Mermaid Inn
Author: Jenny Holiday
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: A-
What I’m Talking About:
After a ten-year absence, Eve Abbott has returned to Moonflower Bay to say goodbye to her great aunt Lucille, who passed away, leaving Eve the Mermaid Inn. Eve spent every summer living with Lucille at the Mermaid Inn, until she was 18 and saw the love of her life, Sawyer Collins, kiss another girl. After that, she went off to college and refused to return to the town that brought so much joy to her life. But even in death, Lucille hasn’t given up on making sure Eve is happy, even if it takes some meddling. Eve must own the Mermaid Inn for one year before she can sell it. Now she is reconnecting with past friends and associates, including the police chief, Sawyer Collins.
Mermaid Inn is an absolute joy to read. It’s sweet and easy, with some light moments and some not-as-light moments. It’s about Eve learning who she really is after holding on to youthful heartbreak for ten years. The results of this – staying away from Moonflower Bay – shaped her life. Now she has to figure out what she really wants, past the heartbreak. She’s growing and discovering what really makes her happy.
I love watching Eve learn how to be an adult in this town that holds so many memories for her. She decides to take on the extended stay with grace, working to rebuild friendships and even better herself along the way. She takes chances and gives into desire. The chemistry between Sawyer and Eve evolves from the joy of first love to an adult passion that smolders.
Overall, I really enjoyed this kickoff novel of the Matchmaker Bay series . Mermaid Inn hits all my buttons – small town, second chance, solid emotions, lots of fun. I enjoyed the slow-build as Eve and Sawyer learn to be friends and lovers as adults.
My Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot
Jen
About the Book:
Eve Abbott has a problem-actually, make that a lot of problems. And they’re all going to get worse the moment her toes hit the sand in Matchmaker Bay. Once a blissful summer escape, now the tiny town just reminds Eve of loss. Inheriting her aunt’s beloved Mermaid Inn is the only reason Eve is coming back. She’s definitely not ready to handle nosy neighbors, extensive renovations, or the discovery that a certain heartbreaker still lives down the street…
Police Chief Sawyer Collins always does the right thing, even when it costs him everything. Like Evie. He’s spent the past ten years trying to forget her–to forget how right she felt in his arms, to forget the pain in her eyes the day she left. The last thing he expects is to see her back in town or to find that the spark between them is as strong as ever. Sawyer knows this is his only chance to prove that his feelings have always been real… before Eve turns tail and leaves for good.
Release Date: January 28, 2020
Publisher: Forever Publishing (Grand Central)
Series: Matchmaker Bay #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance, second chance romance
Format(s): paperback (480 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: Publisher/NetGalley
Purchase Info:
Amazon (affiliate link)