A Little Bit of Love - Synithia Williams (HSE #3050 - June 2024)

Their first meeting changed her life
Their second one changes everything
 
Sheri "Li'l  Bit" Thomas will do anything to help revitalize the community she loves-even work with Lieutenant Deandre King, the cop who once
arrested her after a stupid breakup stunt. Opening her new restaurant is a great first step. Partnering with the handsome widowed dad on an outreach event for at-risk youth and businesses is an even better one. But neither counts on the attraction simmering between them-or the potential problems with Deandre's teen son. Is Sheri's past a bad example for him, indicative of drama to come? Or is she the mom-and wife-they never knew they needed?
 
This was a good book that was full of romance and family drama. Sheri recently returned to town and opened a restaurant. She loves her community but also admits that it has its problems. She is involved in revitalizing the area and works with the police lieutenant assigned to the project. She and Deandre have a history- Deandre was the officer who arrested her after she vandalized her ex's car.
 
Deandre is a widower with a teenage son. He moved to town after his wife's death so his in-laws could help with his son. He is determined to succeed with the revitalization project that he hopes will solve the problems of bored teenagers.
 
Neither Sheri nor Deandre anticipated the attraction that flared between them. I liked their connection and how well they understood each other's lives and challenges. Their growing feelings for each other are complicated by his son DJ's attempts to keep them apart.
 
I liked how the author handled the issue of the teens and DJ. It was a realistic look at the attitudes of the teens and the adults around them. There were some tense moments with DJ that Sheri dealt with well.
 
The problems with DJ cause Sheri and Deandre to step back from their growing relationship. I liked their honesty with each other. I loved seeing what brought them back together and their look toward the future. 

 

Island Refuge - Regan Black (Kindle Scribe - Feb 2024)

Series: Brookwell Island (Book 2)
 
Have old secrets followed her home?
 
Lila Copeland seized her chance for a fresh start and never looked back. After years of school and training, she’s coming home to put her stamp on the family bakery.
 
Unfortunately, trouble follows...in the form of Travis Upton. The security expert isn't just the man she's been crushing on for months, he's the man accusing her of a major jewelry heist.
 
When Travis’s investigation reveals a serious threat to the gorgeous baker, the easiest way to protect her is to pose as her doting boyfriend.
 
Their talk of love may only be white lies, but the kisses are as real as the danger closing in.
 
As the thief applies more pressure, putting the people and town she loves in the crossfire, Lila will do whatever it takes to help Travis close his case. Even confess her ugly secrets.
 
Travis, undaunted by her past, is determined to give the woman who holds his heart the safe haven she needs and the happy future she deserves.
 
It was a good book that kept me involved from start to finish. Lila was mostly raised by her grandparents and went on to become an accomplished chef. After spending time as a chef for a celebrity couple, Lila is headed home to work in the family bakery. The night before she leaves the yacht to go home, Lila stumbles across a cache of stolen jewelry. Before she can report it to Travis, the yacht's security expert, he appears at her office door with suspicion in his eyes.
 
Travis is a security expert with the Guardian Agency. He had just received notification of the theft before he appeared at Lila's office and found her with the stolen goods. It looks terrible, but his gut tells him she isn't the thief. He's worried that she might be the victim of a setup, so he follows her home.
 
It quickly becomes evident that Lila is in danger. Travis feels guilty that he may have put a target on her back, but he is determined to keep her safe. Lila is shocked when he suddenly appears and is stunned when he claims to be her boyfriend. I loved how she jumped into the scenario and actively participated in the investigation. I was glued to the pages as the threats against Lila intensified. Someone is determined to retrieve those jewels from her and they don't care how they do it. The twists and turns kept me turning the pages long into the night. The final confrontation was a nail-biter that included a blast from Lila's past.
 
I enjoyed watching Travis and Lila's relationship develop. Each had been crushing on the other while on the yacht, but neither did anything about it. Lila was headed home, and Travis was a man who had never stayed in one place long. Pretending to be a couple allows them to spend time together and get to know each other. It doesn't take long for the pretend kisses to turn real and thoughts to turn to the future. The ending was terrific. I especially enjoyed seeing Travis convince Lila of his feelings.
 
The secondary characters were fantastic. I loved Lila's feisty grandmother. It was easy to see her influence on Lila and their deep love for each other. I laughed at her comments to Travis. I also enjoyed seeing characters from other books and look forward to reading more of the Guardian Agency books. 

Island Homecoming - Regan Black (Kindle Scribe - Nov 2023)

Series: Brookwell Island (Book 1)
 
Sometimes going home is the only way to heal…
 
Saving two innocent people from a deadly threat has scarred Jess Keller, heart and soul. So she's leaving paradise for an assignment back home that she hopes will restore her inner peace.
 
But going home means coordinating with an unfamiliar security team while also facing her biggest regret: Nash Billings.
 
Nash is passionate about the island town where he was born and raised. Unlike Jess, he never longed to call anywhere else home. Unfortunately, she walked away from both him and their town and the heartache never faded.
 
Nash sees Jess's return as an opportunity for closure, only to discover their passionate spark is stronger than ever.
 
Also the same? Jess running headlong into danger to protect others.
 
With threats mounting around them, Nash is determined to help Jess overcome the issues that brought her home. And he'll do anything necessary to give them a second chance for true love and a future that fulfills their wildest dreams.
 
Terrific second chance romance and start to a new series. Jess was a Key West police officer until an on-the-job incident (Ilsa's Protector) caused her to question her future in law enforcement. She heads home to Brookwell Island to rethink her future and, through unexpected circumstances, ends up as an auxiliary officer with her local police department. She also ran into Nash, her high school and college sweetheart, whom she left behind when she left Brookwell Island.
 
Nash has never forgotten Jess. While she couldn't wait to leave, his roots were firmly planted on the island. Seeing her again should bring closure to their relationship, but it only makes him long for more.
 
I enjoyed watching the rekindling of the relationship between Jess and Nash. Their first meeting was awkward, with the mistakes of the past coming between them. Nash's "blackmailing" her into having dinner with him turned out better than he expected as their old easiness returned. Though Nash tries to convince himself he's only interested in renewing their friendship, it doesn't take long to realize that his feelings for her are stronger than ever. I loved seeing them get to know each other as adults. I enjoyed their teasing and seeing them work at seeing each other's points of view.
 
The suspense of the story was great. Jess has been brought on as additional security to help investigate drug trafficking. The tension is evident as law enforcement protects the evidence while attempting to capture those responsible. You can feel the islanders' determination to keep their island safe and their frustration when things don't go their way. The intensity ramps up when they set a trap, and I was glued to the pages as the scene played out. An unexpected twist put Jess in danger, and I could feel Nash's fear for her safety. The resolution was well done and realistic.
 
With the case wrapped up, it's time for Jess to decide about her future. I ached for her and her reluctance to continue in law enforcement. I loved the surprise offer that she received, the effect it had on her, and what it meant for the relationship between her and Nash. I loved the ending, and the epilogue was fantastic.