Fast read! Tried and true formula: recently divorced woman moves to small town to start over, immediately meets multiple gorgeous single men, and a list of other things to deal with in the process (angst-y daughter, remodeling an inn, budget) but everything turns out great in the end. I laughed. I cried. I think I broke my record for how fast I read a book.

With that all said, this was a great little feel-good story. The plot moved swiftly, there was enough character development for all the main characters. Although there were a lot of bit players that I never did really get a handle on. Jenna is recently divorced with a teenage daughter and moves to a small little beach town to help her aging aunt manage her inn. Unbeknownst to Jenna, the place looks as old as her aunt, and there's barely any money for renovations. The town is what I typically think of when I think of seaside towns -- a cute little ice cream parlor, a small candy store, some souvenir type of shops, lots of seashell decorations -- and it doesn't disappoint me. Most of the plot revolves around the renovations and how to get everything done because no one wants to stay there the way it is. But there are men in the picture willing to help out a beautiful woman in need, and Jenna has no shortage of that. There are a lot of side characters helping things along, and everyone welcomes Jenna with open arms. My only disappointment is that Jenna hasn't picked a man by the end of the book so I'll have to move on to the rest of the books in the series to find out.

All in all, a great read. If you love Hallmark movies, you will love this. It's just like reading a Hallmark movie lol. ( )

Welcome to Moonlight Harbor (Moonlight Harbor #1) by Sheila Roberts

April 17, 2018
Mira
Fiction, beach read
Rating: 4/5

Jenna Jones is a 40 yo divorced Massage Therapist who moves to Moonlight Harbor with her daughter, Sabrina. The resistant 14 year old would prefer to live with her father but he is living in his parents’ basement with his girlfriend, Aurora. Damien Petit, the ex-husband, barely makes a living as an artist and content to live off of support payments from Jenna.

The move to Moonlight Harbor was encouraged by Jenna’s Aunt Edie Patterson, who has been struggling to keep the family owned Driftwood Inn afloat. Since her husband Ralph passed away, it’s just been her and Jolly Roger, the parrot and Pete Long, the lazy handyman.

Jenna decides to exert all her energy and money into renovating the failing inn. She meets the locals and soon starts to settle into life at Moonlight Harbor. Fortunately, Seth Waters moves to town to start his mold treatment business. He moves into the Driftwood Inn and eventually exchanges work for rent during the construction.

This is the first book of the Moonlight Harbor Series. The local characters and their roles are introduced setting the stage for their contribution to the unfolding story.

( )

Right from the start, I was in love. No, not with what was happening exactly, because honestly, Jenna was definitely going through a rough time of things, and her daughter wasn't making it any easier (typical teenager), but I was happy with how the story started to take shape right from the word go. Yes, Jenna was struggling through a rough patch not of her own doing, but she took it in as much stride as she could, had a great support system in her extended family, and made some moves (namely to Aunt Edie's) in the right direction. Grant it, seeing the Driftwood Inn turn shiny penny pretty isn't a short term process, but goals and dreams are great to have, especially in times of hardship. They give us things to focus on other than ourselves, and you'd be surprised just how much GOOD can come your way when you simply stop looking for it.

Author Sheila Roberts creates a story filled with character, heart, and heartbreak, but also of strength, resilience, and the power of a second chance. While I enjoyed getting to know Jenna and seeing things from her perspective, I gotta say, I have a soft spot for several of the others we meet along the way. Aunt Edie, for one, holds a big part of my heart. Her overall spirit was so welcoming; her heart always ready to take in a wayward soul. Her past...you never would have guessed seeing how trusting she still was, but let's just say she had a well of inner strength. Pete, though not much of a handyman, was handy when it came to taking care of those he cared for...and sometimes that simple touch of humanity is just what a person needs to feel whole again. Tyrella was a sweetheart, making our girl Jenna feel right at home, and no one could say her attitude was not infectious. As for our potential matches of the heart, though certainly "shiny penny" Brody still had a reputation...hard to shake in a small town...while Seth had a history not completely of his own making. I'd like to think I know who I would have chosen, but sometimes no choice IS a choice.

In the end, I found it to be a truly enjoyable read from start to finish that celebrates new beginnings, friendship, and family through the ups and downs that life can throw a person's way. Jenna was a great leading lady, even in her worst of times, as was Aunt Edie, and even our teenage storm aka Sabrina. Though I do wish matters of the heart were a bit more tied up by the final page (the options!), it was a great summer reading escape nonetheless and a highly recommended choice from me to you.


**copy received for review ( )

Welcome to Moonlight Harbor (Moonlight Harbor #1) by Sheila Roberts

Jenna Jones is a 40-year-old divorced Massage Therapist who moves to Moonlight Harbor with her daughter, Sabrina. The resistant 14-year-old would prefer to live with her father but he is living in his parents’ basement with his girlfriend, Aurora. Damien Petit, the ex-husband, barely makes a living as an artist and content to live off of support payments from Jenna.

The move to Moonlight Harbor was encouraged by Jenna’s Aunt Edie Patterson, who has been struggling to keep the family-owned Driftwood Inn afloat. Since her husband Ralph passed away, it’s just been her and Jolly Roger, the parrot and Pete Long, the lazy handyman.

Jenna decides to exert all her energy and money into renovating the failing inn. She meets the locals and soon starts to settle into life at Moonlight Harbor. Fortunately, Seth Waters moves to town to start his mold treatment business. He moves into the Driftwood Inn and eventually exchanges work for rent during the construction.

This is the first book of the Moonlight Harbor Series. The local characters and their roles are introduced setting the stage for their contribution to the unfolding story.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2775868731

https://bookwormreviewblog.blogspot.com/2019/04/welcome-to-moonlight-harbor-book...

https://www.bookbub.com/books/welcome-to-moonlight-harbor-by-sheila-roberts ( )

This was a wonderful start to a new series set on the Washington coast. With a remarkably well written teenage daughter in tow, Jenna Jones heads to Moonlight Harbor to help her Aunt Edie renovate the Driftwood Inn. Jenna spent summers in Moonlight Harbor as a girl, and her memories of the place makes her believe it is a great place to begin again after her divorce. Roberts recently finished her popular Icicle Falls series, and I thought the nod to Muriel Sterling's self help book was very sweet. I liked how the book meandered through the boring parts of renovation, and was quite worried about how Jenna would come up with the money for this project. Moonlight Harbor houses a plethora of great secondary characters, certainly some will rate their own book as time goes on. ( )