The Romance Situation

Love, Laughs & Mystery in Coco Key #1

by Ellie Hall

Could anything make visiting my sister on a tropical island better?

Actually, yes. I wish I could say my ex-boyfriend is an ex-con, but more like an current conman. I’d rather not be hiding out, but I can’t think of a better location than this forgotten Florida Key.

I’m not complaining because my sis and I are besties. When she’s not working at a law firm, bonus, she’s opening a bookstore-café. I’m all about the beach reads until I do my sibling a solid and stand in for her to read a will—thankfully, not my own. At least not yet.

It’s rather mysterious, containing riddles and puzzles. Plus, the McGregor brothers aren’t bad to look at—I mean the scenery. It’s beautiful. Especially the second oldest—I mean the clear sky and turquoise sea. All this sunshine must be scrambling my brain.

Due to this inconvenient case of mistaken identity, I have to help the grumpiest McGregor brother, Royal, fix up the Driftwood Resort, a local landmark which he’d rather tear down. I have my work cut out for me. And by that, I mean making sure my ex doesn’t find me—and not falling for Royal McGregor, a prickly businessman with a pair of pewter eyes I can’t seem to escape.

...And as we explore, we discover the will is not what it seems. Then again, neither is he.

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Fiction, Clean Romance, Contemporary, Romantic Comedy, Forced Proximity

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2023

About the author

Ellie Hall is a USA Today bestselling author. If only that meant she could wear a tiara and get away with it. ;) She loves puppies, books, and the ocean. Writing sweet romance with lots of firsts and fizzy feels gives her joy. Oh, and chocolate chip cookies are her fave. Ellie believes in dreaming big, working hard, and lazy Sunday afternoons spent with her family and dog in gratitude for God’s grace.

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Newsletter: http://bit.ly/EllieHallNL
Website: http://www.elliehallauthor.com
Facebook: http://www/facebook.com/elliehallauthor
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elliehallauthor

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Series and suggested reading order:

The Only Us Sweet Billionaire Series
•these billionaires have everything, but will they find love...?•

1. Only a Date with a Billionaire
2. Only a Kiss with a Billionaire
3. Only a Night with a Billionaire
4. Only Forever with a Billionaire
5. Only Love with a Billionaire
6. Only Christmas with the Billionaire
7. Only New Year with the Billionaire

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The Hawkins Family Clean Romance Series

•five brothers, torn apart and the women who help put them back together...•

1. Second Chance in Hawk Ridge Hollow

2. Finding Forever in Hawk Ridge Hollow

3. Resort Getaway with a Bodyguard

4. Going Home to Hawk Ridge Hollow

5. Christmas in Hawk Ridge Hollow

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The Blue Bay Beach Reads Romance Series

•a small-town restaurant, a dating dare, and happily ever afters...•

1. Summer with the Marine

2. Summer with the Rock Star

3. Summer with the Billionaire

4. Summer with the Cowboy

5. Summer with the Carpenter

6. Summer with the Doctor

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Ritchie Ranch Clean Cowboy Romance Series

•Cowboy hats & kisses with small-town charm•

1. Rustling the Cowboy’s Heart

2. Lassoing the Cowboy’s Heart

3. Trusting the Cowboy’s Heart

4. Kissing the Christmas Cowboy

5. Loving the Cowboy’s Heart

6. Charming the Cowboy’s Heart

7. Saving the Cowboy’s Heart

8. Wrangling the Cowboy’s Heart

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Falling into Happily Ever After Rom Com

• Sweet, heartwarming & uplifting romantic comedy

1. An Unwanted Love Story

2. An Unexpected Love Story

3. An Unlikely Love Story

4. An Accidental Love Story

5. An Impossible Love Story

6. An Unconventional Christmas Love Story

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Forever Marriage Match

• Five friends have to find true love or else...romcom

1. Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss

2. Dare to Love the Guy Next Door

3. Dare to Love My Fake Husband

4. Dare to Love the Guy I Hate

5. Dare to Love My Best Friend

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Home Sweet Home Small Town Romantic Comedy Series

Mr. & Mrs. Fix-It Find Love

Designing Happily Ever After

The DIY Kissing Project

The True Romance Renovation

Extreme Heart Makeover

Building What's Meant to Be

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The Costa Brothers Cozy Christmas Comfort Romance Series

Tommy & Merry and the 12 Days of Christmas

Bruno & Gloria and the 5 Golden Rings

Luca & Ivy and the 4 Calling Birds

Gio & Joy and the 3 French Hens

Paulo & Noella and the 2 Turtle Doves

Nico & Hope and the Partridge in the Pear Tree

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The Love List Series

The Swoon List

The Not Love List

The Crush List

The Kiss List

The Naughty or Nice List

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Love, Laughs, and Mystery in Coco Key

The Romance Situation

The Romance Fiasco

The Romance Game

The Romance Gambit

The Christmas Romance Wish

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On the Hunt for Love

The Grump and the Girl Next Door

The Bitter Heir and the Beauty

The Secret Son and the Sweetheart

The Ex Best Friend and the Fake Fiancé

The Best Friend’s Brother and the Brain

Select titles are available in audiobook, paperback, hardcover, and large print formats. Happy reading!♥

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's fun to dive into a new series where many of the characters are introduced as well as the ongoing plot of the story. This story takes place in one of the lesser known Keys of Florida as the McGregor brothers discover that their grandfather, Chip Almeida, has passed away when they are asked to come back to the place they had grown up. They thought it was to celebrate his birthday and had no idea he was dead and buried. The terms of the will leave them with a mystery to solve if the brothers will work together. If they fail to meet the terms of the will, everything will go to their grandfather's rival, something they will not allow.

Each of the four brothers are different with Magnus, the oldest in the military, Royal, the billionaire businessman and Ryan, the football player are twins and CJ the youngest who seems to have been closest to their grandfather. There is also a sister Emmie who was not included in the will.

This story focuses on Royal McGregor who has an untrusting grumpy personality and really wants nothing to do with his grandfather or the properties he was left in the will. Royal keeps running into the same woman who he met in Charleston SC before traveling to Coco Key. He has named her Strawberry Shortcake because she spilled a strawberry smoothy all over both of them. He is totally surprised when she is the one reading their grandfather's will. Now he has to work with her to fix up the property he was given. When he's around her- he feels like he can actually breathe.

Isla Pratt is actually on the run from an ex-boyfriend who has gotten himself into trouble with the police. She dumped him when she caught him cheating and when he sends some men after her- she knows she needs to hide. What better place than with her sister Robyn in Coco Key. She keeps running into the handsome guy she met in Charleston, she calls him Mr McMuffin. When her sister, who works for a lawyer needs to do something for her bookstore, she asks Isla to pretend to be her. She is surprised to see Mr McMuffin aka Royal McGregor and his brothers. Now she finds herself helping Mr McMuffin fix up the Driftwood Resort. Despite his grumpiness, she really feels drawn to Royal.

This is story is fast paced, humorous and there's a mystery to solve as the series continues. The stories should be read in order as the mystery their grandfather left will be solved.

I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.

[Jerrye Tellmeagreatstorylove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have y’all read any of Ellie’s books, friends? Because, if you haven’t, you’re seriously missing out on some hilarious and swoony stories. This time, the series is going to center around a treasure hunt and I’m so excited for it. Royal’s story is the perfect set up for the rest and I loved getting to know these McGregor guys. Royal is so delightfully grumpy and business minded, he can’t imagine taking time off for anyone but his closest friends. And that’s only if it includes extreme sports. Enter his fabulous opposite in nearly every way, Isla, and her intense love of family and relationships. Sparks fly between these two and not all of them are romantic. I loved the challenges each of these characters brought to the other as well as the support. They both grew a lot throughout the pages, both individually and together and that was so good to see. Their love journey was pitted with many problems and necessary conversations but how it finally turned out was so lovely. I can’t hardly wait to read the next story with Magnus and Lally, it’s going to be amazing too, I just know it!!

I received a complimentary ARC of this story from the author via BookFunnel. I am not required by anyone to write a positive review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Justo lo que necesitaba: un libro corto, sin dramas y algo bobo.

Si lo hubiera leído otro día no creo que me hubiera gustado. Estaba en el estado de ánimo perfecto para este tipo de historia.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reader’s Notes:

– this is the first of a series and should be read in order to understand the mystery/treasure hunt plot line, however the romance between these two characters finishes in this story – the next book follows another couple to be

– this is told from Isla & Royal’s points of view

– it is thought by all but one of the brothers that their parents’ died in an accident; their grandfather (who also cared for them since they were young) passed away more recently

– Isla’s mother passed away in a fire

– Isla had a very bad boyfriend who stole from people & implicated Isla when she had nothing to do with his schemes

– there is a kidnapping (happens toward the end) & people following Isla (before she goes down to her sister)

Review:

I’m very curious about where the rest of the brother’s small bits of inheritance will lead and how they will end up meeting their ladies! I really enjoyed getting to know the quirks of Coco Key’s residents (those flamingos! 😂) and meeting the brothers that most of this series will center around. I loved Isla & ROyal’s failed meet cute and how they both came up with nicknames for each other based on that event. I loved that Isla was hopelessly in love and that she was also very loyal to Royal and didn’t want to do anything that could hurt him. I loved that Royal fell for Isla’s sunshine personality and was the sweetest boyfriend (when he wasn’t conflicted of course). I loved that there was a treasure hunt storyline set up to start in this book and that though they got once piece to the puzzle there is more to be found and discovered.

Summary:

Isla is on her way to spend time with her sister, but not entirely for the reason that her sister thinks. After having a run in with some associates -or maybe enemies- of her ex boyfriend Dax, Isla is completely done with the trouble her ex brought into her life. In an effort to make herself safe from her ex’s wrath for helping the police’s investigation, Isla is traveling far from where he is to Coco Key. What she didn’t expect was to see the man she met by chance before leaving in a meet cute turned disaster. Royal is the one man that might make Isla want to break her man ban, if only he’d break down the walls between them…

Royal wouldn’t go back to Coco Key if he didn’t have to. He never felt like he belonged when it came to his grandfather and brothers and was not about to subject himself to that when he could be elsewhere being successful. But this time, the letter isn’t just another birthday party. Had Royal’s brother Magnus not insisted that he get on over to Coco Key, he would have never known that his grandfather passed away. And with his passing, each of the boys were to be given a small inheritance and questions they must answer in order to gain the rest or risk losing it all to their grandfather’s biggest rival. All of this Royal learned from the lips of a woman who seemed to be following him all the way to Coco Key. A woman who not only caused chaos upon their first meeting, but also seems to be chipping away at his walls bit by bit…

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isla Pratt goes into hiding , on the run from her ex who she caught cheating ,he also sent crooks after her and got himself in trouble the police. Luckily she has sister Robyn to turn to . She resides in Coco Key Florida and works for a lawyer . She gives Isla a job at the bookstore she runs , which Isla adores, she thinks she’s gone to heaven… Isla is astounded that she keeps running into Mr. McMuffin who she met back in Charleston. When her sister is called away to sort bookshop duties , she implores Isla to help her out at the lawyer’s office.Royal McGregor is one of four brothers. They are all invited to a birthday bash to honour their grandfather , just one thing that was omitted from the rsvp ,the birthday boy is very much dead and buried. It’s actually a will reading …Chip Almeida has left a mystery for the four to cooperate with one another for the grand prize or the whole shebang goes to his fiercest rival! A Mystery begins for all of them. Royal a billionaire wants nothing to do with his grandfather and the properties he owns but when he finds out it’s accident prone Strawberry shortcake the babe that spilled a smoothie over them both , who is the Will reader ….he has a new interest in her and finds himself fixing up a property with her…Well , when they undertake the task at Driftwood Resort it’s a bonus that it’s close proximity work and that there’s a spark between them despite his grumpiness. Great writing ! What a promising tease of a start to a new series. I’m in for the long haul . Sold ! Well written , great characters , sublime descriptions and a solid storyline. Compelling and fun.
I read a free copy and my review is voluntary and my own words

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️ - light kissing
Mystery: 🔎🔎🔎🔎🔎
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Plot: 5/5

Series: Loves, Laughs & Mystery in Coco Key

Place: Coco Key, FL

Tropes: clean, beachy, small town, brothers, treasure hunt, romantic comedy series, opposites attract/grumpy sunshine romance, stand alone, mystery subplot

TW: kidnapping, stalking

Main Characters: Isla & Royal


Isla and Royal are the perfect example of opposites attract and grumpy/sunshine. She is artsy and practical when it comes to extreme sports, he is a by the book lawyer but loves extreme sports. She is sweet and full of sunshine, he is grumpy and gruff.

I really enjoyed getting to know each character and their views on life and their struggles. I loved being able to see them work together towards a common goal and still be able to learn who they are separately while learning to be better for the other person as well.

He comes off as gruff and grumpy but I think that all leads to how he has carried some old baggage around and uses his brick walls to keep people out because he doesn't want to be hurt again.

Isla has some baggage as well but who doesn't? Well, maybe not her particular set. But she is full of love and sunshine and wants to give people the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately that is what gets her in a bind.

I also really enjoyed getting to know the siblings within the story. I can't wait to see more of Bean and CJ!


I received a complimentary copy via the author. All opinions are my own, honest and voluntary.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun combination of romance and mystery, with a decent dash of comedy for good measure. It’s an easy and enjoyable light read. “That was the thing about Chip, he always kept us guessing. No straight answers. Only winding roads that doubled back and clues without maps.” Back on the Florida Key they grew up on, (their grandfather) Chip’s surprise will reading left Royal and his brothers with puzzles to solve, tasks to complete, and more questions than answers. After a few disastrous meetings with Royal, Isla, hiding out after her ex-boyfriend’s trouble with the law left her safety in question, found herself tied to helping Royal renovate his grandfather’s defunct resort. Of course feelings developed, only to be thwarted by thugs, rival developers, doubts, and misunderstandings. Royal and Isla are very much grumpy/sunshine. I liked the characters and look forward to stories of the other brothers. This book provides a good amount of getting to know them and setting up the mysteries of Chip’s will. There’s a little bit of action to the story, but it’s minimal. It felt almost a little too quickly resolved, but it served its purpose plot-wise. Since this series ties parts of an overarching mystery to each brother, it’s a series that will be best read in order, starting with this book. This is a clean story with no harsh language and some Christian themes and faith interwoven into the story.

[Shauna Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

When constant sunshine meets continual grump
A great start to a new series that’s bound to be fun. Isla is a ray of sunshine always seeing good in everyone. Now she is running from an ex who is anything but nice. He tried to involve her in his illegal activities and now is trying to make sure she can’t talk to the police. When she lands with her sister on a small island, Coco Key, she hopes she will be safe at least for awhile and all but her heart may be. Royal has been ordered to appear on Coco Key for what he assumes is a birthday party for Chip, his grandfather, never known for a happy life outlook, this only irritates him more. On the way he runs into a beautiful but accident prone girl. Only to find her, Isla, in Coco Key and that was only the first surprise. He and his brothers were not summoned for a birthday party but the reading of Chip’s will. The will is full of riddles the brothers must solve or Chip’s fortune, including his holdings on the island, will go to a man the family despises. And so it begins as Royal joins forces with Isla to remodel a deserted hotel and solve his part of the riddle. An engaging story where secrets are found around every corner. I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

[Carmela Agatha Enriquez (agathafeelingg.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @elliehallauthor for an early copy of The Romance Situation. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Release date: September 15th, 2023

Blurb: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑

The Romance Situation reminds me of The Inheritance Games because it surrounds a will that has mysterious elements, riddles, and puzzles, but TRS is a tad bit more chill and less stressful than the latter. I enjoyed the McGregor brothers’ introduction to the series, and I found Royal’s name unique. Adding to his unusual name is his banter with Isla, I found it funny and cute that they come up with different names to tease each other. He’s grumpy while Isla is a ball of sunshine, but I found their chemistry a bit lacking and quite forced, though this is probably because I felt that their romance was fast-paced. Nonetheless, I enjoyed reading The Romance Situation and I can’t wait to read the upcoming books as more secrets unfold.

[Meg (thyme.for.books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The McGregor brothers are summoned to the small beach town of Coco Key for the reading of their grandfather’s will. Isla is hiding out in Coco Key to avoid her dangerous ex. After more than one chance meeting, Isla finds herself entangled in the brothers’ quest to understand the puzzling will.

The Romance Situation is the first book in the Love, Laughs, and Mystery in Coco Key series. The plot is a pretty even mix of mystery and romance. There are no spicy scenes.

Since this is the first book, there is a lot of background information that sets up the rest of the series. The overall pace of both the romance and the mystery are fast. This may not be insta-love but the MCs definitely have chemistry from the very beginning. A disastrous first meeting is always more fun than a meet-cute. The riddles, the intrigue, the spilled smoothie - I was hooked from chapter one.

What a great start to a new series! I look forward to seeing how everything pieces together with each book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed a new read on the plane earlier this week and this was the only thing downloaded on my iPad that I hadn't read yet, so I dove right in. Isla was in a relationship with a scam artist who took advantage of her and a ton of other people, now she has to leave town and hope he doesn't follow. She ends up running into the same guy she spilt a milkshake on as she drives south to her sister's book and coffee shop. Now she's standing in for her sister at the reading of the will and guess who's there!

She and Royal (the milkshake wearer) end up taking on an island treasure hunt together to begin to uncover what Royal's grandfather left him and his brothers in the will.

I can see that this is going to play out over the course of all of the McGregor brother's stories, and I think it's going to be a delight.

The only thing that drove me nuts was the end - how long were they together? Weeks? Just a little too fast!

[Kaci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Royal & Isla

Christian, Small Town, Opposites Attract, Grumpy/Sunshine, Forced Proximity

I genuinely like this story but didn’t feel like I connected with Royal and Isla. From the start his character just seemed a little weird.

I don’t understand his dynamic with CJ and I wanted more information. Maybe it comes in the later books.

Isla is… well I’m not sure there either. Isla is happy but seems nonchalant about things. Like goons following her and trashing her apartment.

I will continue with the series because I want to find out about the treasure.

Favorite Quotes:

“Last I checked, things were cool between us,” I say. “Cool like we’re chill or cool like the icy wind of war blows from the north?” Ryan asks.

“I look like a penguin who got lost and landed in the tropics.”

“I was hoping that you’d cradle me in your arms like you’d just rescued me from a shipwreck.”

“We’re not quite there yet.”

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Romance Situation ~ Love, Laughs & Mystery in Coco Key #1 Ellie Hall
New book from Ellie and here is the Blrub.
This is book 1 in this clean, beachy, small-town, brothers, treasure hunt, romantic comedy series. The opposites attract/grumpy sunshine romance stands alone, but because of the mystery subplot, the books are best read in order.
It is a fantastic start to this new series, it is been written brilliantly with wonderful characters that seem to feel real. An exceptional, well-written, and intriguing story that just draws the reader in from start to finish. The emotional pull to the story is quite extraordinary. This is certainly a book I would have no hesitation in recommending.
I am looking forward to reading the next book as the story will continue.
Thank you, Ellie, for another fabulous book.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun. When their uncle passed away he sent the McGregor brothers on a treasure hunt to "earn" their inheritance. While the men tried to understand the sentences and strange objects he gave each of them, they were all forced to work together to solve the mysteries before them. Their different personalities add to the challenge. The romance between Royal and Isla slowly builds and ends with an HEA while she helps him figure out his clue. While this might not be for some, I also love how the author incorporates their belief in God into this story. It is not preachy in any way, just subtle bits and pieces. I can't wait for more of the series so we can find more pieces to the story of the McGregors.

[Michele Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a completely different kind of story from Ellie Hall and I really enjoyed it. It is a clean romance with some suspense and intrigue. The series seems like it will be centered around the McGregor brothers and we start with the stuffiest, grumpiest of all, Royal. He has a disastrous meet cute with Isla, a local painter. They have two quick interactions then keep running into each other. She is all sunshine and positivity and is wearing on him. She isn’t afraid to put him in his place and their romance is so sweet. H the four McGregor brothers are summoned to their grandfather’s will reading and begin a hunt for the treasure. There really is a lot going on in this story, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and the complexity. I look forward to the rest of the series.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! I loved the characters and the relaxed tone of the book, never rushing and never taking the shortest path. Instead Isla and Royal consider, explore, and meander to a wonderful happy ending. I love a good treasure hunt, and this book has a terrific one that is fun to anticipate where things are heading. Aside from loving the book, I am thrilled to know more is yet to come. Four brothers---four stories?! Aye Matey, don't miss this opener to a treasure hunt that is sure to get even better with each book.

[Wren Woodland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have a rollicking time

Arrrgh matey! lost pirate treasure in the Florida Keys. Four very distinct brothers and she had to fall for Mr McGrumpy uptight businessman? Royal is a royal pain and he desperately needs Isla’s brand of chaos and sunshine. There are matchmaking plastic flamingos, a manatee and an ex who’s a con, an eccentric grandfather who loves a good riddle and fills his will with one. This tells the story from Royal and Isla’s perspective and is their love story but it doesn’t totally solve the riddles and find the treasure.
Clean, mild Christian themes.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kisses only. This is a grump/sunshine book. This is part mystery part romance part action and all parts kind of suffer because of it. The MCs have a very quick love connection falling in love over the course of a few weeks. The mystery doesn’t get resolved but that is intentional since it spans multiple books. I felt some of the transitions were unclear (one scene where the MCs are talking then the FMC says “we kissed for days” and now we are in a new day in a new setting). I’ll read the other books in the series since it was entertaining enough.

[Karen Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Romance Situation

What a fun romcom with a small bit of danger fills this book. Isla is running away from an ex boyfriend who turned out to be a threatening and dangerous thug. She heads to her sister’s place on an island in the south. She also keeps meeting the same man all the way to the island. He just happens to be a grumpy businessman who is tall, dark, and very handsome. When she steps in to help her sister by reading a will, she never expected to meet the same man again. Will they be able to work together in satisfying the requirements of the will?

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was grumpy versus sunshine in one of the most fun ways I’ve ever read. Isla’s a bit of a hot mess, particularly if you include her scheming, criminally-inclined ex-boyfriend. Royal’s got a chip on his shoulder roughly the size of Coco Key itself. Will these two be the answers to dreams the other never even knew they had or just a disaster in the making? I loved this pair, and I had so much fun with the treasure hunt Chip sent them on. Now that we’ve got one brother sorted out, I can’t wait to see what kind of shenanigans the author has up her sleeve for the next one.

[Denice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fantastic, fun story that I absolutely loved and didn’t want to put down. Royal is the grumpiest of grumps and very wealthy. Isla is a artist who is struggling and just got our of a relationship or the worst kind. But she is still full of sunshine, I love her character, so well written and such a delight. I love the meet mess they had and the nick names they came up with for each other thinking they would never meet again. Then they find themselves both in the same small beach town and all sorts of fun and crazy things happen here and kept me smiling and laughing. Looking forward to the next stories in this series with the other McGregor brothers.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Royal and Isla

There is plenty of excitement and mystery in The Romance Situation. I enjoyed reading as Royal and Isla came to life in my mind. I loved getting to know the other characters also. I liked the mystery. Cats, dogs, and flamingos are always a nice addition. And of course, I like the happy ending. I recommend this book to lovers of romantic comedy, especially if you also like some excitement.

[Erralee Hendrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right away the story gets into Isla heading to her sister to avoid an ex boyfriend and Royal going to his grandfather's Island for, what he is told is going to be, a birthday party for his grandfather. They both end up at the same place with lots of questions but not many answers. This really starts this series off strong and makes for an interesting connections to be made to each story in the series. There is a mystery to be solved in this romance with humor.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start to a new series! This is a fun sweet romance that has wonderful characters, beautiful scenery and just enough mystery to keep you turning the pages. I loved this book and look forward to the rest of this series.
I received a complementary copy and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Abby Huffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have anxiously been awaiting this new series and absolutely loved this book! Grumpy/Sunshine and mixed with pirate references 🏴‍☠️?! The best🙌🏻 Royal is so grumpy and has no idea to do with the sunshiny hurricane that is Isla🩵 they have hilarious meet-cutes (yes multiple 😹). There’s a mystery surrounding Royal’s grandfather’s will and I’m looking forward to unraveling it through the series!

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isla and Royal have a disaster meet cute with her spilling her smoothie all over him. Actually Isla’s life seems like a bit of disaster with a con artist ex boyfriend and his goons after her and her money and car troubles. There is a mystery with Royal’s grandfather’s will and all the clues he and his brothers have to solve to gain their inheritance. Isla is impulsive, too optimistic for all she’s going through, and artistic. Royal is driven in his pursuit to make money, grumpy, and suspicious after seeing Isla’s connection to the guy who scammed him. There are plenty of silly puns and sweet romantic moments.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small beach towns
Grumpy sunshine
Mistaken identity
Romcom mystery
Family
Treasure hunts and riddles

I love the coincidence of Royal and Isla, meet messes. The nicknames. The heart hiccups and pewter eyes 😍 The McGregor Brothers. The mystery inside a mystery. The piggyback and carrying. The flamingos. The rescue.

[Lynn Hyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Funny, Romantic Mystery

I love Isla and Royal's chemistry. It makes one laugh, smile, and keep on reading. The descriptions are great of the people, island life, and the family dynamics as a whole. The hard part is waiting for the next book in the series to come out. I enjoyed this author so much that I'm going to try one of her many other series.

[Alyssa Scott · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to force myself to finish this book, which is really disappointing because I was looking forward to reading it. I found it to be all over the place, and constantly felt like I was missing something or had skipped a part while reading because the events and details just didn’t line up for me. Bummer!

[Bobbie Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny

The characters in this book are quirky and (mostly) lovable. I really didn't like Mr McGrump (Royal) at first. He grew on me, but not before I had to put the book down a couple of times to keep from throwing it. (Not sure what that says about me - LOL). I look forward to reading the other books in this series. Looks like it will be fun!