Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Romance
Source: Ballantine Books ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: Two sisters reconnect and pursue their dreams on the beautiful island of Nantucket, overcoming life’s challenges and finding new love, in this heartwarming and hopeful novel by New York Times bestselling author Nancy Thayer.

Eddie Grant is happy with her life and her work as a personal assistant to Dinah Lavender, one of the most famous and renowned romance authors in the business. But being a spectator to notoriety and glamour isn’t as fulfilling as she once thought. Thankfully, Eddie has the perfect excuse for a Her hardworking younger sister, Barrett, is opening her gift shop on Memorial Day weekend, and could use all the help she can get. 

But going home to the beautiful island of Nantucket means facing the family’s difficult past. Shortly after the death of Eddie and Barrett’s brother, their mother left them and their father made the spontaneous decision to buy a small farm. Eddie stayed there for only a year before her family’s grief threatened to consume her as well, and had been living in Manhattan ever since. Now that she is back, Eddie must face all she left her father’s increased eccentricities, which has led to a house bursting at the seams with books; her sister’s resentment over Eddie’s escape; and a past love connection, one that is still undeniable and complicated, all these years later. But the Grant sisters are nothing if not resilient and capable, opening a used bookstore in their father’s abandoned barn to manage his hoarding, and navigating the discovery of a long-buried family secret that will change all of them forever. 

In The Summer We Started Over, beloved storyteller Nancy Thayer transports readers with a moving story about family, courage, and the resiliency of young women.

Ope’s Opinion: This story took me over 20% of it to get interested in what might happen to the characters. I am a fan of sister stories and in the long run that part of the book was good. All of them had romances going on.

The character of Dinah was irritating, weird and whiney. I did not like her from the very beginning.

I loved the Nantucket setting – that is always a good place to start a story for me. The cover of the book is beautiful. I wish the story had been as captivating.

Publisher: Harpeth Road Press
Genre: Romance
Source: Harpeth Road Press

Goodreads: Lose yourself in the idyllic coastal town of Big Dune Island with this charming summer read, perfect for fans of Denise Hunter, Debbie Macomber, and RaeAnne Thayne.

When Callie Jackson left her island hometown years ago with big dreams, she knew precisely the star she wanted to be, and she achieved it. At least for a little while.

Jesse Thomas had always planned to move to Nashville with Callie, but he was supposed to get there before her, knocking out his first year at Vanderbilt while she finished high school.

Neither of them imagined she’d get discovered so early or that family turmoil would put Jesse’s family on the brink of financial collapse. He needed to be on Big Dune Island, and she needed to leave. So, Callie did the only thing she could think of that would make him she cut all ties.

Then, all her dreams came crashing down. As she sorts through the wreckage of her career, her Uncle Lonnie forces her to return to Big Dune Island to clean out the family home he’s recently sold. And she knows she’ll have to face Jesse.

A touching beach read getaway that will have you wishing for long strolls along the waterfront town of Big Dune Island. If you’re searching for a beachy, feel-good, small-town romance, look no further!

Ope’s Opinion: This was a very cute, fun read. I enjoyed the characters, they seemed realistic and I was rooting for them. The small town setting felt cozy.

I really liked the second chance romance. There are other romances going on along side of the main characters. All of them are sweet, clean and heartwarming.

This would be perfect to sit on the beach and let your mind ride the waves of this story.

Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Romance
Source: Entangled: Amara ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: New mom May Peterson can’t believe she’s back in her hometown. She has eight weeks to fix up, and sell, her childhood home. Just enough to say hello to her best friend and goodbye to her painful past. But in the warm, tightly-knit community of Maple Hill, it’s impossible to avoid anyone—especially the cute “boy next door.” And while May is definitely over the idea of love, his irresistible smile still makes her toes curl…

When they were kids, Austin Merrick only ever saw May as his sister’s best friend. Over time, they’d become friends, sharing late-night chats over cheddar popcorn. Now May Peterson has returned with an adorable baby that quickly wraps him around her little finger. But after seeing the damage a broken heart can do, Austin and his brother made an agreement: to never, ever fall in love. No marriage. No kids. Ever.

Now they’re working together to fix up her old home, and sparks of attraction are making it almost impossible to keep to their no-romance rules. But when it comes to love, hearts never play by the rules…especially when it comes to finding “the one.”

Ope’s Opinion: This was a sweet romance, mostly clean and very predictable. The journey was worth the read. The characters were likable. It was part of a series, but it didn’t feel like it. I had not read the first one and I could tell that the oldest brothers story was in the first book, but that didn’t effect this book. My only small complaint was the repeating of information.

I would read Victoria James again.

Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary
Source: Avon ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: What happens when his secret wife is the only one who can save your child?

Elle has the perfect life. A hard-working husband, a clever little boy, and a gorgeous home in a quaint neighbourhood.

Jen also has the perfect life. A passionate relationship with a doting husband, a creative little girl, and an exciting career.

When a strange coincidence throws them together, they become close friends. But then they uncover a shocking truth: they share the same husband.

As they both grapple with this devastating revelation, Elle receives worrying news about her son’s health. When things go from bad to worse and Elle has no one else to turn to, can Jen bring herself to help the woman who shattered her world? And can Elle trust her husband’s other wife with her child’s life?

Ope’s Opinion: The very beginning of the book ( the preface ) caught my attention. The next few chapters were introducing who was who – it was a little slow moving, but okay. Then it drug on until you were almost done reading, where it picked up a little again. The ending was just okay.

The ADHD information was good, but was repeated incase you didn’t get it the first time. Then the epilogue felt like a term paper of more information about selective mutism. I do like to learn while I read, but this felt like lecture notes.

Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Entangled: Amara ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: Opposites attract―and go head-to-head―in this cheerfully irresistible small-town romance.

With just ten days left till her folks’ loan comes due, ever-pragmatic Charlotte Delaney is officially throwing in the towel on the bet that she made with her sisters. It looks like it’s up to her to save their parents’ café and beloved home with a marriage of convenience to her family’s rival. It’s time to get the in-name-only nuptials over with. Of course, Charlotte’s never been one to easily admit defeat…

Aidan Strong has exactly zero intentions of marrying one of the Delaney sisters―even Charlotte, his first crush. He’s come to Majestic, Maine, to make things right…only Charlotte has other plans.

She’s challenging Aidan to a new wager. And the prize? His billion-dollar coffee empire. Now the tiny seaside town of Majestic is about to witness the ultimate game of hearts…and winner takes all.

Ope’s Opinion: This was my least favorite book in this series. The main characters were very antagonistic toward each other. They frustrated me after a while. I did get tired of information being repeated.

Charlotte and Aidan’s bet wasn’t very intense – she was going to get at least half the company even if she lost, so there was no pressure. It seemed to drag the story out.

I do like that these books are all clean romances with no foul language. It had a good epilogue that wrapped up where everyone is now.

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source: Bethany House Publishers ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: When the ever-cautious Val Locklier moves cross-country with her son for a secure job, everything she’d planned unravels within the first week. After Val reluctantly agrees to rent an apartment from her best friend’s brother, an unexpected chance at an elite filmmakers’ mentorship ignites fresh hope for a dream career. But as Val’s community begins to expand, so do her insecurities, especially those heightened by her growing attraction to a certain friendly landlord.

Pastor Miles McKenzie returns home from a short-term mission trip to discover that not only does he have an intriguing new tenant living upstairs, he’s also been reassigned to a local ministry on life support. Disillusioned and restless, he distracts himself by throwing his energy into a host of new projects–not the least of which is pursuing Val–without stopping to consider the future.

As Val struggles to stop hiding behind the camera and Miles wrestles with shattered expectations, they’ll find that authentic love and sacrifice must go hand in hand.

Ope’s Opinion: This was a very God centered Christian Fiction. It is the second in the series, but can be read alone. The first one All That Really Matters drew me in and took my breath away. This one All That It Takes did not do that for me.

This story had a very slow pace. Facts were retold often. Thoughts were pondered again and again.

I like Nicole Deese and will read her again.

Publisher: Indigo Group
Genre: Romance
Source: Indigo Group ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: >He’s the heir to a fortune. He’s my aloof, intimidating, insanely handsome boss. And he just asked me to marry him.

Hayden Stuart is the quintessential English lord. He went to the most exclusive private schools. He hangs out with royals and other richy rich A-listers. His summer home is a castle.

Whereas I grew up on a peanut farm in Georgia.

When the spit hits the fan for Hayden, he asks me to be his wife. He makes it very clear to me that this is all for show.

Totally temporary.

Business only.

This is not a fake husband with benefits situation.

Of course I say yes.

Who wouldn’t want to live in a castle and have a staff take care of your every need? This is Beauty and the Beast, complete with the freaking library. Only Hayden’s crazy hot and knows how to eat soup without slurping it all over the place.

The problem is, the more time I spend pretending to be Hayden’s wife, the more desperate I feel to believe the lie.

And it’s not just about the castle.

It’s about the man.

Even Better Than the Real Thing is a swoon-worthy, uber-fun, opposites attract romance about a fake marriage between two people who couldn’t be more wrong for each other. It comes complete with a fabulous bestie, snarky staff, an evil stepbrother, and pastries fresh from the oven.

Ope’s Opinion: This is a 3.5, but I rounded up because it was original, mostly clean ( there a couple of steamy parts ), and not much foul language. Even though you know exactly how it is going to end, the journey is worth taking.

The fake marriage trope is one that I enjoy. I liked that in this story each of them is getting something out of the marriage. I also liked that Finely was not sitting around looking for a husband. She is independent, has a career goal and is strong enough to go after what she wants.

I liked this one enough to go look at what else Melanie Summers wrote.