Shoreline Drive by Lily Everett (Sanctuary Island #2)
Released: January 28, 2014
Contemporary Romance
St. Martin’s
Reviewed by Mandi
Last year I read Sanctuary Island, the first book in this series and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Small town life on an island with lots of fun characters. We met Ben in that book, the veterinarian with an attitude, which intrigued me greatly.
Ben has an attitude for several reasons. First, he comes from a very wealthy family who he doesn’t get along with. He yearns for a family, but pushes everyone away. Oh Ben. He can calm the horses he cares for and take in all the strays that come to his door, but he has a hard time having a civil conversation with the new girl on the island, Merry.
Merry came to the island to reunite with her estranged mother and decided to stay. She also came pregnant (the father out of the picture) and this book starts with her giving birth – and as she can’t get off the island quick enough, Ben delivers her son. Fast forward a few months, Ben is in love with Merry (and her son) but doesn’t know how to court her or flirt. Merry is living with her mother and feeling smothered. Ben decides to propose to Merry – telling her they can have a civil marriage, Merry gets out of her mother’s house, her son’s financial future is set, and Ben will have his house full of a family he has always wanted.
Are those sound reasons to marry someone you aren’t even dating? Eh. I find present day marriage of convenience books fun (for example this one) – but I needed a little more convincing that Merry would want to accept his marriage proposal. Merry and Ben have an attraction, and Merry wants more independence from her mother, but does that mean get married? In book one she had such an independent spirit. And I kind of felt like the only reason Ben wanted to marry Merry is to try to get in her pants. And not that it happens – he respects her and tells her he won’t kiss her or come near her physically unless she requests it, but it still felt like that was his underlying reason.
That said, I like both Ben and Merry. I like that Ben is a little more awkward and romantically frustrated. Merry is outgoing and spontaneous and a fun match for him.
There is a side story involving a teenage girl and how she is coming to terms with her dad and Merry’s mom being involved. She acts out and does stupid teenage drama. This story line was okay, but didn’t do a lot for me.
I liked Ben and Merry together, just not Ben and Merry married so quick.
Rating: C+
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