Romance

Perfect book for a summer read! Phoenix is ready to start her life over after being attacked and finds the perfect place at Cooper's Charm Resort. There's a bit of a mystery and some wonderful romance and heat, I couldn't put it down! Can't wait to see what comes next in the series!

This review is based on a galley copy from netgalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own. ( )

Cooper's Charm is a charmingly delightful book. The two main characters, Phoenix and Cooper have had a traumatic experience in their past that they are struggling to get over. Phoenix was robbed and attacked and now she has become skittish around men. She applies for the position of groundskeeper at Cooper's RV Park in an effort to reclaim her life. Cooper lost his wife when she was murdered in a convenience store robbery. Yet, when they meet you can already see that sparks will fly.
In addition to Cooper and Phoenix, there is a secondary romance when Phoenix's sister comes to visit and then stay and falls for the scuba instructor Baxter.
The climax of the book will have the reader on the edge of their seat as a someone seems to be after Phoenix and Cooper tries to protect her.
Lori Foster has made an amazing start on this first book of her new series and it has a dog - what more could you ask for!!! ( )

Terrific story about two sisters who want to take back their lives, and the men who help them do it. It's also a story of family, support, and love, letting go of the past and taking chances.

Phoenix had a happy life until a burglary and assault threw it all into turmoil. After months of drifting, she's determined to find her independence and reclaim her life. Taking a job as the groundskeeper at Cooper's Charm will get her back into the career she loves with enough physical activity to keep her distracted from her past. She doesn't expect the bigger distraction of her sexy, widowed boss. Cooper purchased the resort several years earlier, after the murder of his pregnant wife. The first two years were spent just trying to make it from day to day, but he's slowly found peace in his surroundings and the varied life of the resort. He still grieves for his wife, but he's more at peace, until a sexy, hurting Phoenix starts to get under his skin.

I loved the development of the relationship between Cooper and Phoenix. I loved their first encounter, the sparks that were there between them, and the wary way they danced around them. Cooper is aware of Phoenix's past, which brings out the protectiveness in him. Phoenix is still dealing with the aftermath of the robbery and the effect it had on how she sees herself. Cooper is patient in the way he lets Phoenix get to know him and become comfortable around him. She is surprised by the fact that, in spite of his size, she is never afraid of him. I liked the slow and steady growth of their relationship, as the chemistry between them builds. One of the things I liked best was their ability to communicate, not just the everyday job-related stuff, but also those things that were more personal. I loved their honesty, as both agreed that they weren't into playing games with feelings. Phoenix also has some self-esteem issues about her body because she is quite curvy. Cooper finds her very sexy and has no trouble letting her know the effect she has on him. After a bit of excitement at the end, both Phoenix and Cooper were able to admit their feelings for each other and move on together.

Phoenix's sister, Ridley, had recently been through a painful divorce, leaving her cynical and a little bitter. When she arrives at Cooper's Charm to check up on Phoenix, she is at loose ends and impulsively offers to act as the resort's housekeeper. This also puts her near Baxter, the resort's scuba instructor. The sparks between them flew fast and furious. I loved the back and forth between them. Baxter is commitment-shy after a bad breakup and is known as quite the player, but there is something about Ridley that gets under his skin. Ridley is only looking for a fun time, however Baxter blasts right through the walls she has erected around her heart. It was fun to watch these two chase each other and try to keep their emotions out of it. An unexpected development forces them to face their feelings and make some decisions.

There was a bit of suspense involving Phoenix. It appears that someone is targeting her, and the question is who and why? There are several suspects, but I was pretty sure who it was from the beginning of the incidents. The resolution was a nail-biter with Phoenix's life on the line. I loved how it turned out, especially seeing Phoenix regain that last piece of herself. ( )

Please see all of my reviews on my blog at www.robinlovesreading.blogspot.com.

4.5 Stars

When Phoenix Rose approached Cooper's Charm RV Park and Resort, she knew it was the perfect place to escape, to get away. Phoenix suffered unimaginable loss after a horrid burglary at her previous place of business, and her life was completely shaken up. Up until then, her life was very much on track, as she owned a successful business and was engaged to be married. After her loss, however, she gave it all up, only to try and start again six months later.

Aside from the beauty of the resort, and her lovely new coworkers, one affected her more than everyone else, her wonderful and very sexy new boss, Cooper Cochran. While at first intimidated by Cooper, she finds herself undeniably drawn to her. Cooper has suffered a very great loss himself, as he lost his wife several years ago.

While Phoenix is making great strides, here comes her sister and best friend, Ridley. She is bearing bruises of her own after a divorce which has shaken her, and gladly takes on the job as housekeeper at the resort. Ridley is not shy by any means and is greedily drawn to the resort's scuba diving instructor Baxter. The thing is, for both Phoenix and Ridley, Cooper's Charm was meant to be a temporary escape, but with hot men part of the agenda, it bodes to be far more.

This is the first book in the Love at the Resort series. This story is a true delight. It is spicy and fun, with just a hint of intrigue, which was a nice surprise. Cooper's Charm is full of terrific characters and interesting storylines and is quite a charming read. As with all of Lori Foster's books, it is a very quick read. I thoroughly enjoyed the warm and loving relationship between the two sisters. No doubt, the rest of the series will be just as engaging. I am eager to see whose story is next. ( )