Thursday, July 22, 2021

Review & Giveaway - - A Wedding in the Keys

A Wedding in the Keys
by Hope Holloway
Coconut Key - Book 6
Publisher: Hope Holloway
Release Date: July 23, 2021
Reviewed by PJ
 


Will there be blue skies and happy lives for the wedding day…or is change in the forecast again?


The bonds of love that have formed and grown over the past year in Coconut Key reach a culmination of white lace and champagne…for some. For others, things may not turn out as they expected.

New arrivals on the island turn plans and lives upside down, testing the strength of relationships. Everyone has to make major decisions about life, work, and love. The future may look different for Beck, Savannah, Peyton, and Jessie…but whatever it is, with family and friends, it will be warm, happy, and dappled in sunshine.


PJ's Thoughts:

A few weeks ago, I discovered A Secret in the Keys, the first book in a new series set in the Florida Keys. I love the Keys, liked the sound of the story, and decided to give it a try. It's a 7-book series but the first five books had already been published so I figured if I liked book one I could read a book every couple weeks over the summer and finish about the time the final book is published in September. I finished book one in a day and by the time I reached the mini-cliffhanger at the end I was so fully immersed in the lives of these characters that I had to know what happened next. I read books two - five over the next four days. I couldn't help myself. This series is just that good. Book six, A Wedding in the Keys, continues the story threads surrounding Beck and her family that have evolved over the course of the series and is another emotional journey that I could not put down. Once again, I was immediately immersed into the lives of these characters, eagerly flipping pages from beginning to end. Holloway's writing is engaging and compelling, tackling real-life issues with humor and hope, while aiming straight for the heart. I spent a lot of time laughing, crying, gasping, and cheering throughout the series. I also love that she continues to surprise me in each book. After reading book five, I had doubts about one of the relationships. In book six, Holloway confirms those doubts but she also throws in a surprise twist that I did not see coming. I love it when an author does that and I cannot wait to find out where she takes it in book seven.  

It's hard to place the Coconut Key series into a specific category as these books are filled with an abundance of delicious storylines and a variety of tropes. It's a multi-generational family saga, with a women's fiction vibe as well as emotional romantic threads (for both young and mature characters). There's plenty of chemistry among the couples but the on-page heat factor is mild. There are also family secrets, betrayals, emotional losses, second chances, and new beginnings, all wrapped up in strong bonds of family and friendship, with the strength, resilience, determination, and growth of intriguing and inspiring women at its core. I guess if I had to name a category, I'd label it "Delicious Must-Read Summer Fun." I'm hooked on Hope Holloway, counting down the weeks until the release of book seven, A Promise in the Keys, in September and already excited about whatever she has planned for readers next.

This is one of those series where I strongly recommend reading the books in order. They are:

A Secret in the Keys (Book 1)
A Reunion in the Keys (Book 2)
A Season in the Keys (Book 3)
A Haven in the Keys (Book 4)
A Return to the Keys (Book 5)
A Wedding in the Keys (Book 6)
A Promise in the Keys (Book 7)


Have you discovered Hope Holloway yet?

Is there a new author, book, or series you've found this summer that you recommend?

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, July 25 will receive a Kindle copy of book one, A Secret in the Keys

*Must be 18

*U.S. only

*Void where prohibited


9 comments:

  1. Ms Holloway is a new to me author. I found Beth Byers', Murder and the Heir this summer. I am a fan of mysteries which take place in the period between the two World Wars. I think it is the clothes. But, alas, none of these books have pictures.

    I thank you for your review. You have made this series sound like a fun ride.

    Hope everyone is well, safe and happy

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    1. This is Holloway's first series.

      I love that period between the wars too. Will have to check out Murder and the Heir. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend Maggie Robinson's Lady Adelaide Mystery series, set during that same time period. The fourth (and final) book in the series, Farewell Blues, comes out in September.

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  2. I haven't read any of Hope Holloway's books yet. I really liked Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica.

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  3. I have not discovered her yet. No new series yet for me.

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  4. I haven't read any books by Hope Holloway, but you review certainly has me interested. I love series books where everyone is entangled. I discovered Leeanne Davis. I'm on book 5 of her River's End series.

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  5. This is a new author to me! The books sound awesome. I would love to win the first one. Heather Webber is an author I discovered last fall, her books are amazing.

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  6. She is a new to me author. No new books or authors yet this summer. For some reason I am finding little time to read. I have some good ones here waiting for me.
    This sounds like a tightly written series. Good for character development and the story arc. It is also the type of series that lends itself well to waiting until you have the entire series and binge reading it. I like the pace of life in the Keys and if these books reflect that, they will be enjoyable reads.

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  7. A new summer series to read ! Exciting . As for new authors . I finally dove into Sonali Dev’s books . Loving her take on Jane Austen - recommend them .

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  8. I haven't read anything by Hope Holloway yet. This looks like a great series! I read the first few pages of A Secret in the Keys using the "Look Inside" feature on Amazon, and I really like her writing style. Thanks for the recommendation! I love finding new-to-me authors.

    This summer I read Trusting Molly (Silverstone Book 3) by Susan Stoker. That's the first book of hers that I've read, and I loved it! I can't wait to go back and read the rest of the series.

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