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andrea_author's review
5.0
Elliot's family business has bought out a block of waterfront homes. The plan is to raze them and replace them with new construction. General contractor Morgan convinces him to renovate the homes instead, saving money while preserving their character.
As the two work together, they find it more and more difficult to resist the attraction between them. But neither is looking for love. Can they find a way to open their hearts?
This is an emotional story with well-developed characters both struggling to overcome their family baggage. It's an enjoyable read.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
As the two work together, they find it more and more difficult to resist the attraction between them. But neither is looking for love. Can they find a way to open their hearts?
This is an emotional story with well-developed characters both struggling to overcome their family baggage. It's an enjoyable read.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
scoutmomskf's review
4.0
Good story about two people whose family issues affect how they see themselves and look at relationships. Morgan blames herself for messing up her parents' lives - they were teen parents. Even as a child, she would do anything to make their lives easier. That carried over into looking after her younger brother and sister. She still puts their needs over her own. When she traveled to Penguin Island to help her grandmother, she worried about how they'd do without her.
Elliott's brother and father own the development company that purchased the area where Morgan's grandmother lives. Though he has nothing to do with the company, he agreed when his brother Gio asked him to check on the progress. Elliott always feels second best in his family, as his parents always paid more attention to his certified genius older brother. Elliott is willing to put his own business on hold and help but doesn't count on one little old lady.
I liked the first meeting between Morgan and Elliott. Both of them realize that they are caught in a dilemma. Elliott wants to finish and leave as quickly as possible, while Morgan wants her grandmother's wedding to be everything Edna wants. I enjoyed their negotiation, as Morgan points out that, as a local, she wields a fair amount of influence. Her cooperation will make his job more manageable. In return, she's willing to help him make things better than his brother had envisioned.
As the two work together on the renovations, neither expects the closeness that develops between them. Elliott is disturbed by how easily Morgan sees past the façade that fools everyone else. She sees how his parents' preferential treatment of his brother has made him doubt their love and his lovability. He holds himself back from relationships, preferring not to risk rejection. For her part, Morgan also holds back on relationships, unwilling to risk making the same mistakes her parents made.
Both Morgan and Elliott fight the attraction and feelings that build between them, afraid to risk their hearts. I enjoyed their conversations and seeing them slowly open up to each other. Interestingly, each one so clearly saw the other's problem but couldn't apply the same logic to themselves. I enjoyed the sudden appearance of Elliott's brother Gio and the eye-opening conversation they had. It gave Elliott a different perspective and a willingness to look at his future differently. I loved that seeing Elliott's changed outlook helped Morgan look at her relationship with her family in a new light and make some important decisions about her future. A little shove from Edna helped bring Elliott and Morgan together.
I enjoyed the descriptions of Penguin Island, from the houses to the town to Morgan's hidden waterfall. I could almost smell the flowers and feel the ocean breezes. I was sad that the penguin sanctuary was gone, but by the end had a glimmer of hope that it might come back.
#netgalley
Elliott's brother and father own the development company that purchased the area where Morgan's grandmother lives. Though he has nothing to do with the company, he agreed when his brother Gio asked him to check on the progress. Elliott always feels second best in his family, as his parents always paid more attention to his certified genius older brother. Elliott is willing to put his own business on hold and help but doesn't count on one little old lady.
I liked the first meeting between Morgan and Elliott. Both of them realize that they are caught in a dilemma. Elliott wants to finish and leave as quickly as possible, while Morgan wants her grandmother's wedding to be everything Edna wants. I enjoyed their negotiation, as Morgan points out that, as a local, she wields a fair amount of influence. Her cooperation will make his job more manageable. In return, she's willing to help him make things better than his brother had envisioned.
As the two work together on the renovations, neither expects the closeness that develops between them. Elliott is disturbed by how easily Morgan sees past the façade that fools everyone else. She sees how his parents' preferential treatment of his brother has made him doubt their love and his lovability. He holds himself back from relationships, preferring not to risk rejection. For her part, Morgan also holds back on relationships, unwilling to risk making the same mistakes her parents made.
Both Morgan and Elliott fight the attraction and feelings that build between them, afraid to risk their hearts. I enjoyed their conversations and seeing them slowly open up to each other. Interestingly, each one so clearly saw the other's problem but couldn't apply the same logic to themselves. I enjoyed the sudden appearance of Elliott's brother Gio and the eye-opening conversation they had. It gave Elliott a different perspective and a willingness to look at his future differently. I loved that seeing Elliott's changed outlook helped Morgan look at her relationship with her family in a new light and make some important decisions about her future. A little shove from Edna helped bring Elliott and Morgan together.
I enjoyed the descriptions of Penguin Island, from the houses to the town to Morgan's hidden waterfall. I could almost smell the flowers and feel the ocean breezes. I was sad that the penguin sanctuary was gone, but by the end had a glimmer of hope that it might come back.
#netgalley
marysbookinit's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cakt1991's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review.
This is a sweet and heartwarming book. I loved the picturesque setting in South African island paradise, especially how important the location of Penguin Island is to Morgan and her grandmother. But she also has a lot of family baggage, a trait she has in common with the hero, Elliott, and I loved seeing them navigating those issues. And while they are both initially somewhat resistant to the idea of love, that makes it all the more rewarding for them to finally come to see each other as right for them.
This is a sweet and heartwarming book. I loved the picturesque setting in South African island paradise, especially how important the location of Penguin Island is to Morgan and her grandmother. But she also has a lot of family baggage, a trait she has in common with the hero, Elliott, and I loved seeing them navigating those issues. And while they are both initially somewhat resistant to the idea of love, that makes it all the more rewarding for them to finally come to see each other as right for them.
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