I got this book years ago. I don't know why it's taken me so long to take it off my shelf, but I'm so glad I finally did. It was excellent! The dialogue is funny and incredibly entertaining. The story as a whole was emotional and satisfying. I'll be reading more contemporaries from Ms. D'Alessandro (as soon as one is published!). ( )

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Jamie runs from her life in New York City and ends up in Seaside Cove, North Carolina only to have her family arrive on her front doorstep.

Opening Sentence: The decapitated, plastic pink flamingo, standing ass-feathers deep in what looked like poison ivy, was Jamie Newman’s first clue that doom had followed her from New York.

The Review:

Contemporary romances should be a fine wine that you savor through out a meal but more often than not you are served cheap boxed wine in a fancy glass. First impressions of this book was that I had been served cheap wine. The first two chapters were boring. Jamie is already in Seaside and we do not witness or take part in the break up scene. I still feel that is where I would have started this book or at the bare minimum had a flash back scene while sitting on the plane to get to North Carolina. The fact that Jamie has travelled all that way seems a bit of a waste of the emotional connection the reader truly deserves when introduced to this delightful woman.

However, chapter three is where the whole story took a jump in the right direction. Introducing the outstanding leading man, Nick Trent is a marvelous bit of story telling goodness. He is woken from a dead sleep by a solid knocking on his front door and his dog adding her two cents to the noise. The portrayal of a sleep deprived male answering the door was one that will stick with me. I couldn’t help but smile through the entire scene. The author nailed not only the look but the reactions of Nick and in doing so made me love him that much more.

The reason for Jamie’s appearance in Seaside Cove is typical but with a twist. It is not often that our heroine is cheated on by her boyfriend with an older sister. Her dealing with this betrayal is one that I can completely understand. She seeks to get away from everything that reminds her of him and her sister. And in so doing brings into her life not just Nick but the whole town of Seaside Cove.

Small town life intrudes quite rapidly on Jamie’s retreat and she opens her life to the opportunity it presents namely the Clam Festival. She finds herself being volunteered to join the committee that runs the festival and brings her charm and effervesce to the entire town and Nick’s life.

If you are looking for a delightful read then I would definitely offer this book as a perfect fit. Jacquie D’Alessandro has found another fan and I look forward to Laurel’s adventure in the next installment of the Seaside Cove.

On a more personal level, Nick Trent has been added to my official “I would date him” list. I will be adding to the list as 2013 progresses and look forward to seeing who makes that top 10 list.

Notable Scene:

“Ah–so you’re the renter.”

“Yes. And you’re the owner. I thought this place was supposed to ooze Southern hospitality.”

“I’m not from the South.”

“I’m picking up on that.”

“Good. You want hospitality? Here it is: Welcome to Seaside Cove. Now go away and come back at a more reasonable hour. Like noon.”

He made to close the door, but she slapped her palm against the wooden panel and wedged her curvy self in the opening. “I’m afraid not. We need to discuss this right now. After we’ve done so, believe me, I’ll be more than happy to go away and leave you alone.” She looked past him. “Is your dog friendly?”

FTC Advisory: Berkley/Penguin provided me with a copy of Summer at Seaside Cove. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ( )