past must be settled before that can happen.

[Christie Moore]

Father Knows Best

Stephanie left home when the man she loved didn't love her back. After three years she returned home to see her ailing father. He is determined she and her past love are meant to wed. The past must be settled before that can happen

[Cathie McManus]

This is a story that could happen. I find David to be smug yet funny. Unfortunately, he could ruin Stephanie's life. He thought he was doing what was right. Stephanie and Charles really needed to talk and put the past behind them.

[Melody]

The first few chaptersnwedw an repeat of Valerie, these two books could have been written as one. Still a sweet story.

[ReadToBreathe]

It was just OK

[Esther]

A fun, quick read.

[Amira Khalifa]

الرواية أشبه بالأفلام الإنجليزية الكلاسيكية القديمة.

[Pattie Babbitt]

I gave this one a bonus star for having such an awesome title!

[Kathy Spann]

#2 of Orchard Valley

[Lis Sigona]

Stephanie the middle sister of three. A father’s wish and a dream he experiences during his surgery to have his daughters live happy lives.

[Abby]

Loved this book, but once I got to the end I wanted more to read.

[Triin Soom]

Mees, kes arvab endast oi kui palju. Naine, kes on madalam kui muru. Naise isa on ausalt öeldes täiesti peast soe ja ei saa aru, mida suust välja ajab. Ühesõnaga lugemine omal vastutusel. :D

[Isabella Caugh]

predictable

Not one of my favorite Debbie Macomber books. It was sweet, but bit over the top, similar to Valerie. I’m certainly Norah would be much the same.

[Gina]

I liked these characters better and the (unrealistic) insta-love of the first book wasn't here so much because at least these two had a history... But then their history was so frustrating and so much left unsaid for stupid reasons, etc., etc. And the amount of detail covered from the first book, which I've just read and is fresh in my mind so I really didn't need a recap, let alone half the story rewritten, was quite frustrating...

Also, the conversations, especially between the 3 sisters, but also between the couple themselves, seemed quite unrealistic as well. But maybe that's just me being jaded about how "healthy" families talk to each other, lol.

These books are not doing much for me, but I feel invested now having read 2 of the series so far. Hopefully Norah's story is a redeemer. At least they're fairly short!

[Donna Cody]

Dream a little dream


When David first told of his "near death experience" I thought this would be amusing. I never realized the problems that this caused. I did not find any humor in this situation and don't expect the final book in this trilogy "Norah" will just be another story about difficulties. Disappointing.

[Janice Smith]

Stephanie

Another wonderful read in the Orchard Valley series. The second sister determines that three years in Italy hasn't changed how she feels about Charles. Her future with him is actually happening. A dream come true.

[Lori]

Second half of Orchard Valley Weddings. Light and quick read.

[Silje]

Norwegian version read.

[Chele]

**The audio version of this book is found here:

[Lyn Attreed]

Unbelievable.

[Leanne Johnson]

great read