Review - - Treasure Coast Discovery

Treasure Coast Discovery

by Leigh Duncan

Emerald Bay - Book 5

Publisher: Gardenia Street Publishing

Release Date: August 23, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Could a secret lost in the past be the key to saving the Dane Crown Inn?

Preparations for the last family reunion at the Dane Crown Inn are nearly complete. Fresh paint covers the exterior of the sixty-year-old beachside bed-and-breakfast. The overgrown gardens have once again been tamed. Inside, the suites and rooms stand ready to receive both new and returning guests. Best of all, the women of the family — Belle and Margaret, Kim and Jen, Amy and Diane — have grown closer while they worked to restore the inn that was once known as “the jewel of Florida’s Treasure Coast.” So close, in fact, that some of the cousins privately wonder if it might be possible to keep the inn open, after all. But Diane knows the truth. Even with all the improvements they’ve made, keeping the inn afloat is financially impossible.

Diane wonders if there's another way, something in the family's history that could save the inn. Or could her quest destroy it forever?

PJ's Thoughts:

I've become completely invested in this family, to the point where at times it takes me a minute to remember they aren't real people. Part of the emotional attachment might be attributed to the setting of this series. Duncan's fictional Dane Crown Inn is located a short drive from where I live, giving everything a feeling of warmth and familiarity. But, mostly, it's these characters who continue to engage my emotions as they navigate the ups and downs of life. 

In this fifth installment of Duncan's six-book series, the Dane family women are moving closer to the conclusion of their individual journeys as well as the sale of the family's inn. There's a lot of emotion, relationships continue to evolve, some characters are discovering new skills and others, new directions, an upcoming event is celebrated, and a bucket-list item gets crossed off...with surprising results. Through it all, I'm reminded of the strength of family bonds, the joys and sorrows of relationships, the magic of romance, and the importance of women supporting women. 

I don't want to say goodbye to these characters but after that stunning final scene in Treasure Coast Discovery, all I can say is "Bring on Book Six. I have to know what happens next!" 

This is a series where I strongly encourage readers to read the books in order.