But sometimes the heart has plans of its own.
Max McAllister gave up on love the day his marriage ended. He’s got enough to handle—repairing his relationship with his daughter, rebuilding his workshop, and figuring out who he is now that the house is finally quiet.
Carissa Owens has spent the last five years slowly stitching her life back together after losing her husband. Her wedding business is thriving, her independence is intact, and love… well, that’s a chapter she thought was closed.
Then Max’s daughter hires Carissa to plan her wedding.
And Max insists on being involved in every detail.
What begins with eye-rolls and second guesses slowly becomes something more—until a well-meaning surprise threatens to undo it all. With trust shaken and old wounds reopened, Max and Carissa have to decide: is it too late to start over… or could the love of their lives be the one that came after?
Poignant, witty, and full of heart, When Doves Lament is a celebration of second acts, stubborn hearts, and love that shows up when you least expect it.
Katie Eagan Schenck writes sweet romance and women’s fiction that warms the heart and gives all the feels. She has an MFA in creative writing from Queens University of Charlotte and her debut novel, A Home for Christmas, was released in October of 2022. When she's not writing she's either drafting regulations for the federal government, baking delicious treats, or binging Hallmark movies.