Scan barcode
A review by nicolepeck
A Timeless Romance Anthology: California Dreamin' Collection by Heather B. Moore
4.0
Too Good to be True by Heather B. Moore: Cute story, a bit predictable but still enjoyable. I liked the setting of La Jolla Beach and Gwen's wedding photography business on the beach. I liked that both Jack and Gwen were trying to find themselves and then dealing with their connection and trying to make their way as a couple while still dealing with their past and their current situations. Adding in both their sisters made for outside support and outside problems too. There was a lot going on in this short story, trying to resolve some things and get their relationship going in a quick read. I would have liked more time to develop the story, the characters, and their relationship further.
Gone Fishing by Kaylee Baldwin: This was a fun, light, cute story, set on a fishing tour boat. There was a lot I thought was fun about this story -- the setting, the play between Miguel and Clarie and Brig (Claire's dad), as well as Clarie's mom and what Claire was running away from. There were cute little moments throughout the story of the characters relating to each other, teasing and fighting against each other, deep sea shoe rescue and deep sea kid rescue. Really fun story!
The Pier Changes Everything by Annette Lyon: This was an interesting concept of two people meeting at the pier, only to find out that the chance meeting for both of them was a reconnection from their youth. It was a bit predictable, but the characters and story line were well thought out and executed, with some fun settings and twists along the way to move the story along -- I'd love to go to the crepe place they ate it!
A Hero's Song by Jennifer Moore: This was a bit cheesy and stretching the reality a bit for me, but I still enjoyed the story line of Lance trying to reconnect with AnnMarie. I really liked how he took her poem and made it into a song. I also enjoyed the addition of the character Marilyn and how she fit into the story, for both characters.
Stay With Me by Shannon Guymon: I really liked Jo. She was real and had a great personality. I liked how she connected with the kids she was the nanny for and also with Fitz. I definitely could have seen this one stretch into a longer story, developing their relationship a little bit more. It was a bit predictable with the big blow-up with Jo's employers, but there was a great resolution to the conflict and leading to the ending of the story. The story and characters were relate-able, even with the Hollywood/famous setting. A fun read!!!
A Place to Call Home by Sarah M. Eden: Fun story about a single dad and his search for a new place for him and his son to leave, unknowingly set up with the realtor! A very cute story, and I loved the interactions between the characters and the humor in the story. I definitely would have loved this one to be longer so I could have spent more time with the characters, but for the short story it was, it was very well done -- nothing felt rushed or pushed or too much.
Overall, another fun anthology, with all the stories set in California! (As I had just finished the Tangerine Street series, I kept expecting some of that magic to seep into these stories and to remind myself this was a completely separate series!!)
***I received a copy of this book from one of the authors in exchange for my honest review.***
Gone Fishing by Kaylee Baldwin: This was a fun, light, cute story, set on a fishing tour boat. There was a lot I thought was fun about this story -- the setting, the play between Miguel and Clarie and Brig (Claire's dad), as well as Clarie's mom and what Claire was running away from. There were cute little moments throughout the story of the characters relating to each other, teasing and fighting against each other, deep sea shoe rescue and deep sea kid rescue. Really fun story!
The Pier Changes Everything by Annette Lyon: This was an interesting concept of two people meeting at the pier, only to find out that the chance meeting for both of them was a reconnection from their youth. It was a bit predictable, but the characters and story line were well thought out and executed, with some fun settings and twists along the way to move the story along -- I'd love to go to the crepe place they ate it!
A Hero's Song by Jennifer Moore: This was a bit cheesy and stretching the reality a bit for me, but I still enjoyed the story line of Lance trying to reconnect with AnnMarie. I really liked how he took her poem and made it into a song. I also enjoyed the addition of the character Marilyn and how she fit into the story, for both characters.
Stay With Me by Shannon Guymon: I really liked Jo. She was real and had a great personality. I liked how she connected with the kids she was the nanny for and also with Fitz. I definitely could have seen this one stretch into a longer story, developing their relationship a little bit more. It was a bit predictable with the big blow-up with Jo's employers, but there was a great resolution to the conflict and leading to the ending of the story. The story and characters were relate-able, even with the Hollywood/famous setting. A fun read!!!
A Place to Call Home by Sarah M. Eden: Fun story about a single dad and his search for a new place for him and his son to leave, unknowingly set up with the realtor! A very cute story, and I loved the interactions between the characters and the humor in the story. I definitely would have loved this one to be longer so I could have spent more time with the characters, but for the short story it was, it was very well done -- nothing felt rushed or pushed or too much.
Overall, another fun anthology, with all the stories set in California! (As I had just finished the Tangerine Street series, I kept expecting some of that magic to seep into these stories and to remind myself this was a completely separate series!!)
***I received a copy of this book from one of the authors in exchange for my honest review.***