Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter

 

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Eleven months had not been long enough to prepare Sophie Lawson for the sight of him . . .

After her mother was bedridden and her father bailed on the family, Sophie became a second mother to her twin brother, Seth, and younger sister, Jenna. Sophie supported her siblings through their college years, putting aside her own dream of opening a book shop in Piper’s Cove—the quaint North Carolina beach town they frequented as children.

But now it’s finally time for Sophie to follow her own pursuits. Seth just got a new job, the family house is sold, and Jenna is set to marry her college beau in Piper’s Cove. But the destination wedding reunites Sophie with best man Aiden Maddox, her high school sweetheart who left her without a backward glance to run an extreme sporting business in Florida.

Much to Sophie’s chagrin, seeing Aiden again resurrects familiar feelings—which she promptly tries to bury in the tumult of the day. As soon as the wedding crowd fades, Sophie turns her focus back to establishing her beloved bookstore.

But then an advancing hurricane strands Aiden in Piper’s Cove and with the hotels booked to capacity he asks Sophie to put him up until the storm passes. As the two ride out the weather, old feelings rise to the surface. But can Sophie trust Aiden to stick around? And does daredevil Aiden have the courage to risk his heart?

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Bookshop by the Sea is a sweet second chance romance by Denise Hunter. 

Their reunion involves a family wedding, a hurricane, and an injury. Everything is adorable with the way they reconnect and quickly mean so much to one another. 

Sophie's opening her new bookstore, Aiden has a girlfriend, and there's some family issues as well. Sophie has lived a life full of sacrifice for her family. Seeing someone appreciate this is great.

There isn't too much to the relationship. No real angst. Just a nice second chance, as they learn to take chances. 

This is a tender small town romance with some great neighbors and plenty of small town charm. It totally warms the heart.

Bookshop by the Sea is a perfect feel-good read. This Denise Hunter is definitely a wonderful choice the next time you're in the mood for a good beach read. 

Sea Change (Saugatuck #1) by Amelia C. Gormley

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Blurb

One Summer Can Change Everything...

Topher Carlisle's always been the black sheep--literally--in his middle-class family. Biracial, gay, and genderfluid, his family doesn't think he'll amount to much, and he just might believe them.


After a bout of severe depression has put both his academic and financial prospects in danger, he accepts his best friend's offer to stay in her family's summer home while he works to make up the shortfall of his athletic scholarship. But his tendency for self-sabotage is strong and soon a terrible mistake in judgment leaves him homeless.


From the moment he sees Topher, artist Jace Sieger knows that this is someone he needs to capture on canvas. He's no stranger to poor life choices, and he sees something in Topher worth nurturing.


The challenge, though, is chipping through Topher's prickly defenses to reach the sensitive, traumatized soul beneath. With the help of his friends Geoff and Robin, maybe, just maybe, they can convince Topher he's worth something after all, and that a few mistakes don't make him irredeemable.
What starts as a casual vacation fling grows into something that will change both of them forever.


(This novel is a newly-released and retitled second edition. It was previously available under the title Saugatuck Summer.)

Review 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Amelia Gormley's Sea Change is a multi-layered and complex romance. It covers one summer that has so many issues and where so many things happen. 

Topher is a character who grabs at your heart strings, as he's suffered horrific abuse as a child. Topher's family is a train wreck, and he believes the lifetime of insults thrown his way. He has so many fears and he'd love to cut ties with his family as he suffers from a life of anger, grief and cruel words. 


One issue tackled is that of living to work for success or finding a job you enjoy. This is something Topher really needs to evaluate.

Topher learns a lot over this one summer. Most importantly is that decisions have consequences. He deals with having an affair, a one night stand that turns into more, and finds a relationship that teaches him about himself and about life. 

His story is one of strength, survival, forgiveness, sacrifices and support. He learns that everyone has problems and he learns to like himself.


Sea Change is an emotional ride. The writing is accomplished and impressive, with great flow and development. So much happens during this one summer.  It's more life changing for Topher than I could have ever imagined. And it's a reminder that no one is 100% good or bad.