This two romances have so many things in common. Woman falls head over heels with man suffering from PTSD. As the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that the woman has more than enough baggage of her own. Woman and man try to work through their issues in order to indulge their overwhelmingly love for each other.

This easy to read story follows Sam Casey, a librarian at a historic elementary school on Galveston Island in Texas. Though she doesn’t have a boyfriend, her life is satisfying

and full. She lives with her beloved mentor, Babette, she has a dedicated best friend, Alice, and she adores her job and her colleagues. But when she learns that her new principal is Duncan Carpenter, a man she had an unreciprocated crush on years ago in California, her well tended life threatens to implode. When the Duncan Carpenter who arrives is nothing like the man she used to know, Sam vows to learn his secret. With the help of the school community, Sam and Dylan get to know each other again and friendship soon leads to more. Everything about this book is warm, comforting and completely predictable. Not my usual type of read, I was glad to have the book equivalent of macaroni and cheese at this moment in history. This one doesn’t come out until July, but all of Katherine Center’s books have the same comfort read vibe.

Sometimes you just need a comforting, predictable binge watch that doesn’t require processing or thought. In this series, Mel, a nurse practitioner with plenty of tragic backstory, arrives in Virgin River from LA. She’s been hired to help the town doctor with his practice and really just wants to escape her old life and nagging sister. Her first instinct is that the two-bit town is not for her, but the pull of Jack, the handsome stranger who owns the town bar, keeps her there. Of course, Jack is a veteran with plenty of baggage of his own, and the two must figure out how to heal themselves before they can truly connect with each other. The chemistry between Mel ad Jack is undeniable, the side plot featuring Doc and his estranged wife, Mayor Hope, is compelling and the scenery of Virgin River is exquisite. Give this show a try if you would like a comforting, romantic escape.