A Place Like You

Claudia Burgoa pens another amazing novel, and it is a brilliant start to her new series, the “Heartwood Lake Secret Billionaires”. Burgoa is the queen of crossover characters, which is a treat for those who are familiar with her books, as well as those new because they will leave you intrigued and wanting to know more about them. That said, we get cameo’s of Finnegan Gill, who, with his partner Derek Farrow, specializes in security and protection and he turned the small town of Heartwood Lake into a safe place for those in witness protection. Some residents are aware and work with them, including Wren Lynch, a single mom of an adorable five-year-old son, Milo, and a doctor who runs the town’s clinic. Wren has her own reason for coming to Heartwood Lake, but she now calls it home. Drake Kershaw, formerly known as Drake Thorndale and his half brothers and sisters, as well as his stepmoms, were all brought to Heartwood Lake because of the danger their father brought to their door. Drake is the outcast of the family, his father did not help matters either, but he became a successful surgeon and being thrown back with all his half-siblings and step-moms is not ideal for him and he asks Finnegan to get him a real job. Finnegan asks Wren to have him work in the clinic, but she was hesitant, thinking his stay in town is temporary stay and she does not want to get attached. When overwhelmed with incoming patients, she calls him in and he is in his element. It was great to watch these two get to know each other, there is undeniable chemistry between them, but it takes Wren a while before she lets the walls around her heart down to let him in. I loved the complexity of the characters and it was also great to learn more about their backstories and what brought them to Heartwood Lake. This first book of the series lays down the foundation of what is going to come and I am looking forward to learn more about the rest of the Kershaw’s and some of the townsfolk, who were great secondary characters. As always, Burgoa’s writing, plot and world building is fantastic, as are the character growth and development. This wonderful small town romance has the perfect balance of drama, charming humor, heartfelt emotions and romance. Claudia Burgoa, thank you for another amazing story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧  Grace Grant and Patrick Zeller were the perfect cast to bring these characters to life and did so with a complete understanding of who they were portraying. I loved how they took each role and made it their own, grasping every aspect of their character’s personality, sounding believable and just as I imagined they would sound. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and had you feeling them all. These two are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another fabulous listen.

I enjoyed reading the story of Drake and Wren
Looking forward to rest of series hopefully to find the secret the Kershaw family is hiding

I absolutely loved A Place Like You by Claudia Burgoa; a love at first sight love story. It is the first book in her new Heartwood Lake Secret Billionaires series. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. Claudia Burgoa continues to show that she is an amazing storyteller, and one of my favorite authors to read. It was impossible to put A Place Like You down and I loved every moment on every page. Who does not love hot sexy men, strong females, loving families, and friends, who always support one another? I love how Claudia Burgoa always manages to create the "perfect" heroine, who is a strong, sassy woman on her own, to balance out the sexy, swoon worthy man. My favorite part is how Claudia Burgoa incorporated the title of the book into their love story with a simple statement from Drake. I really enjoy how the book is told in the first person from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting the insight and feelings from the different characters. A Place Like You is filled with heartwarming moments. A Place Like You is filled with all those things that I have come to love and expect in a Claudia Burgoa love story, and I was not disappointed, especially with the poignant moments that filled this page turner. A Place Like You is the story of Drake (Thorndale) Kershaw, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon and Wren Lynch, small town family doctor, and single mother to five-year-old Milo. Drake and his siblings recently discovered that their father had married into the DiGiacomo family, the Italian mafia and was found dead in his office. After someone broke into his brother, Callahan’s home and attempted to kill him and his best friend, Lake, then setting fire to the family’s vacation home in Vermont. The entire Thorndale family ends up in Heartwood Lake, Colorado as part of Endor Concealment’s private WITSEC program, using Kershaw as their last name. The family will need to stay there until they determine who is behind the recent events. Finn believes that it could be years. I love that Finnegan Gil and Derek Farrow run the program. Wren and Drake met at the local coffee shop. Later, Finn takes Drake to Wren’s home hoping that she will allow Drake to help out in her practice. Wren wants answers that neither Finn nor Drake is willing to answer. Wren reaches out to Drake for assistance when the victims of an accident on the highway are taken to her clinic since it has the closest functioning triage. Things slowly change between them as they spend time together and he delivers meals to Wren and Milo. I love Milo’s relationship with Drake, and how Milo asks Drake if he wants to be his dad when he catches Wren and Drake kissing. I love the conversations between Wren and Drake, and how they each share secrets with one another that they have not shared before. I love the heart-to-heart conversation between them when Drake reveals to Wren his real last name. I love Wren's friendships with Jezebel, Regina, and Sutton and how they always have her back. I love all the changes that Drake is willing to make in his life to stay in Heartwood Lake and have a life with Wren. Another favorite part of the love story is Drake's proposal and Milo's reaction to it. I loved all the characters in A Place Like You, and I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. Who does not love family and friends that always have each other’s backs? I enjoyed all the interactions between the Kershaw siblings, it feels like real family love and makes me laugh at their teasing. I thoroughly enjoyed A Place Like You, who does not love a love at first sight love story. Highly recommend this incredible love story and am so looking forward to reading the other books in the series. I received an advanced copy from the author.