Snowflake Bay - Donna Kauffman (Kensington - Sept 2015)

Series: Brides of Blueberry Cove (Book 2)

There's no place like seaside Blueberry Cove, Maine, at Christmas--and there's nothing like a wedding, the warmth of the holidays, and an old crush, to create the perfect new start...
 
Interior designer Fiona McCrae has left fast-paced Manhattan to move back home to peaceful Blueberry Cove. But she's barely arrived before she's hooked into planning her big sister Hannah's Christmas wedding--in less than seven weeks. The last thing she needs is for her first love, Ben Campbell, to return to neighboring Snowflake Bay...
 
As kids, Fiona was the bratty little sister Ben mercilessly teased--while pining after Hannah. But Fi never once thought of Ben like a brother. And that hasn't changed. Except Fi is all grown up. Will Ben notice her now? More importantly, with her life in a jumble, should he? Or might the romance of the occasion, the spirit of the season, and the gifts of time ignite a long-held flame for many Christmases to come...
 
Something old might just become something new...
 
I loved this friends-to-lovers story. Fiona sold her interior design business in Manhattan and returned to Blueberry Cove to get back to her design roots. In the previous book, Sea Glass Sunrise, she was involved in planning her brother Logan's wedding to Alex and had a front-row seat to sister Hannah's romance with Calder. Now Hannah wants Fiona to plan her Christmas wedding, which is only seven weeks away. This is on top of setting up her new business. The last thing she needs is for her schoolgirl crush, Ben, to reappear in Blueberry Cove. Ben, her brother's best friend, only had eyes for her sister Hannah back then.
 
Ben has a successful landscaping business in Rhode Island, but when his father's health issues force an early retirement, Ben comes back to run the family Christmas tree farm for the holidays. One of his first stops is to see Logan and his wife, Alex, where he also runs into Fiona. He always thought of her as Logan's bratty little sister, who he teased unmercifully. He still refers to her by the nickname "Fireplug Fi," a name she understandably hates.
 
The first meeting between Fiona and Ben was funny and sad. Poor Fiona was tangled up in her coat and scarf, and who came to her rescue but Ben? She's already embarrassed, then he calls her by that horrible name, making it even worse. Having been in the same predicament with a coat and scarf, I laughed in empathy with Fiona, but I also ached for her mortification at Ben's comments. I wanted to shake Ben for being unconsciously cruel. He gets quite the wake-up call a few days later when he runs into her at the local antique store and is rendered nearly speechless by the sight of Fiona in a clingy sweater. Suddenly "Fireplug Fi" has become a beautiful and sexy woman and his reaction flummoxes him.
 
I enjoyed seeing the development of the relationship between Ben and Fiona. It gets off to a rocky start when he overhears her complaining about the nickname to her other sister, Kerry. He's horrified to realize how much he hurt her and rightly ashamed of himself. While Fiona wants to pretend that none of it happened and ignore Ben, he wants to find a way to make amends. Fiona's brother Logan gets involved by forcing Ben to set up his Cove tree lot next door to Fiona's new shop. Thrown into frequent proximity, there is no denying the sparks that flare between them.
 
I loved their interactions. Because they've known each other for so long, they have plenty of ammunition for teasing each other. Fiona is quick-witted and gets in some good zingers on Ben, while he has an amusing way of flirting with her. They have more in common than expected, including facing significant life changes. The more time they spend together, the closer they grow, but neither is sure where it will go. Ben's business is in Rhode Island, and Fiona is just settling into Blueberry Cove and has no intention of returning to a city.
 
I loved seeing how deeply involved they became in each other's lives. I loved Ben's invitation to Fiona to come to his business's holiday party in Portland. Their trip on the train was intense, and I loved seeing how well Fiona fit in with his coworkers. There was also a terrific scene that involved Ben's ex-girlfriend, who clearly didn't want to let him go. Fiona dealt with her brilliantly. Ben has always been part of Fiona's family, and his involvement becomes even more important when a family member has a medical crisis. His caring and support are critical, not just for Fiona but for the whole family. But as Christmas draws closer, Fiona and Ben wonder what the future holds in store for them. The ending was fantastic as Ben finds the perfect way to manage both of his businesses and get the girl.
 
Once again, family relationships are a huge part of this series. Fiona's siblings play essential roles in the romance between our main characters, as they have no problem butting into each other's business. Their love and loyalty to each other are never in doubt, but it doesn't stop them from relentless teasing and interference when deemed necessary. Wedding planning is a source of stress and hilarity, while Uncle Gus's illness reminds them of life's fragility. I loved Ben's closeness with his parents and his desire to do what is right for everyone. His conversations with his mom are great - especially the one at the end of the book. I liked seeing more of Fiona's sister, Kerry. Something is up with her, and I can't wait to read her book.

Sandpiper Island - Donna Kauffman (Kensington - July 2014)

Series: Bachelors of Blueberry Cove (Book 3)

Ford Maddox was running from his past when he came back to Blueberry Cove, Maine, where he'd tasted both heartache and comfort. With feisty Delia O'Reilly there to cheer him on, he couldn't have picked a better place to start over—even if he's determined to do it alone in his island tree house, working to save endangered seabirds...and himself. But when he finds Delia fighting to hold on to her local diner, and all that's best about their little seaside town, Ford has to lend a hand. Suddenly two fiercely independent people are building something sweeter than they ever imagined...together.

DIY is so much better with two...
 
After reading Half Moon Harbor, the story of Ford's sister Grace, I couldn't wait to delve into Ford's book. Ford made his first visit to Blueberry Cove many years earlier when he accompanied the body of his friend and battle-buddy home after Tommy was killed. He and Tommy's sister, Delia, shared a night of passion fueled by their mutual grief. Then Ford returned to duty.
 
When Ford left the military, he was looking for someplace where he could be alone and at peace. He was drawn back to Blueberry Cove and specifically to Sandpiper Island. He earned his doctorate and became a bird biologist, working with endangered seabirds. Haunted by the memories of his past, Ford keeps his emotions locked down, refusing to care for anyone to protect his heart. Ford spends most of his time on the island, where he lives in an awesome treehouse complex and devotes his time to the birds. Then Grace calls to tell him that Delia's diner is in trouble and asks him to help her. Try as he might to ignore the request, telling himself that it's none of his business, Ford's protective instincts kick in, and he heads for the Cove.
 
Delia has lived in Blueberry Cove all her life. She spent hours at the diner with her grandmother while growing up and worked there as she grew older. Over the years, Delia has lost everyone she ever loved and has walled her heart away in fear of losing someone else she loves. The diner and her customers are the closest things she has to family. Now a local millionaire wants the land her diner occupies for his yacht club, and she is in danger of losing everything. She doesn't know what she'll do without the diner, but she doesn't know what she can or should do about it.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Ford and Delia develop. They've been friends of a sort for thirteen years, ever since Ford's return. They never speak of that night and ignore the attraction that still exists between them, though Delia can't claim she never thinks about it. In fact, it pops into her mind at inconvenient times. When Ford shows up unexpectedly, offering to help, her pride kicks in, and she sends him away. She brought the problem on herself and will deal with it, whatever she decides to do. Ford has trouble accepting that and goes looking for help on how to help her. I loved his visit to Eula and her shop. Her advice to Ford is spot-on, as are her eye-opening comments about his attitude. I laughed out loud at her remarks about him and her tree.
 
I loved the interactions between Ford and Delia, as he fought to help her, and she fought to keep him at a distance. I loved how Ford eventually accepted her refusal of help but still managed to be there when she needed him. He comforted and cared for her when she needed it and stood behind her when that was all she would allow. My favorite part is when Delia goes with Ford to rescue a baby puffin. Not only did I love their teamwork and seeing their walls begin to dissolve, but I also learned a few things about the Atlantic Puffin. Dropping their walls also gave the sparks between them the opportunity to ignite and their hearts to open. I liked how those few hours away from her troubles helped Delia identify her needs.
 
Their stay on the island ended abruptly with distressing news from the diner. Delia has been at a disadvantage because millionaire Brooks Winstock has more money and an in with the town council. Though the initial problem with the lease is Delia's fault, Winstock shows no care for town traditions. I still don't like him and his daughter and son-in-law, who are all entitled creeps. When the mayor and council pull an incredibly sneaky move, one of Delia's employees rallies the troops. I liked the ending scene, as Delia does some rallying of her own to force accountability. Fortunately, Grace comes up with the perfect solution to Delia's problem.

Half Moon Harbor - Donna Kauffman (Kensington - May 2014)

Series: Bachelors of Blueberry Cove (Book 2)

Bold, brash, Irish--Brodie Monaghan's been breaking hearts ever since he arrived in Maine to rebuild the family business. Still, there's one woman he just can't wow. Grace Maddox claims she's now part-owner of Monaghan Shipbuilders, and she has her own dreams for the weathered dockside buildings. Tiny Blueberry Cove has a way of welcoming strangers with wide-open arms, but is the sleepy coastal village ready for the fireworks these two spark?
 
DIY is so much better with two. . .
 
Terrific book about two people who come to Maine, making significant changes in their lives. I loved the small town, coastal Maine setting, and the colorful residents of Blueberry Cove.
 
Brodie left his home and large family in Ireland a year ago. He wasn't interested in following the family tradition of pub and inn owners. His heart was set on the older boat-building tradition and revitalizing the long-defunct shipyard in Maine. After securing possession of the docks and two boathouses, he splits his time between building and selling boats and restoring the boathouses. He needs the boat sales to earn money to pay the back taxes on the other boathouses. It's a slow process, and that slowness bites him in the butt when he loses one of the boathouses to another newcomer.
 
Grace was a successful estate attorney in DC when she realized she wasn't happy any longer. After years of witnessing the horrible ways families treated each other regarding wills and estates, she is determined to repair her relationship with her much older and estranged brother, Ford. She takes her sudden desire to build and run an inn to the tiny Maine town where Ford now lives. There she purchases a boathouse she intends to remodel into a high-end inn. She never dreamed that the real estate agent who sold it to her had an agenda of her own.
 
I loved the first meeting between Brodie and Grace. He's awakened by the sound of her cussing and her little dog (Whomper) barking. When he goes out to see what is going on, he's stunned to find out Grace claims to own one of his boathouses. Understandably angry and confused, he still can't help being a charming Irish gentleman and helping Grace with her current problem - a dead-fish-covered pup who shared the stench with her. Grace's reaction to all of that Irish charm is predictable, and the sparks between them are undeniable. I ached for Brodie as he realized that the sale of the boathouse was legal though extremely underhanded, thanks to a woman whose advances he'd rejected and who used his boathouse to get even.
 
I loved that Brodie and Grace quickly accepted that they couldn't change the circumstances, but they could control how they dealt with them. Though they started as adversaries, it didn't take long for them to become friends, visiting back and forth between their two properties. Brodie was smitten with Grace from the very beginning and wanted to do anything he could to help and protect her.  Grace was a little warier but rapidly found herself leaning on Brodie and depending on his support when her belief in herself wavered. The attraction between them also continued to build until they could no longer resist it, bringing them even closer.
 
In addition to their developing relationship, Brodie and Grace also had to deal with small-town politics and personalities. The real estate agent who sold the boathouse to Grace, Cami Weathersby, is also married to a town council member and is the daughter of the richest man in town. So when she wanted to get even with Brodie for his rejection, she knew exactly how to do it. Cami and her privileged attitude were very easy to dislike, especially her refusal to give up her pursuit of Brodie. Complicating matters was her father's plan to have Brodie build a four-masted schooner that Mr. Winstock plans to use to bring tourists to town. He also wants to make Brodie's largest boathouse into a yacht club. The negotiations between Brodie and Winstock were very interesting, especially when it came to Cami (eww). It all came to a head when Cami made another play for Brodie in front of Grace. I laughed out loud at Brodie's deer-in-the-headlights look and cheered when Grace took action to rescue him. It also precipitated unplanned talk of feelings in a fun "after-action" conversation.
 
Another storyline in the book is Grace's plan to reunite with her brother Ford. After her mother's death and Ford's joining the military, her life was not an easy one and made her leery of sharing her heart. I ached for both of them as they grew further apart until Ford stopped visiting altogether. Grace's feelings of abandonment lasted for a long time. I liked her story of how she decided to find Ford and reconnect with him. I understood why she kept putting off that meeting once she arrived, worried about his reaction and what she would do. I loved when she finally worked up the courage. That scene was emotional, nerve-wracking, and ultimately satisfying. It was a good start, and I was happy to see a little more progress by the end of the book.
 
I enjoyed seeing the various secondary characters. Fergus, the pub owner, was fun with his grumpy commentary during Brodie's visit. He's also one of two gossip-masters in town, the other being Delia, the diner owner. Delia has an interesting backstory with Ford. I liked how she connected with Grace and the rapid progression of their friendship. I especially enjoyed their conversation on Brodie's boat near the end of the book. The other fascinating character was Grace's friend Langston, the architect. He was a terrific friend to her while also being an over-the-top illustration of an eccentric artist. His conversations with Grace were always fun yet filled with wise advice. His flirtatious ways were a riot to watch, and I loved the scene at the end with Delia.