Showing posts with label Honeymoon Harbor series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Honeymoon Harbor series. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 02, 2019

SUMMER ON MIRROR LAKE (HONEYMOON HARBOR #3)

Summertime is the best time to lose yourself in the romance of Honeymoon Harbor…

When he lands in the emergency room after collapsing at the funeral of a colleague and friend, Wall Street hotshot Gabriel Mannion initially rejects the diagnosis of an anxiety attack. But when warned that if he doesn’t change his adrenaline-fueled, workaholic lifestyle he could end up like his friend, Gabe reluctantly returns to his hometown of Honeymoon Harbor to regroup.

As he adjusts to the sight of mountains instead of skyscrapers, Gabe discovers advantages to this small Pacific Northwest town he once couldn’t wait to escape. But it’s irresistible librarian Chelsea Prescott who, along with the two foster children she’s taken under her wing, makes slowing down seem like the best prescription ever.

Over the course of their summer romance, Gabe gets a taste of the life he might have had if he’d taken a different path. But with his return to New York City looming on the horizon, he’ll have to choose between the success he’s worked tirelessly for and a ready-made family who offers a very different, richly rewarding future…if he’ll only take the risk. 

Release Date: June 11, 2019
HQN Books
Honeymoon Harbor #3
Contemporary Romance
Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Summer on Mirror Lake is the newest book in the Honeymoon Harbor series from Joann Ross. I've been a fan of Ms. Ross for years, and reading the Honeymoon Harbor series of books reminds me why I started reading her books years ago. I have to say the Mannion family might be one of my favorite group of characters ever from Ms. Ross.

I loved Gabe Mannion and was so glad he had come home for the summer to recover following an anxiety attack, after seeing his mentor die from a heart attack. Gabe had been away from home for years, and it took him a bit to get back into the feel of things is his old hometown. I love the small-town feel of Honeymoon Harbor, and have to say local librarian Chelsea Prescott was a favorite character of mine from the beginning.

Chelsea has the biggest heart. She loves taking care of all the kids that come through her library and when 2 foster children start hanging out, she immediately takes them under her wings. She recognizes herself as a big sister in Hannah and I liked the connection from the beginning.I loved the connection between Chelsea and the girls from the beginning. Hailey and Hannah added something extra to the budding romance between Gabe and Chelsea, and there were moments I was absolutely laughing out loud and they tried to figure out have alone time with 2 young children in the house. 

Gabe and Chelsea worked as a couple for me, even as I wondered how two such different people, with different goals could make it work long-term. I thought they had amazing chemistry and I really felt it grew stronger the more time they spent together. My only complaint about this story was I felt like the resolution was rushed a bit. Yes, I wanted it to turn out as it did, but the pacing just seemed a bit fast for me.

Summer on Mirror Lake was another wonderful story from Joann Ross. This story can easily be read as a stand-alone story, but as I adored the other books in this series, I also suggest giving those books a read first. I'm one of those people who doesn’t like to reading books in a series out of order, but know there are many without that issue. Summer on Mirror Lake is the perfect romance for contemporary fans. 


Rating: 4.5 Stars (B+)


Monday, December 03, 2018

SNOWFALL ON LIGHTHOUSE LANE (HONEYMOON HARBOR #2)

Lose yourself in the magic, charm and romance of Christmas in the Pacific Northwest as imagined in JoAnn Ross’s heartwarming Honeymoon Harbor series. 

Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, Jolene Harper is forever indebted to the mother who encouraged her to fly—all the way to sunny LA and a world away from Honeymoon Harbor. Although Jolene vowed never to look back, returning home isn’t even a question when her mom faces a cancer scare. Which means running into Aiden Mannion all over town, the first boy she ever loved—and lost—and whom she can barely look in the eye.

Aiden’s black-sheep reputation may have diminished when he joined the marines, but everything he’s endured since has left him haunted. Back in Honeymoon Harbor to heal, he’s talked into the interim role of police chief, and the irony isn’t lost on the locals, least of all Aiden. But seeing Jolene after all these years is the unexpected breath of fresh air he’s been missing. He’s never forgotten her through all his tours, but he’s not sure anymore that he’s the man she deserves.

Despite the secret they left between them all those years ago, snow is starting to fall on their picturesque little town, making anything seem possible…maybe even a second chance at first love.

Release Date: November 1, 2018
Harlequin HQN Books
Honeymoon Harbor #2
Contemporary Romance
Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Snowfall on Lighthouse Lane is the latest release from JoAnn Ross's Honeymoon Harbor series. I love a good second chance romance story, and Ms. Ross did an amazing job in Snowfall on Lighthouse Lane.

I adored seeing Jolene and Aiden reconnect even as they initially tried to avoid each other when they were both home for a wedding previously. I think part of what I liked best about them reconnecting was the fact they started back as friends first. As they hadn't seen each other in years and never kept up with one another, it really worked for me that they slowly moved from friendship to more. Their relationship totally worked for me and was so very fun to watch it grow and become more.

However, my favorite part of the entire story was the relationship between Jolene and her mother, Gloria. I'm a huge fan of the show Gilmore Girls and I adored how much both women loved the show and really seemed to be so much like Lorelei and Rory. Their relationship gave me all the happy feels and was every bit as important to the story as the romance was to the story. I love when there is a secondary story that only adds to the main story of a book, and if felt like Jolene's relationship with her mom was every bit as important and her romance with Aiden.

Snowfall on Lighthouse Lane was a really beautiful story. Both the romance and the strong relationship between mother and daughter were so very well done.  I've read books by JoAnn Ross for years, yet had missed her last few releases. I have to say after reading her newest story; I have gone back and added all missed books to my to-be-read list. I highly recommend adding books by JoAnn Ross to your list of books to read if you enjoy reading emotional and uplifting stories.

Rating: 4 Stars (B)