Homecoming Heartbreaker - Joss Wood (HD #2817 - Aug 2021)

Series: Moonlight Ridge (Book 1)

"You're the one who left, remember?"
How could he ever forget?
 
Celebrated entrepreneur Mack Holloway has come home to Moonlight Ridge to care for his foster dad and save his family's once-luxurious resort. But to accomplish either he must face his past -- the woman he left without a word, resort manager Molly Haskell. He's never admitted what drove him away, and he's not ready to confess now, even when working in close quarters ignites a fiery passion that burns away everything else. But Molly is keeping secrets of her own that could bring them to the brink…
 
Excellent second chance romance and start to the new series. Jameson Holloway, owner of the Moonlight Ridge resort, adopted three boys when they were young. Mack, Grey, and Travis were as close as brothers could be until a devastating accident split them apart. Mack blamed himself, and unable to face the guilt, left home, family, and girlfriend without a word of explanation. Mack and Molly were best friends from the time he was eight years old, their friendship turning to romance when they were teens. Molly was brokenhearted at his desertion.
 
Fifteen years later, all three sons rarely return to Moonlight Ridge, especially at the same time. But when they receive word that Jameson is ill and must give up his work for at least six months, they agree to return home to help. Each agrees to a two-month stint, with Mack taking the first shift. Mack's reluctance is immediately evident as he faces the memories of the accident and his poor treatment of Molly. Weary of the estrangement with his brothers, Mack vows to find a way to mend fences with them. He also knows that Molly deserves an explanation and an apology.
 
Molly has always been a part of Moonlight Ridge. Her father was the resort's CFO until he was caught embezzling money but died before he could be prosecuted. After the pain of losing Mack, Molly put herself through school and returned to work at Moonlight Ridge, eventually becoming the manager. Her selfish, manipulative, and lazy mother and two older brothers leech off Molly whenever they can, using a youthful mistake she made to blackmail her into cooperating. Molly thinks of Jameson as a father and will do anything for him, including work with Mack - but she doesn't have to like it.
 
The first meeting between Mack and Molly was as painful and awkward as each expected. Molly's hurt and anger over Mack's departure burns as hot now as it did fifteen years earlier. They both believe they are over each other, but the sparks that flare between them prove otherwise. As Mack and Molly work together to save the struggling resort, those sparks continue to grow. Though they can't resist giving in to the attraction, both are wary of the intensity. Mack prides himself on the tight control he keeps on his emotions, but that control falls apart when he's around Molly. At the same time, Molly resists her growing feelings for him, unwilling to trust that he won't walk away as he did before.
 
Complicating the growing feelings for each other, Mack and Molly must deal with running the resort. There are a few clashes between them when their leadership styles differ, but mostly they agree on what must be done. There are a couple of great scenes where Mack's protectiveness kicks in on the job, and it's easy to see that he's struggling with his feelings. When Molly's family starts in on her again, Mack manages to break through Molly's walls and get the whole story. I loved his support of her and his determination to help her break free. But when money turns up missing, Molly's past turns the spotlight on her. Mack makes a boneheaded move in his need for control, although his intentions are good. Understandably hurt and angry, Molly makes her displeasure known and walks away from Mack.
 
Though he realizes right away how badly he screwed up, a crisis with Jameson delays his chance to make things right. I loved the scene in his hospital room as Molly discovers her secret wasn't so secret after all. That revelation resulted in a satisfying confrontation between Molly and her family, with an added twist from Mack. Mack and Molly finally put their pasts behind them in an emotional reconciliation scene.
 
There are a few things that look like they continue through the series. First, the missing money and where it went remains unresolved. I look forward to seeing where that goes. Jameson, who drove multiple nurses away during the first part of his recovery, now has his former housekeeper riding herd on him. Jameson and Giada's interactions are a hoot, especially when it comes to his cigars. Last is the estrangement between the three brothers. There was some progress between Mack and Grey by the end of the book, but it seems that Travis is still holding out. I can't wait to see how things work out with them.

The Beach House - Rochelle Alers (Dafina - June 2021)

Series: The Book Club (Book 2)

It's been almost a year since Leah Berkley Kent left her lavish Richmond home to spend two months on Coates Island, North Carolina. There she found friendship with two extraordinary women, Kayana and Cherie. Together they formed a summer book club, meeting weekly at the Seaside Café. Leah also found the courage to finally stand up to Alan, her domineering husband of twenty-eight years.
 
With her twin sons now grown, Leah decides to return to Coates Island again this summer. Alan's explosive reaction only convinces her that her marriage, and her old life, may be ending. But what comes next? Helping out at the Seaside Café, Leah grows closer to Kayana's widowed brother, Derrick. He knows what it's like to start over--he traded a Wall Street career for a beachfront house and a slower pace. Derrick is drawn to Leah, but wonders if she's truly ready to move on.
 
It'll take a summer filled with lazy beach walks, bold new horizons, and book club meetings rich with shared laughter and support, for Leah to find the answers she's been looking for...
 
Good book. The previous year Leah came to Coates Island to vacation by herself. She enjoyed the freedom so much that she plans to do it again this year. Those plans don't sit well with her husband, Alan, who expresses his displeasure physically. This is the final straw in her unhappy marriage, and Leah leaves for the beach as soon as she can.
 
The book opened with a look back at Leah's past, namely how she met and married Alan. I have to say that he gave me the creeps from his first appearance, and my opinion of him never improved. Leah had had no intention of pursuing a relationship with him, but the consequences of his actions gave her no choice. I suspected from the beginning what kind of man he was, and Leah's revelations confirmed that and more.
 
I liked Leah, though I wondered why she stayed in the marriage so long, especially after her sons were grown. I applauded her decision to end it when she did, with no hesitation or second-guessing. She has a good head on her shoulders and took steps to protect herself. I also liked how her sons supported her completely. She plans to use her time at the beach to read and to find herself under the layers created by her marriage.
 
I loved the immediate support she received from Kayana, co-owner of the Seaside Café and fellow book club member. Because Leah arrives so much earlier than her original plans, Kayana offers her the apartment above the café. The healing effect on Leah is immediately apparent. I liked seeing Leah and Kayana reconnect and pick up their friendship where they left off the previous summer. Kayana provides a great sounding board for Leah as she works through her options and resurrects her inner self.
 
The other owner of the café is Kayana's brother Derrick. He is a widower of five years with a teenage daughter and still grieves the loss of his wife. He loves his work cooking for the residents and tourists of the island. I enjoyed the scenes that involved him cooking, both and the café and at home, as his passion for it was obvious.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Leah and Derrick. The sparks between them were obvious from the start, though neither planned to do anything about it. Leah is a) still married and b) not interested in compromising any of her newfound freedom. Derrick doesn't engage with women who are married, engaged, or even dating someone else. Sparks aside, Leah and Derrick bond over cooking. She was taught to cook by her mother and grandmother, though she wasn't permitted to cook during her marriage. I loved seeing her knock Derrick's socks off with her baking ability. I also enjoyed seeing her push back against his judgmental attitude with her explanation of her childhood.
 
The connection between Leah and Derrick grew over the next few weeks, and the attraction grew right along with it. As his feelings for her grew, Derrick worried about getting too close and losing her if she decided to go back to her husband. I liked his determination to go slow and wait for Leah to work through all of her issues. Leah's feelings for Derrick grew quickly, partially because of having a man treat her with respect. Even when they disagreed, they worked through it by talking. I liked the ending and look forward to seeing them in the next book.
 
I liked seeing the changes in Leah as the book progressed. I got the feeling she had kept some of her spirit, but much was buried under the veneer created by her mother-in-law. Alan's actions cracked that veneer and allowed the real Leah to resurface. I liked following her plans to deal with him and looked forward to seeing him get what was coming. I wasn't very fond of the final resolution.
 
One thing I missed in this book was the actual book club. Though the books were mentioned several times, there wasn't much book club action. That may be because of the book's timeline and because Cherie didn't arrive until near the end. Hopefully, there will be more in the next book. I did like catching up with Kayana and Graeme. 

The Shell Collector - Nancy Naigle (WaterBrook - May 2021)

Two years after her husband's death, Amanda Whittier has two children to raise alone, an abandoned dream of starting a business, and a fixer-upper cottage by the sea. She has no room in her life for anything else and little interest in moving on after losing the man she loved.
 
Paul Grant is a relative newcomer to the area, and his work with former military dogs needing rehabilitation has been good for the town. Though he loved once before, he's convinced he's not suited for romance and is determined to find meaning—alone—through his work and role in the community.
 
Widowed Maeve Lindsay was born and raised on Whelk's Island. Spirited, kind, and a little mischievous, she pours her life into the town. But she carries a secret that shapes her every move.
 
Together, these three souls find encouragement in the most mysterious places and discover a love that's bigger than their pain, healing their wounded hearts in ways none of them could have hoped for or expected.
 
Excellent story of love, loss, friendship, and second chances. The story opens with an emotional scene as Amanda bids farewell to her Marine husband, Jack, as he leaves on another deployment. Fast forward two years and Amanda still struggles with the grief of losing her husband. Tired of being the object of pity, Amanda takes her children and moves to Whelk's Island in North Carolina, looking for a chance to start fresh. She buys a fixer-upper cottage on the beach, puts aside her home-based business dreams for a teaching position, and concentrates on her children Hailey and Jesse. Then a chance encounter with long-time resident Maeve changes her life.
 
Born and raised on Whelk's Island, octogenarian Maeve is like the matriarch of the island. She loves her community and is actively involved in all aspects of it, including attending town council meetings. She carefully considers supporting new businesses such as Paws Town Square, looking for ones that will serve the community best. Maeve spends hours each day walking the beach and collecting unique shells. There she meets Amanda and her children, and their connection fills a hole she didn't know she had.
 
Owner of Paws Town Square, Paul is one of the many people Maeve helped. After leaving the Marines, Paul searched for a purpose in his life and found it helping military working dogs and veterans suffering from PTSD. Having lost the woman he loved to his best friend, he is content to focus on his business instead.
 
I ached for Amanda as the story opened. Though her grief is better than it had been, Hailey and Jesse are still her reasons for getting up in the mornings. Constantly missing Jack makes it impossible to feel joy in her life; she survives each day instead of living it. From the moment Amanda and the kids met Maeve, that grief began to lift. Because Maeve had experienced a similar loss, she was able to help Amanda by sharing her own story. She didn't lecture; she simply led by example. Amanda slowly regained her desire to live life fully again.
 
Through Maeve, an old friend comes back into Amanda's life. Paul's appearance, jogging on the beach, stunned Amanda. Paul had been Jack's best friend, whose friendship had spilled over onto Amanda and the children. Jack's death hit Paul hard also, sending him into a spiral of grief that ended when he found a purpose in helping the dogs and veterans. After her grief-stricken breakdown and screaming accusations at him, Amanda never thought she'd see Paul again. Amanda never knew that Paul had fallen in love with her the first time he met her, as he refused to come between her and Jack. Paul sees their reunion as a second chance to win the woman he still loves. I loved watching the development of their relationship as Amanda works past the guilty feelings of loving again. I enjoyed seeing Paul become part of their lives. There were sweet scenes with the children and emotional ones as Paul and Amanda dealt with their memories of Jack and their growing feelings for each other.
 
As the summer turned to fall, the secret Maeve has hidden all summer becomes painfully apparent. I hurt for Amanda and the kids, who face the loss of the woman who means so much to them. I loved watching Maeve face what's coming with the serenity she demonstrated throughout the book. The depth of the bond between Maeve and Amanda is beautifully illustrated in the trip they took together. I loved the ending and how the connection between the women lived on.
 
I loved the use of seashells in the story, both as a way to connect people and as inspirations. The seashells with the inspirational quotes made significant impressions on those who found them. I loved the one that Paul found and how it ended up having double meaning to him. Amanda's discovery was the catalyst that started her moving forward. Eventually, the story behind them was revealed, and I loved how they came to be and that they continued to live on. 

 
 

The Last Carolina Sister - Michelle Major (HQN - Apr 2021)

Series: Magnolia Sisters (Book 3)

In Magnolia, North Carolina, love might be waiting right next door…Meredith Ventner knows a wounded creature when she sees one. Though her temporary new neighbor may be -- on the surface at least -- a successful, drop-dead gorgeous doctor, she recognizes the deep hurt Ryan Sorensen is carrying, and it's catnip to her soul. But even though Meredith is the youngest, scrappiest and single-est of Magnolia's most famous sisters, she's committed to expanding the animal shelter on her newly inherited farm. She can't waste her energy on a man who's only passing through town.
 
Ryan is hoping that after a month of small-town living he'll be healed enough to return to his busy ER. His injured leg isn't half as painful as his guilt from the tragedy he's trying to forget. Yet somehow, helping feisty, tenderhearted Meredith care for her menagerie is making him question his career-first priorities. Here in this quirky small town another future is coming into view, but can he change his life, and open his heart, to claim it?
 
Terrific conclusion to the Magnolia Sisters trilogy. Avery, Carrie, and Meredith are half-sisters who discovered their connection after the death of their father. Left to deal with their father's financial mismanagement, they've spent the last six months restoring stability to their properties and the town. Along the way, Avery and Carrie found love. Meredith's inheritance was the farm where she runs her animal rescue. She barely makes ends meet, and the taxes on the property will be due soon. Meredith has big dreams for the property and applies to many places for grants to help her.
 
The story opens as Meredith shows up at a new neighbor's house, looking for help with an injured man. Ryan is a doctor, temporarily staying in Magnolia while he recovers from an injury he received on the job. He doesn't want to go with her, but she won't take no for an answer. Neither one has any inkling of the impact they will have on each other's lives.
 
I liked both Meredith and Ryan. Meredith leans toward the blunt end of the social skill set. After her mother left them, she was the only girl in the family with a somewhat gruff father and two older brothers. Her mother's desertion and a traumatic event while in high school left Meredith with a very low opinion of herself and her abilities. Add in the shock of the revelations about her birth father and two previously unknown sisters, and Meredith struggles with figuring out who she is. She built walls around her heart and buries herself in her work with the animals to avoid thinking about her problems. One thing Meredith has going for her is a sensitive and kind heart. I love her devotion to her animals and her determination to give them the best she can.
 
Ryan came to Magnolia to heal, not just from his physical injury but also from the emotional trauma. He's hiding out, wallowing a bit in the guilt he feels, but also going a bit stir-crazy. Though born to a wealthy family, Ryan's father raised him and his sister to focus on service to others rather than personal pleasure. Even family vacations were spent on volunteer opportunities instead of any fun or relaxation. As a result, Ryan focuses on work and has no close friends or hobbies. He also puts distance between himself and the family's wealthy side to avoid being judged for something he doesn't want.
 
I loved the development of the relationship between Meredith and Ryan. Their first meeting, as Meredith practically kidnapped Ryan, was both funny and a little heartbreaking. It hurt to see Ryan so deep in his guilt that he was afraid to help. Once he was there, he was okay, though still trying to maintain his distance. But a funny thing happened, as Ryan found himself connecting with Meredith and her animals. That connection freaked him out a little, and it took a couple of tries before he became comfortable around her. As the attraction between them sparked and simmered, their friendship also grew. I liked Ryan's protectiveness and support as he helped her with the rescue. I especially liked how Ryan refused to let Meredith put herself down around him and worked to show her how amazing she is. Working with Meredith and getting to know other locals showed Ryan what was missing in his city life.
 
The more time Meredith and Ryan spent together, the more their feelings for each other grew, though neither wanted to admit it. Meredith knows he doesn't plan to stay, and she doesn't see herself as appealing enough to keep him there. Ryan still insists to himself that he will return to his previous life and forget his time in Magnolia. But just as it looks like they might finally see the truth, a secret Ryan's been keeping comes out and runs up against one of Meredith's deepest insecurities. I hurt for Ryan as Meredith refused to listen to him, making him rethink his plans. Meredith's feelings of betrayal drove her to say some hurtful things. I loved seeing friends and family get involved in bringing the two back together.
 
The family dynamics in the book added to the emotional journeys of both Meredith and Ryan. Ryan's we mostly see through his memories of the past and the effects of his parents' actions on his life. We get a brief introduction to his sister, Emma, who makes a quick visit to Magnolia. Their conversation reveals a lot about why Ryan distances himself from his family and shows how much he cares for his sister. Another meaningful relationship is that of Meredith with her family. Her relationship with her dad changed when the truth of her birth came out. The distance between them hurts Meredith. I liked seeing the beginnings of a return to normal after Meredith's accident and her dad and brothers arrival to help. I also enjoyed seeing the continued closeness between Avery, Carrie, and Meredith. I especially enjoyed seeing Avery and Carrie work on Meredith's self-worth and help her steer through her relationship with Ryan.

The Yarn Spinner - Deborah Smith (Belle Books - Jan 2014)

Series: Crossroads Cafe: The MacBrides (Book 2.5)

She's destined to love Gus MacBride--if she survives her first year in the Crossroads Cove.

A thread of hope is all she needs.

Damaged, confused, alone. Cathy Deen Mitternich recognizes her old self in the fragile survivor huddled in the sheep barn's storage room at Rainbow Goddess Farm. Former art teacher Lucy Parmenter may be beyond even the tough-love magic of the farm, a live-in counseling center for abused women. Afraid to set a foot outside, drugged on medication, and filled with despair, Lucy needs the big biscuit magic of the Crossroad Café's Delta Whittlespoon. Together, Cathy and Delta search for a lifeline that represents Lucy's best hope of holding on.

Their search ends in Lucy's new home at the barn. When Lucy discovers the magic there, neither she nor Cathy will ever be the same.

A short, sweet story that, for me, served as an introduction to Smith's Crossroads Café series. I was immediately intrigued by the working farm that served as a place of healing for abused women. When a new woman arrives at the farm, Cathy immediately recognizes Lucy's shell-shocked attitude. Even though I haven't read her story, enough of Cathy's background was given to bring me up to speed. I loved her immediate empathy with the survivor and her determination to bring Lucy back to the world of the living.

Cathy knows that the best way to do that is through the power of love, and nothing says love like the comfort food prepared by the Café's Delta Whittlespoon. Specifically, the almost magical biscuits and gravy. My heart broke at first sight of Lucy, wearing layers of clothes and quilts, so traumatized that she couldn't even eat. Like helping an injured wild animal, Cathy and Delta moved slowly and softly so they wouldn't frighten her. It was heartwarming to see their success and Lucy's improvement over the next few days.

What they need next is something that will give Lucy a reason to go on. There is a paranormal touch in the story as Lucy takes refuge in the wool barn at the farm. The wool brings her comfort and makes her feel safe. She even claims that it talks to her. When Cathy and Delta bring her a spinning wheel and the instructions on how to use it, there is a spark of interest. But what gets Cathy's attention is what Lucy says the wool told her. I loved the ending and seeing Lucy's prediction come true, as well as the progress she has made.

This story appears to be the prequel for the next book in the series about Lucy and the man that Delta says is her mate.

A Soldier Under Her Tree - Kathy Douglass (HSE #2808 - Dec 2020)

Series: Sweet Briar Sweethearts (Book 8)

Tis the season...for a second shot at love.

Could a fake boyfriend be

her real hero this Christmas?

When her ex-fiancé shows up at her shop -- engaged to her sister! -- dress designer Hannah Carpenter doesn't know what to do. Especially when her former fling Russell Danielson sees her plight and rides to the rescue, offering a fake relationship to foil her rude relations. The thing is, there's nothing fake about his kiss... But when things get real, will the sexy soldier once again stop short of commitment?

Terrific, sweet Christmas story. Hannah moved to Sweet Briar three years earlier to start a new life after finding her fiancé in bed with her sister. That was just a few days before Christmas, and she hasn't enjoyed a holiday season since then. She has a successful boutique selling the clothes she designs and has sold a few dresses to the rich and famous. She's stunned when her ex-fiancé, sister, and mother show up in Sweet Briar, expecting her to design her sister's wedding dress. Besides flat-out refusing, all she wants to do is get them out of town before they embarrass her in front of the whole town.

Russell arrives in Sweet Briar to spend the holidays with his family. He faces some big decisions about his future. After twenty years in the army, a recent injury made him unable to continue his career, and he faces a medical discharge. Russell feels lost without the vocation that has defined him for more than half his life.

I loved the first meeting between Hannah and Russell. He was so eager to reconnect with the woman he met briefly during the summer that he didn't even unpack his bags, just headed straight for her shop. He arrived in time to hear her confrontation with her family and jumps in, pretending to be her boyfriend. Though initially not very appreciative, Hannah quickly realizes the benefits and asks Russell to continue the charade. For reasons of his own, Russell happily accepts her proposal.

I loved seeing Hannah and Russell start as co-conspirators, become friends, and then grow into something more. Russell was a sweetheart, stepping up to help Hannah in her boutique, cooking for her, and standing up for her against her family. I loved his response when Hannah's mother appealed to him for his opinion. There are plenty of sweet scenes between Russell and Hannah, like the winter festival, as they get to know each other. As they grow closer, their walls begin to crumble. After being the stoic soldier for so long, I liked seeing Russell open up to Hannah about his injuries and his confusion over his future. Hannah also opens up to Russell about what caused her lack of Christmas spirit. I enjoyed how Russell tried to revive Hannah's joy in Christmas until he pushed a little too far and too fast.

I ached for both Russell and Hannah at this point. While Russell's intentions were good, Hannah felt blindsided and that he had disregarded her feelings. There were some harsh and hurtful words exchanged that each one quickly regretted. Both had some soul-searching to do, and I enjoyed seeing them each realize why their fight was so painful. I liked Russell's conversation with his parents and how it helped him accept his future and see how much he wanted Hannah to be part of that future. I loved seeing Hannah's self-examination and release of her past. The ending was fantastic. Hannah's big moment was sweet, and I loved the effect on Russell. An epilogue would have been nice, but I have high hopes of seeing them in future books.

The secondary characters were well done. Hannah's mother and sister were well-portrayed as the selfish, insensitive people that they were. I loved seeing Hannah stand up to them every time. The restaurant scene near the end was fantastic, and I loved the support Hannah received from her friends. I liked Russell's family members and the obvious closeness between them. I sort of understood Russell's desire to work through his issues without them, but I think he underestimated them, too. I need to go back and read his brother's and sister's stories.