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Shelter Bay #6
Castaway Cove
They’ve never met. But they’re destined for each other…
Single dad Mac Culhane has traveled to some of the world’s most dangerous war zones, but now he and his young daughter have settled in Shelter Bay, where he’s become the late-night DJ for the local radio station. The last thing he expects is to connect over the airwaves with a caller. . .
After a painful divorce, Annie Shepherd opened up a scrapbook store in town and started volunteering with local senior citizens. Although she loves her work, dreams of the family she longs for keep her up late, listening to Mac Culhane’s voice on the radio.
When Mac and Annie finally meet in person, the attraction between them is instantaneous. But Annie isn’t ready to lay her heart on the line, and neither is Mac. Fortunately, no one in Shelter Bay is about to let a perfect match escape the magic of true love. . .
Single dad Mac Culhane has traveled to some of the world’s most dangerous war zones, but now he and his young daughter have settled in Shelter Bay, where he’s become the late-night DJ for the local radio station. The last thing he expects is to connect over the airwaves with a caller. . .
After a painful divorce, Annie Shepherd opened up a scrapbook store in town and started volunteering with local senior citizens. Although she loves her work, dreams of the family she longs for keep her up late, listening to Mac Culhane’s voice on the radio.
When Mac and Annie finally meet in person, the attraction between them is instantaneous. But Annie isn’t ready to lay her heart on the line, and neither is Mac. Fortunately, no one in Shelter Bay is about to let a perfect match escape the magic of true love. . .
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 6, 2013
82 people are currently reading
1065 people want to read
About the author
JoAnn Ross
238 books798 followersNew York Times bestselling author JoAnn Ross has written over a hundred novels for a bunch of publishers. Two of her titles have been excerpted in Cosmo and her books have also been published by the Doubleday, Rhapsody, Literary Guild, and Mystery Guild book clubs.
A member of the Romance Writers of America's Honor Roll of best-selling authors, she's won several awards, including Romantic Times's Career Achievement Awards in both category and contemporary single title.
Currently writing a new Honeymoon Harbor series for HQN set on the Washington peninsula, that will launch in April, 2018, JoAnn lives with her husband (her high school sweetheart, who proposed at the sea wall where her Shelter Bay books are set), in the Pacific Northwest.
A member of the Romance Writers of America's Honor Roll of best-selling authors, she's won several awards, including Romantic Times's Career Achievement Awards in both category and contemporary single title.
Currently writing a new Honeymoon Harbor series for HQN set on the Washington peninsula, that will launch in April, 2018, JoAnn lives with her husband (her high school sweetheart, who proposed at the sea wall where her Shelter Bay books are set), in the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
November 26, 2013
Terrific book. Mac has brought his daughter and returned to Shelter Bay after his divorce in order to have help from his family while raising his daughter. Annie has also come to Shelter Bay after her divorce, looking for a new start. Neither is looking for a new relationship until they connect over a late night call to the radio station.
I loved Mac. He was a terrific father, moving back to Shelter Bay so he could get the family support he needed. He was also wonderfully patient with his grandfather, who has Alzheimer's. I loved the way he showed that family was important to him. He was also a bit insecure about his abilities as a father but determined to do the best he could. I liked the way that he owned up to his part in the failure of his marriage though I'm sure his ex had a share of it too. I loved the way that he felt his job in Afghanistan had been important enough to keep doing it and how he didn't just stay in the relative safety of the base. The description of his personality and actions before the war show that he matured a lot during his time overseas and after he returned. I enjoyed seeing the way he connected with his listeners during the late night show. I loved seeing the way that he and Annie really related to each other during that first phone call. His interest in her was immediate. It was fun seeing how he used different songs to get her to call him again. It was a lot of fun seeing the way he figured out who she was and talked her into going out with him. It didn't take long for him to be interested in seeing where the relationship could go. He didn't get impatient with Annie's reluctance but kept up a gentle, but persistent pursuit. I really liked the way that he was understanding of her fears. I loved the present he gave her when he proposed.
Annie had a rough life growing up. She spent her entire childhood in foster homes, some good and some not so good. All she really wanted was a family of her own. She married a man older than she was that she thought she loved, but it ended with issues they couldn't agree on, especially her desire for children. She moved to Shelter Bay, where she had some happy memories from when she was a child, and opened a scrapbooking store. She quickly settles in, becoming part of the community. She loves volunteering with the senior citizens where she meets Mac's grandfather. She still wishes for a family but is now cautious about dating. One night, feeling particularly lonely, she calls in to Mac's radio show. The instant connection she feels to him spooks her and she doesn't identify herself. She is startled when she sees him in her store and feels an intense attraction to him. She's blown away by the kiss he sneaks and allows herself to be talked into having lunch with him. She's really drawn to him but there are things about her that she thinks will prevent her from having any kind of future with him. She keeps trying to push him away, but he won't go. I loved the way that his patience finally got her to open up with him and see that he really cares for her. I also loved seeing how good she was with Mac's daughter. Her understanding of his grandfather's memory issues and the way she helped him with his scrapbooks was really sweet. I loved the way it was something that his grandfather said to her that convinced her that she could have that happy ending.
I loved the parts that Emma and Charlie had in the book. Emma's attitude was a cute mixture of little girl and teenager. I loved her defense of her grandfather and how she had no problem standing up to the little boy on the playground. I really liked the way she told off her friend at the sleepover, though her actions afterward sure caused a lot of stress on her poor father. Charlie was a real sweetheart of a man. I felt so bad for his frustration in dealing with his Alzheimer's. He was wonderful with Emma and she seemed to be able to break through his memory problems. I really loved the parts where he talked about his wife and the memories he had of the war.
Once again the people of Shelter Bay have a big part in the romance between Mac and Annie. Annie's friends, especially Sedona, are the ones who convinced her to give Mac a chance. I also enjoyed seeing the various couples and catching up on how they are doing. There were also some pretty fun situations involving the interest the entire town took in their romance, including the betting pool on their first date. I really liked Kara's comment to Annie about what his reaction would be to seeing Annie in her red dress - "It's always fun to see a man swallow his tongue."
I loved Mac. He was a terrific father, moving back to Shelter Bay so he could get the family support he needed. He was also wonderfully patient with his grandfather, who has Alzheimer's. I loved the way he showed that family was important to him. He was also a bit insecure about his abilities as a father but determined to do the best he could. I liked the way that he owned up to his part in the failure of his marriage though I'm sure his ex had a share of it too. I loved the way that he felt his job in Afghanistan had been important enough to keep doing it and how he didn't just stay in the relative safety of the base. The description of his personality and actions before the war show that he matured a lot during his time overseas and after he returned. I enjoyed seeing the way he connected with his listeners during the late night show. I loved seeing the way that he and Annie really related to each other during that first phone call. His interest in her was immediate. It was fun seeing how he used different songs to get her to call him again. It was a lot of fun seeing the way he figured out who she was and talked her into going out with him. It didn't take long for him to be interested in seeing where the relationship could go. He didn't get impatient with Annie's reluctance but kept up a gentle, but persistent pursuit. I really liked the way that he was understanding of her fears. I loved the present he gave her when he proposed.
Annie had a rough life growing up. She spent her entire childhood in foster homes, some good and some not so good. All she really wanted was a family of her own. She married a man older than she was that she thought she loved, but it ended with issues they couldn't agree on, especially her desire for children. She moved to Shelter Bay, where she had some happy memories from when she was a child, and opened a scrapbooking store. She quickly settles in, becoming part of the community. She loves volunteering with the senior citizens where she meets Mac's grandfather. She still wishes for a family but is now cautious about dating. One night, feeling particularly lonely, she calls in to Mac's radio show. The instant connection she feels to him spooks her and she doesn't identify herself. She is startled when she sees him in her store and feels an intense attraction to him. She's blown away by the kiss he sneaks and allows herself to be talked into having lunch with him. She's really drawn to him but there are things about her that she thinks will prevent her from having any kind of future with him. She keeps trying to push him away, but he won't go. I loved the way that his patience finally got her to open up with him and see that he really cares for her. I also loved seeing how good she was with Mac's daughter. Her understanding of his grandfather's memory issues and the way she helped him with his scrapbooks was really sweet. I loved the way it was something that his grandfather said to her that convinced her that she could have that happy ending.
I loved the parts that Emma and Charlie had in the book. Emma's attitude was a cute mixture of little girl and teenager. I loved her defense of her grandfather and how she had no problem standing up to the little boy on the playground. I really liked the way she told off her friend at the sleepover, though her actions afterward sure caused a lot of stress on her poor father. Charlie was a real sweetheart of a man. I felt so bad for his frustration in dealing with his Alzheimer's. He was wonderful with Emma and she seemed to be able to break through his memory problems. I really loved the parts where he talked about his wife and the memories he had of the war.
Once again the people of Shelter Bay have a big part in the romance between Mac and Annie. Annie's friends, especially Sedona, are the ones who convinced her to give Mac a chance. I also enjoyed seeing the various couples and catching up on how they are doing. There were also some pretty fun situations involving the interest the entire town took in their romance, including the betting pool on their first date. I really liked Kara's comment to Annie about what his reaction would be to seeing Annie in her red dress - "It's always fun to see a man swallow his tongue."
September 22, 2014
story was great. but I only rated this book a 3 because it had too much sexual content. if MAC or Annie weren't HAVING sex, they were thinking of it. sex shoulld be private, not all over books! what if my 9 yr old granddaughter had picked it up to see what the story was about?!
August 26, 2013
3.5 stars
June 21, 2017
Author: JoAnn Ross
First published: 2013
Length: 380 pages, 5002 kindle locations
Setting: Contemporary. Shelter Bay.
Sex: Explicit. Infrequent.
Hero: Single father, divorced, radio host
Heroine: Divorced, foster kid, owns a scrapbooking store
Trigger: Injured in suicide bombing in Afghanistan.
Includes: excerpt from Christmas in Shelter Bay
Nicely done. A good story of redemption and finding your One. Annie could have been tougher (she was a bit of a wuss) but it was enjoyable.
Takes on the role of supplementary roles in the military and their own risks and problems.
Shelter Bay:
Book 1 The Homecoming - Sax Douchett and Kara Conway
Book 2 One Summer - Gabriel St. James and Charity Tiernan
Book 3 On Lavender Lane - Lucas Chaffee and Madeline Durand
Book 4 Moonshell Beach - J.T. Douchett and Mary Joyce
Book 5 Sea Glass Winter - Dillon Slater and Claire Templeton
Book 6 Castaway Cove - Mac Culhane and Annie Shepherd
Book 7 Christmas in Shelter Bay - Cole Douchett and Kelli Carpenter
Book 8 You Again - Meghann Quinn and Adam Wayne
Book 9 Beyond the Sea - Conn Brennan and Sedona Sullivan
Book 10 Sunset Point - Tess Lombardi and Nate Breslin
References:
Author's website: http://www.joannross.com
Author on w’pedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JoAnn_Ross
(ISBN 9781101614075)
-CR-
First published: 2013
Length: 380 pages, 5002 kindle locations
Setting: Contemporary. Shelter Bay.
Sex: Explicit. Infrequent.
Hero: Single father, divorced, radio host
Heroine: Divorced, foster kid, owns a scrapbooking store
Trigger: Injured in suicide bombing in Afghanistan.
Includes: excerpt from Christmas in Shelter Bay
Nicely done. A good story of redemption and finding your One. Annie could have been tougher (she was a bit of a wuss) but it was enjoyable.
Takes on the role of supplementary roles in the military and their own risks and problems.
Shelter Bay:
Book 1 The Homecoming - Sax Douchett and Kara Conway
Book 2 One Summer - Gabriel St. James and Charity Tiernan
Book 3 On Lavender Lane - Lucas Chaffee and Madeline Durand
Book 4 Moonshell Beach - J.T. Douchett and Mary Joyce
Book 5 Sea Glass Winter - Dillon Slater and Claire Templeton
Book 6 Castaway Cove - Mac Culhane and Annie Shepherd
Book 7 Christmas in Shelter Bay - Cole Douchett and Kelli Carpenter
Book 8 You Again - Meghann Quinn and Adam Wayne
Book 9 Beyond the Sea - Conn Brennan and Sedona Sullivan
Book 10 Sunset Point - Tess Lombardi and Nate Breslin
References:
Author's website: http://www.joannross.com
Author on w’pedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JoAnn_Ross
(ISBN 9781101614075)
-CR-
November 14, 2018
Two people with baggage from their past escape to Castaway Cove for healing and both vow to never fall in love again. Mac has been to hell and back from his war trauma. His return home to his 6 year old daughter and the wife who abandons both of them forces Mac to make some hard decisions. Returning to his childhood home in Castaway Cove, Mac is back with family and is becoming noticed as the handsome night-time radio DJ on the local station. Struggling to raise his daughter and help his grandfather who has Alzheimer's Disease is quite a juggling act for him. No room for any further drama in his life. That is until he bumps into the lovely lady who runs a small business in town. She has a past of her own and her heart is hardened towards ever having a serious relationship. Every eye in town is watching the two of them as sparks fly and the passion heats up.
Can they ever truly heal and leave the past behind them............
Can they ever truly heal and leave the past behind them............
March 30, 2020
I always hate rating authors lower than 4 stars, but this book just couldn’t hold my attention. I normally read a book a day, but this one took me at least three or four because I kept putting it down.
First, there were way too many complex sentences. And background information about someone insignificant was thrown in for no reason at all.
Slogging through all that, it took way too long for the romance to heat up. It was just innuendo for most of the book.
I enjoyed the characters themselves. It was a good family drama as well as a romance.
I also enjoyed the town and all of the background characters.
The epilogue was way too rushed. It jumped from hesitating to commit on Annie’s part, to adding to their family in an eight month period. That didn’t mesh with the story at all.
Better editing would have made a huge difference.
First, there were way too many complex sentences. And background information about someone insignificant was thrown in for no reason at all.
Slogging through all that, it took way too long for the romance to heat up. It was just innuendo for most of the book.
I enjoyed the characters themselves. It was a good family drama as well as a romance.
I also enjoyed the town and all of the background characters.
The epilogue was way too rushed. It jumped from hesitating to commit on Annie’s part, to adding to their family in an eight month period. That didn’t mesh with the story at all.
Better editing would have made a huge difference.
July 24, 2025
Good story in the series, but. I know it's a small town, but it seems as if the meddling of locals and friends in Annie's life has gotten more intense than the last few books. Landing in Shelter Bay after a divorce from a high-powered DC lobbyist, Annie has settled in and opened a scrapbook store. One Saturday night, she's listening to the nighttime show of Midnight Mac on the local radio station, and in response to a question, calls in. And things take off from there. And everyone in the town has something to say about their relationship.
As I said, it seems as if the community is getting more and more involved in everybody's business, in a not very nice passive-aggressive way. And Mac was just a little too pushy for me.
As I said, it seems as if the community is getting more and more involved in everybody's business, in a not very nice passive-aggressive way. And Mac was just a little too pushy for me.
June 17, 2023
Christmas in Shelter Bay & Castaway Cove from JoAnn ..i preferred the Christmas one a bit more to this one ...but gorgeous book covers. i did it through my local library leaning program ...that is always fun. i wish there were more to pick from but so far i am finding ones to check out. when i was a kid picking up books from the library was the best time ever ... always had my nose in a book ... will read more ..i know i pick 6 more from JoAnn i don't recall if they were from this series or not??! we will see which is my favorite. laters. gotta read.
June 24, 2018
A very enjoyable romance set in Shelter Bay. The main characters are Annie Shepherd and Mac Culhane. Annie owns the scrapbooking store in town and Mac works as a late night dj on a radio station. Mac is a single father of a five year old girl who loves pink. Annie had a bad marriage and doesn't want any man. However the sparks between the two grow as does Annie's love of Mac's grandfather. The book was a quick easy read.
September 14, 2018
Castaway Cove is the sixth in JoAnn Ross' Shelter Bay Series. Set in scenic, coastal Oregon, Shelter Bay is a small town tourist mecca, where EVERY main character male is former US military. The sex is graphic, the storyline sometimes becomes unbelievable; romance leads to marriage and happily everafters. . .
December 26, 2020
i enjoy here books and i like the characters in the series. but it seemed 3/4 of the book centered around when they were going to have sex. there is so much more to characters and story lines than sex so after awhile that gets boring. it's like "do it already". but as i said, each of these shelter bay novels tells more in depth of a character's life, so i enjoy that.
July 24, 2022
Just OK. I’m old. I found the kid annoying and desperately in need of boundaries and discipline. Nosing around in an adult’s dresser drawers deserved , at the very least, a good talking to! Not cute. Consequences for inappropriate behavior matters.
July 2, 2024
Binge read this because it was so good!!! Usually I’m not one to read a straight up romance novel but this one had me wrapped up! Mac and Annie’s story is a good one, and honestly makes me want to read the other novels in the Shelter Bay collection.
June 14, 2017
3 1/2 star
May 10, 2018
Good simple read.
June 30, 2018
A quick, easy read. Nothing wrong with it, just rather run of the mill.
March 6, 2020
They really need a review option of meh. Nothing special about the story and the same formulaic romance.
Read
June 20, 2020Very good book! Highly recommended.
November 19, 2024
Maybe a 3.5 but seriously surpassed my recent reads
Haven’t read a pure romance maybe ever?? It was cute
Haven’t read a pure romance maybe ever?? It was cute
April 13, 2025
I liked it, but, Annie was too wishy-washy.
June 21, 2025
Absolutely loved this series the best series of all time I never wanted it to end forever my favorite
September 1, 2013
Title: Castaway Cove
Series: Shelter Bay bk 6
Author: JoAnn Ross
Genre: Contemporary
They’ve never met. But they’re destined for each other…
Single dad Mac Culhane has traveled to some of the world’s most dangerous war zones, but now he and his young daughter have settled in Shelter Bay, where he’s become the late-night DJ for the local radio station. The last thing he expects is to connect over the airwaves with a caller. . .
After a painful divorce, Annie Shepherd opened up a scrapbook store in town and started volunteering with local senior citizens. Although she loves her work, dreams of the family she longs for keep her up late, listening to Mac Culhane’s voice on the radio.
When Mac and Annie finally meet in person, the attraction between them is instantaneous. But Annie isn’t ready to lay her heart on the line, and neither is Mac. Fortunately, no one in Shelter Bay is about to let a perfect match escape the magic of true love.
Review: I love Shelter Bay and it's residents. It reminds me of the town I grew up in.
This was the first time I'd read a book where the military hero was not Special Forces, and I really liked it.
One of the things I loved about this book was how Mac and Annie first start talking. From there we watch as these two wounded souls come together and fall in love and start to become a family.
One of the things that is talked about in this book is Alzheimer's. This peak into what it's like for not only the person but also the family of the one suffering from this horrible disease is one of the best parts of the story.
As always in Shelter Bay we catch up with characters we already know and love, which is part of being in a small town.
This is another great installment in a series that I have grown to love with each new book. If you haven't yet discovered this series then you need pick up this book. Each book can be read as a stand alone.
Grade B+
Review by: Heather
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
Series: Shelter Bay bk 6
Author: JoAnn Ross
Genre: Contemporary
They’ve never met. But they’re destined for each other…
Single dad Mac Culhane has traveled to some of the world’s most dangerous war zones, but now he and his young daughter have settled in Shelter Bay, where he’s become the late-night DJ for the local radio station. The last thing he expects is to connect over the airwaves with a caller. . .
After a painful divorce, Annie Shepherd opened up a scrapbook store in town and started volunteering with local senior citizens. Although she loves her work, dreams of the family she longs for keep her up late, listening to Mac Culhane’s voice on the radio.
When Mac and Annie finally meet in person, the attraction between them is instantaneous. But Annie isn’t ready to lay her heart on the line, and neither is Mac. Fortunately, no one in Shelter Bay is about to let a perfect match escape the magic of true love.
Review: I love Shelter Bay and it's residents. It reminds me of the town I grew up in.
This was the first time I'd read a book where the military hero was not Special Forces, and I really liked it.
One of the things I loved about this book was how Mac and Annie first start talking. From there we watch as these two wounded souls come together and fall in love and start to become a family.
One of the things that is talked about in this book is Alzheimer's. This peak into what it's like for not only the person but also the family of the one suffering from this horrible disease is one of the best parts of the story.
As always in Shelter Bay we catch up with characters we already know and love, which is part of being in a small town.
This is another great installment in a series that I have grown to love with each new book. If you haven't yet discovered this series then you need pick up this book. Each book can be read as a stand alone.
Grade B+
Review by: Heather
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
January 8, 2014
Mac and Annie are both likeable characters. Mac’s biological father died when Mac was still a child, but Mac was loved by his mother and adoptive father who encouraged him to pursue his dreams. Professional success came early and easily. I think he must have been a bit spoiled, but by the time the reader meets him, his time in Afghanistan and his divorce have changed and matured him. He is a loving dad, a devoted son and grandson, a good friend, and a tender, sexy, romantic lover. The gift he gives Annie when he proposes is wonderful. Annie’s life has been much tougher, but she survives with courage and a loving heart. Despite her reservations, she finds both Mac and Emma irresistible. Given her history, it makes sense that she is more cautious than Mac. I fell in love with Emma and with Charlie, and I can’t wait to see Sedona meet her match.
Castaway Cove is the sixth book in Ross’s Shelter Bay series, and like the other books, this one reinforces the warmth and beauty of the coastal community and enlarges the cast of characters whose stories engage the interest and touch the heart of the reader. If you like quieter stories with characters who feel like friends and a town where you feel at home, you can’t do better than this series. I’ve been reading JoAnn Ross’s books for many years, and her Shelter Bay books are my favorites of my Ross keepers. If you haven’t visited Shelter Bay yet, you can start with Castaway Cove. You don’t have to have read the other books to appreciate Mac and Annie’s story, but be prepared. You may find the other characters so appealing that you will want to read their stories too.
See full review at The Romance Dish:
http://www.theromancedish.com/2013/08...
Castaway Cove is the sixth book in Ross’s Shelter Bay series, and like the other books, this one reinforces the warmth and beauty of the coastal community and enlarges the cast of characters whose stories engage the interest and touch the heart of the reader. If you like quieter stories with characters who feel like friends and a town where you feel at home, you can’t do better than this series. I’ve been reading JoAnn Ross’s books for many years, and her Shelter Bay books are my favorites of my Ross keepers. If you haven’t visited Shelter Bay yet, you can start with Castaway Cove. You don’t have to have read the other books to appreciate Mac and Annie’s story, but be prepared. You may find the other characters so appealing that you will want to read their stories too.
See full review at The Romance Dish:
http://www.theromancedish.com/2013/08...
August 6, 2014
I am literally the only one-star rating of this book. Everyone else obviously loved this book in a way I could not. I feel kinda bad about that, but not enough to change my rating.
For 90% of the book, Annie has not a lick of confidence. She always assumes the worst. She has zero self-awareness. She lives entirely in the past, which she allows to rule her present and future. She wants a family, but pushes away the family that wants her. She wants love, but doesn't think she's worthy of love. She tries to convince Mac - in the middle of his proclaiming his love for her - to go for somebody else. She hides the most important parts of herself. She just about fainted over the scandal of mentioning that she happened to be divorced. She's a slightly delusional wimp with the personality of a brick.
I made it 31% before I decided that Annie was not interesting or strong enough to keep me interested. I mean, at that point, I didn't care if she got her HEA because she obviously didn't want it or think she deserved it. Why should I invest my emotions in her story if she's so determined to screw herself over? So I skipped to 82% (random, I know, but it's where the scroll bar landed) to see where things were... still the same. Skimmed to the end, which was crammed with events that were supposed to be dramatic but really weren't because the problem was solved within a couple paragraphs. And then a total shocker at the end that made no sense because there was literally no build up to it. It was basically like, instead of "The End", the author wrote "And then they adopted a shitload of kids." Wut? O...kay.
I was looking for a light and fluffy romance, which this definitely is... but the main character was a total downer and, in her own mind, unworthy of a HEA.
For 90% of the book, Annie has not a lick of confidence. She always assumes the worst. She has zero self-awareness. She lives entirely in the past, which she allows to rule her present and future. She wants a family, but pushes away the family that wants her. She wants love, but doesn't think she's worthy of love. She tries to convince Mac - in the middle of his proclaiming his love for her - to go for somebody else. She hides the most important parts of herself. She just about fainted over the scandal of mentioning that she happened to be divorced. She's a slightly delusional wimp with the personality of a brick.
I made it 31% before I decided that Annie was not interesting or strong enough to keep me interested. I mean, at that point, I didn't care if she got her HEA because she obviously didn't want it or think she deserved it. Why should I invest my emotions in her story if she's so determined to screw herself over? So I skipped to 82% (random, I know, but it's where the scroll bar landed) to see where things were... still the same. Skimmed to the end, which was crammed with events that were supposed to be dramatic but really weren't because the problem was solved within a couple paragraphs. And then a total shocker at the end that made no sense because there was literally no build up to it. It was basically like, instead of "The End", the author wrote "And then they adopted a shitload of kids." Wut? O...kay.
I was looking for a light and fluffy romance, which this definitely is... but the main character was a total downer and, in her own mind, unworthy of a HEA.
July 6, 2013
When Mac Culhane is left by his wife following an injury in Afghanistan he moves with his young daughter back to his hometown of Shelter Bay, Oregon. His plan is to provide stability for his child as well as assist his father in caring for his ailing grandfather while working as the local late night radio DJ. Annie Sheperd moved to Shelter Bay following a divorce and runs a successful scrapbooking store while also volunteering her time at the home where Mac’s grandfather lives. While the attraction is there from the moment the two run into each other they both have to decide whether they are willing to risk their hearts again.
I really liked both characters, who showed a vulnerability about them that made them hesitant to put their heart on the line. Annie’s upbringing was one that would cause a lesser person to become bitter, but she maintained a sunny disposition and turned a childhood dream into an adult reality. Mac showed that family meant the world to him, displaying vulnerability when it came to his male role models as well as his daughter. He made no apologizes for the way he lived his life but always strived to improve things for both himself and his daughter. Their road is a rocky one, but it is made all the more interesting by the various people that are rooting for a romantic ending. Set in small town Shelter Bay, everyone is interconnected in some way, and it was interesting to see the array of secondary characters that enhanced the storyline. This small town romance sizzled between the radio king and his scrapbooking queen, and left people wanting more.
Reviewed by Lucy for Cocktails and Books
I really liked both characters, who showed a vulnerability about them that made them hesitant to put their heart on the line. Annie’s upbringing was one that would cause a lesser person to become bitter, but she maintained a sunny disposition and turned a childhood dream into an adult reality. Mac showed that family meant the world to him, displaying vulnerability when it came to his male role models as well as his daughter. He made no apologizes for the way he lived his life but always strived to improve things for both himself and his daughter. Their road is a rocky one, but it is made all the more interesting by the various people that are rooting for a romantic ending. Set in small town Shelter Bay, everyone is interconnected in some way, and it was interesting to see the array of secondary characters that enhanced the storyline. This small town romance sizzled between the radio king and his scrapbooking queen, and left people wanting more.
Reviewed by Lucy for Cocktails and Books
August 3, 2015
This is one of my favourites from the Shelter Bay series - on par with the first book from the series that I read, One Summer. The connection between Mac and Annie is much stronger and feels like it goes deeper than it does for most of the other couples featured in the previous Shelter Bay novels. The romance was much more evident than I've come to expect from this series, starting with a laugh out loud scene in Annie's scrapbooking store with Annie's sales assistant and a pair of tourist-bus little old ladies whispering in the background. I loved the feeling of keeping the family together with the three generations of the Culhane family living under the one roof and the fourth not far away. I liked the way Emma was such a strong little girl, able to stand up for her family and understand right and wrong at such a young age. I got frustrated on behalf of Charlie having to deal with Alzheimer's and it gave me concerns for how I would deal with a similar situation with my own parents - I would hate to see my highly intelligent chemical engineer father unable to remember his children's names or what he did yesterday.
As usual I enjoyed the continuing theme of following up on previous characters and where they are with their relationships - married, children, etc - and the small town where everyone knows your name feeling that Ross's books always revolve around. Even when I haven't enjoyed the romance between the main characters the small town feeling is still there, making even my least enjoyed book still worth reading just for the atmosphere.
As usual I enjoyed the continuing theme of following up on previous characters and where they are with their relationships - married, children, etc - and the small town where everyone knows your name feeling that Ross's books always revolve around. Even when I haven't enjoyed the romance between the main characters the small town feeling is still there, making even my least enjoyed book still worth reading just for the atmosphere.
October 14, 2013
The best part of Ross's writing is how she brings such a sense of place to her stories. Shelter Bay itself is as much a character in her books as the people. You can see and feel the Oregon coast, and it grounds the stories, making the characters that much more real.
In "Castaway Cove," the latest in her "Shelter Bay" series, we meet Annie who has returned to Shelter Bay after a failed marriage. Mac, a veteran, has returned as well -- accompanied by his daughter Emma -- after his wife leaves him. Mac is a great hero. He's so uncomplicated! He's a good father, a good son, and a good grandson. It also helps that he's pretty hot as well! Annie is very complicated...lots of sad stuff in her past, and it makes her reluctant to engage with Mac.
Ross also tackles the incredible heartbreak of Alzheimer's disease, but in a helpful and supportive way. She doesn't sugar-coat anything, but she does shed some light on some ways to help care for these patients and their families.
It's easy to understand Annie's fear of intimacy, given her history. It was bit more problematic to understand how easy it seemed to be for Mac to get past his wife's departure and their subsequent divorce.
But that's a rather minor point in an otherwise nice read.
In "Castaway Cove," the latest in her "Shelter Bay" series, we meet Annie who has returned to Shelter Bay after a failed marriage. Mac, a veteran, has returned as well -- accompanied by his daughter Emma -- after his wife leaves him. Mac is a great hero. He's so uncomplicated! He's a good father, a good son, and a good grandson. It also helps that he's pretty hot as well! Annie is very complicated...lots of sad stuff in her past, and it makes her reluctant to engage with Mac.
Ross also tackles the incredible heartbreak of Alzheimer's disease, but in a helpful and supportive way. She doesn't sugar-coat anything, but she does shed some light on some ways to help care for these patients and their families.
It's easy to understand Annie's fear of intimacy, given her history. It was bit more problematic to understand how easy it seemed to be for Mac to get past his wife's departure and their subsequent divorce.
But that's a rather minor point in an otherwise nice read.
April 8, 2014
Castaway Cove by JoAnn Ross
This book in the series, stand alone as well. is about Mac and how he comes home wounded in the war to a wife and toddler. The day hearrives she hands him the key to the house and leaves with her new boyfriend. I can totally see this really happening and it is a book about how he's strong to learn about his daughter and her needs and take care of himself as well.
He ends up moving back to his father's home in Oregon to also help with the care of his grandfather who's in a nursing home and losing more of his memories.
Annie lives in Oregon where she runs a bookstore and runs into Mac often at the nursing home. Mac runs a call in show on the radio at nights and she has called to talk to him a few times that started their relationship.
Love how her girlfriends give her the push she needs to make some moves on him.
Love the tips of how to care for an elder who's losing their memories. Hot steamy sex scenes enhance this book.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
This book in the series, stand alone as well. is about Mac and how he comes home wounded in the war to a wife and toddler. The day hearrives she hands him the key to the house and leaves with her new boyfriend. I can totally see this really happening and it is a book about how he's strong to learn about his daughter and her needs and take care of himself as well.
He ends up moving back to his father's home in Oregon to also help with the care of his grandfather who's in a nursing home and losing more of his memories.
Annie lives in Oregon where she runs a bookstore and runs into Mac often at the nursing home. Mac runs a call in show on the radio at nights and she has called to talk to him a few times that started their relationship.
Love how her girlfriends give her the push she needs to make some moves on him.
Love the tips of how to care for an elder who's losing their memories. Hot steamy sex scenes enhance this book.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
September 19, 2015
This book was a romance novel to the very core. It was fun, sweet and very warm. The story is about families, those that have wonderful ones and those who don't have any at all. It stresses the importance of families and communities and the love that connects them. Mac Culhane was a midnight DJ in Shelter Bay after being a DJ in the Air Force. The dangerous war zone made Mac realize that the needed to be home with his family but when he arrived, his wife was leaving him and leaving their five year old daughter behind. Mac knew he was to blame but he was ready to put his old life behind him and raise his daughter close to his father and grandfather. Annie Shephard was an orphan, having been raised in many foster homes and early on she learned to be quite and to get along so as not to cause problems.
These two people met and their lives became entangled whether they wanted it to or not. Nice, warm, read.
These two people met and their lives became entangled whether they wanted it to or not. Nice, warm, read.
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