Coastal Magic Spotlight Review - - Must Love Bees by Sasha Summers

Must Love Bees

by Sasha Summers

Honey Acres - Book 2

Publisher: Canary Street Press

Release Date: January 23, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

For a cheerful beekeeper and her reclusive new neighbor, love is the sweetest surprise…

Astrid Hill can calm a hive full of restless bees, but she has no idea how to make her gruff new neighbor smile. Charlie Driver intends to hightail it out of Honey, Texas, as soon as he’s sold his aunt’s property, and Astrid worries her family’s adjoining honey business may be affected. But however aloof—and annoyingly attractive—Charlie may be, his daughters are too adorable to ignore.

Charlie would rather untangle a line of computer code than deal with people, and the stress of single parenthood isn’t helping. Yet Astrid has a knack for overcoming his resistance to this quirky small town and her beloved bees. What if his girls become attached, only to once again lose someone precious? Then again, in love, the more you risk your heart, the sweeter the reward…

Includes the bonus novella, Honey Ever After!
A wedding on Hill Honey Farms means family, honey and laughter. For this special day, all the Bee Girls are home—but that’s not the only surprise... A brand-new baby beekeeper will be joining the family!

PJ's Thoughts:

I'm not sure why Sasha Summers didn't land on my reading radar before now but this error has been corrected and will not occur again. I've already downloaded the first book in this series, The Sweetest Thing and preordered the third book, Honey, Be Mine (June 25, 2024).

I was completely charmed by Honey Hill Farms, the Hill family, bee whisperer Astrid, new arrival Charlie, and his adorable daughters. I loved how fully developed these characters were, even Charlie's daughters, young Nova and tween Halley. Both were integral pieces of the plot, helping to move both the story forward as well as the growth of  Astrid's and Charlie's characters, and their own in the process. 

There was a lot of fun and charm in this story and a sweetly satisfying romance, but a surprising depth of emotion as well. Charlie, in particular, was a fascinating character. I enjoyed the gradual evolution of his character without sacrificing the neurodiversity that made him unique, especially in the growth of his relationship with Nova and Halley as well as his slow-burn romance with Astrid. I wanted to be besties with Astrid. She really is the nicest person in town. I loved how she interacted with Charlie, appreciated him once she got to know him, how the gradual deepening of her feelings for him occurred because of the whole person he was, not in spite of it. Unlike his estranged family who - yes, I cheered - got exactly what they deserved.

The supporting Honey Hill Farms cast brought everything together in a warm, welcoming hug of affection and acceptance. I adored them. I wanted to spend the day baking with them. I even wanted to help tend the bees...and that's something I never expected to say in this lifetime. I was fascinated with the honey bee knowledge I gathered from this book, especially the organic manner in which it was delivered. It left me - someone who has always been afraid of bees - actually feeling affection for them and wanting to know more. As for the delicious recipes (all using honey) in the back of the book? I plan to make them all! 

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Grab your book bestie and join these authors at the beach for this year's Coastal Magic Convention. Or come on your own and make new book friends! 

Review - - The Duke Alone

The Duke Alone

by Christi Caldwell

Publisher: Montlake

Release Date: October 18, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

Lady Myrtle McQuoid has always felt a little forgotten, and this season is no exception. When her boisterous family vacates their London townhouse for the country, Myrtle finds she’s been left behind. But she just needs to stay warm, keep her belly full, and distract herself until her relatives realize their mistake and turn back to collect her. Surely that won’t take long.

Brooding widower Val Bancroft, the Duke of Aragon, has shut himself off from the world. He craves blessed solitude—a loyal dog, a silent house, and his own company are all he requires. Certainly not the nonstop chattering of the joyful, opinionated young woman next door.

But with a potential threat lurking in the winter shadows, Myrtle may need to pluck up the nerve to approach the reclusive duke. And Val is not one to turn his back on a vulnerable lady.

Amid the silent nights of London, beneath a blanket of snow, could the light of a new, warm love be kindling?

PJ's Thoughts:

If you've seen the movie Home Alone, you will in short order clue in to the fact that the movie's plot is a major influence on our heroine's story. An eighteen-year-old young woman, newly returned from finishing school, mistakenly left behind by her family in a large, empty, leaking house. No food, no fires, no servants...and two burglars casing the place. But, what have we here? A grieving, reclusive, widowed duke just across the street? The possibilities are limitless and Caldwell cannily takes advantage of them all.

I love a grumpy-sunshine pairing and, boy howdy, do these two qualify. Val just wants to be left alone but chatty, carol-singing Myrtle, with her wild curls, huge dimples, and smile that won't quit keeps showing up at his door. Again, and again, and again. It seems the grouchier he gets, the wider her smile becomes. His horse likes her. His huge, scary-looking dog who doesn't like anyone but Val is a total marshmallow in her hands. And Val? He's quickly becoming befuddled, bewildered, and thoroughly charmed. He doesn't need this irrepressible bundle of sunshine in his life. Or maybe, she's exactly what he does need. 

Caldwell brings a perfect blend of lighthearted laughter and emotional depth to this story of two people who both feel alone and out of step with those around them but slowly grow to realize they are exactly right with one another. There are hijinks and a bit of danger, plus sweetly poignant moments that tug at the heart. There's also a dog - Horace - who darn near steals the whole book. I adored him. I adored Myrtle with him. I can only imagine how he's going to be with any children Val and Myrtle have. I'm already smiling at the thought. If Caldwell has any thoughts about a novella (maybe next Christmas?) for this new family down the road, I'm all in!

A couple small issues: I loved Myrtle's constant singing but having all the lyrics included on the page got old fast. I skimmed through most of them. Also, I have a feeling some readers may be uneasy with how young and innocent Myrtle seems (she turns 18 during the book). To them, I would say, keep reading. I felt a bit of that in the early chapters of the book but found the ensuing growth and depth of her character during her journey organic and believable, leaving me happy with the balance of feelings and power within her relationship with Val. These two are meant to be. 

The Duke Alone is going straight to my keeper shelf where it will be revisited this Christmas and every Christmas to come. It made me laugh, made me cry, and left my heart overflowing with joy. 

 

Review and Giveaway - - The Hero Next Door

The Hero Next Door

by Carrie Nichols

Small-Town Sweethearts - Book 6

Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition

Release Date: February 22, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

Love—and kittens—to the rescue!

Olive Downing has big dreams for her Victorian bed-and-breakfast. She doesn’t need her handsome new neighbor pointing out the flaws in her plan. But Cal Pope isn’t the average busybody. The gruff firefighter can be sweet, charming—and the perfect partner for the town fundraiser. Then Cal surprises her with two adorable rescue kittens. Maybe there’s a soft heart underneath his rough exterior that needs rescuing, too…

PJ's Thoughts:

In the mood for a grumpy-sunshine romance? Check out this newest addition to Carrie Nichols' Small-Town Sweethearts series. We're back in Loon Lake, Vermont with two new characters: Olive, the former foster kid who aches for a husband, family. and friends of her own and Cal, a dedicated bachelor whose emotional baggage has him running from the faintest hint of a relationship. 

When Olive wins a run-down Victorian house in Loon Lake, her first real home since losing her parents to a drunk driver when she was eleven, she sees it as an opportunity for new beginnings, to put down roots, make good friends, and, maybe, fall in love. Cal, who just happens to own the house across the street, sees the writing on the wall immediately when his friends start playing matchmaker and he  wants no part of it. But Olive's generous nature and sunshine smile have him spending more and more time with her. Will he finally allow himself to make a commitment or will the demons of his past win once again?

I enjoy the complexity of Nichols' characters, the emotional baggage that holds them back from committing to love, and the issues that they have to work through, together, to find that happy ending. I enjoyed the evolution of both Olive and Cal in this story. They were each deeply impacted by events in their childhood that were evident in their adult views and actions. I enjoyed their journey and was happy with the conclusion though it wrapped up a little too easily for me considering Cal's behavior (I wanted more groveling). That's just me. The important thing is that the way it played out was true to Olive's personality and the epilogue showed a true partnership with full commitment on both sides. I'm happily convinced that they're living their happily ever after. 

If you're a kitten lover, you will definitely enjoy the antics of Mischief and Mayhem and the way these two little rascals bring Cal and Olive together. I adored them. 

Fans of the series will also no doubt enjoy seeing many of their favorites pop up here and there throughout the book but, as I mentioned earlier, Cal and Olive are new to the series. If you haven't read the earlier books, you can absolutely jump in with this one and not miss a beat.  

Are you a fan of category romances?

Have you read Carrie Nichols before?

Do you enjoy animals who play a significant role in romances you read? Do you have any favorites?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, March 14 will receive a signed, print copy of The Hero Next Door. 

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