Summer's Cove

First I have an admission to make. I may have given this book three fourths of a star simply because it had a Myrtle the Turtle mention in it. (What can I say, I love Myrtle!!!)

But, to the story itself. It's about Emerson and Darcy. They both live in/around Provincetown on the Cape and know people in common although they're not friends. Then their friends Alex and Lia get married, or more specifically have their wedding, and Darcy is the caterer for the reception, and meets Emerson, who is the photographer for the wedding (although she's usually a painter).

They get closer, but there are multiple road blocks in their way, like the fact that Darcy has the cutest kid, Liam, and is very very compartmentalized because of it.

Emerson on the other hand can sometimes get really lost in her head and that doesn't go great with Darcy's issues.

It was cool seeing Lia and Alex again (from the previous book Winter's Harbor). And them being there thankfully didn't overwhelm the new burgeoning romance between Emerson and Darcy.

And woo, it's a series (or at least a trilogy I think) but even if we only get these two books, they've been totally awesome.

Reviewed by Danielle Kimerer

Great follow up to Winters Harbor. Great characters and dialogue; could not put this one down. Highly recommend.

Reviewed by Jenny Jacobs

I really enjoy this author and this series. When I read the first book I had no idea it would become a series so I was pleasantly surprised. Now the next one she writes needs to be about Will!

You don't really need to read Winter's Harbor to read this book but it does help put you in the mood and vibe of P-Town. Plus, this book starts off with the wedding of Lia and Alex which was nice to see...

As the description says, this book centers on Alex's cook Darcy and her photographer friend Emerson. Both characters were great but I loved Liam, Darcy's son, the best. He was adorable and his interactions with Emerson were both hilarious and heartwarming. I did want Darcy to break down her walls more than she did, but they were still cute together and the relationship blossomed pretty well.

I'd definetly recommend this book. Great new series!

Reviewed by T. Geist

I absolutely love Aurora Rey. (And, she’s my hero, but she and everyone else is probably tired of me saying it over and over again but I can’t help and gush because it’s true.) Her books will always have a special place in my heart and this one was no different. There were so many moments in this book that were just so pure. Pure life and light and pure joy and love. This is the second book in the series, but it can absolutely stand alone as a book and as a beautiful romance on its own. However, if you have read the first book in the series, you’ll be happy to catch up with one of your favourite couples in this one and see where the journey that is love has taken them.

Darcy is a single mom to Liam and works as a chef at a local café. Liam is her whole life. He has to be. She can handle being hurt while she navigates the dating world but she won’t let the same heartbreak happen to her son. Emerson is a painter and an amateur photographer. She’s drawn to Darcy and at the same time becomes a friend to her son Liam when the two bond over science. Darcy and Emerson try and keep their relationship as separate as possible from Liam. But when their feelings for each other become too strong, the lines blur, and someone is bound to get hurt. Can the two let the past go and let love win?

I love Aurora Rey because it's always like she's writing a book just for me. It’s hard to be totally objective when an author reaches into your soul and creates a masterpiece seemingly just for you.

First, I always love the science nerd aspect in her stories. So many books are about businesswomen and lawyers and doctors and there's of course all sorts of other unique jobs, but science and biomed is something you don't always see. I identified so much with Emerson – once a med school hopeful and then life happens and you realize what's really important. Add to that she’s someone who balances the creative side of herself with the scientific side of herself. It's just too special to see yourself entirely in a book. I love it. It’s one of my favourite things about reading, about discovering yourself in so many characters and discovering things about yourself in the process as well. I can't express how special it is and how amazing it makes me feel.

Second, I love the food. It is like its own character in the story. I love how it mirrors, or in some ways sets the tone of, the relationship. Maybe that’s too deep or maybe it’s an observation that belongs only in an English class, but I just love how the food is a huge part of the relationship in many of the author’s books. Again, I get to see my life and my relationship and my love in a book. I'm pretty sure Aurora Rey is in my head making all my fantasies come true. And my god every time I read a book I come away with a million recipes to try. If Aurora Rey wrote I cook book, you're damn right I would buy it.

I love these books because they feel so personal to me. I see myself. I see my dreams and my fantasies. I can never properly explain just how much these books mean to me. Of course, not everyone is me and will connect so strongly with these elements in the stories. But, if you like a cute romance and good food and a beautiful community and precious family, you'll love the little escape this book provides. Give it a go and fall in love. I dare you.

I love the authenticity in the interactions from planning the first date or dating with kids in the picture or getting lost in your work. It’s messy and it's real. As much as I love romance for the escape, I love a healthy dose of reality too. Love can be hard work, but gosh true love is so worth all the hard work and it makes the love we see between Darcy and Emerson all the more powerful and all the more beautiful.

The night in the hotel was one of the sexiest, most sensual, and most beautiful love scenes I've ever read. Coming in a close second was the day in the boat. Oh god, I’m swooning just thinking about them. I feel like the love scenes in this novel was Aurora Rey’s best work in this way. The combination of emotion and trust portrayed in these scenes was absolutely incredible, she honestly took it to another level here.

Reviewed by Jasmine G