Not as good as the first book in the series, but pretty exceptional too.

Another quick trashy read. Thirty something man/boy afraid of commitment, meets shy woman...they fall in love. The End.

This was a good book, don't get me wrong, but I couldn't understand some of Grace's issues, which dulled my appreciation somewhat. It also ended too abruptly for my tastes.

Grace was fairly easy to identify with overall, but I couldn't understand why she was so secretive about the Lap-Band surgery. It almost seemed to me as if she was ashamed of having the surgery! I appreciated that she was a novice when it came to dating, as it made for a unique story.

Evan wasn't quite as confident as his siblings when it came to love, but the reasons for that were never fully explained. In fact, we didn't get too much depth on Evan at all! He kept fighting against being in love, then all of a sudden, he's totally committed to being in love with Grace, and she feels the same way. Just didn't feel believable to me.

That being said, the book was entertaining, and I'm eager to read the next book in the series!

Evan McCarthy, home from Nashville as he awaits the launch of his CD and the start of his tour, is performing at the tiki bar with Owen Lawry when he literally sees the proverbial damsel in distress. Grace Ryan is stranded on the island with no money or her things after having been abandoned by her creep boyfriend. When Evan offers her respite at his family's home for the night, this begins the end of his confirmed single status, unbeknownst to him.

I really liked and admired Grace who took control of her life when she resolved to tackle her obesity. She's now at (or about) her ideal size and is figuring out how to relate to men showing her attention for the first time in her life, as well as setting new goals for herself. Evan has some really low moments but redeems himself handily by the end of the story. These two seem to combust every time they're together, sometimes clouding what's lust versus emotional depth.

I'm a fan of multiple storylines so this aspect was strongly appealing. Owen and Laura McCarthy get lots of page time as their friendship evolves into something more. Tiffany Sturgil (Maddie's sister) also gets a lot of focus as her marriage reaches rock bottom. And, Big Mac and Linda face challenges in their marriage.

This was an enjoyable story, a really nice diversion from my mystery and suspense worlds. These are decent, hard-working people who embody the realities of island living. It's a joy to visit Gansett Island every month.

3.5 stars -- I didn't feel like I got to know Evan and Grace as much as I would have liked... I've decided I LOVE all the side stories with back stories on characters you've already read about and sneak peeks into characters that will get their own books in the future...but only if I also get a good whole story about the characters the book is supposed to be centered on. I needed more Evan and Grace out of this one, b/c you didn't meet Grace before this book....

On the other hand, I do love Gansett Island and all it's characters, so I still loved it...I just wanted a bit more from this one.

Tried to go into this with an open mind, but I'm not a fan of I'm good enough to date now that I'm skinny books... I really liked the characters and loved that she was a pharmacist, you never see that:) love all of the other story lines n POVS going on. I hated that they spent too much time apart and felt to rushed at the end to me.

Another great read from Marie Force.

We are back on Gansett Island Labor Day weekend. Grace is docked at the marina with her date - things go wrong and he sails away with all her stuff while she takes a walk. Evan McCarthy spots her in the Tiki Bar in the corner crying - during a break in the set he is playing with Owen he checks on her. Because he was raised by the WWBMD (What Would Big Mac Do) he takes her home to Mom to stay in Jaynie's room.

Grace comes back one week later to pay Evan back the money he gave her for the ferry and taxi home. Evan doesn't want a relationship and he tries to steer clear - but he is a McCarthy and McCarthy's fall HARD.

This read also checks in on many of our friends from the first four books.