The Nearness of You

Hooper's Crossing, New York, 1952. The post-war boom seems a million miles away . . . especially for a sheltered librarian who longs for the adventure and excitement of the big city.

New York City. The hustle and bustle. The people and the excitement. It's all Lily Denton dreams about. But ever since her mother died, her overprotective father won't ease up on her. So she spends her days working at the library and her nights hoping life doesn't pass her by . . . until the Fall Festival. As tourists fill the streets, the crisp autumn air sneaks in--as does the thrill of a far more dangerous kind.

Some men have a gift for avoiding trouble. Professional photographer Boone Tatum isn't one of them. In fact, that penchant for trouble is exactly what landed Boone in this small town in the middle of nowhere in the first place. Yet the moment he meets beautiful Lily Denton and snaps her photograph, everything changes. Suddenly leaving is the furthest thing from Boone's mind--or his heart.

But danger has slipped silently into this sleepy town, marking Lily as its own. And Lily and Boone's dream of a life together is thrown into peril--unless Lily finds the courage to stand up for herself and a man she only just met . . . and can't live without.

“"The undisputed queen of 20th century Americana romance... Garlock's realistic, heart wrenching romances have always touched readers who seek portraits of days gone by, but she doesn't gloss over the harsh truths, yet uplifts everyone in the end."-- RT Book Reviews on Sunday Kind of Love”

"A gentle tale of love lost and found...The charm is in the telling, with historical details and light touches to make the town of Sunset, Missouri, seem real, not idealized. A feel-good love story that comforts...Garlock excels at creating an experience her readers want, one that's still heartwarming..."
--Kirkus Reviews on Twice in a Lifetime
"A gifted writer."
--Chicago Sun Times
"Every Dorothy Garlock book is synonymous with a great read."
--- Janet Dailey, New York Times bestselling author
"Garlock's lovely, sweet novel is a testament to the last great generation."
-RT Book Reviews on Take Me Home
"Garlock's terrific story, set in mid-20th-century Missouri, pairs a lonely single mother with a flashy auto racer...Garlock keeps readers so wrapped up in Drake and Clara's romance that it's impossible to put the book down. There's just enough tension, from a few different fronts, to keep things interesting. Thoroughly credible characters and the aw-shucks charm of their small town make this a winner."--Publishers Weekly starred review on Twice in a Lifetime
"One of America's most endearing historical fiction authors."
--RT Book Reviews
"Realistic, poignant, and rich with Midwestern small-town flavor, this compelling story of a woman going after her dreams and the supportive, principled man who walks by her side brings the Fifties...to life as only this author can."--Library Journal on Sunday Kind of Love
"The latest from romance doyenne Garlock mixes light suspense with traditional romance for an entertaining effect."
--Booklist on Under a Texas Sky

"The latest of Dorothy Garlock's romances underscores why the author is a nearly permanent resident of the New York Times bestseller list. Garlock's mastery of momentum paired with captivating characters ensures a satisfying read."--Bookpage on Sunday Kind of Love
"The undisputed queen of 20th century Americana romance... Garlock's realistic, heart wrenching romances have always touched readers who seek portraits of days gone by, but she doesn't gloss over the harsh truths, yet uplifts everyone in the end."--RT Book Reviews on Sunday Kind of Love
"There is nothing better than Dorothy Garlock at her best."
--- Sandra Brown, New York Times bestselling author

Dorothy Garlock is the author of more than 50 novels that have sold 15 million+ combined copies and are published in 15 languages. She lives in Iowa.

Hooper's Crossing, New York, 1952. The post-war boom seems a million miles away . . . especially for a sheltered librarian who longs for the adventure and excitement of the big city. New York City. The hustle and bustle. The people and the excitement. It's all Lily Denton dreams about. But ever since her mother died, her overprotective father won't ease up on her. So she spends her days working at the library and her nights hoping life doesn't pass her by . . . until the Fall Festival. As tourists fill the streets, the crisp autumn air sneaks in--as does the thrill of a far more dangerous kind.Some men have a gift for avoiding trouble. Professional photographer Boone Tatum isn't one of them. In fact, that penchant for trouble is exactly what landed Boone in this small town in the middle of nowhere in the first place. Yet the moment he meets beautiful Lily Denton and snaps her photograph, everything changes. Suddenly leaving is the furthest thing from Boone's mind--or his heart.But danger has slipped silently into this sleepy town, marking Lily as its own. And Lily and Boone's dream of a life together is thrown into peril--unless Lily finds the courage to stand up for herself and a man she only just met . . . and can't live without.

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