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Title: Paradise Cove
Author: Jenny Holiday
Sub-genre: Contemporary
Content Warnings: death of a child (off page); grief; death of a grandparent; surprise pregnancy
Jenny Holiday is one of my absolute go to, one click writers. I have loved everything of hers I’ve ever read, and even with some of my least favorite tropes, she still manages to knock it out of the park for me every time, and Paradise Cove was no different.
Nora is a doctor, relocating to Matchmaker Bay from the big city, looking to lower her cost of living for a couple of years so she can save some money to buy a house with her sister. She plans to take advantage of a loan relief program for doctors who work in small towns, so she leases a clinic and a house and moves her entire life. Of course, since she recently caught her boyfriend cheating, this relocation comes at the perfect time. Jake is the strong, silent type, extra emphasis on the silent. Jake’s infant son died from the flu, leaving Jake completely devastated. In addition to mourning the loss of his child, he also suffered through a divorce and the death of his mother. It’s pretty much accepted around town that Jake doesn’t talk or participate. But Nora brings out a side of him that no one has seen in years. Jake finds her easy to talk to and since she is only planning on staying in town for two years, her impermanence means nothing serious can come of their flirtation. Nora is immensely attracted to Jake, so when a friends with benefits situation is presented, she goes for it, knowing she won’t be around long enough to form an attachment. But we all know how that works out. Good sex and good conversation, plus being there for each other during their grieving periods builds a much deeper love than either was expecting. But can they get over their hang ups and make it work? (Duh. They can, this is a romance.)
I think what I really love about Jenny’s books is the lack of external conflict. The emotions are the focus, and each character has their own internal struggle to contend with, and that for me is what makes her books so impactful. You feel things when you read a Jenny Holiday book that you don’t always with others. I knew I was going to like Jake since meeting him in Mermaid Inn, so that was no surprise for me. I also found Nora to be delightful. I loved her spirit and her independence and her compassionate nature. I’d already fallen in love with the town of Matchmaker Bay in the first book (which is weird for me as I don’t love small town romance, but again, that’s the magic of Jenny), and I loved it even more in this one. This is the kind of book you’ll sit and read in one sitting and have the biggest smile on your face, and then cry a little, and then go back to grinning ear to ear. It was perfect and I loved it.
Overall Rating: 5 stars
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