| Title | : | Love Me If You Dare (Coral Cove, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0062229532 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780062229533 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Mass Market Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 384 |
| Publication | : | First published December 30, 2014 |
Camille Thompson is the best at what she does—closing deals. That's why real estate developer Vanderhook has sent her to Coral Cove, Florida, where the stubborn owner of the Happy Crab Motel is refusing to sell. Camille's never had a problem turning a "no" into a "yes," but then she's never been so captivated by a man's sexy smile before.
Laidback Reece Donovan likes life simple. No amount of money—or any other temptation Camille can offer—will convince him to give up the one link to his past. Of course, it would be easier without the powerful chemistry raging between them.
As a fragile romance begins to grow, can Reece trust Camille with his secrets? And when promises are broken, along with hearts, can the charm of Coral Cove help bring them back together?
Love Me If You Dare (Coral Cove, #2) Reviews
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Story Rating ~ 4.5 Stars
Hero Rating ~ 5 Stars
Heroine Rating ~ 5 Stars
Romance Rating ~ 5 Stars
Heat Level ~ 3.75 Stars
Ending ~ 4.5 Stars
Overall Rating ~ 4.5 Stars
Tony Blake sure knows how to write a small town story that will capture your heart.
I really enjoyed this story; it was cute, quirky, funny, sexy, hot and also down right sad at times. I enjoyed the banter between Reece and Cami from the beginning and loved reading how their chemistry turned them from being adversaries to friends.
ALL the characters in this book were phenomenal! They all added a little something special to this story. I LOVED Reece and Cami to pieces. Reece stole my heart and Cami captured it with some of the things she did by the end of the book.
If you like your books HOT you won’t be disappointed here. Although it takes a while for them to get between the sheets, once it happens there was no stopping them and I LOVED reading EVERY encounter.
The book ended on a happy note with a very nice epilogue, but for me I wished that there would have been just a bit more added.
Love Me If You Dare is the second book in the Coral Cove series and I feel that you can read it as a standalone but I highly recommend reading book one, All I Want Is You first. -
4.5 Stars
"Most of the things we really want in life lie just on the other side of our fears." - Fletcher, Love Me If You Dare
I adore Toni Blake's stories. No one writes small-town romance and quirky characters with the poignancy and passion that she does!
Oh, it's so good to be back in Coral Cove!
ARC provided by Avon Books via Edelweiss. -
This review can also be found at
Carole's Random Life.
4.5 Stars!
I really enjoyed this book. I actually ended up reading the whole book in one day. It was really that good. I was a little worried about reading this book because I have not yet had a chance to read the first book in the series but this book reads perfectly well as a stand alone novel. I ended up being completely captivated by this wonderful little romance and by the end of the book I was trying to convince my husband to move to the beach with me.
I really liked that this book did not have the main characters fall in love at first sight. They actually start out as adversaries in this book which is perfect. Camille works for the firm that is trying to buy the Happy Crab. She seems like an all work and no fun kind of woman at the start of the book. Reece is the owner of the Happy Crab and he has no plans to sell to Camille's firm regardless of the amount offered.
My first impression of Camille was not so good but when a giant iguana enters the scene she becomes much more interesting. I loved Reece on every page of this book. He is the kind of character that you cannot help but love. He is a laidback guy who obviously lives life to the fullest. I loved how he teased Camille and even went so far as to only call her Cami even though she initially hated it.
The chemistry between the pair was really wonderful. These are two people who don't want to be attracted to each other but can't seem to help it. It was a lot of fun to watch them finally give in to their attraction. I thought the relationship between the pair seemed completely authentic.
I really liked the fact that this book was able to be funny at times, a little quirky, completely romantic, and heartbreaking at different points. I really could not put it down and highly recommend this story to anyone who likes a good romance. This is the first book by Toni Blake that I have had a chance to read and I look forward to many more in the future.
I received a copy of this book from Avon Books via Edelweiss for the purpose of providing an honest review. -
Rating~ 3.5 stars.
Camille Thompson aka Tinkerbell is negotiator from a real estate company. She is extremely good at her job. Having had a difficult childhood, Camille considers her work as family and holds her job above everything else. She is very independent, strong and beautiful woman who hides a vulnerable side that shows the scars her upbringing left on her.
Recce Donovan aka Reccie Cup is the proud owner of a quaint motel, which has been in his family for years and no matter how much money Camille dangles in front of him, he isn’t giving up his family’s property. Recce leads a quite life now, he takes care of his motel, his pet iguana and spends his free time with the residents of the town he doesn’t need anyone changing that. Recce is a charming, friendly and pretty laid back kind of a guy but he could also be stubborn and intense.
Cami and Recce felt attracted to each other from the first moment they met but since they were enemies. Both of them are not willing to back down, Cami doesn’t want to ruin her spotless reputation by taking no for an answer and Recce doesn’t want some woman trying to convince him to sell his family legacy. Their relationship was sweet yet passionate. I do love enemies to lovers trope and their arguments and squabbles were quite entertaining/funny.
This is a small town/beach romance book and makes a great light read. There isn’t much angst or drama, it has that old time soft and sweet romance feel to it which I quite enjoyed. The book quite calming in a way that holds your attention, filled with some laughter and sweet moments.
Quibbles: Tamara and Fletcher (Recce’s best friends); seriously what was up with them. I didn’t quite understand them. Another thing that bugged me was sometimes the protagonist and other characters really behaved like they were in their early twenties and not in their mid-thirties in their thoughts or behavior.
Overall, cliched as it sounds this makes for a great holiday or beach book. Happy Reading!
ARC generously provided by the publisher via edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. -
LOVE ME IF YOU DARE is the second instalment in the Coral Cove series by Toni Blake. Returning to this world is so fun because I am such a massive fan of Blake’s writing. I don’t think she gets the attention she deserves because along with the sexy times, the humor and the strong characters, there’s always that heartfelt element that makes every book worth reading.
Coral Cove is set in Florida and has a good amount of visitors each day but it is also so declining. For business like the Happy Crab motel that Reece Donovan owns, it means that business is weak. This is where Camille Thompson enters the picture as she tries to convince Reece to sell his motel to her company so that they can build more better entertainment for the tourists. Reece is adamant about not selling and so springs a competition of who will crack who first.
I really enjoyed Camille’s character. She was strong and intelligent, but also had her vulnerabilities. The same goes with Reece. While he is comfortable with his business, the real reason why he doesn’t want to sell gets revealed later on in the book and once again, the intricacies of those emotions are well developed and portrayed by Blake.
There are plenty of sexy times and hilarious moments involving some precious animals as well as those heartfelt moments that for me, make the entire book. I had a satisfied teary eyed moment at the resolution of the book because of how perfect Blake ended it. And if you’re a fan of Blake’s Destiny series, you’ll also be thrilled to note that some characters from there also make an appearance.
LOVE ME IF YOU DARE is a beautiful story of finding the courage to let go. Blake’s writing continues to impress and stun, making for a perfect weekend read to lift your spirits.
*ARC provided by publisher
Read my alternate review at
Fresh Fiction -
Really enjoyed this opposites attract romance set in the Florida seaside town of Crystal Cove. I especially loved the quirky elements of the town and how Camille progressed from outsider to one of the gang. Also loved what a sweetheart Reece was. These two both deserved their HEA and it was satisfying to see them finally get it.
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We met Reece in the previous book. He is the owner of the Happy Crab Motel. He also has an amazing pet- Fifi who is a giant iguana. His motel is on the beach in Coral Cove, FL. Camille works for a development company and is known as their closer- she gets the deals done when someone is reluctant.
I have to admit I'm disappointed when it's all said and done. I thought this fell flat and was slow going. I was annoyed that Reece called Camille, Cami even thought she asked him not to. I didn't find that endearing. I thought it was annoying and disrespectful. Which I got at first, but he continued after they developed Feelings. The ending did save this book from a 2 star rating.
Not particularly interested in reading Tamra's story. -
Amanda‘s review posted on
Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
It’s good to return to Coral Cove! Toni Blake’s new story, Love Me if You Dare, is an endearing, character driven story about moving on without forgetting the past. Reese Donovan has been pursued by a real estate company wanting him to sell his motel so they can build a resort. He’s not willing to sell so they brought in their top gun, Camille Thompson, to convince him to do so. She has a perfect record of getting people to sell and she isn’t going to let Reese be her first to say no to her.
Both Reese and Camille/Cami are interesting characters and transform over the course of the story. I love it when a character develop a new perspective and reevaluate their current course in life. Reese starts to call Camille Cami to get under her skin but it becomes apparent that the girl that showed up at the beginning of the story is Camille, a strong no-nonsense all business person who is looking at all angles to get the job done. By the end of the story she is has changed with an easy going attitude and doesn’t make the job the first priority of her life. Being in Coral Cove and hanging with Reese and his friends will do that to a person. Reese opens up and lets Cami see the hidden side he’s kept to himself for the last ten years. He holds in a whole lot of pain and he’s able to express it finally and put some of it to rest.
The one thing I love about Toni Blake and her writing is the feel she creates with her small town community and their inhabitants. Coral Cove has a slew of individuals that have their unique quirks and personalities. They each make it a unique place to work and live. She has set up a few individuals for stories and I look forward to them. This story flows smoothly and by the end you see how it all comes together for both Reese and Cami and the community of Coral Cove. This can be read as a standalone story so you won’t be lost jumping into a new series.
If you are a fan of Susan Mallory and Robyn Carr you will definitely enjoy reading this story. -
Toni Blake knows how to do small town romances that are fun, quirky and sexy. She creates a winner every time.
Reece Donovan is quite content with his small run down motel and living in the quaint town of Coral Cove. He has a great cast of friends and life as it is works well for him. The last thing he needs is disruptions but when Camille comes to his hotel, she disrupts his life in more than one way. Her refusal to leave after he warns her upsets him. He has to keep an eye on her because when he tells her no he means it.
Camille Thompson heads to Coral Cove to convince the owner of the Happy Crab Motel to sell his property to her company. She is known not to lose out on a deal and her winning streak is put to the test as Reese challenges her every step of the way.
Reece has some demons that keep him from selling to Cami. He is such a good guy with a great sense of humor and a caring soul. He wants to help everyone in his small hometown and he does. Money is never a factor for him. I was rooting for him to overcome his personal challenges and he does at his own time with Cami’s help.
While helping Reece, Cami discovers herself in the process. She is the perfect balance for him. She is strong when he is weak but she allows him to find his answers without pushing him too hard.
There is not much to the plot besides Reece’s refusal to sell the motel. The connections and development of the characters become the main focus of the story. The town and the quirky folks who live there are the main attraction alongside Reece and Camille. I hope the author creates another story for a few of the other characters. -
In true Toni Blake form, LOVE ME IF YOU DARE is a romance full of emotion with a delicious side of sexy to keep me hooked from page one.
The one thing I love about Blake's writing is that I tend to get lost in the story, which is great when you are reading with two babies running (crawling) around. Her heroes are always devilishly handsome, with a chip or two to carry around, and her heroines are never a doormat, they are strong, maybe a bit weak in the knees around the hero, but always true to who they are, and Cami was none different.
I love the setting of the Coral Cove Series, with the vivid description of the resort town, I almost felt the sun on my face...almost! I actually found myself having an immediate soft spot for Tamra, who I hope will be getting her own romance soon, as I think we have all been in her shoes once in our life, being in love with our best friend, and watching him fall for someone else...Yeah...let's just say my little heart went out to her...Toni, PLEASE find her a good man!!
LOVE ME IF YOU DARE is the second in the Coral Cove series, which can be read as a standalone, but I encourage you to read ALL I WANT IS YOU (at least enter the giveaway), cause you can only be doing a HUGE favor to yourself by indulging in MORE Blake Men!
Definitely a great read for those who love a romance that builds from mutual dislike to full on "I want to have your babies if you let me" love! Toni Blake never disappoints! -
After not enjoying the first book in this spin off of the wonderful Destiny, Ohio series I'm happy to say Love Me if You Dare was much closer to vintage Toni Blake.
Although the storyline seemed at first a little lack lustre, Toni Blake has that wonderful way of getting you to connect with her characters and this is what she did here in a classic tale of opposites attract and enemies to lovers. Camille Thompson, career woman always closes the deal until she meets the laid back owner of the Happy Crab Motel, Reece Donovan. Sparks fly, barriers come crashing down add one mischievous giant Iguana and the author's signature cat and you have a heart warming story in the classic Toni Blake style. -
Love Me if You Dare by Toni Blake is a 2014 Avon Publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This story has a kind of familiar story line in which a big developer wants to push out the family owned motel pitting the tough as nails Camille against Reese, a pretty easy going guy until you try to bribe and bully him into selling his motel. I've read many romance novels with a similar trope, but this one was kind of quirky.
There is some crackling energy sizzling between Camille and Reese right from the beginning, but the two were such an odd couple - when she zigged, he zagged. The chemistry was there but it was off kilter, not quite hitting it's mark. I guess I'm a little strange because I knew I was supposed to dislike the big bad developer and Cami's over confident and manipulative scheming, but it was Reese I had difficulties warming up to. Even in the end I felt his responses were muted, like he was going along grudgingly and reluctantly.
An Iguana, a stray cat, and the private jokes between Cami and Reese regarding sunscreen, and some cute nicknames for each other lightened the tone and provided some humor and few laugh out loud moments.
I did like Cami's ability to admit her life had been pretty empty, and that she had discovered some missing pieces of herself while in Coral Cove. She needed to add more depth to her life by having a life away from work, enjoying time with friends, and learning to breath a little. There was more to life than just a career, always getting the job done, never losing... and there were always two sides to a story.
As I have had time to reflect upon the book, the curious use of Peter Pan quotations to begin each chapter begins to make a lot more sense. Which leads to me to my feelings towards Reese. His character is most assuredly off beat and he could rub me the wrong way sometimes, but his issues went much deeper than what was on the surface. The life he had been living wasn't really living, any more than Cami was in her sterile, win at all cost world. So, I have concluded that Reese maybe had some heavier issues to deal with and as such explains a lot about why he behaved the way he did. Cami did a great job in getting him to realize change isn't always a bad thing.
So, as improbable as it may have seemed, the couple was good for each other, bringing out long buried qualities in one another that ended up working out for the best for all concerned. Overall, this is a actually a cute story that employs an offbeat cast of characters that was a refreshing change of pace.
4 stars -
Original review can be found at
http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
I received an advanced readers copy from Avon via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
This is the second book in the Coral Cove series but it can be read as a stand alone. I did not read the first book and it did not impact the story.
Camille goes to the town of Coral Cove to convince the owner of The Happy Crab to sell his motel to make room for a luxurious high rise resort. When she meets the owner Reece, she realises that it isn't going to be as easy as she thought and decides to stay at the motel to try and convince him. She doesn't want to ruin her perfect record with her employer and will do almost anything to get the sale to go through. One thing she wasn't counting on was the immediate sexual attraction she feels that she is pretty sure is mutual. A tentative truce, friendship and budding romance ensues but there are many obstacles in the way of their happily ever after.
This story follows the typical formula of a contemporary romance but is made more enjoyable by the setting of Coral Cove. It is as much a character in the book as Cami and Reece and is described beautifully. I could picture myself strolling along the beach, snorkeling in the ocean and hanging out with the large group of people that are introduced throughout it.
Both Reece and Camille were likeable characters but in much different ways. Camille hid behind her tough exterior but inside was just as vulnerable and unsure as the next girl. Coral Cove really brought out the best in her. Reece was about as yummy as they come with the personality to match. There are also some four legged creatures involved that I loved reading about.
I would have to say that this is one of the better romance novels that I have read in a while. I really enjoyed the story, the town and the people. Blake mentions enough about a few of the other characters to set up for book three in the series. I for one look forward to reading it regardless of which character it will focus on because they are all great. -
I really wanted to like this book. I have read many of Toni Blake's other books (including the first in this series) and have enjoyed them all. This one? Not so much. In fact, I never even finished it, something which is really rare for me.
Set in fictional Coral Cove Fl, this book is about Reese Donovan, owner of the Happy Crab motel, who we have met in previous books. Vanderhook Real Estate closer Camille Thompson is there to "close the deal" and purchase the motel for a fancy resort chain. They have offered Reese an obscene amount of money for it, and he just won't sell. It is up to Camille to get the job done. ANY way she can!
My biggest problem with this book was that I just didn't like Camille (or Callie, as Reese calls her.) She starts the book by being every cliche a high power business woman could be. This includes deciding to use sexual attraction between her and Reese to leverage him to sell. The problem is that she just can't quite convince herself that she is OK with this, and that she won't get hurt in the process, so every few pages there is an internal dialog during which she tries to convince herself that this plan is OK and that she can do this. Frankly, after 100 pages of this, I just didn't care any more!! As I said, I have really, really enjoyed Ms. Blake's Destiny Ohio books, as well as the first in this Coral Cove series. Here's hoping the next one will have a much more likable heroine! -
This Coral Cove series lies behind what I got used to from Toni Blake and this second book did not help improve my opinion about it. It still is very nicely written and of a better quality than the average romance however.
It started strongly with a few explosive encounters between two characters that everything oppose, but who nevertheless are strongly attracted to one another. Those were really good, though they came out so strong that I wondered if I'd be able to really like the heroine. And indeed it took me a while to warm up to her. For a while, she was called by Reece's nickname for her, even though she still strongly objected to that nickname. That did not feel right at all.
What I disliked the most: there are some secrets behind Reece's attachment to the motel and fear of personal commitment to someone else, and those dragged on way to long. I really got bored in between the first and second third of the book, because the author did not come clean about those and did not provide any additional clue or hints.
What I liked the most: the ending and the realistic though major transformation in her private life and expectations done by Camille. It was told in a slightly rushed way and could have been developed more, but it really redeemed the lengthy middle part. -
Good opposites attract story. We met Reece and his pet iguana, Fifi, in All I Want Is You, as the laid back owner of the Happy Crab Motel. He's not quite as laid back right now, as a big hotel chain is trying to buy his property and tear it down. He keeps telling them no, but they won't let it go. Now they've sent Camille Thomson to try her hand at convincing him.
Camille has never lost on a deal she was trying to close, and doesn't expect to have any trouble here. After all, everyone has their price. But she didn't count on Reece's stubbornness - or his appeal.
Camille definitely didn't make a very good impression when she first arrived. She seemed kind of smug about always getting her way. Her big city persona took a pretty big hit when she freaked out finding the iguana in her bathroom, and it certainly made her seem more human. When Reece came running in response to her screams, she also started to see him as more than a business problem. She wasn't happy about it, as she considered it a distraction.
I liked Reece. He's an easygoing kind of guy, who seems to take everything that goes on around him in stride, except for the buyout attempt. He wasn't real happy about his attraction to Cami either. He likes his life just as it is, and her actions threaten everything he loves. I really enjoyed how he stood up to her in that first encounter, without getting mean or nasty.
The development of their relationship was fun. They start out as antagonists, but Reece's laid back attitude kept it on the friendly side. Once she decided to stay in Coral Cove in order to try to convince him, Reece decided to show her around "so he could keep an eye on her". He decided to try to show her the charm of the town, in hopes of getting her to agree that a big hotel would not be right. I loved seeing him introduce her around. The relationship began to change right away as Cami started to see how much a part of things Reece was. She started to realize that she was in trouble as Reece became a person rather than a property, and she wanted to know more about who he was.
As the days went on, the reason Cami was there became less important to her. I loved seeing how they could go for hours without talking about the sale. Their relationship begins to deepen, something that both are leery of. Reece has ghosts from his past that keep him from allowing himself to get serious about anyone, and Cami has spent years perfecting the ability to keep her emotions locked away. By the time they progress to taking his boat out together, those feelings have taken a deep root in both, and they start to open up to each other. But trouble lies ahead that will test the depth of those feelings.
Cami's boss has been pestering her regularly about her progress and she has been putting him off. Just as she makes a decision about what to do, he takes advantage of a casual comment and makes his own attempt at winning the battle. Unfortunately, Reece believes he's been betrayed by Cami and has some very harsh things to say to her, without giving her a chance to explain. I understood his feelings, but wanted to smack him for jumping to conclusions. While Cami spent a couple days reeling from what happened, I loved seeing her decide to do something about it. While I saw one of those actions coming (it was logical), I didn't see the larger solution, and loved it. I also found it very realistic that they didn't immediately go to a perfect ending, but realized that they both had things to work through. I loved seeing them do that together.
I really enjoyed the parts that the two animals played. Fifi, the iguana, was an unusual pet and seemed to be perfect for Reece and his personality. How he acquired her showed his softer side. Fifi was also a big part of the interactions between Reece and Cami, especially at the beginning. I really liked how Cami got to like the "dinosaur" and realized how much she meant to Reece. I also loved the cat "Tiger", aka "Tiger Lily". It started out as a stray that neighbor Polly cares for, and who Polly cons Cami into caring for. Cami's reaction to the cat says a lot about what her life has been like. It was sweet to see the way it wormed its way into Cami's heart and how Cami's entire outlook began to change. -
LOVE ME IF YOU DARE is the second instalment in the Coral Cove series by Toni Blake. Returning to this world is so fun because I am such a massive fan of Blake’s writing. I don’t think she gets the attention she deserves because along with the sexy times, the humor and the strong characters, there’s always that heartfelt element that makes every book worth reading.
Coral Cove is set in Florida and has a good amount of visitors each day but it is also so declining. For business like the Happy Crab motel that Reece Donovan owns, it means that business is weak. This is where Camille Thompson enters the picture as she tries to convince Reece to sell his motel to her company so that they can build more better entertainment for the tourists. Reece is adamant about not selling and so springs a competition of who will crack who first.
I really enjoyed Camille’s character. She was strong and intelligent, but also had her vulnerabilities. The same goes with Reece. While he is comfortable with his business, the real reason why he doesn’t want to sell gets revealed later on in the book and once again, the intricacies of those emotions are well developed and portrayed by Blake.
There are plenty of sexy times and hilarious moments involving some precious animals as well as those heartfelt moments that for me, make the entire book. I had a satisfied teary eyed moment at the resolution of the book because of how perfect Blake ended it. And if you’re a fan of Blake’s Destiny series, you’ll also be thrilled to note that some characters from there also make an appearance.
LOVE ME IF YOU DARE is a beautiful story of finding the courage to let go. Blake’s writing continues to impress and stun, making for a perfect weekend read to lift your spirits.
*ARC provided by publisher❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts?
Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤ -
Camille "Cami" Thompson is trying to close a deal for her company. They have sent her to a tiny motel along the coast of Coral Cove Florida to convice the owner to sell so they can build a large resort. When she arrives she meets the owner, Reece Donovan, who is adamant about not selling and won't change his mind. As the attraction between the two grow they have to decide if they can keep their buisness and personal lives seperate or if they are just heading for disaster.
I enjoyed watching Cami and Reece circle each other before they decided they wanted to change the nature of their relationship. They don't dislike one another, they are just leery of the other person and their motives. With Reece, he is clearly unsure if he can trust her since she is trying to convince him to sell his motel. But Cami has learned to keep her feelings out of her job and has hardened herself to just 'do the job' since she feels it's all she has.
As they both open up they are able to shed some of the fears and ideals they have and just come together as two people that care for one another. WHat starts as a no strings arrangement quickly escalates and they both have some serious decisions to make.
While I did figure out the plot twist pretty early on, I still really enjoyed this story. The flow of the plot was a good pace that kept me interested in the story. The imagery of the town, characters and scenary was fabulous and made me forget about the foot of snow outside my house and imagine myself on the beach with Cami and Reece in Florida.
This was a great addition to the Coral Cove series. This is the second book in the series but they can be read out of order. Many of the characters from the previous book make appearances but that not in a way that would confuse the reader. Many of the secondary characters add to the charm and feeling of the series making it very entertaining to read. I am excited to see which Coral Cove resident is next in this series. -
I like this better than the 'Destiny' series it is spun off of...
Cami works for a real estate developer, who gets the property her company wants by any means available. Cami has come to the picturesque beach town of Coral Cove to strong arm the sale of the Happy Crab motel so a high rise resort can be built. Problem is, motel owner Reece refuses to sell, at any price. Cami entrenches herself at the motel to work to change Reece's mind. The more time she spends with Reece and in the quaint beach town, however, the more she comes to like her new friends and see things Reece's way.
Cute story, and an enjoyable read. There is not a major plotline going other than the real state bid. The book is character and relationship driven, and Blake does this very well. I want to stay at the Happy Crab, and spend time with everyone living in Coral Cove, including Fifi and Tiger (Lily). Really liked this one, and there are several characters being set up for their own story. I can't wait.
Full review closer to release date... -
I don't know what it was about Reece Donovan, but I was just dying to read his story after reading the first Coral Cove book. I enjoy Toni Blake's writing. Nice story, fun read.
There was one peak into a couple from Destiny. It didn't work for me. I felt the H was not who he was prior. I didn't like it. But it was one sentence. No idea why it bothered me so.
All in all, great story. Can't wait for the next. I really hope it's Fletcher's story. -
I adore Toni Blake, but I had difficulty getting into this book. I didn't feel surprised by anything that happened in Love Me If You Dare, which alone surprised me... I'm still waiting for another Whammy like Blake offered up in One Reckless Summer. ;) I did enjoy Fifi the "dinosaur," and will continue reading the Coral Cove story to find out what develops with Tamra, and also with Fletcher. I'll confess... I miss the Destiny series.
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Book two of the Coral Cove series and it finishes out the story of Reece Donovan who owns the Happy Crab, a fifties style motel in the older part of Coral Cove. Camille Thompson shows up in her power suit convinced she can persuade Reece to sell the motel to the company she works for, who in turns sells to a large resort group that wants the property to build their own big resort. The job was a lot harder than she ever expected and the results are nothing close to what she expected. Cute read about trust and letting go of the past.
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I definitely enjoyed this book; it had a little bit of everything that I enjoy. When I was nearing the end I couldn't put it down. I didn't want to leave for work. OK that is a normal occurrence. I like the crazy banter between Cami & Reece. Now I suddenly want to take a vacation in Coral Cove and stay at the Happy Crab. That buffet sounds yummy too.
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The banter between Camille and Reece was fun. I really liked how they interacted with each other. The confidence of both characters was appealing. I like the secondary characters also. I loved how the author brought everything together in the end. Great way to redeem Cami and save the day. I listened to this on audio and the narrator did an okay job. I will continue with this series.
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Couldn't even finish, was so Bored. . . .
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This was a good story but it was slow going to get to the end.
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Great beach read. Steamy romance.
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This is a heartwarming story about new beginnings. It is about breaking down existing barriers and making yourself open to new ideas and feelings. Realising that change is something positive to embrace even if it means sacrificing the life you have carefully constructed.
Reece is a laid back kinda guy. He has a very good life in the small community of Coral Cove where he has lived all of his life. He likes things just the way they are, so has declined many offers to sell his small motel business to developers over time. This time though, the one dangling money in front of his eyes is a woman. Can he resist his urges and avoid this “problem” from the property development world?
Camille has her life just as she likes it - that is, her work is her life and family. Leaving Michigan after graduating college, she headed for a new life in Atlanta and never looked back. She earns a fabulous salary as a negotiator and owns a nice townhouse. She has everything she never had growing up in rural Michigan – money and financial security. After arriving in the small town of Coral Cove, the owner of her next property transaction isn't quite what she expected. He's laid back, scruffy, incredibly stubborn and oh so sexy! Maybe she has to turn on her charm and seduce an agreement out of him?
I love how the author set up the scenes to make us, the readers “see” Coral Cove. Not only does she bring the small town to life, the characters come alive too. You can really feel the push and pull between Reece and Camille as they both try and deny to themselves and each other the undeniable chemistry between them. All of this is accompanied by an interesting array of supporting characters including a pet “dinosaur” called Fifi and a stray cat called “Tiger Lily!” Each have their very individual part to play as the story unfolds and everyone blends well to compliment one another beautifully. Our protagonists' journey to find happiness with each other has its ups and downs, however the author makes the readers understand why things are as they are, so they see the full picture to explain the consequences of their actions.
This is the first book I have read by Toni Blake and look forward to reading more from her in the future. I'd especially love to see Tamra find someone to love and cherish in Coral Cove as her character really struck a chord with me. And maybe Fletcher too.
4½ Stars
***arc received courtesy of the publisher***
