Review

Jenny Salazar manages the local inn in Razor Bay, working for the elderly couple who owns the establishment, and acting as a “big-sister” to the couple’s grandson, Austin. When they die, leaving Jenny as Austin’s guardian, Jenny feels positive she can raise Austin in their honor, despite her deep grief. Then, Austin’s dad shows up, ready to stake his claim on the son he abandoned long ago, infuriating Jenny while also triggering emotions she hadn’t felt in some time.

Jake never wanted to stay in the tourist town of Razor Bay, growing up there was enough. So, when he fathers a child at a young age, he leaves, handing the care of his son over to the grandparents who he felt were better equipped to take care of Austin. Now, after 13 years of being an absentee dad, Jake feels he has grown up and is ready to take care of his son. Unfortunately, Austin’s guardian doesn’t agree, causing sparks to fly in more ways than one.

This romance was a good, average read but it didn’t light any fireworks for me. I felt for Austin, who lost his grandparents and then meets his absentee dad, who has come to take him back. At the age of thirteen, this is quite a rough experience. 

I wish the characters were a little more developed in this book. Everything seems to remain on the surface, no one digs deep, and feelings feel forced rather than natural, causing the characters to portray a false sense of reality. I liked Jenny. She is dedicated, hardworking and loyal. Though devastated by Austin’s grandparent’s death, Jenny accepts the role of guardian and continues to run the inn as well.  Jenny is wary of Jake, and rightfully so, but eventually gets to know him, understand him and gives him a second chance at fatherhood, under her terms, of course.

While this book has a few minor flaws that may barley bother one reader, while simultaneously annoying another. The biggest hurdle, for me, was with Austin. Austin’s character has a terrible dialogue problem. It’s like this book wasn’t written in 2012. Austin frequently uses terms like “That’s dope,” “Dude,” “Suh-weet” and “Not!” It got old quick, leaving me to wonder where he learned to talk. Do kids even say this stuff anymore? Perhaps, I’m just getting old? 

Regardless of my minor issues with this novel, the book is a good, light hearted, surface read. It’s perfect for those who don’t want to dig too deep or wonder if maybe the romance won’t happen. It’s a quick easy read, the kind that’s good one time around but doesn’t have a high re-read value. The author does a wonderful job taking an unlikeable character, like Jake, and turning him and the reader’s opinion of him, around.  If you want a fun, light read, this one may just be for you.