In a small coastal town where everyone knows your name, it's impossible to hide from the one person you never planned to fall for.
When unforeseen circumstances bring Val Foster back to the beach town she's visited and loved for years, she expects familiarity, comfort-and maybe a little healing. What she doesn't expect is a handsome real estate agent, a crazy home renovation, and falling in love with her best friend's brother. Jack Dixon doesn't know what to do with her. She's wild-a risk taker who knows she has nothing left to lose. He's careful and grounded in deep roots and family. She's looking for a place to call home, and realizing she might just have to create it. On Ocracoke Island, Val and Jack learn that foundations can be repaired, old homes can be brought back to life, and everyone is happier when the tables get crowded. Set against salty air, shared meals, and the intimacy of a town that feels like family, Crowded Tables is a heartfelt small-town romance about timing, chosen family, and the kind of love that grows slowly, honestly, and right where you least expect it. Perfect for readers who love coastal romance, emotional storytelling, and happily-ever-afters shaped by friendship, family, and the pull of home. OTHER BOOKS BY ANNALEE THOMASSONIn The MoonlightComing HomeThe EstateWellington ShoresLeeward LaneCrowded TablesRemember You Young