Romance

I generally do short, generic reviews so that there aren't any spoilers, but I have opinions about this one that I would like to talk about.

Before getting into that, though, I want to say that there were several months between when I read Welcome to Moonlight Harbor and Winter at the Beach, but I went right into this one after finishing Winter. Well, I should have put some time in between books two and three as well. By the halfway point, I was tired of Celeste and just wanted to get to the end so I could move on to another book. I will definitely be putting some time between this one and book four. Also, I usually read more mystery, murder, suspense, and thrillers, so I will have to remember to only read one of these at a time as a palette cleanser between other books. I like a little love story now and then, but apparently reading two in a row was too much for me.

Now, the writing is good and the story is pretty much what you would expect. I tell people these books are like reading a Hallmark movie. Celeste comes to stay at the Driftwood and immediately there are several hot single men that she has to choose from. Jenna 2.0 there, right? Sidenote: Will Jenna just pick Seth already???? We really could have completely done without this book at all. It should have been left at a trilogy, with Jenna finally getting her happily ever after at the end of book three. By the way, I want to live in this town because there are hot single guys everywhere for being such a small place.

Celeste pretty much bugged me the entire time. She's complaining that her life is a mess because she doesn't have a man, that she's not put together. Yet she has a job she loves, a great apartment, and wonderful friends and family...but thinks that none of that matters because she's single. A man doesn't define how successful you are! Why is she being such a big whiner?? And why does everything revolve around having a man? Get over yourself already. Jenna is single, Aunt Edie is single, Melody is single...and they all have full, vibrant lives. Why is she so hung up on a man being the end-all, be-all of her worth?

Let's start with Pastor Paul...yes, he's a great guy. Attractive, caring, respectful, loyal, trustworthy, everything you'd ever want in a man. He's perfect...on paper. But he hates her dog (big red flag!) and doesn't give her all the feels that The One is supposed to give her. On paper and in her head, he's great, the most wonderful man on the planet, but in her heart, not so much. They don't have anything in common whatsoever. He doesn't drink (she loves wine), he doesn't dance (she loves all forms of dancing), and, when they're planning their wedding, he makes her concede to all his wishes for it. She has to give up where and when, the honeymoon, heck, she even gives up her perfect wedding dress for him (and his overbearing mother). What is she getting out of this relationship?? Nothing. She gets a built-in, non-paying job of taking care of him and his congregation for the rest of her life (none of which she wants to do, so why is she marrying him?????). Every step of the way she was thinking about Henry.

So, Henry Gilbert. They definitely got off on the wrong foot, but they have a great, casual, easy way with each other. They drive each other crazy, but they have so much fun together. He loves her dog, and they have sparks galore. He may not check off everything on the "perfect man" list, but he's definitely perfect for her. Like Paul, he's attractive and smart. We don't really get to see his loyal and trustworthy side, but it seems to be there. He cares for her and respects her decision to be with the pastor, even though he doesn't agree with it. He's also funny and makes her smile (when he's not exasperating her), and is a wonderful dancer. He likes going out and having fun, dancing or shooting pool, having a few drinks. He brings out things in her that Paul doesn't, and he's just obviously the better choice. He isn't afraid to take her on, make her see things differently, make her think.

There was also the option of Victor, the policeman. That was really a non-starter. Yet again, attractive and single, a great, caring guy. But Courtney likes him and Celeste doesn't want to date a cop because of Emerson so she really never gave him a chance although he did help her with her line dancing.

All in all, I could have done without this book. It didn't really add anything to the series. I think you could probably skip this one. I'm guessing it won't make much difference when you read book four, other than you may be a little confused on when Celeste got married. Go ahead and read it if you're a die-hard romance lover. There's a happily ever after at the end. ( )

Perfect light summer beach read. I went and read the first two books in the series before I read this one and couldn't wait to start it based on books 1 and 2. Summer Retreat didn't disappoint. Loved Henry and how he and Celeste met, and he got along so well with Nemo.

Wish Moonlight Harbor was a real place, I'd love to take the kids.

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own. ( )

Review to follow
I received a digital copy of this book (ARC) in exchange for an unbiased review from NetGalley and MIRA books.

The Summer Retreat(Moonlight Harbor #3) by Shield Roberts

April 23, 2019
Mira Publishing
Fiction, beach read
Rating: 3/5


I received a digital ARC copy of this book from Mira and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is the third book in a series. I read the first two before reading this book to put it in context although they could easily stand alone. The books are light beach reads which unfortunately felt weighed down by too many characters.

I enjoyed the first book but the following books seemed to be weighed down with many characters. The description and history of the characters were informative but not entirely necessary to plot and resolution. Maybe this was intentional to set the pace for upcoming books in the series.

Overall, a delightful, easy read with a lot of Christian undertones and nods to other women’s literature authors. This book centers mostly on Celeste Jones, who decides to move to Moonlight Harbor Inn for respite. Jenna Jones, her sister, had worked hard renovating the Driftwood Inn, which has been in the family for years.

I had read the first two books so I was prepared when this book started with a focus on Celeste. It didn’t feel organic in flow from the ending of the previous book. I was anticipating each novel to build off the other which they did but also provide insight into next book.

Of course, it is difficult for me to provide a review of this book as a stand alone since I’ve read the other books. The storyline is clever and the romantic subplots humorous. I felt it lacked a strong framework moving forward to support the additions to the series.


( )

The Summer Retreat (Moonlight Harbor #3) by Shield Roberts

April 23, 2019

I received a digital ARC copy of this book from Mira and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is the third book in a series. I read the first two before reading this book to put it in context although they could easily stand alone. The books are light beach reads which unfortunately felt weighed down by too many characters.

I enjoyed the first book but the following books seemed to be weighed down with many characters. The description and history of the characters were informative but not entirely necessary to plot and resolution. Maybe this was intentional to set the pace for upcoming books in the series.

Overall, a delightful, easy read with a lot of Christian undertones and nods to other women’s literature authors. This book centers mostly on Celeste Jones, who decides to move to Moonlight Harbor Inn for respite. Jenna Jones, her sister, had worked hard renovating the Driftwood Inn, which has been in the family for years.

I had read the first two books so I was prepared when this book started with a focus on Celeste. It didn’t feel organic in flow from the ending of the previous book. I was anticipating each novel to build off the other which they did but also provide insight into next book.

Of course, it is difficult for me to provide a review of this book as a stand alone since I’ve read the other books. The storyline is clever and the romantic subplots humorous. I felt it lacked a strong framework moving forward to support the additions to the series.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2775864073

https://bookwormreviewblog.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-summer-retreat-book-3-by-she...

Book 1: Welcome to Moonlight Harbor
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2775868731

Book 2: Winter at the Beach
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2775871175 ( )