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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
In Whisked Away by M. Colette, Ellie returns to the coastal town of Dove Point after heartbreak sends her fleeing from New York. Hoping the ocean breeze and her childhood roots will help her sort out her future, she reconnects with Rowan—her former best friend and the man who’s quietly loved her all along. Rowan, still carrying the weight of his own loss, has built a successful life as the owner of The Salty Dog brewery. When Ellie walks back into his life, the two must navigate past wounds, rekindled sparks, and the pull of a love that never fully faded.
On paper, this book has everything I love in a romance: a beachside town, a second-chance love story, baking (bonus points), and a lovable dog named Milo. Dove Point itself was beautifully drawn—the descriptions of the beach and the brewery were especially strong and gave the story a cozy sense of place. I also really appreciated that Ellie and Rowan weren’t portrayed as perfect. They had flaws, histories, and emotional baggage that felt grounded in reality.
But while the ingredients were promising, the execution just didn’t work for me. The writing often leaned into telling rather than showing, which dulled the emotional impact. Characters repeatedly fixated on things like clothing, hair color, and eye color—details that started to feel oddly emphasized and, at times, even distracting.
There were also too many side characters introduced, some with loose narrative threads that never tied up. It left the story feeling cluttered and a bit underdeveloped. And in the intimate scenes, while I appreciated the effort to add nuance, the repeated focus on tongue-sucking pulled me out of the moment—it felt incongruous with the otherwise spicy tone.
Overall, Whisked Away has charm and heart, and I think M. Colette has a strong foundation here. But the story didn’t quite hit the emotional beats I was hoping for. It’s a sweet concept that I wanted to love, but ultimately, it didn’t rise to its full potential.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Quick Review:
⭐️ 5/5 stars –Cozy, swoony, steamy in just the right places, and full of those ‘I didn’t realize how much I missed you until you were right in front of me’ vibes. I wanted to wrap this book in a blanket and never let it go.
🌶️ 3/5 Spice Rating – It’s best-friends-to-lovers with years of tension finally snapping. He’s all slow touches and soft laughs until the switch flips—then it’s hands everywhere, teasing control, and that “I know exactly what you like” confidence that only comes from knowing someone too well.
🖤 1/5 Darkness Rating – Light and low-angst. No major triggers—just a few emotional bumps, lots of warmth, and all the swoon.
⸻
What I Loved:
Literally everything. M. Colette’s writing has that effortless romcom-ish sparkle, like watching your favorite comfort movie but with more spice and way better banter. The vibes were immaculate—funny, swoony, flirty as hell—and the best part? No third act breakup. I could cry from how refreshing that was. Just two best friends finally figuring it out, being adorably in sync, and somehow making every hug, kiss, and “you’re mine” moment feel like a win. I was fully kicking my feet, grinning like a dork, and rooting for them like my life depended on it. Their chemistry is unreal, but it’s the way they see each other that really got me. It’s feel-good, full-body-sigh romance, and I ate up every second. Everything about it was real, authentic and relatable. There is someone for everyone in this book and I can’t wait for more of this series.
⸻
The Story (No Spoilers!):
Okay, so she’s a burnt-out pastry chef running home after a disaster of a breakup and a career that’s lost its spark. And waiting back in her hometown? Her tattooed, golden-retriever-in-a-grump-suit ex-boyfriend who just so happens to still be her best friend. Yeah. That one. He could totally be the “book boyfriend of the year.”
Things start slow—some casual run-ins, a hug that lasts a liiiittle too long, and boom, suddenly they’re having late-night talks, emotionally charged kitchen moments, and… flour fights. And yes, there’s banter. Like, elite banter. The kind that makes you squeal and kick your feet.
⸻
Final thoughts:
Pure serotonin in book form. It’s second-chance, best-friends-to-lovers goodness with all the flirty tension, emotional sweetness, and toe-curling spice your heart could want. M. Colette’s writing is effortlessly funny, full of warmth, and packed with personality—like your wittiest friend telling you a love story over mimosas and a brunch date. The banter is my favorite—fast, flirty, and so natural it feels like you’re right there, third-wheeling in the best way. I was rooting for Ellie and Rowan the entire time, smiling like a dork and squealing at every stolen glance and “you’re mine” moment. I’ll say it again— the no third act breakup is a breath of fresh air. Just two people choosing each other, over and over, in the most swoony, giggle-worthy way
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought this story was super cute! I loved the characters and their friends and I related to them quite a bit! An excellent telling of the power of home, friendship, and love in the midst of finding onself!