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Barefoot William Beach #1
No Tan Lines
There's a place where the ocean meets the shore, where kicking off your shoes and baring some skin is as natural as sneaking under the boardwalk for an ice cream cone and stolen kisses.
But life isn't all a beach for Shaye Cates, even if her idea of an office is a shady umbrella at the water's edge equipped with cell phone and laptop. Steely-eyed Trace Saunders is the incredibly irksome fly in her coconut tanning oil. And running a kids' softball team with her long-time rival is going to have everyone in her little Florida town buzzing. Her scads of laid-back relatives and his whole uptight clan know that Shaye just wants to play ball while Trace thinks only of business. But beneath the twinkling lights of the ferris wheel, the magic of sea and sand can sweep away every inhibition...
Suddenly, it's summertime, and the lovin' is easy.
But life isn't all a beach for Shaye Cates, even if her idea of an office is a shady umbrella at the water's edge equipped with cell phone and laptop. Steely-eyed Trace Saunders is the incredibly irksome fly in her coconut tanning oil. And running a kids' softball team with her long-time rival is going to have everyone in her little Florida town buzzing. Her scads of laid-back relatives and his whole uptight clan know that Shaye just wants to play ball while Trace thinks only of business. But beneath the twinkling lights of the ferris wheel, the magic of sea and sand can sweep away every inhibition...
Suddenly, it's summertime, and the lovin' is easy.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
161 people are currently reading
1231 people want to read
About the author
Kate Angell
37 books591 followersUSA Today bestselling author Kate Angell lives in Naples, Florida. She’s an animal lover, avid reader, and sports fan. Bookstores are her second home. She takes coffee breaks at Starbucks. Her philosophy: Out of chaos comes calmness. Enjoy the peace.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
July 4, 2017
I took a chance on this. It didn't work out. The writing is awkward, with huge exposition dumps. Worse, exposition dumps with random subjects. Which I could have dealt with if Shaye hadn't been such a loss. Shaye and Trace are setup to be brangling—a relatively common romance trope. A trope I'm rather fond of, actually (mainly because I have a thing for powerful women). In this trope, however, it is expected that there will be back and forth. In the chapters I got through, there is no back and forth. Because Shaye is an idiot. And hands Trace advantage after advantage. After advantage. So the opposite of a powerful woman.
Frankly, at the point I finally gave up, every assertion, thought, statement, or musing about Shaye's supposed competence is so much humid air because every action we actually see is her screwing up and/or setting herself up for future screw-ups.
And it doesn't help that the town setup is completely irrational, either. A quirky beachfront carnival boardwalk next to a fancy-pants beach resort development with an actual border and open enmity between them would confuse every customer either one ever had. And that would be uncomfortable. Which is the last thing people want in their beach vacations. Those ecosystems wouldn't coexist in anything like a century-long stasis. All of which I probably wouldn't have even noticed if I hadn't already been thrown out of the rest of the story by a romance trope miswire.
Frankly, at the point I finally gave up, every assertion, thought, statement, or musing about Shaye's supposed competence is so much humid air because every action we actually see is her screwing up and/or setting herself up for future screw-ups.
And it doesn't help that the town setup is completely irrational, either. A quirky beachfront carnival boardwalk next to a fancy-pants beach resort development with an actual border and open enmity between them would confuse every customer either one ever had. And that would be uncomfortable. Which is the last thing people want in their beach vacations. Those ecosystems wouldn't coexist in anything like a century-long stasis. All of which I probably wouldn't have even noticed if I hadn't already been thrown out of the rest of the story by a romance trope miswire.
June 5, 2012
Pleasant light reading. Enjoyable enough that I did not wish it would be over. But it needed something more to go to more stars.
STORY BRIEF:
About a hundred years ago William Cates founded a fishing village on the SW Florida Gulf Coast called Barefoot William. A little later Evan Saunders founded Saunders Shores next to Barefoot William. Today Saunder Shores is a high end resort for the wealthy. Barefoot William has amusement park rides and inexpensive gift shops. The two families have disliked each other ever since. Today Shaye Cates (age 31) manages the business end of Barefoot William. Trace Saunders (age 32) manages Saunders Shores. Trace is well dressed and works in a glitzy office. Shaye wears flip flops and shorts and conducts business from her beach chair on the sand.
The shops in Barefoot William are having financial problems. To boost sales, Shaye wants to host a volleyball pro/am tournament over the July 4th weekend. She needs some of the beach in Saunders Shores. She asks Trace to participate. Trace makes things difficult and wants something in return.
Side stories involve Nicole a jewelry designer renting store space from Shaye and Shaye’s cousin Kai. Kai is a handyman who keeps everything working in Barefoot William. Sophie Saunders is an introverted book worm who has a crush on Shaye’s brother Dune a volleyball star.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
Talk about a beach read. This is a sweet fluffy story set on a beach. Rich guy falls in love with poor but happy girl. Reading this is like eating coconut creme pie. (BTW that pie is in the story.) Trace and Shaye have been brought up to dislike each other, but now they are forced to work together. The weakest part was lack of relationship development. Not enough happened to show how and why Shaye and Trace fell in love. The same with Nicole and Kai. If the book had witty dialogue or made me laugh I might have given it 4 stars. As it is, it was ok, but it could have been more. The few sex scenes were pleasant/nice. I loved the interaction between Sophie and Dune. If the author does a sequel with their story, I’ll buy it. I also loved Nicole’s involvement with some young boys. I’m being vague to avoid a spoiler.
DATA:
Story length: 269 pages. Swearing language: strong. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 3. Total number of sex scene pages: 8. Setting: current day southwest Florida gulf coast small town. Copyright: 2012. Genre: contemporary romance.
STORY BRIEF:
About a hundred years ago William Cates founded a fishing village on the SW Florida Gulf Coast called Barefoot William. A little later Evan Saunders founded Saunders Shores next to Barefoot William. Today Saunder Shores is a high end resort for the wealthy. Barefoot William has amusement park rides and inexpensive gift shops. The two families have disliked each other ever since. Today Shaye Cates (age 31) manages the business end of Barefoot William. Trace Saunders (age 32) manages Saunders Shores. Trace is well dressed and works in a glitzy office. Shaye wears flip flops and shorts and conducts business from her beach chair on the sand.
The shops in Barefoot William are having financial problems. To boost sales, Shaye wants to host a volleyball pro/am tournament over the July 4th weekend. She needs some of the beach in Saunders Shores. She asks Trace to participate. Trace makes things difficult and wants something in return.
Side stories involve Nicole a jewelry designer renting store space from Shaye and Shaye’s cousin Kai. Kai is a handyman who keeps everything working in Barefoot William. Sophie Saunders is an introverted book worm who has a crush on Shaye’s brother Dune a volleyball star.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
Talk about a beach read. This is a sweet fluffy story set on a beach. Rich guy falls in love with poor but happy girl. Reading this is like eating coconut creme pie. (BTW that pie is in the story.) Trace and Shaye have been brought up to dislike each other, but now they are forced to work together. The weakest part was lack of relationship development. Not enough happened to show how and why Shaye and Trace fell in love. The same with Nicole and Kai. If the book had witty dialogue or made me laugh I might have given it 4 stars. As it is, it was ok, but it could have been more. The few sex scenes were pleasant/nice. I loved the interaction between Sophie and Dune. If the author does a sequel with their story, I’ll buy it. I also loved Nicole’s involvement with some young boys. I’m being vague to avoid a spoiler.
DATA:
Story length: 269 pages. Swearing language: strong. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 3. Total number of sex scene pages: 8. Setting: current day southwest Florida gulf coast small town. Copyright: 2012. Genre: contemporary romance.
May 30, 2012
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: 2.5/5
This story would make a good beach read; light, easy, a really fast read that has a main relationship between Shaye and Trace that’s nice, but doesn’t go very deep. These two people start out as enemies due mainly in part to a long standing family feud that has divided their small beach town. The Cates family is a hard working, big loving group that is more about fun and family then making money. Their side of town is where you go to ride the ferris wheel, or buy penny candy. If you want the ritz, head to the Saunders side where glamour and money is the way they do things. Shaye and Trace start the story as enemies but are forced to work together to put on a joint volleyball tournament headed by Shaye’s brother who plays professionally, all in an effort to help generate tourism in the small town, and especially on the struggling Cates side. These two can’t hate on each other for long, the more they’re around each other, the more they're attracted and they fall in love, much to their families disapproval.
That was my main issue with this relationship – how fast it all happened. We go from Shaye and Trace not being able to have a business conversation without sniping at each other, to the next chapter having them taking off their clothes and hopping into bed, to then planning a wedding. It felt rushed and it was really hard to feel invested in their relationship. They’re fun characters, but as far as their relationship went, it didn’t grab me.
There were a couple side stories, one with Shaye’s cousin Kai and his love interest Nicole. Again, fun characters, I would have especially loved to have gotten much more about Nicole and her past, but their love story felt tossed in. Here was another couple that didn’t like each other to start, but we’re told that now they’re dating, as much of their story happens off page. It felt like there was so much potential for not only this story, but even more for Shaye and Trace, but it just stayed on the surface.
Even though this book didn’t wow me, I really, really hope that Shaye’s brother Dune and his potential love interest Sophie get a story. The set up is there for them in NO TAN LINES, but there is so much more I want to know about both of these characters. Sophie was the stand out for me in this book. There’s something vulnerable and sweet about her that I couldn’t get enough of. Her and Dune’s storyline isn’t resolved and I hope this was just their beginning and a tease as to what’s to come for them.
Overall, this is an ok read – it is a very fast, short read and while the characters and the small beach town setting were fun, it wasn’t a story that drew me in and the relationships lacked that spark that had me waiting and wanting to find out what was going to happen. But I will come back for more if Sophie and Dune get their story told. They were on page such a short time, but they made the biggest impact on me.
Blog rating: 2.5/5
This story would make a good beach read; light, easy, a really fast read that has a main relationship between Shaye and Trace that’s nice, but doesn’t go very deep. These two people start out as enemies due mainly in part to a long standing family feud that has divided their small beach town. The Cates family is a hard working, big loving group that is more about fun and family then making money. Their side of town is where you go to ride the ferris wheel, or buy penny candy. If you want the ritz, head to the Saunders side where glamour and money is the way they do things. Shaye and Trace start the story as enemies but are forced to work together to put on a joint volleyball tournament headed by Shaye’s brother who plays professionally, all in an effort to help generate tourism in the small town, and especially on the struggling Cates side. These two can’t hate on each other for long, the more they’re around each other, the more they're attracted and they fall in love, much to their families disapproval.
That was my main issue with this relationship – how fast it all happened. We go from Shaye and Trace not being able to have a business conversation without sniping at each other, to the next chapter having them taking off their clothes and hopping into bed, to then planning a wedding. It felt rushed and it was really hard to feel invested in their relationship. They’re fun characters, but as far as their relationship went, it didn’t grab me.
There were a couple side stories, one with Shaye’s cousin Kai and his love interest Nicole. Again, fun characters, I would have especially loved to have gotten much more about Nicole and her past, but their love story felt tossed in. Here was another couple that didn’t like each other to start, but we’re told that now they’re dating, as much of their story happens off page. It felt like there was so much potential for not only this story, but even more for Shaye and Trace, but it just stayed on the surface.
Even though this book didn’t wow me, I really, really hope that Shaye’s brother Dune and his potential love interest Sophie get a story. The set up is there for them in NO TAN LINES, but there is so much more I want to know about both of these characters. Sophie was the stand out for me in this book. There’s something vulnerable and sweet about her that I couldn’t get enough of. Her and Dune’s storyline isn’t resolved and I hope this was just their beginning and a tease as to what’s to come for them.
Overall, this is an ok read – it is a very fast, short read and while the characters and the small beach town setting were fun, it wasn’t a story that drew me in and the relationships lacked that spark that had me waiting and wanting to find out what was going to happen. But I will come back for more if Sophie and Dune get their story told. They were on page such a short time, but they made the biggest impact on me.
gave-up-on
September 15, 2013This was one of those books I just couldn't get interested in and couldn't finish. The storyline was so simplistic and the characters did not act like they owned a major chunk of real estate and trying to plan ways to increase revenue to their large corporations. Instead the characters felt like they were teens still arguing over homecoming parties or something trivial. Shaye still having hard feelings because Trace stole her cousin's girlfriend in high school was immature and their relationship didn't feel like it ever left high school. Also the fact that the author tried to describe Shaye's emotions by relating everything to her mood ring added to the high school/teen feel of these already immature characters. Overall I just couldn't get into the book and after about 1/4 of the way finished I gave up on it.
June 5, 2025
Welcome to Barefoot William and Saunders Shores, two gulf coast towns side by side sharing the same beach. Well, almost. Barefoot William, named after its founder a 100 years ago, was a fishing village that became a boardwalk with arcades, amusements, rides, and shops adjacent to a public beach. Fun rules and the entire town and stores are owned by the Cates family descendants of its founder. It's working class, showing its age and wear and tear. It's facing bankruptcy of something doesn't happen to bring needed income to weather the hot Florida summer until the season begins. Right across Center Street is Saunders Shores, named for its founder, was built a little less than a 100 years ago by a rich developer who saw $$ signs and opportunity to create a luxury moneyed resort. And he did becoming quite wealthy as a result. The 2 founders disagreed, even hated, each other, drew a line in the sand that became Center Street which neither crossed . A feud was born that has enduring for 100 years. Saunders stay on their side and Cates stay on theirs.
Enter Shaye Cates and Trace Saunders. Shaye took over running Barefoot William from her grandfather, her office a beach chair under an umbrella, her office wear a bathing suit, feet bare, smelling of sun block, a laptop and cell phone at hand. Trace came home from Wall Street to run Saunders Shores when his father had an accident. He's corporate with tie, suit and shoes, driven and successful. The two are true opposites. Of course they will be attracted to each other - were they to meet.
They do as Shaye and her beach volleyball start brother Dune have com up with a volleyball exhibit tournament that will bring desperately needed money to Barefoot William. The hitch: they need to rent 200 yards of Saunders Shore beach to host it. And all flows from there.
I so enjoyed this, I'm starting the next in the series - this is the first and the foundation for at least the next is woven in. I read another in the series many years ago and really liked it, which is why I think I had this book and the second in my ebook library. There's steam and just enough smut. There's a sandlot baseball team you fall in love with. And, best of all, there is Olive, Shaye's Quaker grey parrot who is smarter than any human and has quite a vocabulary and phrase collection that she totally uses to embarrass and boss around her humans.
Next up is Dune's story. Starting it now.
Enter Shaye Cates and Trace Saunders. Shaye took over running Barefoot William from her grandfather, her office a beach chair under an umbrella, her office wear a bathing suit, feet bare, smelling of sun block, a laptop and cell phone at hand. Trace came home from Wall Street to run Saunders Shores when his father had an accident. He's corporate with tie, suit and shoes, driven and successful. The two are true opposites. Of course they will be attracted to each other - were they to meet.
They do as Shaye and her beach volleyball start brother Dune have com up with a volleyball exhibit tournament that will bring desperately needed money to Barefoot William. The hitch: they need to rent 200 yards of Saunders Shore beach to host it. And all flows from there.
I so enjoyed this, I'm starting the next in the series - this is the first and the foundation for at least the next is woven in. I read another in the series many years ago and really liked it, which is why I think I had this book and the second in my ebook library. There's steam and just enough smut. There's a sandlot baseball team you fall in love with. And, best of all, there is Olive, Shaye's Quaker grey parrot who is smarter than any human and has quite a vocabulary and phrase collection that she totally uses to embarrass and boss around her humans.
Next up is Dune's story. Starting it now.
June 19, 2012
No Tan Lines is fun, fun, fun.
The town of Barefoot William was founded on freedom, joy and fun. Leave your worries behind and come to paradise to relax and enjoy yourself. That has been the basis of this community for generations, unlike the neighboring community of Saunders Shores. They desire the high life of glitz, riches and exclusivity. They are the elite and they are far removed from the carefree lifestyle of the laid back town of Barefoot William. Since the conception of these two communities the Cates and the Saunters have been enemies. They have battled each other from the very beginning, but all that is about to change.
Shaye is desperate. She needs to get Trace to agree to rent her a portion of his beach. The problem is though, they have been enemies since high school and short of the miracle of Trace growing a heart, her hands are tied. She has already made commitments to the event that will save her community. Now she needs to figure out how to fulfill them.
Trace is desperate. His current fling, Nicole, needs a location to open her business, but there is no way the clientele that frequent Saunders Shores would be remotely interested in her products. He needs to get Shaye to agree to rent her space on her family’s boardwalk, which would be a first. Well he has something she wants, his beach. Let the negotiations begin.
Shaye is totally screwed. She jumped the gun and made plans without Trace’s approval and now Trace has her right where he wants her and he plans to take full advantage of the situation. Nicole has been taken care of and is now out of his bed. You’d think all would be grand, but he has more things to worry about. His body is not cooperating with his brain. His body desires Shaye, but he knows he can’t have her. Trace is totally screwed.
While this story revolves mainly around Shaye Cates and Trace Saunders, Ms. Angell has also incorporated two other couples into the plot, but they enhance the novel beautifully. I think normally that would bother me, but the way they blended in without being too intrusive, it was brilliant. As soon as I finished the story I was researching who would be next in the series, because their stories were not concluded. Well don’t bother looking, because my search came up with nothing other than it does look like there are more stories planned for the small town of Barefoot William. YAY!
If I was going to recommend one book for the summer, it would be No Tan Lines. It is light, breezy and a pure joy. I had several laugh out loud moments and I always had a grin on my face. The characters are wonderful. The scenery is beautiful and there is nothing to drag it down. If you don’t read it for those attributes alone, pick it up for Olive. I’m sorry to leave you hanging and not tell you more about her, but she has got to be the cutest darn character that I have read about in a long time.
My only regret is that I have to wait to find out what happens with the other two couples. I just hope when their story is shared, I can enjoy the continuation of Shaye and Trace’s relationship.
Pick up No Tan Lines for your vacation, bathtub or just to enjoy by the campfire. It’s simply a lovely story that is carefree and enchanting. So grab your beach towel and your sunscreen, because we are on our way to Barefoot William, where the ocean meets the shore. I just love that line!
The town of Barefoot William was founded on freedom, joy and fun. Leave your worries behind and come to paradise to relax and enjoy yourself. That has been the basis of this community for generations, unlike the neighboring community of Saunders Shores. They desire the high life of glitz, riches and exclusivity. They are the elite and they are far removed from the carefree lifestyle of the laid back town of Barefoot William. Since the conception of these two communities the Cates and the Saunters have been enemies. They have battled each other from the very beginning, but all that is about to change.
Shaye is desperate. She needs to get Trace to agree to rent her a portion of his beach. The problem is though, they have been enemies since high school and short of the miracle of Trace growing a heart, her hands are tied. She has already made commitments to the event that will save her community. Now she needs to figure out how to fulfill them.
Trace is desperate. His current fling, Nicole, needs a location to open her business, but there is no way the clientele that frequent Saunders Shores would be remotely interested in her products. He needs to get Shaye to agree to rent her space on her family’s boardwalk, which would be a first. Well he has something she wants, his beach. Let the negotiations begin.
Shaye is totally screwed. She jumped the gun and made plans without Trace’s approval and now Trace has her right where he wants her and he plans to take full advantage of the situation. Nicole has been taken care of and is now out of his bed. You’d think all would be grand, but he has more things to worry about. His body is not cooperating with his brain. His body desires Shaye, but he knows he can’t have her. Trace is totally screwed.
While this story revolves mainly around Shaye Cates and Trace Saunders, Ms. Angell has also incorporated two other couples into the plot, but they enhance the novel beautifully. I think normally that would bother me, but the way they blended in without being too intrusive, it was brilliant. As soon as I finished the story I was researching who would be next in the series, because their stories were not concluded. Well don’t bother looking, because my search came up with nothing other than it does look like there are more stories planned for the small town of Barefoot William. YAY!
If I was going to recommend one book for the summer, it would be No Tan Lines. It is light, breezy and a pure joy. I had several laugh out loud moments and I always had a grin on my face. The characters are wonderful. The scenery is beautiful and there is nothing to drag it down. If you don’t read it for those attributes alone, pick it up for Olive. I’m sorry to leave you hanging and not tell you more about her, but she has got to be the cutest darn character that I have read about in a long time.
My only regret is that I have to wait to find out what happens with the other two couples. I just hope when their story is shared, I can enjoy the continuation of Shaye and Trace’s relationship.
Pick up No Tan Lines for your vacation, bathtub or just to enjoy by the campfire. It’s simply a lovely story that is carefree and enchanting. So grab your beach towel and your sunscreen, because we are on our way to Barefoot William, where the ocean meets the shore. I just love that line!
March 22, 2012
I received this book as an ARC for my review through NRR.com
This is a solid 4 Star read and completely addictive. Kate Angell has no problem sucking you into the story, the family feud, and the love.
Shaye is by far my favorite character in this story. She is strong, independent, smart, funny, loving, and the list can go on and on. Having to put feuding families aside to keep her town afloat has proved to be both stressful and sinful. She does what she has to as well as what she isn’t supposed to, but the reward is priceless. Trace is as sexy as his name and knows how to push every one of Shaye’s buttons…which he does to his advantage.
Kai is hotness times two because of his construction body and business owner/handyman brain. The other characters we meet, through a few POVs all help us understand and connect with the main characters a little more. The funniest character in the book, hands down, is Olive…I was literally laughing out loud.
Very good read, if you like that Romeo and Juliet feel…but with a happy ending.
This is a solid 4 Star read and completely addictive. Kate Angell has no problem sucking you into the story, the family feud, and the love.
Shaye is by far my favorite character in this story. She is strong, independent, smart, funny, loving, and the list can go on and on. Having to put feuding families aside to keep her town afloat has proved to be both stressful and sinful. She does what she has to as well as what she isn’t supposed to, but the reward is priceless. Trace is as sexy as his name and knows how to push every one of Shaye’s buttons…which he does to his advantage.
Kai is hotness times two because of his construction body and business owner/handyman brain. The other characters we meet, through a few POVs all help us understand and connect with the main characters a little more. The funniest character in the book, hands down, is Olive…I was literally laughing out loud.
Very good read, if you like that Romeo and Juliet feel…but with a happy ending.
August 7, 2015
This was by far one of my favorite couplings, I found the Trace and Shaye to be honest (even when being deceptive) and heart warming. Its nice when you run a across a couple that can given you that push and pull everyone loves but can also give you the realistic ending of a love story. I liked that they had become a couple and that they chose to see where they would take it instead of let it be ran by fear of what other might think. I liked that in the end there wasn't a huge dramatic moment where one had to prove to the other how much they loved them. It was a sweet and fun read. I had several laugh out loud moments. The secondary stories were sweet and cute and made me happy with how they turned out. I also love how the author gave us multiple points of view. I am very Excited about reading the next installment of this series.
May 30, 2012
I usually love Kate Angell especially the Richmond Rogues. With this book it was a cute read the only thing that bothered me was the inconsistencies of time lines. I don't know why but it bugs me. If there was only one I would not even bat an eye but there was unfortunately quite a few. But besides that It was a cute read. I would read the next one if there was one especially so we can find out what happens with Dune and Sophie.
June 28, 2019
Rated 3.5 stars
June 19, 2012
I received this novel as an ARC from Kensington Publishing.
Shaye Cates and Trace Saunders have hated each other from the time they were kids. Their bone-deep hatred of each other stemmed from a century-old feud between their families. Shaye’s great-great-great grandfather, William Cates, founded the small fishing village of Barefoot William located in Southwest Florida along the Gulf coast. The town was all about fun and existed peacefully for 2 decades until Evan Saunders, a capitalist, sought to turn Barefoot William into a wealthy winter resort. William and Evan fought over land for sixty years until eventually Evan founded Saunder Shores a high-end town adjacent to Barefoot William.
Fast forward a hundred years to present day, where Shaye is now President of Barefoot William Enterprises and Trace is CEO of Saunders Shores. They are still carrying on their families’ tradition of despising each other, that is, until Shaye needs Trace’s permission to use part of his beach to host a proposed pro/am beach volleyball tournament. After much one-upping each other, Shaye and Trace reluctantly agree to work together. Shaye and Trace learn to peacefully co-exist while planning the tournament and eventually come to admire, respect and ultimately fall in love with each other.
This was the first book that I read by Kate Angell and I liked it very much. I found Ms. Angell’s writing flowed smoothly and easily. She did a good job at capturing and holding my attention throughout the book. Although Shaye and Trace went from hating one another to loving one another, I felt the way their relationship developed was believable. The characters of Shaye and Trace were very likable and relatable. I really liked how they brought out the best in one another. Where Shaye was working class, innovative, spontaneous and laid-back, Trace was rich, traditional, logical and serious. Their only common ground was that they both were completely committed to their families, which was something I greatly admired. As a couple, they were a case of opposites attracting and their chemistry was sizzling. There were a couple of secondary romances featured as well. I especially enjoyed Kai and Nicole’s story.
I loved the town of Barefoot William and think it would be a fun place to visit! I liked all the secondary characters especially Olive, Shaye’s parrot. Olive repeatedly mimicked things she had overheard at the most inopportune times. She was a riot and provided some comic relief to the story.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy, enjoyable contemporary romance.
Shaye Cates and Trace Saunders have hated each other from the time they were kids. Their bone-deep hatred of each other stemmed from a century-old feud between their families. Shaye’s great-great-great grandfather, William Cates, founded the small fishing village of Barefoot William located in Southwest Florida along the Gulf coast. The town was all about fun and existed peacefully for 2 decades until Evan Saunders, a capitalist, sought to turn Barefoot William into a wealthy winter resort. William and Evan fought over land for sixty years until eventually Evan founded Saunder Shores a high-end town adjacent to Barefoot William.
Fast forward a hundred years to present day, where Shaye is now President of Barefoot William Enterprises and Trace is CEO of Saunders Shores. They are still carrying on their families’ tradition of despising each other, that is, until Shaye needs Trace’s permission to use part of his beach to host a proposed pro/am beach volleyball tournament. After much one-upping each other, Shaye and Trace reluctantly agree to work together. Shaye and Trace learn to peacefully co-exist while planning the tournament and eventually come to admire, respect and ultimately fall in love with each other.
This was the first book that I read by Kate Angell and I liked it very much. I found Ms. Angell’s writing flowed smoothly and easily. She did a good job at capturing and holding my attention throughout the book. Although Shaye and Trace went from hating one another to loving one another, I felt the way their relationship developed was believable. The characters of Shaye and Trace were very likable and relatable. I really liked how they brought out the best in one another. Where Shaye was working class, innovative, spontaneous and laid-back, Trace was rich, traditional, logical and serious. Their only common ground was that they both were completely committed to their families, which was something I greatly admired. As a couple, they were a case of opposites attracting and their chemistry was sizzling. There were a couple of secondary romances featured as well. I especially enjoyed Kai and Nicole’s story.
I loved the town of Barefoot William and think it would be a fun place to visit! I liked all the secondary characters especially Olive, Shaye’s parrot. Olive repeatedly mimicked things she had overheard at the most inopportune times. She was a riot and provided some comic relief to the story.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy, enjoyable contemporary romance.
October 6, 2013
Originally posted on Sarahsbookshelf.com:
This summer I’ve had only a little time for free reading due to a crazy school schedule. I’ve been super-picky about what I’ve given myself for fun reading, often giving some books less of a shot than I typically do. Today’s book by Kate Angell unfortunately fell into the category of DNF. I hate giving books negative reviews, but this book had a few too many ups and downs for me to continue.
The story followed a long feud between two families in a small beachfront community in Florida. The Cates family is the hard-working side that owns the fun, family-friendly side of the beach front property. The Saunders family owns the ritzy side. These two families continue their disdain for each other until a volleyball tournament forces Shaye Cates to ask a Saunders for a favor–their beachfront. Never one to miss a business opportunity, Trace Saunders ends up taking further advantage of her situation by forcing her to rent family property to one of his ex-girlfriends trying to start a jewelry business.
I stopped reading about 60 pages from the end because I was so frustrated about how many different story-lines I was following. We start out with the hero/heroine of the book, Shaye and Trace, who have a fun, sparring relationship, built on years of loathing and family feuding. These two are so much fun to watch that I ended up getting really frustrated when the story was shifted to first Shaye’s cousin, Kai, then to her brother, Dune. I didn’t feel like there was enough of a foundation for the original two characters for us to be moving between multiple stories in a 260 page book. Plus, by the time we got to Dune I was just irritated that there was so much discussion about the family feud, but no information as to why it even existed.
I’ve read this author before and really like her writing. I’m probably going to skip the second story in this series, No Strings Attached, because I’m not really interested at how the story ends at this point. Angell’s writing and characters are fun, and I love family feuds as much as the next reader, but I need a little more consistency about who I’m reading when I pick up a book. This has happened with other stories by this author. I’ll give her another shot in the future, but this series is one I’ll skip.
This summer I’ve had only a little time for free reading due to a crazy school schedule. I’ve been super-picky about what I’ve given myself for fun reading, often giving some books less of a shot than I typically do. Today’s book by Kate Angell unfortunately fell into the category of DNF. I hate giving books negative reviews, but this book had a few too many ups and downs for me to continue.
The story followed a long feud between two families in a small beachfront community in Florida. The Cates family is the hard-working side that owns the fun, family-friendly side of the beach front property. The Saunders family owns the ritzy side. These two families continue their disdain for each other until a volleyball tournament forces Shaye Cates to ask a Saunders for a favor–their beachfront. Never one to miss a business opportunity, Trace Saunders ends up taking further advantage of her situation by forcing her to rent family property to one of his ex-girlfriends trying to start a jewelry business.
I stopped reading about 60 pages from the end because I was so frustrated about how many different story-lines I was following. We start out with the hero/heroine of the book, Shaye and Trace, who have a fun, sparring relationship, built on years of loathing and family feuding. These two are so much fun to watch that I ended up getting really frustrated when the story was shifted to first Shaye’s cousin, Kai, then to her brother, Dune. I didn’t feel like there was enough of a foundation for the original two characters for us to be moving between multiple stories in a 260 page book. Plus, by the time we got to Dune I was just irritated that there was so much discussion about the family feud, but no information as to why it even existed.
I’ve read this author before and really like her writing. I’m probably going to skip the second story in this series, No Strings Attached, because I’m not really interested at how the story ends at this point. Angell’s writing and characters are fun, and I love family feuds as much as the next reader, but I need a little more consistency about who I’m reading when I pick up a book. This has happened with other stories by this author. I’ll give her another shot in the future, but this series is one I’ll skip.
September 4, 2016
3.5 stars.
I really enjoyed No Tan Lines by Kate Angell. This is a good summer read. Shay Cates and Trace Saunders are long-time enemies. There's been a feud between their families for a hundred years. There's a line down the centre of the town which neither one really wants to cross.
The Cates family owns all the businesses along the boardwalk in Barefoot William whereas the Saunders family run high-end, exlusive businesses. However, Shay's businesses are in trouble and she organises a volleyball tournament to increase sales. The problem is she needs Trace's help.
I really did enjoy reading about Barefoot William. Shay and Trace were good characters, however I felt they needed more character development. While the beginning of No Tan Lines started at a good pace, the pacing became very choppy as the story went on.
Shay and Trace's relationship started too quickly and then we weren't shown enough of their developing relationship because the author was also focussing on side stories about other characters; the love life of Shay's cousin, Kai as well as the love life of Trace's sister, Sophie. While there stories were gripping, it did feel like they'd been thrown into Shay and Trace's story.
The main reason it felt strange was because the pacing was off. Kai could have had his own book. Sophie could have had her own book (and probably will! Yay:) The inclusion of their stories took the limelight off Shay and Trace and what happens in the end felt very, very sudden because they'd been in the background for a long time and I didn't know how they were feeling. Also, I wished we saw other important characters firsthand, such as Shay's granddad, rather than having a summation.
Overall, I really enjoyed No Tan Lines and would read more books in the series as this book was funny and light-hearted.
I really enjoyed No Tan Lines by Kate Angell. This is a good summer read. Shay Cates and Trace Saunders are long-time enemies. There's been a feud between their families for a hundred years. There's a line down the centre of the town which neither one really wants to cross.
The Cates family owns all the businesses along the boardwalk in Barefoot William whereas the Saunders family run high-end, exlusive businesses. However, Shay's businesses are in trouble and she organises a volleyball tournament to increase sales. The problem is she needs Trace's help.
I really did enjoy reading about Barefoot William. Shay and Trace were good characters, however I felt they needed more character development. While the beginning of No Tan Lines started at a good pace, the pacing became very choppy as the story went on.
Shay and Trace's relationship started too quickly and then we weren't shown enough of their developing relationship because the author was also focussing on side stories about other characters; the love life of Shay's cousin, Kai as well as the love life of Trace's sister, Sophie. While there stories were gripping, it did feel like they'd been thrown into Shay and Trace's story.
The main reason it felt strange was because the pacing was off. Kai could have had his own book. Sophie could have had her own book (and probably will! Yay:) The inclusion of their stories took the limelight off Shay and Trace and what happens in the end felt very, very sudden because they'd been in the background for a long time and I didn't know how they were feeling. Also, I wished we saw other important characters firsthand, such as Shay's granddad, rather than having a summation.
Overall, I really enjoyed No Tan Lines and would read more books in the series as this book was funny and light-hearted.
March 11, 2013
A mediocre book and a mediocre romance,
I was not impressed with the book, the characters, the storyline was meandering and the entire book rather meaningless, unless you want to read a rambling description of nail polish colors, outfits for the women, outfits of the men, forced humour from a parrot and many other secondary romances thrown in willy nilly. The sex in the story seemed out of place because this was a book about every sport you can think of, certainly the focus was on plays and innings rather than romance, let alone anything hot. First kiss between h and H around... page 175, only passionate kiss in the book, between the H and another woman who ends up in another mans arms. A mediocre read if you are looking for sports in small towns for 260+ pages, a boring book if you are looking for romance.
I was not impressed with the book, the characters, the storyline was meandering and the entire book rather meaningless, unless you want to read a rambling description of nail polish colors, outfits for the women, outfits of the men, forced humour from a parrot and many other secondary romances thrown in willy nilly. The sex in the story seemed out of place because this was a book about every sport you can think of, certainly the focus was on plays and innings rather than romance, let alone anything hot. First kiss between h and H around... page 175, only passionate kiss in the book, between the H and another woman who ends up in another mans arms. A mediocre read if you are looking for sports in small towns for 260+ pages, a boring book if you are looking for romance.
July 15, 2012
The first half of the book, the part that focuses on Shaye and Trace is an excellent summer read. However, just as they're about to get to the nitty-gritty of their relationship, Angell switches perspective to Kai and Nicole. We never fully return to Shaye and Trace, which makes it difficult to fully relate to their sudden plans to get married. If one perspective jump wasn't enough, Angell goes from Kai & Nicole to Dune & Sophie. Any of these couples could have carried a book on their own so having them all crammed into one book shortchanges the reader and the characters. It's a shame because I feel Angell is a good writer, but No Tan Lines does not live up to her potential.
September 16, 2012
I've become a major Kate Angell fan with her great characters and steamy romances and this book was really no exception. Shay and Trace appear to be so different on the surface with their feuding families but they're really cut from the same clothe when you get to know them. I adore Shay's tight-knit family and her laidback attitude. And Trace? The man is definitely crave-able! Shay's bird Olive cracks me up, but I was hugged by a lot of inaccuracies with her character - I had a Quaker and although they can speak a little their vocabulary is nothing like Olive's. She sounds more like an African Gray.
June 9, 2012
I really hope that the next book in the series is about Dune and Sophie!
August 21, 2012
I loved that book. It was a beautiful, funny and sexy story and Olive just cracked me up. :)
July 24, 2012
It started off good, then kind of fizzled in the end. Not a bad book, though.
June 8, 2012
Review: No Tan Lines, Kate Angell
Contemporary Romance
Published: June 2012
Publisher: Kensington Corp.
ISBN-13:978-0-7582-6919-5
www.kensingtonbooks.com
There's a place where the ocean meets the shore, where kicking off your shoes and baring some skin is as natural as sneaking under the boardwalk for an ice cream cone and stolen kisses. But life isn't all a beach for Shaye Cates, even if her idea of an office is a shady umbrella at the water's edge equipped with cell phone and laptop. Steely-eyed Trace Saunders is the incredibly irksome fly in her coconut tanning oil. And running a kids' softball team with her long-time rival is going to have everyone in her little Florida town buzzing. Her scads of laid-back relatives and his whole uptight clan know that Shaye just wants to play ball while Trace thinks only of business. But beneath the twinkling lights of the Ferris wheel, the magic of sea and sand can sweep away every inhibition...Suddenly, its summertime, and the lovin' is easy.
100 years ago…
Barefoot William, a small fishing village is established by William Cates. It’s a quiet and peaceful place to live and raise a family. It remained so until Evan Saunders arrived…
Evan is a capitalist with big city blood. He set his sights on Real Estate and began buying land. Evan wanted to citify the small town, seeking to turn Barefoot William into a wealthy winter resort town.
William was NOT about to allow his town to become anything but what it already was. He is very content having it just as it is…
This is what started a century long feud between the Cates and Saunders. It would divide more than just the two men.
One day William and Evan literally drew a line in the sand, which neither ever crossed for the remainder of their lifetimes. Eventually, the literal line became Center Street – which is the midpoint between Barefoot William and Saunders Shore…setting the precedent for generations to come.
During the summer of Shaye’s 16th year, she was working with her cousin Kai at the Snack Shack on Barefoot William’s Pier.
On the evening that Babe is playing on the beach, Trace Saunders stopped at the ‘Shack’ with his date, to get some goodies before going to the beach to watch the 10 o’clock movie. Apparently Trace wasn’t into talking farm animals.
The fact that a Saunders was on their pier was bad enough, but he wasn’t alone, Crystal is with him and that irked Kai more than anything. Crystal is his ex-girlfriend…she dumped Kai to date Trace.
Shaye however, was irritated that Trace had the gall to step foot in Cates’ territory.
After asking for several items, and being told that they were out of them (Shaye and Kai were getting ready to close the Shack for the night) Trace and Crystal decided on having some candy. Crystal recalled Shaye’s guessing game, if you guess her question correctly – you win your candy selection. Shaye was upset that Crystal said anything at all, that game was between friends and Trace certainly didn’t fit in that category.
Shaye was a good sport though and asked Trace a question….when he guessed right and asked for Skittles – Shaye was the one laughing last….she chose a box of Skittles that had been sitting in the case since last summer! The only reason she kept them, was as a reminder to order more. By giving him the stale candy, she was hoping he would crack a tooth and have to visit the dentist.
13 years later….
Trace is back in town, he’s spent the interim time in New York working at the Saunders headquarters.
When his father Brandt fell from a ladder and broke his hip (he would be laid up for 6 months), Trace came home to help. Everyone expected Trace to go back to the big city and his new CEO position when his dad healed. They were surprised when he stayed on after Brandt recovered fully.
Trace sold his home in the Hampton’s and left New York altogether. Other than bi-annual meetings he has to attend, he has left the bright lights of the city for the slower pace of Saunders Shores.
Two years have passed since Trace gave up New York…Shaye scheduled a lunch meeting with him to discuss business.
She’s planning a huge Pro/Am Volleyball Tournament – but needs to rent approximately 200’ of Saunders beach front. She has to get Trace to agree and sign on – otherwise the tournament won’t be all that she wants or what her town needs.
Barefoot William as a whole has had a bad year, they need the revenue the tournament will generate to put them back in the black. All of the Boardwalk shops in Barefoot William are family owned and cater to the summer tourist crowds.
The evening before the meeting with Trace, Shaye talks to her brother Dune. He will be the big draw for the tournament, as he is a professional volleyball player and very popular in the sport and as a home-town boy.
Shaye jumps the gun in telling Dune that the tournament will be happening, but swears Dune to keep it under wraps until the conclusion of her meeting.
Of course, Dune couldn’t keep his mouth shut and word spread like wildfire. Just as Trace was about to agree to Shaye’s terms, her cousin Molly spilled the beans!
Fortunately, Trace didn’t call her out right then and there…he played like he had already signed the contract – knowing this would give him the upper hand in getting Shaye to agree to some of the changes he wanted to implement.
Will Shaye and Trace be able to work out the details – as the first Cates and Saunders to work together EVER…will they drive each other nuts trying to one up the other, driving the wedge deeper between the families…or will they succeed in pulling off the tournament and ending the feud?
No Tan Lines was a fun, quick read. The description of the setting, enticed me to pack up my family and move to Barefoot William! The characters cracked me up, and some reminded me of my own family.
The interactions between Shaye and Trace were sometimes intense, but mostly just plain ole fun.
I would have to say my favorite character is Olive…that one there had me roaring out loud!!
This book is a perfect summer read for the beach!
About the Author
I live in Beautiful Naples on the Gulf of Mexico, Florida. I love the sunshine, as well as the seasonal summer thunderstorms. I'm a morning person. I enjoy brunch. I'm an animal lover and avid reader. I laugh a lot. My birthday's in March, I'm an Aries. My favorite color is purple. My lucky number is 25. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. My office has lots of plants: bamboo, Elephant Ear, and Tickle Me. I buy a fresh bouquet of flowers each week. I enjoy going to the movies. Try to read a book each week. Love museums. Can make popcorn a meal. Love Starbucks. I eat Rice Krispies for the 'snap, crackle, pop'. I spend hours at book stores. Like Saturday morning cartoons. Watch General Hospital. Favorite evening TV shows include: The Mentalist, Castle, Bones, Hawaii Five-0, and Monk reruns. Reality TV: Dancing With the Stars, America's Top Model, Big Brother, Survivor. I've been fortunate to have the same editor throughout my career: the very innovative and savvy Alicia Condon. Authors I read outside romance: Carl Hiaasen, Stuart Woods (Stone Barrington series), and Richard Castle.
MY PHILOSOPHY: Out of chaos comes calmness. Appreciate the peace!
Contemporary Romance
Published: June 2012
Publisher: Kensington Corp.
ISBN-13:978-0-7582-6919-5
www.kensingtonbooks.com
There's a place where the ocean meets the shore, where kicking off your shoes and baring some skin is as natural as sneaking under the boardwalk for an ice cream cone and stolen kisses. But life isn't all a beach for Shaye Cates, even if her idea of an office is a shady umbrella at the water's edge equipped with cell phone and laptop. Steely-eyed Trace Saunders is the incredibly irksome fly in her coconut tanning oil. And running a kids' softball team with her long-time rival is going to have everyone in her little Florida town buzzing. Her scads of laid-back relatives and his whole uptight clan know that Shaye just wants to play ball while Trace thinks only of business. But beneath the twinkling lights of the Ferris wheel, the magic of sea and sand can sweep away every inhibition...Suddenly, its summertime, and the lovin' is easy.
100 years ago…
Barefoot William, a small fishing village is established by William Cates. It’s a quiet and peaceful place to live and raise a family. It remained so until Evan Saunders arrived…
Evan is a capitalist with big city blood. He set his sights on Real Estate and began buying land. Evan wanted to citify the small town, seeking to turn Barefoot William into a wealthy winter resort town.
William was NOT about to allow his town to become anything but what it already was. He is very content having it just as it is…
This is what started a century long feud between the Cates and Saunders. It would divide more than just the two men.
One day William and Evan literally drew a line in the sand, which neither ever crossed for the remainder of their lifetimes. Eventually, the literal line became Center Street – which is the midpoint between Barefoot William and Saunders Shore…setting the precedent for generations to come.
During the summer of Shaye’s 16th year, she was working with her cousin Kai at the Snack Shack on Barefoot William’s Pier.
On the evening that Babe is playing on the beach, Trace Saunders stopped at the ‘Shack’ with his date, to get some goodies before going to the beach to watch the 10 o’clock movie. Apparently Trace wasn’t into talking farm animals.
The fact that a Saunders was on their pier was bad enough, but he wasn’t alone, Crystal is with him and that irked Kai more than anything. Crystal is his ex-girlfriend…she dumped Kai to date Trace.
Shaye however, was irritated that Trace had the gall to step foot in Cates’ territory.
After asking for several items, and being told that they were out of them (Shaye and Kai were getting ready to close the Shack for the night) Trace and Crystal decided on having some candy. Crystal recalled Shaye’s guessing game, if you guess her question correctly – you win your candy selection. Shaye was upset that Crystal said anything at all, that game was between friends and Trace certainly didn’t fit in that category.
Shaye was a good sport though and asked Trace a question….when he guessed right and asked for Skittles – Shaye was the one laughing last….she chose a box of Skittles that had been sitting in the case since last summer! The only reason she kept them, was as a reminder to order more. By giving him the stale candy, she was hoping he would crack a tooth and have to visit the dentist.
13 years later….
Trace is back in town, he’s spent the interim time in New York working at the Saunders headquarters.
When his father Brandt fell from a ladder and broke his hip (he would be laid up for 6 months), Trace came home to help. Everyone expected Trace to go back to the big city and his new CEO position when his dad healed. They were surprised when he stayed on after Brandt recovered fully.
Trace sold his home in the Hampton’s and left New York altogether. Other than bi-annual meetings he has to attend, he has left the bright lights of the city for the slower pace of Saunders Shores.
Two years have passed since Trace gave up New York…Shaye scheduled a lunch meeting with him to discuss business.
She’s planning a huge Pro/Am Volleyball Tournament – but needs to rent approximately 200’ of Saunders beach front. She has to get Trace to agree and sign on – otherwise the tournament won’t be all that she wants or what her town needs.
Barefoot William as a whole has had a bad year, they need the revenue the tournament will generate to put them back in the black. All of the Boardwalk shops in Barefoot William are family owned and cater to the summer tourist crowds.
The evening before the meeting with Trace, Shaye talks to her brother Dune. He will be the big draw for the tournament, as he is a professional volleyball player and very popular in the sport and as a home-town boy.
Shaye jumps the gun in telling Dune that the tournament will be happening, but swears Dune to keep it under wraps until the conclusion of her meeting.
Of course, Dune couldn’t keep his mouth shut and word spread like wildfire. Just as Trace was about to agree to Shaye’s terms, her cousin Molly spilled the beans!
Fortunately, Trace didn’t call her out right then and there…he played like he had already signed the contract – knowing this would give him the upper hand in getting Shaye to agree to some of the changes he wanted to implement.
Will Shaye and Trace be able to work out the details – as the first Cates and Saunders to work together EVER…will they drive each other nuts trying to one up the other, driving the wedge deeper between the families…or will they succeed in pulling off the tournament and ending the feud?
No Tan Lines was a fun, quick read. The description of the setting, enticed me to pack up my family and move to Barefoot William! The characters cracked me up, and some reminded me of my own family.
The interactions between Shaye and Trace were sometimes intense, but mostly just plain ole fun.
I would have to say my favorite character is Olive…that one there had me roaring out loud!!
This book is a perfect summer read for the beach!
About the Author
I live in Beautiful Naples on the Gulf of Mexico, Florida. I love the sunshine, as well as the seasonal summer thunderstorms. I'm a morning person. I enjoy brunch. I'm an animal lover and avid reader. I laugh a lot. My birthday's in March, I'm an Aries. My favorite color is purple. My lucky number is 25. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. My office has lots of plants: bamboo, Elephant Ear, and Tickle Me. I buy a fresh bouquet of flowers each week. I enjoy going to the movies. Try to read a book each week. Love museums. Can make popcorn a meal. Love Starbucks. I eat Rice Krispies for the 'snap, crackle, pop'. I spend hours at book stores. Like Saturday morning cartoons. Watch General Hospital. Favorite evening TV shows include: The Mentalist, Castle, Bones, Hawaii Five-0, and Monk reruns. Reality TV: Dancing With the Stars, America's Top Model, Big Brother, Survivor. I've been fortunate to have the same editor throughout my career: the very innovative and savvy Alicia Condon. Authors I read outside romance: Carl Hiaasen, Stuart Woods (Stone Barrington series), and Richard Castle.
MY PHILOSOPHY: Out of chaos comes calmness. Appreciate the peace!
June 28, 2017
This is the first book in the Barefoot William series by Ms Angell. It’s sort of a modern day beach version of the Hatfields & McCoys feud. The Saunders and Cates have been waging a centuries-old rivalry and neither side is willing to give. The fight has been bred into each one of them. Everyone knows the gist of the reason why they hate each other, but there are many unanswered questions. It just is.
Saunders Shores is a very upscale, lucrative enterprise; Barefoot William is more Coney Island Florida style and isn’t nearly as lucrative. In fact, they’re about to go bankrupt. To help the family’s fortunes, Shaye and her brother, Dune, are hosting a pro/am beach volleyball tourney in Barefoot William. The problem is that they need to rent 20 feet of Saunders’ beach front to have regulation size courts. That’s where the problems come in.
This is an easy afternoon beach read. It was entertaining enough, but nothing spectacular. It kept me interested, but there weren’t any surprises. It’s sort of “filler” material.
Saunders Shores is a very upscale, lucrative enterprise; Barefoot William is more Coney Island Florida style and isn’t nearly as lucrative. In fact, they’re about to go bankrupt. To help the family’s fortunes, Shaye and her brother, Dune, are hosting a pro/am beach volleyball tourney in Barefoot William. The problem is that they need to rent 20 feet of Saunders’ beach front to have regulation size courts. That’s where the problems come in.
This is an easy afternoon beach read. It was entertaining enough, but nothing spectacular. It kept me interested, but there weren’t any surprises. It’s sort of “filler” material.
May 13, 2017
There's a place where the ocean meets the shore, where kicking off your shoes and baring some skin is as natural as sneaking under the boardwalk for an ice cream cone and stolen kisses.
But life isn't all a beach for Shaye Cates, even if her idea of an office is a shady umbrella at the water's edge equipped with cell phone and laptop. Steely-eyed Trace Saunders is the incredibly irksome fly in her coconut tanning oil. And running a kids' softball team with her long-time rival is going to have everyone in her little Florida town buzzing. Her scads of laid-back relatives and his whole uptight clan know that Shaye just wants to play ball while Trace thinks only of business. But beneath the twinkling lights of the ferris wheel, the magic of sea and sand can sweep away every inhibition...
Suddenly, it's summertime, and the lovin' is easy
But life isn't all a beach for Shaye Cates, even if her idea of an office is a shady umbrella at the water's edge equipped with cell phone and laptop. Steely-eyed Trace Saunders is the incredibly irksome fly in her coconut tanning oil. And running a kids' softball team with her long-time rival is going to have everyone in her little Florida town buzzing. Her scads of laid-back relatives and his whole uptight clan know that Shaye just wants to play ball while Trace thinks only of business. But beneath the twinkling lights of the ferris wheel, the magic of sea and sand can sweep away every inhibition...
Suddenly, it's summertime, and the lovin' is easy
February 15, 2018
I wasn't crazy about how this jumped all over between three couples. The way this is assembled you really have to pay attention to the jumps made. Having two sporting competitions thrown in the mix at was a new one as well. I found myself wanting to just 'DNF' this one. Especially with the double standard that was tossed in there. The ending left me feeling a bit short changed. However, it was good enough that I'll be getting book two.
August 20, 2018
A good beach read, but I really wish the author hadn't focused on the coupling of other characters so much instead of fully defining Shaye and Trace's relationship. Hinting is good, but a change in direction (and characterization) is another matter. I would have liked to see more of their development once they coupled up.
July 26, 2022
Ugh, another “romance” where the gal with the heart of gold falls in love with the bad guy, seemingly based only on how physically attractive he is with a dash of “He’s rich, so he can afford to buy me stuff.” The only new factor here is that most of their so-called friends and family are also garbage who don’t even redeem themselves in the end. Yuck!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2023
Overall I liked the idea of the story. However, I wish it focused solely on the relationship of Shaye and Trace. The marriage at the end felt rushed, among other things. It also felt awkward to me that it suddenly switched to Kai and Nicole, then later to Dune and Sophie, and back to Shaye and Trace.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2017
Not tooooo bad, but I already forgot how much I rolled my eyes at the mood ring nonsense. I hope the rest of the series is better, since I really enjoyed the novella-length story in another multi-author book. :\
August 16, 2019
This whole book is one big cliche-no genuine character development-only intense physical descriptions. The plot is way too predictable and what conflict exists is just washed away at the end. Definitely a skim read.
September 25, 2017
No Tan Lines is the first book in the Barefoot William series written by author Kate Angell.
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