THE GIRL WHO CHASED THE MOON by Sarah Addison Allen, 2010.

Picked this off a shelf knowing it would be a light summer read. Having read Allen's first two novels, I figured this would be similar: small town filled with quirky, odd characters, old secrets, food, long lost love, and a hint of magical realism. The main story revolves around two characters: Emily Benedict, who comes to Mullaby, NC to stay with her grandfather Vance Shelby(known as the "Giant of Mullaby" because of his extreme height), and Julia Winterson, who returned home over a year before to run her dead father's restaurant for a while with intent to sell it and move back to Baltimore, leaving behind all her memories of the place. Emily, who arrives with many questions about her mother's life in Mullaby and why she left, has strange experiences (including ethereal lights glowing in the woods) that create more mysteries and attract a local boy, Win Coffey, who has big secret of his own. Julia, who bakes cakes every day because of hunky blond Sawyer Alexander, and tries to resist re-igniting a long ago relationship with him. In the end, secrets are revealed, relationships change, and everyone's on the way to happiness. It's clever and fun and a nice read, a good break from heavier reading. Allen has found her little niche with these books and she doesn't disappoint. Good choice for the beach or backyard or a porch swing.