Status
Available
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Mira (2013)
Description
Fiction. Romance. HTML:New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Sherryl Woods takes readers to the North Carolina coast with a new family and her trademark heartfelt emotionsIn a trade-off she's lived to regret, Emily Castle left home years ago to become an interior designer. The youngest of three sisters, Emily desperately wanted to prove herself. Success, though, came at the cost of leaving behind the man she loved. For Boone Dorsett, losing Emily left his heart shattered, but another woman was waiting in the wings. Now a widower with a young son, Boone has a second chance with Emily when a storm brings her home. But with his former in-laws threatening a custody suit, the stakes of loving her are higher than ever. Will fate once again separate them�??or is the time finally right for these two star-crossed love… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member jbarr5
Sand Castle Bay by Sherryl Woods
New series as another ends from Sherryl.
3 sisters are traveling from all over to help with the hurricane that is due to hit around the house where their grandmother works at her restaurant but she's in Richmond VA where her son dropped her off at Gabi's.
Boone
The story also follows others love interests while they are fixing up the restaurants after the hurricane.
Career and home life balance makes them all consider the path they want to take...
Love hearing of the project Emily is involved with and what they need to do to make it all happen.
Boone with his new project is keeping them away but in contact with one another. Is it enough?
When the grandparents come into play to gain custody things really heat up...
I expected more of this series, maybe in the next book...Love all the travel but there's not a lot of very detailed descriptions about the locale.
New series as another ends from Sherryl.
3 sisters are traveling from all over to help with the hurricane that is due to hit around the house where their grandmother works at her restaurant but she's in Richmond VA where her son dropped her off at Gabi's.
Boone
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Dorsett, a widower with a child that had gotten dumped from Emily, was back in the area after the hurricane and he had called Cora and she and the granddaughters would be there in the morning to start repairing and cleaning the place.The story also follows others love interests while they are fixing up the restaurants after the hurricane.
Career and home life balance makes them all consider the path they want to take...
Love hearing of the project Emily is involved with and what they need to do to make it all happen.
Boone with his new project is keeping them away but in contact with one another. Is it enough?
When the grandparents come into play to gain custody things really heat up...
I expected more of this series, maybe in the next book...Love all the travel but there's not a lot of very detailed descriptions about the locale.
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LibraryThing member rhonda1111
4 STARS
Sand Castle Bay (An Ocean Breeze Novel) Book 1
The first novel in this new series was good. I already want to find out what happens to Emily's sister.
Emily broke up with her boyfriend because she wanted to make lfe away from Sand Castle but she always thought that Boone would be waiting for
Boone was hurt when Emily broke up with him and left town. He was hurt and thought it was over so he found someone else to love and marry. Now he is a single father in thier hometown after his wife died. Boone is really close to Emily's grandmother Cora Jane still.
Now Emily and her two sisters are back in town to help thier grandmother get the family restraunt back open and repaired after a hurricane. No one told Emily that Boone is now a widower or that he owns three restraunts of his own.
Boone's son B.J. is close to Cora Jane and spends time with her too. B.J. gets attached to Emily right off the bat. Boone is afraid he will get hurt when Emily leaves.
Everyone wants Emily and Boone to workout thier differences and get back together except Boone's Former Mother-in-law. Working on opposites coasts make it hard to have a relationship too.
This is a character driven novel. Lots of characters. B.J. is cute all by himself. I like the characters and wanted everything to workout for Emily & Boone too. I want to read the next two books now but have to wait till they come out.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange for honest review from Netgalley.
Sand Castle Bay (An Ocean Breeze Novel) Book 1
The first novel in this new series was good. I already want to find out what happens to Emily's sister.
Emily broke up with her boyfriend because she wanted to make lfe away from Sand Castle but she always thought that Boone would be waiting for
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her to come back. When Boone got married to someone else right after she was hurt bad.Boone was hurt when Emily broke up with him and left town. He was hurt and thought it was over so he found someone else to love and marry. Now he is a single father in thier hometown after his wife died. Boone is really close to Emily's grandmother Cora Jane still.
Now Emily and her two sisters are back in town to help thier grandmother get the family restraunt back open and repaired after a hurricane. No one told Emily that Boone is now a widower or that he owns three restraunts of his own.
Boone's son B.J. is close to Cora Jane and spends time with her too. B.J. gets attached to Emily right off the bat. Boone is afraid he will get hurt when Emily leaves.
Everyone wants Emily and Boone to workout thier differences and get back together except Boone's Former Mother-in-law. Working on opposites coasts make it hard to have a relationship too.
This is a character driven novel. Lots of characters. B.J. is cute all by himself. I like the characters and wanted everything to workout for Emily & Boone too. I want to read the next two books now but have to wait till they come out.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange for honest review from Netgalley.
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LibraryThing member autumnblues
A story of second chances in relationships and love
Sand Castle Bay is a story of second chances and this theme is presented throughout the story with different situations and characters. Up front and center you have Emily and her former love interest Boone Dorsett, then there is the relationship
Having spent many Summers vacationing on the Outer Banks in SC, I was very excited to get into the Woods new Ocean Breeze series. I really liked the narrative of this story and when it comes to love I have always considered stories of second chances to be very romantic. I like the relationship between the sisters in Sand Castle Bay and how Woods presents her characters in realistic relationships. When it comes to the Castle sisters, they bicker and forgive but just like real life sibling, in the process still keep secrets from each other, which gives the story a touch of mystery.
I did find a few weakness but I believe these to be related to Woods setting the stage for this new series. In doing so, I felt Woods held back in expanding the lives and interests of her characters, but this in no way takes away from the main purpose and theme. I feel what is lacking more than anything when it comes to the relationship between the characters Emily and Boone is steam. I also do feel Boone’s character seems a little too laid back and lacking some emotion as well. Woods easy to read and slow-moving style for this story makes it a perfect read if you are searching for that perfect lazy Summer romance. I would highly recommend the Ocean Breeze trilogy to anyone who believes in second chances at relationships and love.
Sand Castle Bay is a story of second chances and this theme is presented throughout the story with different situations and characters. Up front and center you have Emily and her former love interest Boone Dorsett, then there is the relationship
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between Boone and his demanding, manipulative ex-mother-in-law and lets not forget Emily’s widowed grandmother, Cora Jane who has a new love interest.Having spent many Summers vacationing on the Outer Banks in SC, I was very excited to get into the Woods new Ocean Breeze series. I really liked the narrative of this story and when it comes to love I have always considered stories of second chances to be very romantic. I like the relationship between the sisters in Sand Castle Bay and how Woods presents her characters in realistic relationships. When it comes to the Castle sisters, they bicker and forgive but just like real life sibling, in the process still keep secrets from each other, which gives the story a touch of mystery.
I did find a few weakness but I believe these to be related to Woods setting the stage for this new series. In doing so, I felt Woods held back in expanding the lives and interests of her characters, but this in no way takes away from the main purpose and theme. I feel what is lacking more than anything when it comes to the relationship between the characters Emily and Boone is steam. I also do feel Boone’s character seems a little too laid back and lacking some emotion as well. Woods easy to read and slow-moving style for this story makes it a perfect read if you are searching for that perfect lazy Summer romance. I would highly recommend the Ocean Breeze trilogy to anyone who believes in second chances at relationships and love.
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LibraryThing member RtB
Reviewed by: Robin
Book provided by: NetGalley
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
I started reading Sherryl Woods when she was writing Harlequin Romance novels. Since then I have somewhat followed or stalked her by watching in earnest for new books. So when the chance to review her new
In Sand Castle Bay we learn about small town life in North Carolina. As with most first books you get the feel for the family, the town, the life of the people in and around this small town. The Castle family is a warm, close group of sisters Emily, Gabi and Samantha. Their grandmother Cora Jane is a warm person that you can’t help but fall in love with and wish that she were a part of your family. Cora wants only what is best for her girls having decided it was well past the time for them to find someone who completes them. So she begins her meddling with a little help from a hurricane. The hurricane has beaten her restaurant down and the girls come to the rescue.
Sand Castle Bay is the story of Emily, the youngest of the three sisters. Wanting to make it on her own she leaves and heads to California where she runs a very successful Interior Design business to the rich and famous. Coming home means having to deal with her past and the man she once loved and left. Boone‘s heart was broken when Emily left. Having lost his wife and raising a son Boone doesn’t want to feel anything for Emily but the sparks are still there and allot of unfinished business. As they work things out Boone’s son B.J. takes to Emily right away. He of course is afraid she will break his heart just as she had done to Boone all those years ago.
I loved how the basic simplicity of the story line drew me in. The quiet little picturesque town described so that you want to pack your bags and head off there tomorrow or today. I always say my bags are packed. The decisions that have to be made are ones you can imagine making yourself. It was so easy to put yourself into the story. Ms. Woods never once takes the reader out of the story. She has a way of always making you feel warm, safe and at home in Sand Castle Bay. Sitting on the dock, sipping iced-tea and just relaxing wouldn’t that be heaven to be able to do every day? Ms. Woods takes on through the turmoil of what long distance relationships are like showing us that they are workable if both parties really want it bad enough. I really loved how the strong family bond in woven within the frame of this story. Family always or should always know at least that sometimes we have to move away from them in order to grow into the people we are to become. With that being said it is also nice to know that when we do come back for whatever reason they are always there to understand and give us that second chance. Because sometimes that one thing we were looking or searching for was right there in front of us all the time.
Ms. Woods gave us a glimpse into Gabi and Samantha’s journey’s. After reading and falling for this I will definitely check out her next book. I would love to see the story between (grandma) Cora Jane and her (chef) Jerry as they are sizzling in the background. I loved the realistic family life. The love, the fighting, the mistakes, the strong bond and the competition; but most of all they are there for each other no matter what. Ms. Woods has such a lovely way of bringing you home. {{{{Sigh}}}}…as I wait for Gabi in Wind Chime Point.
Book provided by: NetGalley
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
I started reading Sherryl Woods when she was writing Harlequin Romance novels. Since then I have somewhat followed or stalked her by watching in earnest for new books. So when the chance to review her new
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series Ocean Breeze fell into my lap I grabbed all three in this series. I fell for the books right off the bat because of the names she chose. Sand Castle Bay is just the type of place I want to visit or possibly live.In Sand Castle Bay we learn about small town life in North Carolina. As with most first books you get the feel for the family, the town, the life of the people in and around this small town. The Castle family is a warm, close group of sisters Emily, Gabi and Samantha. Their grandmother Cora Jane is a warm person that you can’t help but fall in love with and wish that she were a part of your family. Cora wants only what is best for her girls having decided it was well past the time for them to find someone who completes them. So she begins her meddling with a little help from a hurricane. The hurricane has beaten her restaurant down and the girls come to the rescue.
Sand Castle Bay is the story of Emily, the youngest of the three sisters. Wanting to make it on her own she leaves and heads to California where she runs a very successful Interior Design business to the rich and famous. Coming home means having to deal with her past and the man she once loved and left. Boone‘s heart was broken when Emily left. Having lost his wife and raising a son Boone doesn’t want to feel anything for Emily but the sparks are still there and allot of unfinished business. As they work things out Boone’s son B.J. takes to Emily right away. He of course is afraid she will break his heart just as she had done to Boone all those years ago.
I loved how the basic simplicity of the story line drew me in. The quiet little picturesque town described so that you want to pack your bags and head off there tomorrow or today. I always say my bags are packed. The decisions that have to be made are ones you can imagine making yourself. It was so easy to put yourself into the story. Ms. Woods never once takes the reader out of the story. She has a way of always making you feel warm, safe and at home in Sand Castle Bay. Sitting on the dock, sipping iced-tea and just relaxing wouldn’t that be heaven to be able to do every day? Ms. Woods takes on through the turmoil of what long distance relationships are like showing us that they are workable if both parties really want it bad enough. I really loved how the strong family bond in woven within the frame of this story. Family always or should always know at least that sometimes we have to move away from them in order to grow into the people we are to become. With that being said it is also nice to know that when we do come back for whatever reason they are always there to understand and give us that second chance. Because sometimes that one thing we were looking or searching for was right there in front of us all the time.
Ms. Woods gave us a glimpse into Gabi and Samantha’s journey’s. After reading and falling for this I will definitely check out her next book. I would love to see the story between (grandma) Cora Jane and her (chef) Jerry as they are sizzling in the background. I loved the realistic family life. The love, the fighting, the mistakes, the strong bond and the competition; but most of all they are there for each other no matter what. Ms. Woods has such a lovely way of bringing you home. {{{{Sigh}}}}…as I wait for Gabi in Wind Chime Point.
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LibraryThing member GRgenius
The Castle family is definitely one I’d love to be counted as a member of. The fun times they have, the way they pull together when a crisis strikes. They are their for each other through thick and thin, the best and the worst, even when what you need to hear isn’t necessarily what you want to
The trio of sisters alone leave their marks in their own way. There’s Samantha, the Hollywood star, Gabi the middle child and determined business woman, and Emily the wandering soul that discovered her talent at interior designing. The latter is the star of this story for the most part and by book’s end you’ll come to have a clearer understanding of all that she’s done, will do and plans on doing despite the meddling of their grandmother Cora Jane.
Story wise, I have to say it…I was thoroughly impressed. Not an author I would have picked up on my own simply because of the genre and yet a tale I enjoyed immensely.You care for the characters. You can feel the breeze off the water as you sit on the newly reopened deck of Castle’s by the Sea and enjoy a cool glass of your favorite beverage in the afternoon sunlight. You can hear the joyous sounds of laughter and love in the air as friends and family gather round.
You get all the love you can handle from this group but it’s displayed to appeal to a broader audience. I love the way that you get the full heart of the story where it’s not simply about the one couple-possibly-to-be but about the WHOLE picture….the family, B.J., friends, relatives, business relations and in short, life.
**review copy received in exchange for my honest review - full post can be seen on my site**
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hear. And, you want to know the best part of it all? Your inclusion in their family is not determined by blood but by heart. They have an amazing dynamic and that’s not to say that they don’t disagree, because they do, but they know how to come back together in the end. The trio of sisters alone leave their marks in their own way. There’s Samantha, the Hollywood star, Gabi the middle child and determined business woman, and Emily the wandering soul that discovered her talent at interior designing. The latter is the star of this story for the most part and by book’s end you’ll come to have a clearer understanding of all that she’s done, will do and plans on doing despite the meddling of their grandmother Cora Jane.
Story wise, I have to say it…I was thoroughly impressed. Not an author I would have picked up on my own simply because of the genre and yet a tale I enjoyed immensely.You care for the characters. You can feel the breeze off the water as you sit on the newly reopened deck of Castle’s by the Sea and enjoy a cool glass of your favorite beverage in the afternoon sunlight. You can hear the joyous sounds of laughter and love in the air as friends and family gather round.
You get all the love you can handle from this group but it’s displayed to appeal to a broader audience. I love the way that you get the full heart of the story where it’s not simply about the one couple-possibly-to-be but about the WHOLE picture….the family, B.J., friends, relatives, business relations and in short, life.
**review copy received in exchange for my honest review - full post can be seen on my site**
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LibraryThing member MinDaf
Sherryl Woods has done it again! She has created yet another charming, delightful series with characters that I felt an instant connection with. I have been a fan of Sherryl Woods for a while and I have loved all of her other series so I was excited to read her latest, The Ocean Breeze Series.
The
Emily Castle left North Carolina many years ago to find success and left behind a very heartbroken Boone Dorsett. She now has a very successful business helping her wealthy customers decorate & redecorate their homes and businesses. When a hurricane wreaks havoc on the bay side diner owned by her Grandmother, she and her two sister rush home to help her clean up and get ready to reopen. She doesn't know that her childhood sweetheart is now a widower with an adorable young son. At first these two do everything they can to cause friction between them because the fireworks are very much still there and they don't know how to handle them. The fireworks reach a stage they just can not ignore anymore and once they agree to give each other a chance they have A LOT of things they have to overcome in order. With the power of love most things can be concurred.
I admired Emily's ambition to go after the career she wanted and the life she has made for herself. When she finds something is missing and wants to make things work with Boone she tries to juggle everything. I so enjoyed watching Emily rediscover her family ties. She has spent so much time working on her career that she hasn't spent a lot of time with her sisters and grandmother. While they are all working together to reopen Castle's by the Sea they all discover how much they have missed that family support. Not only is there the wonderful relationship that unfolds between Emily and Boone as well as their interaction with Boone's son B.J, we also see the bond between sisters and a their grandmother. Speaking of their Grandmother oh my goodness I loved Cora Jane! This woman is full has a lot of great qualities, she is spunky, a little sassy sometimes, likes to meddle in her family's lives but only for their own good.
I loved Boone, he is a very dedicated father, a successful businessman, and very dedicated to his family and friends that he also considers family. He has a young son that he is trying to do the very best he can to raise. He has a meddling mother-in-law that causes him some problems and even more problems once he and Emily try to find their way back to each other. I so admired Boone for some of the choices he makes to help make sure this relationship works.
Boone and Emily's story was so compelling I found myself having to force my hands to put this book down when I sure did not want to. These two are just such a sweet couple and with B.J., they are an adorable family. I absolutely loved this book and I can not wait to read Gabi's story in Wind Chime Point. It is already in my to read pile so stay tuned for my review for it to follow soon.
The
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First in this delightful new series is Sand Castle Bay. In this book Ms. Woods introduces the Castle Family, Cora Jane (Grandma) and her three granddaughters Emily, Gabi, & Samantha. Emily Castle left North Carolina many years ago to find success and left behind a very heartbroken Boone Dorsett. She now has a very successful business helping her wealthy customers decorate & redecorate their homes and businesses. When a hurricane wreaks havoc on the bay side diner owned by her Grandmother, she and her two sister rush home to help her clean up and get ready to reopen. She doesn't know that her childhood sweetheart is now a widower with an adorable young son. At first these two do everything they can to cause friction between them because the fireworks are very much still there and they don't know how to handle them. The fireworks reach a stage they just can not ignore anymore and once they agree to give each other a chance they have A LOT of things they have to overcome in order. With the power of love most things can be concurred.
I admired Emily's ambition to go after the career she wanted and the life she has made for herself. When she finds something is missing and wants to make things work with Boone she tries to juggle everything. I so enjoyed watching Emily rediscover her family ties. She has spent so much time working on her career that she hasn't spent a lot of time with her sisters and grandmother. While they are all working together to reopen Castle's by the Sea they all discover how much they have missed that family support. Not only is there the wonderful relationship that unfolds between Emily and Boone as well as their interaction with Boone's son B.J, we also see the bond between sisters and a their grandmother. Speaking of their Grandmother oh my goodness I loved Cora Jane! This woman is full has a lot of great qualities, she is spunky, a little sassy sometimes, likes to meddle in her family's lives but only for their own good.
I loved Boone, he is a very dedicated father, a successful businessman, and very dedicated to his family and friends that he also considers family. He has a young son that he is trying to do the very best he can to raise. He has a meddling mother-in-law that causes him some problems and even more problems once he and Emily try to find their way back to each other. I so admired Boone for some of the choices he makes to help make sure this relationship works.
Boone and Emily's story was so compelling I found myself having to force my hands to put this book down when I sure did not want to. These two are just such a sweet couple and with B.J., they are an adorable family. I absolutely loved this book and I can not wait to read Gabi's story in Wind Chime Point. It is already in my to read pile so stay tuned for my review for it to follow soon.
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LibraryThing member jnut1
I enjoyed this first book of Sherryl's new series.
This was the story of Emiy and Boone who were in love many years ago and then reconnect years later.
There are other characters involved in this book and they seem to all have a place, which makes me happy, vs being thrown in for fluff only.
I had
I do like that there were NOT big sex scenes, I enjoyed the understanding of what when on without having to read the details of it.
I was happier listening to it then reading it but I think that is just the place I am in my life.My complaint about listening to it is that at the beginning of every disc after disc 1 they recap the ending of the previous disc, not sure why that needs to happens but it does.
This was the story of Emiy and Boone who were in love many years ago and then reconnect years later.
There are other characters involved in this book and they seem to all have a place, which makes me happy, vs being thrown in for fluff only.
I had
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a few realistic issue but this is a fiction book and liberties can be taken with that. Don’t let that stop you from this book.I do like that there were NOT big sex scenes, I enjoyed the understanding of what when on without having to read the details of it.
I was happier listening to it then reading it but I think that is just the place I am in my life.My complaint about listening to it is that at the beginning of every disc after disc 1 they recap the ending of the previous disc, not sure why that needs to happens but it does.
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LibraryThing member Courtney_Chance
Sherryl Woods
Sand Castle Bay
★☆★☆
I was very skeptical of this book when I first started reading it.
I didnt like the slow progress etc. But man I fell in LOVE with boone and Cora Jane and little BJ.
cons:
I didnt like how long it took to make the relationship between then develop.
I dont
thats about it with my cons :)
Pros:
I love the small town feel
I love the family feel
I dont love his crazy psychotic mother in law, but I love that little obstacle in there. I disliked her so much for not understanding but her character was well played.
I would def recommend this bool it was a quick light read for me :)
Sand Castle Bay
★☆★☆
I was very skeptical of this book when I first started reading it.
I didnt like the slow progress etc. But man I fell in LOVE with boone and Cora Jane and little BJ.
cons:
I didnt like how long it took to make the relationship between then develop.
I dont
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understand why Emily couldbt try to find a way to open safe houses in the area she REALLY wants to be in. Im sure places all over need safe houses. thats about it with my cons :)
Pros:
I love the small town feel
I love the family feel
I dont love his crazy psychotic mother in law, but I love that little obstacle in there. I disliked her so much for not understanding but her character was well played.
I would def recommend this bool it was a quick light read for me :)
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LibraryThing member JudithDCollins
Sherryl Woods is great at southern contemporary and this was a light hearted read as first in series. I have read most of her books---this one not very interesting or a lot of plot planning. The small town southern NC coastal town was quaint with a romance of a girl who left home to explore bigger
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things coming home with sisters to help grandmother rebuild her restaurant. Not one of her best books; however, will read the others in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member scoutmomskf
This is one of those stories that Sherryl Woods does so well, with small towns and loving but meddlesome families. When Emily and Boone were teenagers, they were in love as only teens could be. By the time they were twenty-one, Boone was ready for them to get married and settle down, but Emily had
There was a lot for Emily and Boone to overcome. First they had to get past the feelings of hurt and betrayal just to be friends again. Each of them had their own view of their breakup. Emily had hoped that Boone would give her the chance to chase her dream, and wait for her. She was devastated when he married someone else. Meanwhile, Boone had felt that their love wasn't important enough for her to want to stay. He saw her departure as a rejection of all that they had dreamed of. Seeing each other again made them realize that the feelings were still there, but the obstacles hadn't really changed. Emily's job is still important to her and located in California, and Boone is still tied to North Carolina.
They also have some serious trust issues because of their past. Boone isn't sure that Emily won't just walk away again if the going gets rough. He also has to protect his son from being hurt if he gets attached to Emily and things don't work out. Added to it all is that his former in-laws, mainly his mother-in-law, have been threatening to sue for custody. He suffers from a lot of guilt because she blames him for her daughter's death, and thinks that he never really loved Jenny because of Emily. Meanwhile, Emily has trouble believing that Boone will give them a fair chance, especially since he seems to be reluctant to be with her in public.
I got frustrated with both of them at times because they were both overly sensitive. Boone seemed to be constantly expecting Emily to walk away, and didn't cut her any slack when her business had problems crop up. He tried to keep her and his son apart, then blamed her when something else would keep them apart. At the same time, Emily would feel put out because Boone was trying to keep the peace with his in-laws. She didn't understand just how big a threat it was to him. She also felt like she was making all the compromises as they tried to build a new relationship. There was one point at the end where Boone made a decision that made Emily question where they were really going and if they really had any chance at all.
I liked the way that they had real issues that they needed to deal with in order to come to their happy ending. Neither one was always in the right or always in the wrong. I was a little worried that Emily was going to be the one to make all the sacrifices, and was very pleasantly surprised by the solution that Boone came up with.
The family dynamics throughout the book were fantastic. It was their love and concern for their grandmother that brought the three girls back to Sand Castle Bay, but it wasn't without drama. Each of the girls had problems that had kept them away, but family come first. All three have their own quirks and personalities that created realistic sibling relationships. They can make each other angry, but they are still there for support when it's needed. I also loved their grandmother. She is meddlesome, feeling that anything goes when it comes to doing what she thinks is best for them. I loved seeing her have her own love interest who also tried to keep her from being too interfering. Boone's love for his son BJ was obvious, even if he sometimes was overprotective. His mother-in-law was a real pain, and there were several times when I really wanted him to blast her, but he was too nice of a guy. BJ was really adorable and I loved seeing how quickly he bonded with Emily. He wasn't too good of a kid to be believable.
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dreams she wanted to pursue first. She left home to do so, hoping that Boone would wait, but he didn't. Emily's departure left him heartbroken, but within a year he was married to another woman. Ten years later, he's a widower with a little boy, living his life as a successful restaurateur. When a hurricane brings Emily and her sisters home to help their grandmother, can they have a second chance?There was a lot for Emily and Boone to overcome. First they had to get past the feelings of hurt and betrayal just to be friends again. Each of them had their own view of their breakup. Emily had hoped that Boone would give her the chance to chase her dream, and wait for her. She was devastated when he married someone else. Meanwhile, Boone had felt that their love wasn't important enough for her to want to stay. He saw her departure as a rejection of all that they had dreamed of. Seeing each other again made them realize that the feelings were still there, but the obstacles hadn't really changed. Emily's job is still important to her and located in California, and Boone is still tied to North Carolina.
They also have some serious trust issues because of their past. Boone isn't sure that Emily won't just walk away again if the going gets rough. He also has to protect his son from being hurt if he gets attached to Emily and things don't work out. Added to it all is that his former in-laws, mainly his mother-in-law, have been threatening to sue for custody. He suffers from a lot of guilt because she blames him for her daughter's death, and thinks that he never really loved Jenny because of Emily. Meanwhile, Emily has trouble believing that Boone will give them a fair chance, especially since he seems to be reluctant to be with her in public.
I got frustrated with both of them at times because they were both overly sensitive. Boone seemed to be constantly expecting Emily to walk away, and didn't cut her any slack when her business had problems crop up. He tried to keep her and his son apart, then blamed her when something else would keep them apart. At the same time, Emily would feel put out because Boone was trying to keep the peace with his in-laws. She didn't understand just how big a threat it was to him. She also felt like she was making all the compromises as they tried to build a new relationship. There was one point at the end where Boone made a decision that made Emily question where they were really going and if they really had any chance at all.
I liked the way that they had real issues that they needed to deal with in order to come to their happy ending. Neither one was always in the right or always in the wrong. I was a little worried that Emily was going to be the one to make all the sacrifices, and was very pleasantly surprised by the solution that Boone came up with.
The family dynamics throughout the book were fantastic. It was their love and concern for their grandmother that brought the three girls back to Sand Castle Bay, but it wasn't without drama. Each of the girls had problems that had kept them away, but family come first. All three have their own quirks and personalities that created realistic sibling relationships. They can make each other angry, but they are still there for support when it's needed. I also loved their grandmother. She is meddlesome, feeling that anything goes when it comes to doing what she thinks is best for them. I loved seeing her have her own love interest who also tried to keep her from being too interfering. Boone's love for his son BJ was obvious, even if he sometimes was overprotective. His mother-in-law was a real pain, and there were several times when I really wanted him to blast her, but he was too nice of a guy. BJ was really adorable and I loved seeing how quickly he bonded with Emily. He wasn't too good of a kid to be believable.
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LibraryThing member TerriBooks
I don't expect much from these kinds of books, so I tend to be an easy rater. But there didn't seem to be much plot to this, or it wasn't thought out very well. Why would Boone be so worried that he'd lose BJ on such a flimsy excuse? Why can't Emily do the work she loves in North Carolina? Why did
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it take half the book to just fly back and forth? I did like the description of the Outer Banks beach town and businesses, I'm not sure whether there's enough here to make me pick up the subsequent books. Show Less
LibraryThing member N.W.Moors
Emily Castle left Sand Castle Bay ten years ago leaving her sweetheart Boone behind. Boone married and has a son, B.J., but now his wife has died as Emily returns to help her grandmother after a hurricane.
I found Boone to be a great hero, handsome, hard-working, kind, and trying hard to be a good
Emily, however, is one of the most unlikeable heroines I've ever read in a romance. She is snide, uncaring (except for the sex Boone gives her - she whines about it a lot), and has few redeeming characteristics. She left and never contacted Boone again, but is upset that he got married. Now that she's back, she expects him to cater to her career and wishes, ignoring the fact that he has a son. Even her interactions with BJ were all about her career and shopping, nothing that an eight year old boy would enjoy though the author seems to think that BJ would rather do this than hang out with his friends. The author seems to think that by having Emily do pro bono work in Los Angeles for a women's shelter instead of her rich clients that this would redeem her, but Emily just uses it as an excuse for not being with Boone and BJ except when she flies in for a night of sex. Why can't she work on homeless shelters in North Carolina and not uproot BJ? Ugh!
Neither of her two sisters interested me either for many of the same reasons though both their love interests seem to be nice guys so I'll be skipping the rest of the series.
I found Boone to be a great hero, handsome, hard-working, kind, and trying hard to be a good
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father while consumed with guilt about his wife. BJ is a sweetie though I had some trouble with his insta-attachment to Emily.Emily, however, is one of the most unlikeable heroines I've ever read in a romance. She is snide, uncaring (except for the sex Boone gives her - she whines about it a lot), and has few redeeming characteristics. She left and never contacted Boone again, but is upset that he got married. Now that she's back, she expects him to cater to her career and wishes, ignoring the fact that he has a son. Even her interactions with BJ were all about her career and shopping, nothing that an eight year old boy would enjoy though the author seems to think that BJ would rather do this than hang out with his friends. The author seems to think that by having Emily do pro bono work in Los Angeles for a women's shelter instead of her rich clients that this would redeem her, but Emily just uses it as an excuse for not being with Boone and BJ except when she flies in for a night of sex. Why can't she work on homeless shelters in North Carolina and not uproot BJ? Ugh!
Neither of her two sisters interested me either for many of the same reasons though both their love interests seem to be nice guys so I'll be skipping the rest of the series.
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LibraryThing member cubsfan3410
I really enjoyed this book! I read it in two days (which is unheard of for me). I can't wait to read the others in this series.
LibraryThing member BookConcierge
Book on CD read by Shannon McManus
2.5**
From the book jacket: In a trade-off she’s lived to regret, Emily Castle left home years ago to become an interior designer. The youngest of three sisters, Emily desperately wanted to prove herself. Success, though, came at the cost of leaving behind the
My reactions
I’ve never read anything by Sheryl Woods before, but this seemed to fit the bill for a “beach reads” challenge.
It’s a pretty formulaic plot: long-lost lovers reconnect, but there are complications keeping them apart, they jump to conclusions and have fights over their mutual misunderstandings. But hot kisses seem to solve everything and remind them how much they mean to one another. I really didn’t care about any of the drama because I didn’t really care about these characters. Emily seemed like a hot mess.
I thought it was overly complicated and there are several threads that are just left hanging. But I suppose Woods did this to ensure a repeat audience for books two and three in the trilogy. Apparently, each book focuses on a different one of the Castle sisters. If I had read the blurb I might have saved myself some time. Just typing it out, makes me realize just how melodramatic and “wrought” the plot sounds. Ah well, it was a fast read.
Shannon McManus did a fine job narrating. Too bad she didn’t have better material to perform.
2.5**
From the book jacket: In a trade-off she’s lived to regret, Emily Castle left home years ago to become an interior designer. The youngest of three sisters, Emily desperately wanted to prove herself. Success, though, came at the cost of leaving behind the
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man she loved. For Boone Dorsett, losing Emily left his heart shattered, but another woman was waiting in the wings. Now a widower with a young son, Boone has a second chance with Emily when a storm brings her home. But with his former in-laws threatening a custody suit, the stakes of loving her are higher than ever. My reactions
I’ve never read anything by Sheryl Woods before, but this seemed to fit the bill for a “beach reads” challenge.
It’s a pretty formulaic plot: long-lost lovers reconnect, but there are complications keeping them apart, they jump to conclusions and have fights over their mutual misunderstandings. But hot kisses seem to solve everything and remind them how much they mean to one another. I really didn’t care about any of the drama because I didn’t really care about these characters. Emily seemed like a hot mess.
I thought it was overly complicated and there are several threads that are just left hanging. But I suppose Woods did this to ensure a repeat audience for books two and three in the trilogy. Apparently, each book focuses on a different one of the Castle sisters. If I had read the blurb I might have saved myself some time. Just typing it out, makes me realize just how melodramatic and “wrought” the plot sounds. Ah well, it was a fast read.
Shannon McManus did a fine job narrating. Too bad she didn’t have better material to perform.
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LibraryThing member marciablnc
Even bough I read the other two books in this series and knew the ending, it was enjoyable to see how the author wrote. I was glad to see that both sides gave a little to get what they both wanted.
Original publication date
2013-04
ISBN
0373401221 / 9780373401222