Maddie Townsend’s life is changing faster than she can keep up. Her husband of twenty years has cheated on her and left her. Now, Maddie’s kids are in turmoil as they all face life without Bill around and the reality that he’s gotten his new girlfriend pregnant. With the help of her amazing best friends, Helen and Dana Sue, Maddie stays grounded. In fact, she’s starting over with a new attitude and a new career. Maddie, Helen, and Dana Sue are opening a day spa, and there just might be a new man in Maddie’s life too. Cal Maddox really likes Maddie, but he’s her son’s baseball coach and Maddie’s divorce isn’t even final. Plus, in their sleepy town of Serenity, South Carolina, no one approves of their budding friendship. If they can sort thought the mess, Maddie and Cal may find that second chances can be even better than the first time around.

Stealing Home is a very engaging story filled with realism, romance, and tons of emotion. Maddie not only survives the heartache of a cheating spouse and the effect it has on her and her children, but she thrives. She’s incredibly strong. Cal is the perfect guy. He’s patient and compassionate and he fits perfectly with Maddie and her children.  Sherryl Woods starts off the Sweet Magnolias series with a bang. She not only made me fall in love with Maddie, her children, and sexy Cal, but she had me actually feeling a teeny bit bad for Maddie’s cheating ex and his mistress at the end. I was happy to see Bill get what he deserved by seeing Maddie get what she deserved, but I had a tiny shred of sympathy for him when it ended. Stealing Home is a wonderful romance. I’m looking forward to reading Helen and Dana Sue’s stories next.