Rating: 4 Stars
Source: NetGalley
Description: Ford Maddox has spent the last 20 years hiding from the world and doing work with birds on the secluded Sandpiper Island. 20 years ago Delia O'Reilly helped him when he needed it the most and now she needs help. But Delia has spent that time doing things on her own and getting her to accept help is not an easy thing to do. Can these two independent strong willed people work together? Can they each let down the walls they've spent so much time building?
Genre: Romance
Why I Picked This Book: While I enjoyed the previous book in this series (Half Moon Harbor review) it took me awhile to get into it. I wanted to see if reading the books in order helped.
My Impression:
Pros: One of the things I loved most about this book and the previous book was the characters. I can say the same thing about the characters in both books - they acted like mature and reasonable adults. However, Kauffman did a wonderful making these characters completely different than Grace and Brodie from Half Moon. Delia is all heart and used to being a shoulder for everyone else's troubles yet keeping herself slightly apart emotionally. A long time ago she lost everyone and everything that mattered to her and she's determined to not feel that way again while still reaching out to help people as much as possible. Ford had a rough childhood and a tough military career. When he came to Blueberry Cove, Maine he needed to find his footing and he needed to heal. He retreated to the island to work with birds and basically spent the next years alone. I liked that while Ford really wants to help he is awkward and rusty in dealing with people - especially Delia. Their interactions are lovely as well. They have quite a history so they know each other, however they haven't seen each other in awhile. While they say the wrong things they don't always storm off mad. They listen to each other, they communicate about what made them mad and they try to fix things all while seeming authentic. All the time spent at Delia's Diner gives the reader a good insight into the people of the town and the divide between the fisherman and the developers. I really enjoyed the time spent on Sandpiper Island and I'm going to have to spend some time looking up baby Puffins!
Cons: This is definitely a series that needs to be read in order as most of the background between Ford and Delia happened in Half Moon Harbor. I had a problem really figuring out what was going on in Half Moon Harbor for the first little while because I hadn't read the book before and I think that would've been the case with #3 if I hadn't read #2. Also, the end didn't tie up things as much as I'd like. I was satisfied with the ending between Delia and Ford but there were other storylines that were left a little open ended. I'm hoping to see more of what happens in book #4.
Overall: I really enjoyed my 2nd visit to this little harbor town in Maine. Delia and Ford are really likable characters that you can't help but root for. Just make sure you read the series in order!
Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Definitely! I've already got book #1 in this series and am looking forward to book #4!
Would I Recommend this Book?: Absolutely just remember that this is a series that it is important to read in order.
I like the sounds of this one but I'm glad you mentioned that they should be read in order. I'm very glad to hear that the characters behave like responsible adults and don't just storm off. That's a nice change!
ReplyDeleteAt one point one character apologized to the other for misunderstanding and the other character accepted it. I wanted to hug them! Definitely read them in order though! Makes it much more enjoyable!
DeleteFord and his healing process has my attention. Glad to hear that its enjoyable and worth reading on.
ReplyDeleteI really liked Ford and I wasn't sure how I would feel about him after the last book because he seemed really distant. In this book I think we really get to understand him. Definitely worth the read.
DeleteThanks for mentioning to read it in order. Also that they act like mature adults-hurray to that. I will look for this series at my library soon.
ReplyDeleteI thought of you for this one. I think you might like this series. It's set in a little town in Maine with great characters. But yes read them in order!
DeleteIt's always good to know when a series is best read it order. This sounds like a good one, and I'm glad the author was able to create such different characters from the ones you'd always encountered. Sometimes I find with series books the characters are so much alike they aren't memorable.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound good though!
I was surprised how well she did making the characters distinct without making them crazy. I agree about characters blending. I love the Lucky Harbor books but after awhile the characters kind of blend - especially the guys! Most of the setup is done n the book before so definitely read this one in order!
DeleteThanks for mentioning the reading in order thing, I'll start with Pelican Point, then. Great review !
ReplyDelete