The Best Table in the House

by Kimberly Kirkland Absher from the April 13, 2026 issue

When Kyle's family invites him to brunch by the river, he has no idea that an old connection--and a little matchmaking--awaits!

Observations

Usually, a matchmaking story has a bit of humor and is lighthearted and fun. This story was a little different. This story was calm and quiet and had a sense of knowing things were meant to be this way, that the two people just had to be in the same place at the right time. I think the added words made it even more comforting.

I do have to say it feels like there were more connections between the grandmas than there were between Kyle and Chelsea.

Photo by Chic Bea via Flickr CC License

A Season for Second Chances

by Stacey Weeks from the March 30, 2026 issue

Eric thought his dating days were behind him--until an ordinary Wednesday night game turned into an extraordinary new start.

Observations

I'm not sure how long the extended word count has been in place, and I haven't counted the words in this story, but it felt longer and--dare I say it?--more complete. 

Now, that could be the story itself--how it's written and the pacing. But to me, it felt like we more fully experienced Eric and Emily's first meet and budding romance. I didn't feel like I just ate chicken nuggets instead of a plate of buttermilk fried chicken and all the fixins. Is it just me?

Photo by Rick Obst via Flickr CC license

A Stroke of St. Paddy's Luck

by Katie Fitzgerald from the March 16, 2026 issue

At Shamrock Hill's holiday parade, Grace epects an ordinary day--until a chance encounter makes her believe in lucky new beginnings.

Observations

I felt a little meh as I read, but the last part of the story brought me solidly into "I enjoyed it" territory. When Ian gets off the float to give her his last necklace and to ask her out, it's like a wee grand gesture. We're used to seeing grand gestures after someone messes up, so this is a nice little change from that expectation.

I also liked that last sentence:

Grace rubbed a shamrock charm between her fingers, realizing those four leaves on his cheek had been as much her good-luck charm as his.

I want to reiterate a point I make in my Basics class on how to write and sell romance fiction to Woman's World. Spend a little extra time crafting your ending. That is your last chance to impress the editor and make her feel all the feelz. It's like an event in gymnastics. If you don't nail the landing, you jeopardize everything that came before it. Conversely, a really great ending can give you extra points.

Photo by Mosman Library via Flickr CC License

A Cozy New Beginning

by P.S. Murray from the March 9, 2026 issue

When Roxie braves her first brutal cold snap in a new town, a cup of coffee and a stranger's kindness offer more warmth than she expected.

Observations

Sorry for the many weeks between critiques. I was laid up with a "fun" out-patient lithotripsy (kidney stone removal.) The lead up to that and the subsequent recovery added to my shoulder problems was a little overwhelming. But I'm back! Kidneys are in good shape. The shoulder...remains to be seen.

Anyway, let's get to the story. 

Well, I have lived in  Southern California all my life, but even I know that if I were to move somewhere with Real Winters, I would probably need new outerwear. I'd rather have seen the heroine have procrastinated on this rather than be ignorant of the problem. 

This bothers me when I watch movies or TV too--characters making poor choices. I gather this is a trope in horror movies, which may be part of the reason why I hate horror movies. But I see it in other types of movies too. It's especially annoying in situations where the characters create even more danger for themselves when they should know better. 

In this story, it's not a life or death situation but I would still prefer for the heroine to be a little more prepared when it comes to moving to a new town with an unfamiliar climate.

Photo by Geir Tonnessen via Flickr CC License