Review & Giveaway - - Anne of a Different Island

Anne of a Different Island

by Virginia Kantra

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: January 20, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

She believed life could follow a plotline—until the story she was living unraveled.

Anne Gallagher has always lived by the book. Anne of Green Gables, that is. Growing up on Mackinac Island, she saw herself as her namesake: the same impulsive charm, the same wild imagination, even the same red hair (dyed, but still). She followed in Anne Shirley’s fictional footsteps, chasing dreams of teaching and writing, and falling for her very own storybook hero.

But when a string of real-life plot twists—a failing romance, a fight with the administration, and the sudden death of her beloved father—pulls her back to the island she once couldn’t wait to leave, Anne is forced to face a truth no story ever prepared her for. Sometimes, life doesn’t follow a script.

Back in the house she grew up in, Anne must confront her past and the people she left behind, including Joe Miller, the boy who once called her “The Pest.” It’s time to figure out what she wants and rewrite her story to create her own happy ending. Not the book version. The real one.

PJ's Thoughts:

I'm one of those unicorn readers who has never read Anne of Green Gables. That takes nothing away from my love of Virginia Kantra's Anne of a Different Island. Inspired by the L.M. Montgomery novel, Kantra's version sets its own course with a present-day story that while it may evoke echoes of the original characters, stands well on its own for those readers, like me, who are new to the "Anne" universe.

Although Anne Gallagher is twenty-four, teaching, in a relationship, and living off the island when this book begins, it is still very much a coming-of-age story. She may be an adult but she has much yet to discover about life and about herself. I enjoyed the flashbacks to her childhood that give context to who she is today and who she ultimately becomes by the end of the book. I found her growth to be organic, authentic to her character, and very relatable. Kantra excels at bringing me into the minds of her characters and Anne is no exception. 

Another facet of writing at which Kantra excels is her ability to build a community of characters contributing context, support, conflict, humor, lessons, growth, and, in some cases, love. Each is vital to Anne's journey. I fell hard for Joe, Anne's childhood adversary turned friend turned potential soulmate (?), who has a significant growth arc of his own. Using flashbacks along with present-day scenes gave me a full picture not only of his evolving relationship with Anne but also the complications of his business and personal relationships with Anne's father. It also deepened the layers of who Joe is now and how his romantic past has affected his ability to trust both himself and others. 

Mackinac Island is a character in its own right and just as important to the overall story as any of the characters. Kantra nailed its unique vibe beautifully. I don't know if she's ever visited the island in person but she captured it's heart and left me eager to revisit this magical island in my native Michigan. 

Have you read Virginia Kantra? Do you have a favorite book or series that she's written?

Have you read Anne of Green Gables? Do you enjoy new books inspired by treasured classics? 

Have you ever visited Mackinac Island?

One randomly chosen person posting a comment before 11:00 PM, January 25 will receive a signed print copy of Anne of a Different Island.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - Beth & Amy

Beth & Amy

by Virginia Kantra

The March Sisters - Book 2

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: May 25, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

Amy March is more like her older sister Jo than she’d like to admit. An up-and-coming designer in New York’s competitive fashion industry, ambitious Amy is determined to get out of her sisters’ shadows and keep her distance from their North Carolina hometown. But when Jo’s wedding forces Amy home, she must face what she really wants…and confront the One Big Mistake that could upend her life and forever change her relationship with Jo.

Gentle, unassuming Beth grew up as the good girl of the family. A talented singer-songwriter, she’s overcome her painful anxiety to tour with country superstar Colt Henderson. But life on the road has taken its toll on her health and their relationship. Maybe a break to attend her sister’s wedding will get her out of her funk. But Beth realizes that what she’s looking for and what she needs are two very different things.…

With the March women reunited, this time with growing careers and families, they must once again learn to lean on one another as they juggle the changes coming their way.

PJ's Thoughts:

I've been eagerly anticipating this second book in Virginia Kantra's The March Sisters duet since reading book one, Meg & Jo in late 2019. I mean, how could I not be excited about a book with this first line: "It's always a mistake to sleep with a man who's in love with your sister." I'm happy to say the wait was well worth it.  

Virginia Kantra is such a gifted storyteller. Immersing myself into this story and into the lives of the March sisters felt very much like being wrapped in a warm blanket while a beloved grandmother or favorite aunt told me the story of her life. As I followed Beth and Amy from a small farm in North Carolina to Paris, New York City, Nashville, and, finally, back home, these women - their sisters, parents, and the men in their lives - all became more than characters in a book. They became my friends. They earned my affection. I became invested in their lives, their success, their happiness. They became so real to me that I could almost convince myself that they're actually happily living out their lives only a couple hours away. 

One of the things that added to the overall richness of this book was how complex and fully formed the characters were, not only the four sisters but the peripheral characters as well. I enjoyed how all four sisters continued to evolve under Kantra's guiding hand, even though the primary focus in this second book is on Beth and Amy. I have to admit that no one was more surprise than I by the fact that Amy, my least favorite character in book one, turned out to be the one whose story arc I most enjoyed in book two and who ended up being my favorite March sister. That's the power of Virginia Kantra's writing.

The chapters that presented the viewpoint of Abby, the girls' mother were a nice bonus. I felt her perspective gave an added depth to the story and I enjoyed her personal journey as well as the evolution of her relationship with her husband. Dan, the veteran who works with the goats on the March farm, was an unexpected surprise with unexpected depths and an unexpected connection with one member of the March family. He ended up being one of my favorite characters. And then there's Trey and his complicated relationship with two of the March sisters. I didn't like him much in Meg & Jo but by the end of Beth & Amy he had become one of my favorites. There was so much more to him than I expected. Kantra did a wonderful job of unraveling the layers that had formed the man he had become. By the end of the book I was fully invested in him, his happiness, and the relationship that was always meant to be. 

Fans of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, Kantra's inspiration for her modern-day March sisters, may be wary of this new book, knowing the tragic outcome for Beth in the original story. Fear not, while Kantra's Beth deals with a life-threatening disorder, her emotional story arc leads her to an uplifting, hopeful, and very much alive conclusion. You can move forward and enjoy this new book without that cloud hanging over your head.

If you haven't read Meg & Jo yet, check out my 5-star review here. 

~~~~~~

Have you read Meg & Jo? If so, which sister was your favorite?

I love characters - like Amy - who surprise me. Tell me about a fictional character who recently surprised you. 

I'm always on the lookout for books to add to my summer reading list. What book(s) are you most anticipating this summer? 

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM (Eastern), May 26 will receive a signed, print copy of Meg & Jo. 

*Must be 18

*U.S. only

*Void where prohibited

 

Spotlight Review and Giveaway - - MEG & JO

Meg & Jo
by Virginia Kantra
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: December 3, 2019
Reviewed by PJ
 

The timeless classic Little Women inspired this heartwarming modern tale of four sisters from New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra.

The March sisters—reliable Meg, independent Jo, stylish Amy, and shy Beth—have grown up to pursue their separate dreams. When Jo followed her ambitions to New York City, she never thought her career in journalism would come crashing down, leaving her struggling to stay afloat in a gig economy as a prep cook and secret food blogger.

Meg appears to have the life she always planned—the handsome husband, the adorable toddlers, the house in a charming subdivision. But sometimes getting everything you’ve ever wanted isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

When their mother’s illness forces the sisters home to North Carolina for the holidays, they’ll rediscover what really matters.

One thing’s for sure—they’ll need the strength of family and the power of sisterhood to remake their lives and reimagine their dreams.

PJ's thoughts:

I've been a fan of Virginia Kantra's writing for years, following her from romantic suspense, to paranormal romance, to contemporary romance, and, now, to women's fiction. In all those years, through all those books, she's never failed to engage my emotions, fully immerse me in the worlds of her imagination, and leave me happily craving her next book. Such is the case with her newest novel, Meg & Jo.

Inspired by Louisa May Alcott's Little Women (inspired, not a re-telling), Meg & Jo begins the journey of four present-day March sisters from North Carolina. Fans of the original will see nods to Alcott's characters in the modern-day sisters, as well as some secondary characters, but while Kantra's love of the original is apparent, her Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy are very much modern women of their own making and Meg & Jo, a story of Kantra's creation that I thoroughly enjoyed. Also, for the romance readers among us, fear not. Meg's and Jo's love lives are very much a part of this book and happy endings are assured. 

Whether you have sisters or not, I think we can all relate to the sometimes messy and complicated relationships that are part and parcel of families and how those relationships mold and change us as we go through life. Told by Jo and Meg, in alternating chapters, Kantra skillfully unveils the dynamics of the March family's past, present, and future while guiding the two oldest sisters through their own trials of life. The revelations are emotional, sometimes painful, but remind us that change can be good, can be empowering, can strengthen not only us but our relationships as well. Once again, Kantra fully immersed me in the lives of her characters, giving me a stake in their happiness. I celebrated their triumphs, shared their fears, fell in love with Meg's and Jo's heroes (both of them, for different reasons), and fell in love with this family. For all its dysfunctional parts, all the complicated, competitive relationships, in the end, these people, these sisters, are family and while their bonds of love may be tested, while they may bend and stretch, they never break. 

Beth and Amy are next to have their stories told and I cannot wait to discover what Kantra has in store for them. I mean, how could I not be excited about a story that begins with this line: "It's always a mistake to sleep with a man who's in love with your sister." 

~~~~~~~~~~

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to meet Virginia Kantra at a romance conference and have enjoyed visiting with her at subsequent conferences since then. She's somewhat of a local author for me (three hours is local, right?) so earlier this week, I made the drive to Raleigh to attend her launch party for Meg & Jo. What a wonderful evening! Quail Ridge Books hosted the launch, more than 40 people attended, I enjoyed meeting readers of all types, and copies of Meg & Jo sold out...but not before I nabbed a copy for me...and one for one of you! But first, here are a few photos from the Meg & Jo launch.

Virginia, sharing her love of Louisa May Alcott and her reasons for paying homage to Little Women with her contemporary novel, Meg & Jo. 

She not only writes books, she bakes cookies too. Aren't those book cookies awesome? 

Virginia's very own hero (her husband) kept us entertained and well fed (isn't that a fabulous cake?). The champagne was delicious and put to good use when Virginia invited all of us to join her in a toast to Louisa May Alcott. 

PJ and Virginia. Happy to add another book to my Virginia Kantra keeper shelf. Also, had a blast at my very first book launch party!

If you're ever in the Raleigh area, check out Rosewater Kitchen & Bar. It's a warm and welcoming new restaurant in the North Hills area with a delicious menu, comfortable vibe, and impeccable service. Our server, Heather, effortlessly kept our post-launch group of eleven well-fed and happy. She's a server extraordinaire! 








I have two giveaways today so tell me...

Have you read Little Women?

Which March sister was your favorite? Why?

Have you read any of Virginia Kantra's books?

Do you have a favorite book or series of hers?

Do you have sisters?

Giveaway #1: One randomly chosen person who comments before 11:00 PM, December 7, will receive a signed copy of Meg & Jo from me. 

Giveaway #2: One randomly chosen person who comments before 11:00 PM, December 7, will receive a Meg & Jo mug from Virginia Kantra. 


*Winners must be 18 or older.
*Open to U.S. addresses only.

Review - - Carolina Dreaming

Carolina Dreaming

By Virginia Kanta

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: February 2, 2016

 

When rootless Gabe Murphy is acquitted of a murder charge and released after nine months in jail, he heads for Dare Island, North Carolina, the home of his friend Luke Fletcher (Carolina Man). With an abusive father and a mother too broken by years as his victim to stand up for her son or herself, Gabe never felt he had a home. With the death of his maternal uncle, he had no emotional ties either, and he’s been on his own since he turned seventeen. But he has good memories of the Fletchers and their warm reception when he visited with Luke, his buddy from their Marine boot camp days. These memories bring him to Dare Island when he’s looking for a place to start a new life. Luke is delighted to see his old friend, but Hank Clark, Luke’s hard-nosed colleague in the sheriff’s office, convinced Gabe is trouble, warns him “Stay away from Jane.”

A shy child, motherless from the age of eight when her mother abandoned husband and child, Jane Clark grew up on Dare Island. She always knew her father loved her, but his immersion in his law enforcement job plus his inability to communicate his feelings left her emotionally needy. She thought she had found the love and family she lacked when she fell in love and married at nineteen, but Travis Tirlett was an abusive jerk who abandoned her before their child’s first birthday and resurfaced years later only to give her more grief (Carolina Blues). Jane has gained confidence over the years, and she is proud of her bakery, Jane’s Sweet Tea House, and the life she has created for herself and her seven-year-old son Aiden. She still doesn’t trust her taste in men, however, and when Gabe Murphy shows up looking like the new and improved version of her ex, she knows she should avoid him.  

Gabe thinks she should avoid him too. Jane is obviously a forever kind of girl plus she has a kid. Gabe is convinced he has nothing to offer such a woman regardless of how attractive he finds her. Jane is fearful of losing her heart and fiercely protective of her son. She’s convinced that acting on her attraction will lead to disaster, but when Gabe offers to work overtime to see the renovations to her bakery finished quickly, the chemistry between them proves explosive. And when Jane does act—wow! If they can trust themselves and each other, they may find the love and the family of their dreams.

Dare Island has become one of my favorite fictional places, and I eagerly anticipate each new novel in the series. Carolina Dreaming was one more opportunity to fall in love with the place and with the engaging characters Virginia Kantra creates. Gabe and Jane are scarred by their pasts, and their scars are part of them. But they refuse to let them be the whole. They are each determined to build a life in which they can take pride. I knew this was going to be one of those books in which the primary characters are adults worth knowing when early in the novel Gabe thinks “It didn’t matter where he’d been . . . He had to focus on where he was going. Even if he had to crawl to get there.”  

The secondary characters are also richly drawn. Aiden is a real kid, a small person with his own history and quirks and interests. One of my favorite parts of the story was his interaction with Gabe. I also found Jane’s relationship with her father interesting, particularly since he is a fully human character, an interesting mix of weaknesses and strengths rather than a stereotypical bad cop.

As a fan of the series I loved seeing characters from earlier books appear, but I loved even more that their appearances were purposeful rather than having the feel of a rollcall of characters. The secondary romance was unexpected and endearing. In fact, my only complaint about the novel is that I would like to have seen some degrees fewer internal monologues and a bit more of Hank and Marta’s romance.

When I finish a book knowing that it is only a matter of time before I am ready for a reread, I know the book is a keeper. Carolina Dreaming is another Virginia Kantra book that left me with this feeling. I highly recommend it.

 ~Janga

Virginia Kantra Winner

The winner of signed copies of

Carolina Man and Carolina Blues by Virginia Kantra is

librarypat

Please send your full name and mailing address to us at

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review - - Carolina Blues

Carolina Blues
Dare Island - Book 4
By Virginia Kantra
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: October 7, 2014

Psychology grad student Lauren Patterson had no idea that a simple stop at the bank would change her life forever. Caught in a robbery that turned into a three-day hostage event, Lauren bonded with her captors, convincing them to free the rest of the hostages and eventually surrender to police but not everyone escaped unscathed, especially not Lauren. Struggling with the emotional fallout and notoriety of the publicity surrounding both the robbery and her bestselling book about the experience while up against a deadline for her second follow-up book and battling writer's block, Lauren's new publicist, Meg Fletcher convinces her to come to Meg's parents' inn on Dare Island, North Carolina. There, Lauren hopes to escape from those making demands on "Hostage Girl," finally finish her book and return to school to reclaim her life. There's no room in those plans for a relationship with a hot local cop.

New Dare Island police chief, Jack Rossi is settling into island life, enjoying the slower pace and not missing the chaos and complications he left behind in Philly. Sure, he misses his close-knit Italian family but when his wife, also on the force, cheated on him with his partner Jack knew there was no way he could stay. Now divorced, he has no interest in a new relationship with a high-profile woman but that doesn't stop every nerve in his body from jumping for joy when he meets the mysterious Lauren.

Ignoring the attraction between them doesn't work for either Lauren or Jack as they gradually become better acquainted.  Eventually, they give in to the sizzling desire with the understanding that it comes with an expiration date: the end of summer when Lauren's book tour begins followed by her return to school. Sounds good in theory but when hearts become involved, all bets are off. However, both Lauren and Jack have significant baggage, not the least of which is Lauren's continuing struggle with PTSD. And when the past comes calling, the strength of the bond forming between them may not be enough to overcome the obstacles.

This is the fourth book in Virginia Kantra's Dare Island series and the first time the book has not centered around members of the Fletcher Family. While the Fletchers are still on the periphery, their page time is limited with the central focus on Lauren and Jack as well as well as new characters who, I presume, will play more significant roles in future books. While I missed my time with the Fletchers, their smaller roles in no way diminished the strength of this book.

I fell hard for Jack Rossi with his tough guy exterior and soft heart but it's Lauren, and her PTSD struggles, with which I most identified. Kantra doesn't sugar coat the trauma suffered by our heroine nor its lingering effects. I don't know what kind of research she did to develop this facet of the character but she was spot on in her depiction: the panic attacks, flashbacks, guilt, being startled by loud noises, inability to enter a bank, empathy for the perpetrators. I know these symptoms well. It's been thirty-nine years since I suffered them but there were times in this book when I was transported right back there to 1976; when I started to sweat, my heart raced and I not only understood, but experienced exactly what Lauren was feeling. That, dear readers, is superb writing.

I also enjoy the pace of the Dare Island books. Like the island on which they are set, the stories flow gently, like waves lapping at the shore, neither rushed nor stagnant but just right. The characters are true to their surroundings as well as the experiences that have shaped them. There are disruptive forces that keep things exciting and move the plot along but, in the end, it's the characters, their growth and their journey, that make these books so special.

If you have not yet visited Virginia Kantra's Dare Island, I enthusiastically encourage you to do so. It's fine to start with Carolina Blues. It stands on its own perfectly well or start at the beginning and learn why many readers, myself included, have fallen in love with these wonderful characters and the island they call home.

~PJ


Readers, are you reading the Dare Island series?

Do you have a favorite book or characters from this series?

What's your favorite beach?  If you don't go to the beach, where's your favorite getaway to relax and renew?

We have a signed copy of Carolina Man and Carolina Blues to give to one randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on this post. (U.S. only)

Virginia Kantra Winner

The winner of signed copies of Carolina Home and Carolina Girl by Virginia Kantra is:

Erin

Congratulations!  Please send your full name and mailing address to us at:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review - - Carolina Man

Carolina Man
Dare Island - Book 3
By Virginia Kantra
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: March 4, 2014

When his high school sweetheart dumped him and left town, Luke Fletcher was sure he'd never hear from her again.  When family attorney Kate Dolan tracked him down in Afghanistan ten years later, the Marine Staff Sergeant was shocked to discover not only that his former girlfriend had died but that she had left him custody of her ten year old daughter, Taylor.  Their daughter.  A child he hadn't known existed.  Taylor has been living with Luke's parents for the past four months while Luke finished his tour of duty in Afghanistan. Now he's home on leave, trying to get to know this prickly, quiet daughter who is now his responsibility; determined to do the right thing but not quite sure how.  Then there's his daughter's attorney, a buttoned-up woman who holds everyone at a distance but sets off sparks in Luke that he'd be happy to explore.

Hardworking attorney Kate Dolan has dedicated her life to helping women and children in difficult situations. Because Kate is Executor of Taylor's mother's estate but mostly because the dead woman was Kate's employee and friend, she is determined to see that Taylor is placed with the right people.  Based on her own experiences as the daughter of a Marine, Kate is initially not certain Luke Fletcher is the best person for that role. She thinks she knows what to expect when Luke returns from Afghanistan but the reality is vastly different from her expectations.  Instead of the harsh, controlling, short-tempered man she expects, she finds him to be caring, funny, honorable...and desirable.  Oh, so desirable. But while Kate may be willing to indulge in a mutually satisfying affair, she has tall walls around her heart and no idea how to be part of a close, loving family like the Fletchers.  It will take a special man with the patience and insight to see beyond her starchy, aloof exterior to the tender heart beneath to earn Kate's trust and love. Luckily for us, Luke Fletcher is a very special man.

In Carolina Man, Kantra takes readers back to Dare Island and into the heart of the Fletchers, a family quickly becoming one of my fictional favorites.  While this book tells the very satisfying love story of Kate and Luke, there are many layers to this journey; other important threads to follow.  We see the changes that have occurred in the Fletcher family dynamics following the accident that seriously injured Tess (Luke's mother).  We follow the progression Tess has made in her recovery, the changes in her relationships with her husband and children.  We journey with Matt and Allison as well as Meg and Sam as they move toward marriage.  Then there's Matt's son, sixteen-year-old Josh.  It's so enjoyable to watch his journey from a boy to a man. (I'm hoping Kantra will stay on Dare Island long enough to tell his story!)

Josh's relationship with Taylor is especially heartwarming and Luke and Kate hit all the right notes for me but it's Luke and Taylor who completely steal my heart in this story.  Kantra has done a superb job of showing the journey these two take from initial awkwardness to tentative trust to finally accepting love for one another in their hearts.  However, their journey to a happy ending (for Luke, Taylor and Kate) is not without it's share of potholes, including the unveiling of the secret that has plagued Taylor with nightmares since she was first introduced in book one of the series, Carolina Home.

While Carolina Man is able to stand on its own it's because of the continuing threads above that I strongly recommend reading the three books, Carolina Home, Carolina Girl and Carolina Man, in order. When I began reading this series I anticipated a three-book trilogy for the three Fletcher siblings.  By the time I reached the end of Luke's story I knew I was nowhere ready to say good-bye to Dare Island or the people who call it home.  I am so excited to know I won't have to!  Kantra's next book, Carolina Blues will tell the story of hot cop Jack Rossi, Dare Island's sexy Chief of Police.  I've punched my ticket for my next trip to Virginia Kantra's Dare Island.  As long as she keeps setting stories there, I'll keep returning right along with her.  For me, I hope those visits continue for many years to come.

~PJ

*ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Are you reading Virginia Kantra's Dare Island series?  Do you like small-town romances?  What are some of your favorites? 

BONUS GIVEAWAY:  We are giving away a signed set of the first two Dare Island books, Carolina Home and Carolina Girl to a randomly chosen person leaving a comment on today's post.  (U.S. only)  Deadline for leaving a comment is Midnight (EST), March 15th.  

Review - - Carolina Girl

Carolina Girl
Dare Island - Book 2
By Virginia Kantra
Publisher:  Berkley
Release Date:  June 4, 2013

Meg Fletcher couldn't leave Dare Island fast enough.  Determined to follow her dreams, she headed off to college at Harvard then on to New York City, never looking back at what she'd left behind. At the age of thirty-four, Meg has everything she's always wanted:  an important corporate position, an expensive NYC condo and a relationship with a high-powered, live-in boyfriend that's more corporate merger than love affair.  When her mother is seriously injured in a car accident, Meg flies home to Dare Island for three weeks, confident that her life in NYC will be waiting for her when she returns.   It isn't. She returns to discover her position at the firm has been eliminated and her boyfriend of six years, who is on the transition team at work but didn't fight for her, suggests, with a decided lack of sympathy, that she return to Dare Island to "think things over."

For Sam Grady, the Fletchers have always represented what a family should be. Best friends with Meg's older brother, Matt since they were boys, Sam spent more time at Meg's house than his own. Meg's family represented love, affection and support rather than the succession of increasingly younger step-mothers and a father whom Sam could never please that could be found at his own home.  And then there was Meg, his best friend's younger sister, a girl to whom he was increasingly drawn until one New Year's Eve when Meg and too much drink had Sam giving in to his desires...then running scared.  It's been eighteen years yet Sam is still attracted to her, still has feelings for her, still owes her an apology.

Both Sam and Meg are back on the island to help their respective families.  For Sam, it's his opportunity to finally prove his worth to his demanding father before returning to his company on the mainland.  For Meg, it's a chance to help her family while figuring out the fastest way back to New York.  And, for both of them, it's their time to figure out what's really important, what they really want from life. It's an opportunity to discover reality versus perception; to dig below the surface and discover the person inside, to realize that happiness is there, just beyond their fingertips if only they have the courage to reach for it.

The Fletchers are one of my favorite new fictional families!  I've been anticipating my return visit to Dare Island through the pages of Carolina Girl and I wasn't disappointed.  Virginia Kantra has once again brought us a beautifully written, character-driven story that takes us into the heart of this complex, loving family.  We follow the difficult recovery of Tess, the Fletcher matriarch, the progression of the romance between Matt and Allison (from book one, Carolina Home) and the ongoing battle to retain custody of Taylor, the newly discovered ten-year-old daughter of Meg's brother, Luke, a soldier on assignment in Afghanistan.  We also receive more clues about the secret that causes Taylor's nightmares and a possible peek at Luke's heroine (if my guess is correct).

While the Fletchers and other residents of Dare Island form a rich supporting cast, it's Meg and Sam who hold center stage in this book.  Meg is prickly, opinionated, single-minded and not easy to like at first.  Her goals are seriously skewed, mostly because of her determination to not have a life like her mother's...or what she perceives her mother's life to be.  Sam is charming, sexy and has enough vulnerability lurking below the surface to make me (and probably every woman) fall in love with him.  He's one of the good guys and I couldn't help but want the best for him.  As Meg's eyes are opened to what her life could be as opposed to what it's been, as she softens without losing any of her strength, as she learns what love is supposed to be...well, I couldn't help but cheer for her too.

I highly recommend Carolina Girl as well as the first book in the trilogy, Carolina Home and strongly suggest that the books be read in order.

~PJ