Detour to Love by Erica Sams introduces readers to Anna Diaz, a driven and accomplished pastry chef caught in a sudden storm that reroutes her planned getaway to a relaxing spa, leading her instead back to her quaint hometown of Cedarwood Spring. Sams creates a charming scenario where Anna’s sophisticated city life clashes with the simplicity and nostalgia of her past, brought to life through an unexpected detour. The narrative begins with Anna's frustration as a roadblock forces her to revisit Cedarwood Spring, a place she hasn't seen in over a decade. Sams skillfully uses the storm as a metaphor for Anna's internal turmoil and reluctance to confront her past. As Anna navigates the town, she encounters figures from her childhood, including Jake Petersen, a friend whose presence rekindles old memories and feelings.

Erica Sams weaves a tapestry of small-town charm with the complexities of returning home after a long absence. The detailed setting of Cedarwood Spring, with its cozy spots and storied past, provides the backdrop for Anna's journey of self-discovery. The dynamic between Anna and Jake evolves from reacquaintance to a deeper, reflective interaction that explores themes of belonging and identity. Detour to Love is a story about self-acceptance and the courage to embrace one's roots while forging a new path. Sams balances the lighthearted elements of romance with moments of introspection, making this book a delightful read for anyone who enjoys stories about personal growth and second chances. With well-crafted characters and an engaging plot, it is a commendable addition to the clean and wholesome romance genre.

Detour to Love, the first novel in the Cedarwood Spring Clean Romance Series by Erica Sams, is a heartwarming romance. This is the story of a budding romance between Anna, a successful pastry chef, and Jake, the owner of an inn in Cedarwood Spring. When a storm forces Anna to take a detour to her old hometown of Cedarwood Spring, she encounters her former crush. Jake invites Anna to stay a few days at his inn before returning to New York. During this stay, the attraction between them is electric. Before long the attraction leads to more but this leaves Anna with a dilemma she needs to solve. Should she stay in Cedarwood Spring and pursue the romance with Jake or should she return to New York and her successful life as a pastry chef?

Detour to Love elegantly explores the conflict between personal ambition and the need for emotional fulfillment. Anyone who has ever faced the crossroads of a career and feelings for a person will enjoy this novel immensely and will be able to relate to the characters. The theme of returning to your roots and making peace with the past is also explored. Erica Sams takes the reader on a journey through beautiful countryside in an engaging manner, which left me with the yearning to visit there. This is a delightful read, with sweet moments readers will enjoy throughout the narrative. The courage of the characters to follow their dreams was inspiring. Romance readers will enjoy this novel very much.

Detour to Love by Erica Sams is a heart-warming story set in the town of Cedarwood Spring, following Anna Diaz and Jake Petersen, two characters who share a special connection dating back to high school. The two find themselves at different crossroads in life when they reunite years later with Anna being a talented pastry chef who struggles with a hidden fear. Jake, on the other hand, is tied to his family’s historic inn and is determined to save it from financial ruin. He carries the weight of his family’s legacy and ends up sacrificing his desires and happiness in that pursuit. Can these two find happiness with each other, or will their respective challenges hold them back?

Detour to Love by Erica Sams starts when a chance meeting rekindles Anna and Jake's friendship and ignites the familiar chemistry they once shared. Sams's writing is almost poetic in the way that she describes the cozy town of Cedarwood Spring, which feels like the perfect backdrop for Anna and Jake's journey. Detour to Love is filled with sweet and heartfelt moments, making it the perfect read for anyone who loves second-chance romance and small-town settings. I enjoyed reading this almost slow-burn romance and seeing how the characters not only overcome their current struggles but also the issues of the past that held them back. I loved seeing these characters grow and fall in love, as it made every bit of this novel such an enjoyable experience. Overall, I highly recommend this book to any romance fan. It is so worth it!

Detour to Love by Erica Sams begins with Anna Diaz, a pastry chef and star of a reality TV show, who unexpectedly returns to her hometown, Cedarwood Spring. Caught in a storm, she stays at Jake Petersen’s family inn, reconnecting with him and his grandmother, Iris. As they work together on a wedding event, Anna helps bake the wedding cake, which leads to a complicated mix of emotions and unresolved feelings between her and Jake. After the wedding, Anna leaves abruptly, hurt by Jake downplaying her contribution. Back in New York, Anna addresses issues with her reality show, including conflicts with her manager and the show's logistics. Despite her career success, Anna feels conflicted about her professional life and lingering feelings for Jake. Meanwhile, Jake contemplates his regrets and not fully appreciating Anna when the past and future collide in Cedarwood Spring.

Detour to Love by Erica Sams is a really heartwarming and nicely packaged story with a bit of a twist to the traditional cozy romance about reconnecting with one’s past, rediscovering lost love, and just how darn difficult adult relationships can be. Sams does a great job of making Anna likable, and I love that she is a reality TV chef. She's built a life for herself, she's capable, and she's no damsel in distress. She just needs a better weatherman. Jake has a softness to him, and the pair are perfectly developed characters with shared history and grounding for what could have been and what might still be. Sams is a skilled writer and an adept storyteller, and the result is tight pacing, authentic dialogue, and a hometown setting that feels nostalgic but also contemporary. The chemistry between Anna and Jake is all there. Overall, this is a totally enjoyable, happy butterflies-in-the-stomach read. Recommended.