Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

St. James Sisters #3

Still Life with Lobster

Rate this book
Who Knew A Crustacean Could be the Key to Love?

From Tragedy to Triumph: A Heartwarming Tale of Love and Healing.

Creative and nurturing Zoey St. James had it all until she lost everything in a tragic car accident that took the lives of both of her parents. But even in the darkest of times, Zoey never lost sight of her dream of being a doctor. With grit and determination, she aced medical school and is coasting through the last year of her residency—until her boss assigns her to treat Virginia Sunders.

A 50's starlet, the diva is as demanding as she is insufferable. Now, her baseless complaints, executed by her grandson Chase, could jeopardize not only Zoey's clinicals, but the land that's been in her family for generations.

Growing up in the limelight has left the handsome and enigmatic Chase Sunders with a general distrust of people until he meets Zoey. But old habits die hard, and when his grandmother's health takes a turn for the worse, their budding romance is put to the ultimate test. Will Zoey's ability to color outside the lines help her to save the woman who means everything to Chase, and in doing so, win his heart forever?

Find out in this heartwarming, enemies-to-lovers tale of triumph over tragedy!

Set on one of the lesser known islands near Detroit, Still Life with Lobster is Book Three in the St. James Sisters collection. The sweet, beach romances follow three orphaned sisters and their found family through their journeys to love and can all be read as standalone.

If you like sweet, grumpy-sunshine, BWWM romances with prickly men and strong, creative women, check out this adorable novel. No cheating. No cliffhangers. And an HEA that will leave you smiling for weeks!

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 19, 2023

73 people are currently reading
112 people want to read

About the author

Tana Jenkins

24 books62 followers
Named Debut Author of the Year in 2022 by RSJ, former attorney Tana Jenkins is an EMMA Award-Winner for Sweet & Clean Romance and an OTFS Finalist for Paranormal Romance. Mensa's literary publication, Calliope also nominated her short story, Little Black Ugly, for the Pushcart.

Tana has always been passionate about the magic of love. Her storytelling brings this magic to life, using richly imagined plots featuring characters who are often as loveable as they are quirky. As a multi-racial/African American writer, Tana is particularly interested in writing diverse characters in interracial romances--a nod to the notion that love knows no boundaries.

After practicing law in several locales, including on the beautiful island of St. Croix, she writes from the Great Lakes region, which features in her beach romances. There, she lives her own HEA with her college sweetheart and their adorable rescue. When not penning the next novel or planning beach escapades, she can be found snuggled up with a good book and a bowl of ice cream.

**Tana is always looking for ARC readers, so if you're interested email her: tanajenkins@tanajenkins.com

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
40 (37%)
4 stars
40 (37%)
3 stars
21 (19%)
2 stars
6 (5%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Clorie.
684 reviews2 followers
Read
May 16, 2024
DNF- not because it’s boring. Though it was a bit. But I’m just not getting back to it. So will move on. Maybe another time.
698 reviews5 followers
September 20, 2023
Love Goes Back And Forth!

Still Life with Lobster is a sweet, clean interracial romance. It is the love story of Chase Sunders, a white arrogant, famous attorney and Zoey St. James, a interracial Resident.

Their romance had many twists and turns. The main problem was Chase lack of trust in Zoey. He made so many mistakes with Zoey as well as with his law firm. Additionally, he threw his weight around at the hospital causing harm to many. His grandmother wasn't without blame.

As they got to know each other, Zoey delightful, outgoing personality changed so many things with him. He kept one really important decision from Zoey, almost breaking their relationship. It took Zoey weeks to forgive him in spite of his many overtures. He even made things right at the hospital but the damage there was irrevocable in some instances.

Zoey's nature and loving spirit allowed her to finally understand and forgive him. This book is very good example of a romance that didn't need sensual sex. It was perfectly delightful without it. Love and life are like a lobsters, going back and forth.
Profile Image for Christy.
127 reviews
May 19, 2023
In my top 3 of the year so far!!
Seriously one of the cutest books I’ve read in a while. I’ve not read the first two books in this series but they’re next on my TBR list. Loved the story, the flow, and the CHARACTERS were the best. This first book I read of Tana Jenkins will not be my last! I think she did a fantastic job with this one and I’m downloading her other books tonight! This fun little story is great for a beach read, but also anywhere else.
Profile Image for itssjusnia⭐️.
30 reviews
January 24, 2025
★ ★ ★ ★

ARC Review💌

This book is a great summer read!!! And it’s perfect to read at the beach or by the pool.

Zoey and Chase’s love story is beautifully written. I found myself smiling whenever they spent time together. Their chemistry was UNDENIABLE!

You usually have to read books with over 300 pages, to get characters that have such a developed and realistic/ undeniable connection. But the author was able to create that same chemistry between two characters, in a book with less than 250 pages.

I love that!

I also loved Zoey and Chase as individuals.

Zoey didn’t let the world harden her, even AFTER her parents death. She is a ray of sunshine.

And Chase’s respect for his grandmother was admirable. Even though it made it difficult for him to accept his feelings towards Zoey.

The message the book tried to convey is “you should never give up on your dreams, and you’re only a failure if you don’t try!”

(I received an advanced review copy for free and I am voluntarily leaving this review).
Profile Image for Queen Neely &#x1f380;.
101 reviews6 followers
June 15, 2024
SO SWEET! Opposites attract but they learn so much from each other’s perspectives. I loved how Zoey saw Chase as someone that had the potential to bloom into something special. The perfect summer read!
Profile Image for Anne Chlovechok.
31 reviews2 followers
Read
May 22, 2023
Just finished Tana Jenkins' third book in her St. James Sisters series, "Still Life with Lobster". Resident physician Zoey St. James has to find a way to keep her ancestral land; it seems that the best bet is to land a permanent position in the hospital where she's currently finishing her residency. Unfortunately, an elderly Hollywood star and the woman's gorgeous grandson are standing in her way; will entitled hottie Chase Sunders let down his shields enough to trust the vibrant woman who touches him so deeply? And can Zoey chalk up Chase's serious misstep as excusable, as it was in the interest of protecting his beloved grandmother? Tana's characters are relatable and fun, and you can be sue of a HEA when the dust settles. Check out the whole series! You can't go wrong with these great summer beach reads!
Profile Image for CMB.
234 reviews3 followers
May 16, 2023
Doctor Zoey needs a permanent naturopathic job, preferably close to the family island home she’s been entrusted to care for. Despite her obstacles, she approaches life with a sunny disposition.

Chase, on the other hand, is the total opposite. So grumpy that his work board is forcing him into taking“professional development” days.

Fate keeps throwing these two together in this third installment of the St. James sister series, and sparks fly. But what will happen when Zoey learns the truth about what Chase has done?

Zoey is a keeper! I loved her! I also enjoyed Chase when he was with her. She was like a balm to his soul. The setting is Midwest picturesque, and their “dates” are humorous and sweet.

I received an ARC in exchange for this review.

Profile Image for Rochelle.
526 reviews11 followers
July 10, 2023
If you enjoy a sweet and clean romance novel, this is a good one.

Book 3 of the St. James Sisters series i is the story about 4th year resident Zoey, and Chase, the jaded and grumpy lawyer.

The sweet, beach romances follow three orphaned sisters and their found family through their journeys to love and can all be read as standalone.
Profile Image for Nancy  L Thompson.
2,158 reviews15 followers
August 6, 2023
I'm a little slow....

I'm not sure I get the lobster reference in its entirety. But all in all this was an enjoyable read. I liked the characters and they seemed fun
2 reviews
May 13, 2025
It was such a fun, easy, and lighthearted read! I really enjoyed the book, and I finished it within a day.
Profile Image for Marcia.
667 reviews4 followers
May 19, 2023
This was such a good read. I enjoyed Zoey and Chase chemistry. They both needed something the other one had.
Profile Image for Marcy Mangino.
24 reviews1 follower
July 28, 2023
Cute summer read. Another fun story about the St. James sisters.
Profile Image for Angel.
9 reviews
July 16, 2025
I honestly didn't expect this book to be as good as it was, I could not put it down till I finished. It is currently 1:13 am and I have finished this amazing book I started at 10pm. I loved the chemistry between Chase and Zoey, and honestly, with her kind of personality and the way she just has pure love for life, I'm inspired. I really love this book
Profile Image for Jasmine Nicole.
Author 8 books47 followers
June 11, 2023
The chemistry between these two was chemistry-ing!

They fit together like BBQ and summer 😉

The banter and synergy was very well written. I was not team Chase for a while, but because I instantly loved Zoey, it didn’t take long for me to start blushing every time they were together on page.

I’m a Midwesterner, however I know nothing about Michigan and it’s islands so learning about that was nice.

Also the ode to grandparents, especially Zoey’s great-great-great-great grandmother was sweet AND necessary 💙🧡

This author was new to me and now I will be going back to read more especially about the other St. James sisters. Thank you so much for the ARC @tanajenkinswriter, I had a very good time reading 🙏🏾🙏🏾

I give this 4 lobsters 🦞🦞🦞🦞
Profile Image for Kay.
246 reviews2 followers
July 9, 2023
Super Sweet

A short super sweet read that I enjoyed. Zoey, ever the optimist, and Chase, the brooding grump, make a perfect pair.
2,386 reviews7 followers
May 31, 2023
This is book three in the St. James Sisters Collection Series. This story is an beach small town enemies to lovers sweet rom-com medical romance. This story is definitely sweet loving and happiness .

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for diaryofacleanreader.
112 reviews45 followers
March 21, 2025
3.75/5 stars

my fav earthy black girl to date. i loved this book so much & how practical & GROWN the characters acted. Zoey, the female lead was extremely practical about what she wanted and expected from Chase. NOT an instalove, they take their time getting to know each other (lol kisses aside). this is a grown folks romance, & i loved it.

SPICE: 0/5 (CLEAN READ FOR THE WINNN)

LANGUAGE: minimal language, no hard profanities, suggestive language but nothing OVERLY sensual or inappropriate.

TROPES: BIPOC female lead, enemies to lovers (kinda), forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine

Zoey & Chase for the win 🌳🖼️
159 reviews2 followers
December 9, 2023
Zoey and Chase, what a pair. Ms. Jenkins wrote another great story in the St. James series. Both Zoey and Chase had their doubts about love. Zoey had been hurt by a previous relationship. Chase didn't know the meaning of true love because his parents, especially his mother never showed him love. Chase's grandmother showed him a little more affection but he was still confused. Meeting Zoey was the best thing that ever happened to him. Chase had to learn to trust with his whole heart what true love was really about.
Profile Image for Shellie.
258 reviews12 followers
May 22, 2023
"Still Life with Lobster: A Love Story" by Tana Jenkins is a heartwarming and enchanting beach-read that takes readers on a journey along the shores of Michigan. As the third book in the St. James Sisters collection, this novel stands on its own while offering a delightful continuation of the series.

The story revolves around Zoey St. James, a resilient and ambitious woman who, despite facing immense tragedy in her past, remains focused on her dream of becoming a doctor. When she is assigned to treat the demanding and difficult 50s starlet Virginia Sunders, Zoey's clinicals and her family's ancestral land are put at risk due to the baseless complaints made by Virginia's grandson, Chase Sunders. As Zoey and Chase navigate their complex relationship, they discover a budding romance that is tested when Virginia's health takes a turn for the worse. Zoey's ability to think outside the box and her determination to save Chase's beloved grandmother become crucial in their journey towards love and healing.

Tana Jenkins masterfully crafts an enemies-to-lovers tale filled with triumph over tragedy. The characters, especially Zoey and Chase, are well-developed and endearing, capturing readers' hearts as they navigate their personal growth and confront their pasts. The charming setting of the lesser-known islands near Detroit adds a unique backdrop to the story, creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall reading experience.

The novel explores themes of resilience, family, and the transformative power of love. With its blend of sweet romance, humor, and strong-willed characters, "Still Life with Lobster" offers an engaging and uplifting narrative. Readers will be drawn to the prickly yet lovable nature of Chase and Zoey's relationship, as they overcome obstacles and find solace and happiness in each other.

This delightful novel promises a satisfying conclusion, leaving readers with an HEA (happily ever after) that will warm their hearts long after turning the final page. With no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a generous sprinkle of humor, "Still Life with Lobster: A Love Story" is a charming and adorable addition to Tana Jenkins' collection that will leave readers smiling for weeks.
28 reviews
May 11, 2023
The love interest, Chase talks about a Picasso when he remarks that "beauty ... doesn't follow the rules," but he could've been describing the main character Zoey. She's a doctor in her last year of residency, but she still has compassion and empathy for her patients unlike other doctors at her hospital. She has a deep appreciation of nature and wants to save her family farm without help from her family members (she feels like she has something to prove to them). She tries to see the best in people even when they aren't kind to her.

Zoey is a winner but the nicest thing I can say about Chase is he's a diamond in the rough. Fortunately as he spends more time with Zoey, she smooths down some of his rough edges.

This is book three in a series, I haven't read the other books, but I didn't have to since this is a stand alone and the author fills in the background about her sisters.

I loved the author's world building; it made me feel like I was there. I'm from the Midwest originally and haven't been back in years, but the author's story telling brought back happy memories for me. I loved the book and can't wait to read the other books in this series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jennifer (novels_and_daydreams).
168 reviews
May 21, 2023
🦞 A happy-go-lucky doctor and a grumpy lawyer fall for each other in this clean and wholesome romance novel.

Dr. Zoey St. James is instantly physically attracted to handsome lawyer Chase Sunders but much less taken with his gruff personality. After a rude exchange between the two, Zoey writes off any potential relationship with the aloof attorney but finds her opinion begins to change when they are forced to volunteer together at an art museum. Taken with his kind and thoughtful behavior towards others, Zoey begins to hope for a romantic relationship with Chase and she believes the feeling is mutual. Unfortunately, Chase has been keeping some secrets from Zoey that affect her livelihood. When the truth comes out, will Zooey be able to forgive Chase and take the chance on a relationship with him?

This was a sugary sweet and adorable read. Extremely chaste by romance novel standards, this book read like a Hallmark movie and was just as enjoyable. The kind but strong female cast of characters and the close knit relationship between Zoey and her sisters gave the book a strong girl-power vibe that I loved! This one is definitely worth checking out if you are looking for a light, heartwarming, smut-free, romance. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4/5)
806 reviews18 followers
May 21, 2023
Dr Zoey St James, eternally optimistic, multi-talented and gifted in many fields, takes on the care of her great-grandmother’s small farm which she inherits with her two sisters. But continued ownership depends on acquiring a permanent position at a hospital, which seems guaranteed until Chase Sunders and his grandmother use their respective positions to meddle in the hospital staffing list!
Chase is challenged by his board members to improve his belligerent attitude to both colleagues and clients and is tasked to offer his time in the local art museum, where he re-encounters Zoey as a fellow volunteer. As their friendship develops, Chase has to acknowledge, if only to himself, that his initial evaluation of Zoey’s medical expertise was flawed.
When Zoey is forced to re-assess her future career options, her positive outlook enables her to choose a path to happy fulfillment.
Tana Jenkins has written a quirky, yet moving story of two very different characters who find common ground in their mutual love for art.
I was given a free review copy by the author and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Nikki Barr.
36 reviews3 followers
May 11, 2023
This third book in the St. James Sisters series picks up with Zoey, a resident in a Detroit hospital, the story takes place in Detroit and on her family farm on one of the many islands of Detroit. It's just as sweet a romance story as the other two featuring the other sisters, twin Mila and Sydney.

The story is gorgeously told from the farm to the museum to Charlie's taco truck--you can imagine yourself in all these places and get swept up in their charm... but add to it this seemingly improbably romance and flourishes under the enchanted greenery and art? It makes the story one that you will finish and wish you hadn't yet but for just a bit more of these sisters.

I don't normally read romances, but I thoroughly enjoy the St. James Sisters, and Still Life with Lobster doesn't disappoint.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
444 reviews5 followers
May 13, 2023
Zoey is a resident in a hospital where famous Hollywood star is being treated for a fatal cancer illness. The actress doesn't want Zoey as her doctor and her grandson Chase - a grumpy lawyer - makes that happen by getting her superior transfered and bringing in an old family friend. This new doctor is firing hospital staff and making Zoey's job difficult. There is instant attraction between Zoey and Chase and they develop a friendship that could lead to more. But Zoey doesn't know that Chase is responsible for the changes in the hospital.
The book was entertaining but sometimes I felt as if I was missing parts of the story. That is probably due to this being the third book in a series about three sisters and I haven't read the other two. Also the reason the actress gave in the end for wanting another doctor was not very believable to me.
All in all an enjoyable book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Shannan Harper.
2,462 reviews28 followers
June 3, 2023
This was my first read from this author, and I'll be looking into her back list. Although this is part of a series, and I haven't read any of the other books in the series, This read as a stand alone. It did start off a little slow, but it didn't take too long for it to start changing. This turned out to be such a beautiful story, and it came just in time for summer. I did not like the male character at first, he sounded like a prick, but he did grow and evolve, and I changed my mind about him later in the book. This was such an enjoyable story.

I received a copy of the book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my own thoughts and opinions.
2,023 reviews10 followers
May 8, 2023
A fun read, the story of Chase and Zoey. When they first meet they both feel. A connection, but then he finds out she is he doctor he has been trying to remove from caring for his grandmother. But fate keeps throwing them together, so.do they have a chance together or will the secrets he is keeping drive them apart?
I hadn't read the other books in this series but I don't think it mattered.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Zsa Zsa.
1,167 reviews1 follower
May 21, 2023
Zoey is determined, smart, and compassionate characteristics that will serve her well as a doctor. Her newest patient is testing her patience, though not her abilities. Adding to her frustration is her patient's grandson Chase. Their journey into coupledom develops from acrimony to attraction to love. Zoey and Chase grow as individuals, and as a couple in an entertaining tale of sweet romance. Having read the first book in the series, I was glad to read this book.
Profile Image for Michelle.
546 reviews
June 28, 2023
Dr. Zoey St. James is trying to save her family land when she finds herself attracted to the very man that may make her lose it. Chase is after the best interests of his Grandmother when he asks to change doctors. As he and Zoey get to know each other better, can she make him change his mind in order to save his Grandmother.

This is a fun, romantic read that holds your interest. I would like to read more from this author.
Profile Image for JH.
28 reviews
May 25, 2024
A Good Natured Love Story

Zoey and Chase are a great couple to go on a ride with, the only thing missing is their story together, that would have made it better. They were never a couple and then boom they are engaged. It’s still a decent story nonetheless, I just wish we could have gotten a chance to see them together.
Profile Image for Cherie l brown.
795 reviews
October 6, 2024
Zoey St.James, an amazing person and resident doctor, meets the handsome but spoiled, and arrogant Chase. Her goodness juxtaposed against his selfish ways leaves him wanting. Dr. St. James touched the core of his being, and he has his mind on her constantly. As they navigate a friendship thru the disguise of art, Chase is both illuminated by her and enchanted by her.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.