Stillness, Service, & Something More
(2026)(The fifth book in the Maplewood Rom-Com Universe series)
A novel by Lynn Nodima
Some love stories begin with a spark.
This one begins with stillness.
Eleanor Duncan has built a quiet life in Maplewood. She runs her bookstore with care, values routine over excitement, and has no interest in becoming the center of anyone else's story. Her life is steady, intentional, and complete.Then Patrick Calder arrives.
A former military commander carrying nothing but a few boxes, old memories, and a postcard that led him to Maplewood, Patrick isn’t looking to be rescued or reinvented. He simply wants a place where life can be honest, quiet, and true.
What begins as a shared appreciation for silence slowly becomes something deeper.
A walk by the creek.
A conversation that doesn’t need to fill every pause.
Two people discovering that trust can grow without drama, and that affection doesn’t have to be loud to change a life.
Of course, there’s one complication.
Maplewood has absolutely no idea how to mind its own business.
As neighbors offer unwanted encouragement, friends jump to delightful conclusions, and the entire town watches with barely contained excitement, Eleanor and Patrick must find a way to protect the quiet connection they’re building—without letting everyone else write the ending for them.
Stillness, Service, & Something More is a heartwarming clean romance about mature love, emotional safety, gentle humor, and the courage to choose connection without losing yourself.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
- Small-town romance
Mature characters
Slow-burn relationships
Clean and wholesome love stories
Cozy bookstores
Hallmark-style charm
Low-conflict, emotionally satisfying romance
Genre: Romance