Title: Bayside Romance
Author(s): Melissa Foster
Series: Bayside Summers #5
Also in this series: Bayside Escape
Published by World Literary Press on September 18, 2019
Pages: 300
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance, Second Chance Romance
Source: Author, Beck Valley Book Tours
Format: ARC, eBook
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
Rating:
Series Rating:
Heat Level:
Fall in love at Bayside, where sandy beaches, good friends, and true love come together in the sweet small towns of Cape Cod. Bayside Summers is a series of standalone steamy romance novels featuring alpha male heroes and sexy, empowered women. They're fun, flirty, flawed, deeply emotional, always passionate, and easy to relate to.
Gavin is about to find out that Harper really does exist—and she's going to knock his socks off! Find out for yourself in USA Today bestseller Bayside Romance!
When screenwriter Harper Garner got a shot at the big-time in LA, she celebrated her brave cross-country move with her first and only one-night stand—connecting so deeply with the sexy, brilliant man, she broke the number-one rule of one-night stands and left her phone number. Not hearing from him was only the first in a long line of hope-shattering, confidence-busting blows. Ten months later, Harper is done with men and done with LA. She pulls up her big-girl panties and heads home to Cape Cod to start over.
On the surface, interior designer Gavin Wheeler has it all: a successful business, a loving family, and a close-knit group of friends. But Gavin once endured a heartbreak so painful, he was sure he’d never feel anything for a woman again. A chance encounter at a music festival with a gorgeous, down-to-earth blonde proved him wrong, but when morning came, the woman who made him crave more was gone.
A serendipitous evening reunites Harper with her devastatingly delicious one-night stand, and the connection is just as intense as she remembered. Harper’s life is too unsettled for a relationship, but Gavin is determined to help her find her way, especially if it leads straight to his heart. Moonlight conversations lead to steamy kisses, and as romance blooms, it stirs a love too real to deny. But when Gavin’s past collides with the life they’re building, it has the power to ruin everything.
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Bayside Romance is a story about second chances. A second chance to experience love and a chance to revamp career goals. I accepted this book for review because one Melissa Foster wrote it and secondly it was a second chance romance.
Gavin and Harper met at a music festival one year ago, where they engaged in intimacy for one night. It would appear they made an impression on each other, but miscommunication led to them separating after that blissful night of passion. One year later, Harper disillusioned by her experiences in Los Angeles returned to Bayside, where she encountered the one person she never expected to see again. Old feelings reignite, Gavin, and Harper embarked on a passionate journey of rediscovery, forgiveness, healing, and love.
This was a well-written story, which came as no surprise, and the characters were well developed. However, I had a hard time with Gavin and Harper as a couple. I did not feel their chemistry, and I had a hard time buying into their relationship. I believe it was because most of the time was spent on Harper trying to find her footing career wise and her fears of failure. They spent time as a couple and did things couples would, but for me the chemistry was non-existent.
Gavin proved to be a caring person with a take the bull by the horn personality. The person Harper needed in her life to show her that one failure does not mean all is lost. He encouraged her and in the process, her confidence grew.
Melissa’s stories are usually angst free, so I was surprised by the conflict that appeared unexpectedly near to the end of the story. It wasn’t anything major, and they resolved the issue in matter of minutes. It would great if there was a little more drama in this regard.
I found the pacing to be slower than the other stories I have read by the author, and it was not as exciting either. I struggled to read the story.
I enjoyed the family and friends dynamics of the story. I loved the rapport and loved how supportive they were of each other.
Conclusion/Recommendation
I know there are die hearted fans who would love this installment more than I did. It was not a bad read, but when compared to the previous books in the series it fell short.
About Melissa Foster
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented, the perfect beach reads for contemporary romance and women’s fiction lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines with complex relatable issues. Melissa also writes sweet romance under the pen name Addison Cole. Melissa enjoys chatting with readers and book clubs. Send her an email invitation to your next event! Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.
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Hope your next read is better!
Yes, I have had better reads since then.
I haven’t read this author yet. Sorry to hear it wasn’t great.
Great honest review, I’m sorry this book kind of fell short for you but overall you enjoyed it. I hope you next read is a much better book. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post.
Thank you for sharing. I am sorry this book was a disappointment to you.
Nothing worst than a promising book to end up short.
Pity the book fell short for you. Not good when that happens, especially when it’s the characters that have let the book down. Great review.
I hate when a book falls short compared to the other books. However, the book sounds good!
It was ok, but not enough to wow me.
I totally get this – it happens to us all
I hate when you can’t feel the chemistry between the characters!
Yep, not good at all. It makes the romance feel unrealistic.
Now and then a series has a weak one that just isn’t as good as the others. Sounds like this was the one. 🙂 I like the way you’ve described Gavin.
Yes,for me this was the weak one. I loved Gavin, he was a great motivator.
Sorry it fell short for you, but it happens right!
I have dipped into this series but didn’t keep up with it. It sounds like this is not the book to draw me back in. Great review.
It wasn’t the one for me, but you may like it.