Teddy (Theodora) Wainsworth checks on her mother’s candy store (which she now owns and runs) and her home on Bird Isle in Texas after what locals call the ‘storm of the century.’ Teddy’s store is completely gone, leaving only the cement pad, and her house is damaged, livable but needing a lot of renovation. In Love is for the Birds by Diane Owens Prettyman, Teddy meets Jack Shaughness, a restaurant owner who arrives in Bird Isle to help feed those in need. He owns five barbecue restaurants and is on Bird Isle to provide barbecue for those working to rebuild their homes and lives. Teddy and Jack are attracted to each other right away. Of course, there are complications. Teddy has a boyfriend in Houston and Jack’s wife died only five years ago, and he is finding it difficult to move on.

Love is for the Birds by Diane Owens Prettyman is a charming, heartfelt story of longing, attraction, and love. The author knows how to tell a love story. She pulls every heartstring with the developing relationship between the two characters. I love the description of Jack when he is first introduced: a classic Texan look and charismatic demeanor. Jack’s style and personality seem the opposite of Teddy’s. She is determined to create her own life, not be what someone else wants her to be. The plot pacing works as the romance slowly builds. There are a few bumps along the way, but in the end, it is an enjoyable romantic story.

Love is for the Birds by Diane Owens Prettyman introduces Teddy who is a candy store owner grieving her mother’s death while dealing with the catastrophic aftermath of a hurricane in Bird Isle, Texas. Teddy has recently returned to the coastal town only to discover that her mother’s candy shop has been destroyed by the hurricane. She meets Jack, the owner of a barbecue restaurant from Fort Worth. Both Jack and Teddy are carrying painful emotional scars. Jack is grieving his late wife, Angela, while Teddy feels guilty for encouraging her mother to visit Houston. During the trip, Teddy’s mother was involved in a tragic accident. Other subplots are equally enthralling, including a story about a family that reunites and another that involves Pickles, a dog whom Jack and Teddy rescue and who becomes a source of comfort for Teddy during the rebuilding process.

Readers will love the town’s tight-knit community and their inspiring resilience as they clean up and rebuild their town. Teddy and Jack’s romance story follows a realistic pace. They face several obstacles and bond as they work side by side to help rebuild their community. The story features a colorful cast of characters including Walt, a laid-back surfer, Dot, a restaurant owner, and Barb, a wildlife biologist. It includes a deep exploration of grief. Teddy learns to overcome her sorrow, and Jack slowly lets go of his grief over losing his wife. Teddy’s growth is inspiring as she decides to let go of her past and build a new life. I found the vivid scenes of coastal wildlife captivating and loved the story’s beautiful and hopeful ending. Love is for the Birds by Diane Owens Prettyman is a heartwarming romance novel that explores themes of grief, emotional healing, and finding love again. Highly recommended.