Suzanne Hare
This is a wonderfully crafted romantic love story of two people who were hurt in the past. Jess moves to a small fishing village called Applecross Cove. She leases a small beach house with a view of the ocean. Her life had taken a dramatic shift. She had broken off her engagement after finding out her fiancé had lost all their saving gambling on the stock market. Then to add to the stress, she finds out she is laid off. With her severance package she decides to move and begin a new life on her own by developing an online business. Trust is a huge issue for her. Mark is her neighbour and his aunt is her landlord. He too has a past that brings up trust issues. They are attracted to each other but decide on friendship. Will it develop into more? Well you will need to read the book to find out. This book boasts a well designed storyline, along with carefully developed and likeable characters. It is easy to read and pulls you in to the emotional chaos the characters are experiencing. If they are together together they need to overcome their emotional baggage. And learn to trust again. The setting is beautifully described. If you love to read clean contemporary love stories that make you feel uplifted then give this book a try. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jamie Jack
Jess is needing a new perspective after she is laid off and her ex turned out to be a bum, so she rents a beach house in northern Maine. The realtor sends her single nephew to deliver the contract and the keys. Will this just be a run-of-the-mill vacation hideaway, or will it turn into something more for Jess and Mark? Oh, my gosh! What an utterly delightful romance. Being in Jess's head is such a hoot. She has an incredible sense of humor and a self-deprecating way of looking at herself that is highly amusing. At one during her initial meeting with Mark, I literally did laugh out loud at her thoughts. Mark is a sweet and gentle guy with a complicated past. Of course, this being a romance, they both have their reasons not to want to be involved in a relationship, but their friendship does evolve. Oh, the author has a good handle on business mumbo jumbo; I really quite enjoyed the initial discussion in the book when Jess got laid off; her thoughts about what the boss was saying were priceless. If you are looking for a light and funny beach read for your own getaway, this book could fill the bill.
