Beach Rental: when a business arrangement turns into something more

Beach Rental by Grace Greene is the first book in the Emerald Isle, NC series. On the Crystal Coast of North Carolina, in the small town of Emerald Isle, Juli Cooke is a hard-working woman who is getting nowhere fast. Until she accepts the proposal from Ben Bradshaw. He wishes for her companionship in his final days as he is dying from an incurable disease. He offers a financial incentive, which she accepts. A marriage of convenience that she has no idea will set her on a journey of hope and love. Luke Winters, a local art dealer, is Ben’s cousin and best friend. He resents Juli and warns her not to hurt Ben and he’s watching to make sure she doesn’t. Then suddenly, Ben dies, and everything changes. Juli struggles with her new role as widow, her place in the community, as well as the dangers from her past that won’t leave her alone. She is determined to fight for her new found future, filled with hope and love. 

Beach Rental is a beautiful story of faith, love and miracles. I enjoyed every character. Juli comes from a harsh background. When she meets Ben, she enters into the relationship as the financial settlement would help her leave her dead-end jobs and give her the security she needs. What she doesn’t count on is enjoying Ben’s company and learning to care for him. Ben is a man of faith who doesn’t fear dying. He simply wants his last days to be happy and joyful and he wants Juli to help him fill those days. There were a few surprises that were unexpected and added to the story’s drama and resolution. Even Luke, who is harsh and skeptical of the relationship at the beginning, begins to see the effect Juli has on Ben. When danger comes to Juli’s door, Luke is ready to help her, for Ben’s sake...or so he thinks. I highly recommend Beach Rental. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Juli and Ben’s story and look forward to reading the rest of the series. 

Beach Rental is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

Beautifully Broken Pieces: a fun and entertaining romance set in Oregon

 

Beautifully Broken Pieces by Catherine Cowles is the first book in the Sutter Lake series. It is the story of Taylor Lawson as she escapes to the remote town of Sutter Lake, Oregon as she grieves the death of her mother. She rents a cabin from the Cole family and soon gains the attention of Walker Cole, the local deputy sheriff. As the attraction between the two is evident from the beginning, their perspective griefs keep them at arm’s length. Walker worries about her safety as there is a rash of missing young girls from the area and Taylor is determined to show that she is fine. But is she fine? Will the abductor come after her? Can Walker keep her safe? When will they finally give in to the growing attraction between them?

Beautifully Broken Pieces is a sweet and enticing story about grief and moving on with one’s life. Some of the language the author uses was very cringey and awkward. I’m not a big fan of slang and some of it used in the story, I feel, didn’t fit the characters. However, I enjoyed the story as I loved the character of Walker and I learned to love Taylor by the end of the story. The revelation of who was abducting these girls and why was shocking and from left field. I look forward to more books in this series. I recommend Beautifully Broken Pieces.

 

Beautifully Broken Pieces is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook