The best families aren't always planned—they're chosen.
Love Comes in Small Packages brings together two heartwarming romance novellas from Lori Foster and Maisey Yates, filled with found family, rescue animals, and unexpected love.
Title: Love Comes in Small Packages
Authors: Lori Foster & Maisey Yates
Includes: That Special Someone by Lori Foster and The Rancher’s Unexpected Family by Maisey Yates
Published: March 1, 2026
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Romance Novellas
My Rating: ★★★★☆
My Favorite Novella: The Rancher’s Unexpected Family by Maisey Yates
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Book Description
A heartwarming duo of tales about unexpected love and family, from the bonds of sisterhood to the magic of friends to lovers, and the joys of infants and fur babies, plus all the surprises romance has to offer, even amid life’s missteps . . .
A portion of proceeds from this book support AAF, Animal Adoption Foundation, a no-kill animal shelter.
aafpets.org
THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE * LORI FOSTER
Compared to her smart, responsible twin, Laylee has always been labeled the party girl sister. Now she’s really screwed up by finding herself possibly accidentally pregnant, and definitely not in love. With her sister away on her honeymoon, Laylee’s only confidant is her guy friend Knox. There’s mutual attraction there, yet they’ve been tiptoeing around it. But telling Knox everything may change . . . well, everything. Especially amid a comedy of pregnancy test errors, a robbery, a cat rescue mission—and the realization that Knox sees her as so much more than a pretty face . . . .
THE RANCHER’S UNEXPECTED FAMILY * MAISEY YATES
Ellie Parks helplessly watched her beloved sister, Melanie, spiral into addiction in high school, thanks to her toxic relationship with Ty Porter. Ellie, now a teacher, hasn’t seen Melanie in over a year when she gets a call from Child Protective Services that Melanie has a baby—and she’s surrendered her parental rights. Ellie races to the hospital, but someone’s beat her to it: rodeo champion Clark Porter, the baby’s uncle. Clark’s a good man and he’ll be damned if his niece grows up without him. Until they find a custody solution, Ellie will just have to move into his ranch house. Temporarily. Obviously. Except that they’re attracted to each other. Risking the unconventional family they’re creating is the last thing they need. Then again, if what they feel is deeper than attraction, it may be what they need most . . .
My Review
Love Comes in Small Packages is exactly what the title promises: two shorter romances wrapped in warmth, humor, heart, and the kind of unexpected family moments that make contemporary romance feel comforting. This collection includes one novella from Lori Foster and one from Maisey Yates, and while I enjoyed both, Maisey Yates’s story was the one that pulled me in the most emotionally.
I also loved knowing that a portion of the proceeds supports the Animal Adoption Foundation. A romance collection with fur babies, found family, and a charitable tie-in already had my attention before I even turned the first page.
♡
That Special Someone by Lori Foster
Lori Foster’s novella brings readers back into the world of Laylee and Knox, with familiar faces, loyal friendships, and plenty of pet-filled chaos. Laylee has spent much of her life being seen as the less serious twin—the fun one, the pretty one, the one who doesn't quite have everything together. Knox, however, sees something deeper in her, and that is what makes their romance so sweet.
Readers who have read The Two of Us will enjoy returning to this circle of friends. Laylee and Knox first appeared in Lori Foster's novella The Odd Couple, where Skye Fairchild, Laylee's twin sister, and Ford Caruso found their happily-ever-after. In that story, Laylee and Knox were supporting characters, making That Special Someone feel like a natural continuation as they finally step into the spotlight themselves.
I also enjoyed seeing Maybelline and Tank again. Their appearances added extra charm and made this novella feel like a cozy reunion with characters readers may already know and love.
For readers following Lori Foster's Best Friends series, Love Comes in Small Packages continues the series after Marcus, Bray, and The Two of Us.
This story has a playful, almost comedy-of-errors feel. Between Laylee's panic, Knox trying to be her steady support, dog-sitting duties, and even a cat rescue, there is a lot packed into a short space. The warm friend-group atmosphere adds to the charm and reminds readers why this series is so enjoyable.
What I liked most was the way Knox gently helped Laylee see herself differently. He did not treat her like a mess to be fixed; he treated her like someone worth showing up for. Because this is a novella, the romance moves quickly, but it still captures a soft, reassuring friends-to-lovers feeling that made their journey satisfying.
✨ More Lori Foster Magic Awaits! ✨
Can't get enough of Lori Foster's heartwarming stories? Check out my other reviews!
The Lake House
The Guest Cottage
The Two of Us
✨ Because one Lori Foster book is never enough! ✨
Why I Liked It
I liked the humor, the animals, and the way Knox stood beside Laylee without judgment. It was light, warm, and sweet, with enough heart to make Laylee’s personal growth feel satisfying.
About Lori Foster
Lori Foster is a bestselling romance author known for writing contemporary romances filled with strong relationships, loyal friendships, humor, family, and plenty of heart. Her stories often include protective heroes, relatable heroines, and communities of characters readers enjoy revisiting.
♡
The Rancher’s Unexpected Family by Maisey Yates
Maisey Yates’s novella was my favorite of the two. The Rancher’s Unexpected Family has more emotional weight, and I connected with Ellie and Clark almost immediately. Their story begins with a life-changing call from Child Protective Services, and from that moment on, everything shifts.
Ellie and Clark are tied together by painful family history. Ellie has watched her sister struggle with addiction, while Clark has carried his own hurt connected to his brother. When a baby suddenly needs them both, they are forced into a situation neither expected but both are determined to handle with love and responsibility.
I loved the emotional depth in this one. Ellie and Clark are not just falling in love; they are trying to create stability out of heartbreak. The baby brings them together, but their connection feels rooted in shared history, sacrifice, and a quiet understanding of what it means to love people who have hurt you.
The forced-proximity setup worked beautifully here. Moving into Clark’s ranch house could have felt convenient, but instead it became the perfect backdrop for two guarded people to soften toward each other. Their romance felt tender, mature, and deeply satisfying.
✨ More Maisey Yates Magic Awaits! ✨
Loved Ellie and Clark's story? Discover more heartfelt romances from Maisey Yates.
Rustler Mountain
Cruel Summer
Happy After All
✨ Small-town charm and heartfelt romances—Maisey Yates always delivers. ✨
Why I Liked It
This story had the emotional pull I love in a romance. I cared about Ellie, Clark, and the baby. I liked that the romance grew out of compassion, responsibility, and trust. It was heartfelt without feeling overly heavy, and it gave me that “found family” feeling I always love.
About Maisey Yates
Maisey Yates is a bestselling romance author known for emotional contemporary romances, small-town settings, ranch stories, family drama, and characters who often have to face old wounds before finding love. Her books frequently blend passion, vulnerability, and heartfelt happily-ever-afters.
♡
Final Thoughts
Love Comes in Small Packages is a sweet and heartfelt collection for readers who enjoy shorter romances with family themes, animals, emotional healing, and unexpected love. Lori Foster’s story brings humor, friendship, and pet-filled charm, while Maisey Yates’s story adds a deeper emotional layer that made it my favorite of the two.
If you enjoy romance novellas, friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, found family, rescue animals, and stories where love arrives in messy but beautiful ways, this collection is worth adding to your list.
Perfect For Readers Who Like:
- Heartwarming romance novellas
- Friends-to-lovers romance
- Forced proximity
- Found family
- Ranch romance
- Rescue animals and fur babies
- Emotional but comforting love stories
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Disclosure: I received an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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