Chasing the Clouds Away - by Debbie Macomber (Hardcover)

Chase Furst is on his way to Seattle to make arrangements for his mother. He is a very busy bank executive and finds the entire situation a waste of time since he hardly knew his mom, who left when he was a little boy. Normally, he would take the corporate jet, but it was unavailable, and even though he would be sitting in first class, the plane was delayed. He goes to pay for a newspaper at the stand and is annoyed because this woman is having a ten-minute conversation with the cashier, and all he wants to do is pay, sit down, and wait for the departure. Maisy Gallagher is returning home to Seattle and was just paged, told she will be sitting in first class, as her seat has been changed. She is so excited as she has never flown first class before. On the flight, which puts Maisy at the window and Chase at the aisle, she can tell he is upset. She finally gets him to open up, and he says his mother has passed away and he is flying to Seattle to make funeral arrangements. Chase is used to having things go his way, and when the car he ordered left because the flight was delayed, Maisy offers to drive him to the funeral parlor to make arrangements. They could not be more different. He is very wealthy, and she and her family are struggling to get by since her father's death. She offers to wait with him and then drive him back to the airport, but he refuses and wants to pay her. She refuses and says, "Pay it forward." I loved this book and read it within 24 hours; it was one of her best. Great to give as a gift to a friend or for Mother's Day.

Nothing is more comforting than a Debbie Macomber book, and this one truly exceeded that for me. I first fell in love with the grumpy-sunshine dynamic right from the start, and I couldn’t help but chuckle as Maisey’s free spirit refused to take a back seat to Chase’s rejection and rude behavior. But oh my! When Chase is met with a challenge that makes him really stop and think about what someone like Maisey would do, his whole world begins to shift. And I loved every moment of his journey. This is pure joy and happiness wrapped in a gentle reminder for everyone. I confess, I sometimes get caught up in my own needs and forget about those around me, and this is a heartfelt nudge to do better. Thank you, Ms. Macomber, for bringing to life characters who inspire me to kindness and remind me to pay it forward.

This is a meet cute, opposites attract charming romance with characters that beg to be loved. Chase Furst is a bank executive, too important for his own good and on a path to certain success when circumstances put him into the path of Maisy Gallagher, a woman with a positive attitude that annoys him. Chase enjoys pursuing success but his life is not fulfilling so he ends up seeking out a friendship with happy-go-lucky and spirited Maisy. These two are the epitome of opposites, and as Maisy’s unselfish generosity and kind-heartedness begin to soften grump Chase’s heart, he is not ready for the changes that take place. This is an entertaining and delightful book to read, well crafted and with a charming plot. The characters are easy to cheer for, even the secondary ones, and this warmhearted romance was a slam dunk and refreshingly satisfying love story. The accidental meeting of Maisy and Chase is a predestined love story, but the emotional depth of the story and the characters kept me reading and engaged from beginning to end. I voluntarily received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley. I was also blessed to receive a hard copy from a Goodreads Giveaway. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

After a heated exchange at an airport checkout, Chase and Maisy found themselves seated next to each other on the plane. Maisy even offered to drive him to his destination, with the condition that Chase pay it foward. Struggling with a dead-end relationship with Astrid, Chase’s thoughts kept drifting back to Maisy. Faced with a dilemma, he must decide whether to prioritize the family’s reputation or follow his heart. Sometimes, you crave a book that’s heartwarming, entertaining, and enjoyable. This book delivers on all fronts. Debbie Macomber’s captivating storytelling delves into themes of marriage, love, resilience, and friendships. Her characters are relatable and imbued with humor, making her books a favorite of mine. They’re always an automatic purchase for me, as I can always count on an uplifting and meaningful narrative that leaves me satisfied. This is a wonderful book to add to your summer reading list!