An unusual dream of ice-skating confuses Rita. Even though she is near six feet tall and wears a size 11 shoe, this sport has always been her love and something she has always been good at it. Receiving a call that Donna, her mother, has had a stroke, everything else is set aside as she heads home and to the hospital. She is surprised, though, that it isn't her father Richard or brother Ricky that greet her as her ride, but Johnny Hollister, an old school classmate. Her ride sports the lettering "Jolly Janitors", where Johnny works.

Donna operates Hair and Now, a salon in a Chicago mall. Things have been going downhill and business is nearly extinct. With the father working fewer hours and making less money, the salon was subsidizing their income. Rita is asked to look after the salon in her mother's absence during the vacation time she has taken. Not only does Rita take on the task of rejuvenating her mother's salon with a totally new retro look, but is plagued with feelings for Johnny at the same time. She has her trials to overcome with the help of her old friend Marley while dealing with Zinnia, a previous employee of her mom's. Zinnia now owns her own fancy salon upstairs at the same mall, and has taken many of Hair and Now's clients. Her love of skating is revived as well as her interest in Johnny. When Rita finally feels she has "come home", considerations must be made for her future happiness.

LOVE GENTLY FALLING is the first I have had the pleasure of reading from Melody Carlson but found the story to be filled with emotion, warmth, dreams and genuine caring characters. This delightful tale was fulfilling and lovely to read as well as sweet and inspiring. LOVE GENTLY FALLING is a quick read that is sure to steal your interest throughout. This is a refreshing and very appropriate read for a young reader that will be completely satisfying.

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