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Almost #3
The Love Shack
Return to USA TODAY bestselling author Christie Ridgway’s Crescent Cove, California, where
the magic of summer can last forever…
Globe-trotting photojournalist Gage Lowell spent carefree childhood summers in Crescent Cove. Now that he desperately needs some R & R, he books a vacation at Beach House No. 9—ready to soak up some sun and surprise old friend and property manager Skye Alexander. Their long-distance letters got him through a dangerous time he can’t otherwise talk about. But when
he arrives, the tightly wound beauty isn’t exactly happy to see him.
Skye knows any red-blooded woman would be thrilled to spend time with gorgeous, sexy Gage. But she harbors secrets of her own, including that she might just be a little bit in love with him. And she’s convinced the restless wanderer won’t stay long enough for her to dare share her past—or dream of a future together. Luckily for them both, summer at Crescent Cove has a way of making the impossible happen….
the magic of summer can last forever…
Globe-trotting photojournalist Gage Lowell spent carefree childhood summers in Crescent Cove. Now that he desperately needs some R & R, he books a vacation at Beach House No. 9—ready to soak up some sun and surprise old friend and property manager Skye Alexander. Their long-distance letters got him through a dangerous time he can’t otherwise talk about. But when
he arrives, the tightly wound beauty isn’t exactly happy to see him.
Skye knows any red-blooded woman would be thrilled to spend time with gorgeous, sexy Gage. But she harbors secrets of her own, including that she might just be a little bit in love with him. And she’s convinced the restless wanderer won’t stay long enough for her to dare share her past—or dream of a future together. Luckily for them both, summer at Crescent Cove has a way of making the impossible happen….
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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581 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
January 19, 2018
Favorite Quotes:
‘I hate that word,’ Polly said, suddenly looking as if she’d swallowed something sour. ‘Cute. I think it’s preventing me from having a fulfilling love life.’ ‘I thought it was the word perky that was to blame. At least that’s what you told me last week.’
And by the way, if you insult Jane in any way, shape or form, I’ll kick your ass. And then she’ll do it all over again, only harder. And with sexier shoes.
He was glad he stopped himself from saying that, too, because she was staring at him as if she was trying to remember where she’d left her favorite butcher knife.
His niece, Rebecca, had apparently left childhood for adolescence like a small-town girl heading for the big city—on speedy transport and with little luggage…
He’s actually Stunning Sex Man… A superhero. A yet-undiscovered one. I may take up writing comic books just to chronicle his greatness for the world’s appreciation.
My Review:
This installment in the ongoing series featured two couples. One couple consisted of best platonic friends, although one was secretly pining for the other, and the other couple had been childhood friends that spent summers together and later became adult pen pals as he traveled the world as a serious photojournalist and she stayed at her beloved cove tending to tourists and her family business. All four hid dark and traumatic events/secrets/stressors. The characters were enticing and the storylines were intriguing and interesting although slowly paced and heavy with angst. I looked forward to and reveled in the welcomed infusions of humor and gasp-worthy steamy bits as their statuses shifted from friends to lovers territory.
‘I hate that word,’ Polly said, suddenly looking as if she’d swallowed something sour. ‘Cute. I think it’s preventing me from having a fulfilling love life.’ ‘I thought it was the word perky that was to blame. At least that’s what you told me last week.’
And by the way, if you insult Jane in any way, shape or form, I’ll kick your ass. And then she’ll do it all over again, only harder. And with sexier shoes.
He was glad he stopped himself from saying that, too, because she was staring at him as if she was trying to remember where she’d left her favorite butcher knife.
His niece, Rebecca, had apparently left childhood for adolescence like a small-town girl heading for the big city—on speedy transport and with little luggage…
He’s actually Stunning Sex Man… A superhero. A yet-undiscovered one. I may take up writing comic books just to chronicle his greatness for the world’s appreciation.
My Review:
This installment in the ongoing series featured two couples. One couple consisted of best platonic friends, although one was secretly pining for the other, and the other couple had been childhood friends that spent summers together and later became adult pen pals as he traveled the world as a serious photojournalist and she stayed at her beloved cove tending to tourists and her family business. All four hid dark and traumatic events/secrets/stressors. The characters were enticing and the storylines were intriguing and interesting although slowly paced and heavy with angst. I looked forward to and reveled in the welcomed infusions of humor and gasp-worthy steamy bits as their statuses shifted from friends to lovers territory.
January 16, 2018
Beautiful dreamer, out on the sea, Mermaids are chanting the wild lorelei; Over the streamlet vapors are borne, Waiting to fade at the bright coming morn. Beautiful dreamer, beam on my heart, E’en as the morn on the streamlet and sea; Then will all clouds of sorrow depart, Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me! Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
I have loved the Almost series so much. But I have to say the Lowell brothers were my favorite. Twins Griffin and Gage. Griffin and Jane’s story in Almost Always (Book 2) and now Gage and Skye’s story in Almost Paradise. I loved them both, but I would say that this book, with Gage and Skye is definitely my favorite. I loved both Gage and Skye so much. They both had layers, they had traumatic events that they hadn’t recovered from and weren’t opening up to anybody about. At first it seemed as if Gage was just good for Skye, and he really was great for her. But little by little she had be healing him too. So beautiful!
Also, a little side story about Skye’s friend, Polly and her best friend Teague. They had a best friends to lovers thing going on. They were a very cute couple. She’s a kindergarten Teacher and he’s a Fireman. There was quite a bit of angst before things came together, but they did.
All in all...this was an awesome book!! I loved everyone of these books from the Almost series!! Christie has such a wonderful way of grabbing the reader and pulling you into the world she’s written, so that you have completely forgotten everything else going on around you!!
I’d give this whole series 10 Stars, if that were possible!!
What are you waiting for? Start out with the first book, Almost Wonderful, it’s a small novella! I have a feeling that when you’re done you’ll be back for more!!
~Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book via L Woods PR. The opinions expressed are my own.
I have loved the Almost series so much. But I have to say the Lowell brothers were my favorite. Twins Griffin and Gage. Griffin and Jane’s story in Almost Always (Book 2) and now Gage and Skye’s story in Almost Paradise. I loved them both, but I would say that this book, with Gage and Skye is definitely my favorite. I loved both Gage and Skye so much. They both had layers, they had traumatic events that they hadn’t recovered from and weren’t opening up to anybody about. At first it seemed as if Gage was just good for Skye, and he really was great for her. But little by little she had be healing him too. So beautiful!
Also, a little side story about Skye’s friend, Polly and her best friend Teague. They had a best friends to lovers thing going on. They were a very cute couple. She’s a kindergarten Teacher and he’s a Fireman. There was quite a bit of angst before things came together, but they did.
All in all...this was an awesome book!! I loved everyone of these books from the Almost series!! Christie has such a wonderful way of grabbing the reader and pulling you into the world she’s written, so that you have completely forgotten everything else going on around you!!
I’d give this whole series 10 Stars, if that were possible!!
What are you waiting for? Start out with the first book, Almost Wonderful, it’s a small novella! I have a feeling that when you’re done you’ll be back for more!!
~Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book via L Woods PR. The opinions expressed are my own.
January 9, 2018
If wishes were rainbows, they'd turn into fireworks and light up the sky. Gage and Skye could use a little of that fairy dust. When did simple become so complicated? Perhaps when life got in the way. Almost Paradise is about rebuilding faith in times of hopelessness and finding happily ever after in the most surprising of places. Christie Ridgway knows how to claim a heart while keeping it close for safe keeping.
March 29, 2013
I'm happy and sad. I was very happy when this popped up on my pre-order, because I forgot that I had pre ordered it. It is always a great day when a new book comes in that one is anticipating. I'm sad because this is the last one in the series. Ridgway is a new-to-me author, and I have been glomming her work recently. This book is great like her others. Characters with depth, good dialogue, and a story that unfolds at just the right pace. I loved catching up with the characters of Beach House No 9, and it was a good close to the series.
About the story itself...this is going to be one of those rambling reviews. I enjoyed the setting. If this weren't a fictional story, I'd be on-line booking our vacation at Crescent Cove right now. The details about the beach, the fauna that grows there and the cottages are wonderful. The main story about Gage and Skye is provocative in the fact that they manage to overcome their demons from the past and forge a future together. There are letters that they exchanged while Gage was overseas. These were enjoyable and I'm now hankering even more for an old-fashioned pen pal that I can put pen to paper with. I also thought the letters bonded them deeper than if they had just met again years later. Having a backdrop like that was a very inventive way to give them a past while still being in contact.
As always, the secondary story stole my heart. We have seen these characters before in other books, and I'm glad that they also found their HEA.
Overall a good read, and I'm looking forward to the next book and series that Ridgway comes out with.
About the story itself...this is going to be one of those rambling reviews. I enjoyed the setting. If this weren't a fictional story, I'd be on-line booking our vacation at Crescent Cove right now. The details about the beach, the fauna that grows there and the cottages are wonderful. The main story about Gage and Skye is provocative in the fact that they manage to overcome their demons from the past and forge a future together. There are letters that they exchanged while Gage was overseas. These were enjoyable and I'm now hankering even more for an old-fashioned pen pal that I can put pen to paper with. I also thought the letters bonded them deeper than if they had just met again years later. Having a backdrop like that was a very inventive way to give them a past while still being in contact.
As always, the secondary story stole my heart. We have seen these characters before in other books, and I'm glad that they also found their HEA.
Overall a good read, and I'm looking forward to the next book and series that Ridgway comes out with.
March 30, 2013
Fantastic conclusion to the series. Gage and Skye had been friends since they were children. They recently got close again when she started writing to him. Gage has returned to Crescent Cove for some much needed recovery time. He is also looking forward to spending some time with Skye, whose letters were a bright spot during some very dark days. When he gets there she doesn't seem to be that thrilled to see him and seems awfully jumpy too. Both of them are fighting demons that only the other one seems to be able to vanquish. There is also an intense physical attraction that seems to have no possible future.
I really liked both Gage and Skye. I loved her devotion to Crescent Cove and its past and traditions. She obviously takes her job very seriously. In the previous books there are enough scenes with her to show how much time she devotes to it. We also get to see the beginnings of the mystery of the missing jeweled collar which plays a bigger part in this book. There are also hints of her relationship with Gage. At the beginning of the book she is frightened by his sudden appearance as she is not expecting him. In spite of their closeness via letter, she tries to keep him at arms length in person. This worries Gage as it is far different than the Skye he knows from her letters. Skye has tried very hard to keep her secret and protect herself, but Gage soon gets it out of her. In the process their attraction burns out of control. I loved the way that even though she was skittish around everyone else she instinctively trusted Gage. That trust allowed her to accept the attraction they felt and to give in to it. She still had times she wondered what she was doing because she knew he wasn't going to stay.
Gage is the twin brother of Griffin (Book 1 - Beach House No. 9). He is a photographer who works in war zones and was recently in a very dangerous position. He has come to Crescent Cove to try to recover before he heads back for a new assignment. He refuses to talk about it to anyone, insisting that people are imagining things, but Skye especially senses that there is a deep rooted problem. I loved the way that Gage uses his own sensitivity to help Skye deal with her trauma. He shows incredible kindness even as he is fighting his own demons. Once they give in to their passions he makes sure she knows not to expect any commitments as he will be leaving again. He says it so often that you start to wonder if he's trying to convince her or himself. I loved the way that Skye finally cornered him and refused to let him get away with shutting her out any longer. After that it seemed that things were slowly getting better for Gage, but he was still insisting on going back. I really loved the way that they worked together to solve their issues. I also loved the fact that they started out as friends before they became lovers.
There was also a secondary story between Teague and Polly that was just as good. Teague was a regular in the first two books and I was very happy to see that he was getting a romance of his own. He and Polly had also been friends for years. He is a bit of a party animal but always makes time for his best friend Polly. Meanwhile Polly is about fed up with him. She has been in love with him for years, but he just doesn't see it. I loved the way that she finally got his attention.
The conclusion of the story was great. I loved the resolution of the necklace mystery (I had guessed the bad guy in book 2). The epilogue was especially fun.
I really liked both Gage and Skye. I loved her devotion to Crescent Cove and its past and traditions. She obviously takes her job very seriously. In the previous books there are enough scenes with her to show how much time she devotes to it. We also get to see the beginnings of the mystery of the missing jeweled collar which plays a bigger part in this book. There are also hints of her relationship with Gage. At the beginning of the book she is frightened by his sudden appearance as she is not expecting him. In spite of their closeness via letter, she tries to keep him at arms length in person. This worries Gage as it is far different than the Skye he knows from her letters. Skye has tried very hard to keep her secret and protect herself, but Gage soon gets it out of her. In the process their attraction burns out of control. I loved the way that even though she was skittish around everyone else she instinctively trusted Gage. That trust allowed her to accept the attraction they felt and to give in to it. She still had times she wondered what she was doing because she knew he wasn't going to stay.
Gage is the twin brother of Griffin (Book 1 - Beach House No. 9). He is a photographer who works in war zones and was recently in a very dangerous position. He has come to Crescent Cove to try to recover before he heads back for a new assignment. He refuses to talk about it to anyone, insisting that people are imagining things, but Skye especially senses that there is a deep rooted problem. I loved the way that Gage uses his own sensitivity to help Skye deal with her trauma. He shows incredible kindness even as he is fighting his own demons. Once they give in to their passions he makes sure she knows not to expect any commitments as he will be leaving again. He says it so often that you start to wonder if he's trying to convince her or himself. I loved the way that Skye finally cornered him and refused to let him get away with shutting her out any longer. After that it seemed that things were slowly getting better for Gage, but he was still insisting on going back. I really loved the way that they worked together to solve their issues. I also loved the fact that they started out as friends before they became lovers.
There was also a secondary story between Teague and Polly that was just as good. Teague was a regular in the first two books and I was very happy to see that he was getting a romance of his own. He and Polly had also been friends for years. He is a bit of a party animal but always makes time for his best friend Polly. Meanwhile Polly is about fed up with him. She has been in love with him for years, but he just doesn't see it. I loved the way that she finally got his attention.
The conclusion of the story was great. I loved the resolution of the necklace mystery (I had guessed the bad guy in book 2). The epilogue was especially fun.
April 16, 2013
3.5 stars
We move back to the core characters who'd grown up at Crescent Cove, focusing on Skye and Gage. We finally learn what has Skye so jumpy, though I had predicted something similar at the beginning of the second book when she's startled in the office.
Both Gage and Skye are suffering from PTSD, and while Griffin was experiencing a type of trauma related to his grief and what he'd witnessed in Afghanistan, both Gage and Skye are alike in that the trauma was directly inflicted upon them.
The secondary love story features Teague and Polly, both of whom we've met in the first book, Beach House No. 9.
Overall, The Love Shack was a wonderful addition to the series, and a great way to return to the core characters of Beach House No. 9. I was sad to see this series end, despite the fact that I felt like I'd been punched in the gut while reading. It's that emotional and that good.
We move back to the core characters who'd grown up at Crescent Cove, focusing on Skye and Gage. We finally learn what has Skye so jumpy, though I had predicted something similar at the beginning of the second book when she's startled in the office.
Both Gage and Skye are suffering from PTSD, and while Griffin was experiencing a type of trauma related to his grief and what he'd witnessed in Afghanistan, both Gage and Skye are alike in that the trauma was directly inflicted upon them.
The secondary love story features Teague and Polly, both of whom we've met in the first book, Beach House No. 9.
Overall, The Love Shack was a wonderful addition to the series, and a great way to return to the core characters of Beach House No. 9. I was sad to see this series end, despite the fact that I felt like I'd been punched in the gut while reading. It's that emotional and that good.
April 22, 2013
Would have totally gotten 4 stars if it wasn't for the totally sappy ending.
I was a bit disappointed that Gage's career didn't make a big impact on the book. I kept waiting for the passages about Gage taking some kind of stunning pictures of the cove or one of the sunsets.
But, I gotta say, I loved the friendship between Gage and Skye. As well as the one between Teague and Polly. Nothing is better than hanging out with your best friend, and it was great to see Ridgway aknowlege that.
I was a bit disappointed that Gage's career didn't make a big impact on the book. I kept waiting for the passages about Gage taking some kind of stunning pictures of the cove or one of the sunsets.
But, I gotta say, I loved the friendship between Gage and Skye. As well as the one between Teague and Polly. Nothing is better than hanging out with your best friend, and it was great to see Ridgway aknowlege that.
November 18, 2013
The twins are not the best characters, as the hero in this one shared quite a few faults that had already irritated me about his brother in the first book, mainly his inability and unwillingness to communicate.
Otherwise the story was rather sweet and I really liked how the hero helped the heroine to rebuild her self-confidence. The villain was obvious from a very long time and some events in the book, ie. talks about the treasure location with external witnesses around surprised me.
The secondary love story felt strange to me and one scene in which the kindergarten teacher got naked in front of her crush felt really strange and totally out of the blue. However I liked how they both came to acknowledge their feelings.
Otherwise the story was rather sweet and I really liked how the hero helped the heroine to rebuild her self-confidence. The villain was obvious from a very long time and some events in the book, ie. talks about the treasure location with external witnesses around surprised me.
The secondary love story felt strange to me and one scene in which the kindergarten teacher got naked in front of her crush felt really strange and totally out of the blue. However I liked how they both came to acknowledge their feelings.
June 23, 2013
Another solid 2.5, that's it for the whole series and same formula--two couples for an "A" and "B" story, first couple tied to some form of PTSD. In this case, the female heroine also has her own form after a traumatic home invasion.
Gage and Skye are likable enough as are Polly and Teague. This resolves a mystery thread along with the other issues. A bit of an epilogue that is very satisfying, then reverts back to the present time. Fine summer series but not compelling enough to reread.
Gage and Skye are likable enough as are Polly and Teague. This resolves a mystery thread along with the other issues. A bit of an epilogue that is very satisfying, then reverts back to the present time. Fine summer series but not compelling enough to reread.
March 31, 2013
This was a really fun, heartwarming romance that featured two love stories at once. I loved both couples, and was enchanted throughout the entire book. Ms. Ridgway is a favorite in the contemporary romance arena.
August 14, 2014
Boring love story. I love him. He loves me. But we can't be together. But we can't resist each other.
The writer's style of writing can't bring out the characters well.
It was so bad that I can't finish the book.
The writer's style of writing can't bring out the characters well.
It was so bad that I can't finish the book.
April 7, 2013
I really enjoyed this story, but could have lived with far fewer intimate scenes and far less description of them. Full review http://rannthisthat.blogspot.com/2013...
July 2, 2015
As soon as Griffin, Gage’s twin, made a big deal about Gage going to see Skye, that she’s different, I knew it was going to be a problem. I didn’t like that Skye had had problems with her ex-boyfriend Dalton and turned all jumpy and skittish like an abused woman expecting to be hit. It was really annoying. This is why I don’t like reading about characters with problems because it’s so annoying to me putting up with them. And there’s no mention in the back of the book that the female lead is dealing with issues and is scared of all men, like some big tragedy happened. I expected her to have been raped or something by the way she was acting. Skye screams when he gets there, like a scream of pure terror. I expect it to pick up immediately with what happened, but no, it’s hours later and they’re at the dinner table like nothing happened. It just goes unexplained. I could not fathom how the author could jump ahead in time after such a crazy scene with no explanation. And that theme was continued throughout the entire book.
It was so disgusting when Gage asks the name of her friend, Polly, and says she’s cute. And Skye gets mad and says Gage Gorge, where he gorges on snacks and food and sex. The whole scene was weird and disgusting. I felt like I was missing out on something, having not known it was a series I probably should have gone in order though I don’t feel like I missed out at all and so won’t be planning on reading any more in this series much less anything by this author. Skye actually calls him a man-ho if that tells you anything. Just perfect, my absolute least favorite type of male lead, the slutty, man-whore who has to have sex all the time, with so many different women, having one night stands because they gotta have sex. He says he likes sex and when he hasn’t had it in a while he wants to have some. I was so incredibly grossed out at that moment, knew I would never fully like him because of it. I’ve never come across anything like that after reading hundreds of romance books, can’t believe someone even came up with that, the male lead gorging on sex like it’s food that he has to have. Utterly disgusting.
He’s walking along the beach and sees her in her garden.
After that trashy little scene, where she leaves in a huff and should still be hurt, he sees her the very next morning! Yeah, the author is throwing them together that much.
He comes over for dinner and they have ice cream, and Skye has this moment where she stares at him after sucking the ice cream off the spoon, and the d.a. realizes what she’s been feeling is desire, not fear. Yeah, that should be pretty obvious. Geeze, how annoying. It’s been so long she forgot what it felt like.. cuz mistaking desire for fear is an easy occurrence.
She was so hot and cold. One second she’s stiffening up at shadows and voices, and the next she’s offering for him to come over for supper. It’s like a bipolar person wrote this. Pick one thing and stick with it, otherwise I’m thinking the character has a split personality disorder or something.
After they have ice cream at her house and almost kiss, the scene is abruptly ended as every other scene has been. The author literally can’t conclude a scene fully without jumping us forward to the next. Skye is standing in front of her car, and Gage comes up. It’s like déjà vu. He just keeps coming. They just keep seeing each other. They spend the day shopping, in which
Gage goes to kiss her when they’re at the tide pool, because this author is rushing things that fast, and Skye jumps and ends up falling in a tide pool. She laughs about it, saying she feels like an idiot, and he says she looks like one. He actually says that! How insensitive of him. If he knows women as good as the author makes him out to, then he should know something was wrong. His brother even told him she’s different, she screamed like a banshee when he walked up on her and scared her, and she’s clearly been acting weird since he got there, so he should be concerned for her, wondering if something is wrong, not saying she looked like an idiot falling down trying to get away from him, thwarted because they didn’t kiss. How immature and rude.
It takes her forever to realize the “low belly-clenching” is arousal and not fear, meanwhile I’ve already slapped her down as an idiot. I don’t do well with stupidity, and that was stupid. How can you not tell the difference between desire and fear? That’s idiotic.
Griffin, the one that told Skye the sordid details about Gage gorging himself on women, also supplies this little gem: “The only time he doesn’t have his camera is when he’s having sex, because it inhibits naked women because they think they’re going to be photographed.” And Gage steps in “with life’s too short to waste my time with inhibited women.” That’s made all the sweeter by the fact that Skye is inhibited. Wonder how he’s gonna waste his time with her. This was shaping up to be quite the trash pile.
As a twin I’m grossed out by the candid details the brothers share about their sex lives. Maybe being a male twin makes things different, or maybe the author just doesn’t know how twins really act and took it too far, because Griffin mentions fingering his fiancé, using nothing but his finger, and setting up other challenges where he gets her to come only touching her above the waist. Really good stuff. All this said because Gage makes a comment that having sex with the same person would be boring. Why don’t you take it a step further and just go ahead and have him give his twin brother a play by play of how he touches his wife, what she looks like, sounds like, and everything.
They were hot and cold in a way that didn’t even make sense. I could understand if there was a reason for the constant coming to him/running away emotions but there wasn’t, no reason at all. It was hard to follow. I didn’t know what the characters were going to do next. I had no idea, and what I expected them to do, they didn’t. So I ended up nearly every time not agreeing with what they did. And I didn’t like the women, and didn’t like the “horny” men, one of the author’s favorite words to use for them, either. The women I didn’t like either. I disliked Skye from the first moment she appeared in the book. Gage I disliked since his disgusting past of “gorging” on women and sex came up. So when you don’t like the main characters you don’t like the book. If you can’t get behind the main characters then the story falls apart, and you don’t believe in it and you don’t care about it.
Skye’s ex-boyfriend comes over while she’s cooking supper, and who should show up, for about the third time in 50 pages, but Gage, right in the nick of time. He just keeps coming to see her. It was getting really old. He pretends he was coming over for supper, and Skye lets him stay, not bothered by his male presence. She falls asleep and he wakes her up and she thinks he’s Polly, and he says not unless Polly has been hiding her dick. Skye says that’s crude, and boy was it, and he said that’s my middle name. Another fine character trait. Crass, crude, and lewd speaking.
The plot device was nothing more than the author stalling, starting and stopping topics, kicking things under the rug, and dragging things out. There was no plot and it’s clear the whole series is like this because all of her characters have hard pasts that they’re hung up on and emotionally traumatized from and they go to Crescent Cove to heal. So the author pins the whole story on that and just drags it out. Skye asks Gage once what happened to him, and he decides to have sex with her for their first time together to distract her. Yeah, that’s why they have sex the first time, so he can shut her up. Gage exhibits that kind of calculation throughout the whole book. He needs her as his siren, his lodestar, his talisman, the pen pal that writes to him and is a bright spot in dark times. Like he was using her. He said I don’t know how many times that he couldn’t ruin the relationship because he needed his lodestar. Sounds like user behavior to me, like it was about what she could do for him, how he would feel, not about her. I did think it was sweet in the beginning that Gage was willing to show her what desire felt like and reawake those feelings, but his sordid past just made it seem like he would be getting more sex out of the deal.
Polly seemed interesting, with her love for her male friend, while he thought himself in love with a married woman because of a glimpse of her on the beach. There was nothing other than that I was glad to note, so it was easy for him to get over Tess. Gage’s and Griffin’s sister who was married with kids. Polly was way too forward for my tastes tho, dropping her dress in front of Teague. He comes over sometime after and kisses her after he tells her what happened on the job as a firefighter. Polly completely gets into it despite everything, thinks over and over about telling him he isn’t wearing a condom, but can’t make her mouth work. He realized it and then, as if she hadn’t found a problem with it, says I’m thinking it’s ok. What?! This is a just a small hint of how wishy washy these women are. 1 second they’re one way, the next they’re another. One minute they’re thinking something and the next minute they’re doing the exact opposite. It’s like the worst roller coaster ride ever. I can’t stand reading a book where I don’t want to be in the author’s head because it’s like bipolar central where no one is acting normally and their characters seem to be on a perpetual Opposite Day.
The book switched over to Polly and Teague too much. While interesting, they should have had their own book to give them their appropriate due, and let Skye and Gage have their own story. I didn't like Teague's past and that firefighters get all this sex, women just throwing themselves at him. It was funny when she said she faked an injury when she saw this woman looking at him. Polly quickly became even more unlikable when she told Teague that she had issues and trouble with finding love in the wrong places. A girl gave her trouble at school and so she said and I quote "I fucked her daddy." What a train wreck and a home wrecker. That was so disgusting and I can't stand such a young girl, in high school, sleeping with older men, someone's dad. That's so disturbing to me and so off-putting. Then out of nowhere she moved in with Teague and they're getting married. That was moving pretty fast.
While Skye and Gage were having sex he says do you have something to ask me, Skye? You can. Like Edith asked Max. I loved that moment, that he was willing to give up his career for her and stay in Crescent Cove with her. I really liked that part. And I understood why she left the jewel from the story in there. She wanted the magic of the house to continue, but it’s a shame that it had to stay hidden under the house.
They had sex way too much. I was really getting tired of it. I wanted some substance to their relationship, and every time I turned around they were just having sex like animals. Sex isn’t everything, in fact, it’s pretty insubstantial and unimportant because of all the issues they needed to talk about. It didn’t mean anything and all the sex got really old. It was the same position every time, and I waited for Skye to want to be on top, you know, to show some growth that she’d gotten over her trauma.
I’m glad I bought it, and I’ll read it again sometime in the future. There were some good things, some nice moments between them. The chemistry was pretty good, especially the time Gage and her were at a restaurant or something, and he mentioned making love to her. I liked the sexual tension, I just wish Skye hadn't been so problematic and Gage hadn't had the past that he had.
It was so disgusting when Gage asks the name of her friend, Polly, and says she’s cute. And Skye gets mad and says Gage Gorge, where he gorges on snacks and food and sex. The whole scene was weird and disgusting. I felt like I was missing out on something, having not known it was a series I probably should have gone in order though I don’t feel like I missed out at all and so won’t be planning on reading any more in this series much less anything by this author. Skye actually calls him a man-ho if that tells you anything. Just perfect, my absolute least favorite type of male lead, the slutty, man-whore who has to have sex all the time, with so many different women, having one night stands because they gotta have sex. He says he likes sex and when he hasn’t had it in a while he wants to have some. I was so incredibly grossed out at that moment, knew I would never fully like him because of it. I’ve never come across anything like that after reading hundreds of romance books, can’t believe someone even came up with that, the male lead gorging on sex like it’s food that he has to have. Utterly disgusting.
He’s walking along the beach and sees her in her garden.
After that trashy little scene, where she leaves in a huff and should still be hurt, he sees her the very next morning! Yeah, the author is throwing them together that much.
He comes over for dinner and they have ice cream, and Skye has this moment where she stares at him after sucking the ice cream off the spoon, and the d.a. realizes what she’s been feeling is desire, not fear. Yeah, that should be pretty obvious. Geeze, how annoying. It’s been so long she forgot what it felt like.. cuz mistaking desire for fear is an easy occurrence.
She was so hot and cold. One second she’s stiffening up at shadows and voices, and the next she’s offering for him to come over for supper. It’s like a bipolar person wrote this. Pick one thing and stick with it, otherwise I’m thinking the character has a split personality disorder or something.
After they have ice cream at her house and almost kiss, the scene is abruptly ended as every other scene has been. The author literally can’t conclude a scene fully without jumping us forward to the next. Skye is standing in front of her car, and Gage comes up. It’s like déjà vu. He just keeps coming. They just keep seeing each other. They spend the day shopping, in which
Gage goes to kiss her when they’re at the tide pool, because this author is rushing things that fast, and Skye jumps and ends up falling in a tide pool. She laughs about it, saying she feels like an idiot, and he says she looks like one. He actually says that! How insensitive of him. If he knows women as good as the author makes him out to, then he should know something was wrong. His brother even told him she’s different, she screamed like a banshee when he walked up on her and scared her, and she’s clearly been acting weird since he got there, so he should be concerned for her, wondering if something is wrong, not saying she looked like an idiot falling down trying to get away from him, thwarted because they didn’t kiss. How immature and rude.
It takes her forever to realize the “low belly-clenching” is arousal and not fear, meanwhile I’ve already slapped her down as an idiot. I don’t do well with stupidity, and that was stupid. How can you not tell the difference between desire and fear? That’s idiotic.
Griffin, the one that told Skye the sordid details about Gage gorging himself on women, also supplies this little gem: “The only time he doesn’t have his camera is when he’s having sex, because it inhibits naked women because they think they’re going to be photographed.” And Gage steps in “with life’s too short to waste my time with inhibited women.” That’s made all the sweeter by the fact that Skye is inhibited. Wonder how he’s gonna waste his time with her. This was shaping up to be quite the trash pile.
As a twin I’m grossed out by the candid details the brothers share about their sex lives. Maybe being a male twin makes things different, or maybe the author just doesn’t know how twins really act and took it too far, because Griffin mentions fingering his fiancé, using nothing but his finger, and setting up other challenges where he gets her to come only touching her above the waist. Really good stuff. All this said because Gage makes a comment that having sex with the same person would be boring. Why don’t you take it a step further and just go ahead and have him give his twin brother a play by play of how he touches his wife, what she looks like, sounds like, and everything.
They were hot and cold in a way that didn’t even make sense. I could understand if there was a reason for the constant coming to him/running away emotions but there wasn’t, no reason at all. It was hard to follow. I didn’t know what the characters were going to do next. I had no idea, and what I expected them to do, they didn’t. So I ended up nearly every time not agreeing with what they did. And I didn’t like the women, and didn’t like the “horny” men, one of the author’s favorite words to use for them, either. The women I didn’t like either. I disliked Skye from the first moment she appeared in the book. Gage I disliked since his disgusting past of “gorging” on women and sex came up. So when you don’t like the main characters you don’t like the book. If you can’t get behind the main characters then the story falls apart, and you don’t believe in it and you don’t care about it.
Skye’s ex-boyfriend comes over while she’s cooking supper, and who should show up, for about the third time in 50 pages, but Gage, right in the nick of time. He just keeps coming to see her. It was getting really old. He pretends he was coming over for supper, and Skye lets him stay, not bothered by his male presence. She falls asleep and he wakes her up and she thinks he’s Polly, and he says not unless Polly has been hiding her dick. Skye says that’s crude, and boy was it, and he said that’s my middle name. Another fine character trait. Crass, crude, and lewd speaking.
The plot device was nothing more than the author stalling, starting and stopping topics, kicking things under the rug, and dragging things out. There was no plot and it’s clear the whole series is like this because all of her characters have hard pasts that they’re hung up on and emotionally traumatized from and they go to Crescent Cove to heal. So the author pins the whole story on that and just drags it out. Skye asks Gage once what happened to him, and he decides to have sex with her for their first time together to distract her. Yeah, that’s why they have sex the first time, so he can shut her up. Gage exhibits that kind of calculation throughout the whole book. He needs her as his siren, his lodestar, his talisman, the pen pal that writes to him and is a bright spot in dark times. Like he was using her. He said I don’t know how many times that he couldn’t ruin the relationship because he needed his lodestar. Sounds like user behavior to me, like it was about what she could do for him, how he would feel, not about her. I did think it was sweet in the beginning that Gage was willing to show her what desire felt like and reawake those feelings, but his sordid past just made it seem like he would be getting more sex out of the deal.
Polly seemed interesting, with her love for her male friend, while he thought himself in love with a married woman because of a glimpse of her on the beach. There was nothing other than that I was glad to note, so it was easy for him to get over Tess. Gage’s and Griffin’s sister who was married with kids. Polly was way too forward for my tastes tho, dropping her dress in front of Teague. He comes over sometime after and kisses her after he tells her what happened on the job as a firefighter. Polly completely gets into it despite everything, thinks over and over about telling him he isn’t wearing a condom, but can’t make her mouth work. He realized it and then, as if she hadn’t found a problem with it, says I’m thinking it’s ok. What?! This is a just a small hint of how wishy washy these women are. 1 second they’re one way, the next they’re another. One minute they’re thinking something and the next minute they’re doing the exact opposite. It’s like the worst roller coaster ride ever. I can’t stand reading a book where I don’t want to be in the author’s head because it’s like bipolar central where no one is acting normally and their characters seem to be on a perpetual Opposite Day.
The book switched over to Polly and Teague too much. While interesting, they should have had their own book to give them their appropriate due, and let Skye and Gage have their own story. I didn't like Teague's past and that firefighters get all this sex, women just throwing themselves at him. It was funny when she said she faked an injury when she saw this woman looking at him. Polly quickly became even more unlikable when she told Teague that she had issues and trouble with finding love in the wrong places. A girl gave her trouble at school and so she said and I quote "I fucked her daddy." What a train wreck and a home wrecker. That was so disgusting and I can't stand such a young girl, in high school, sleeping with older men, someone's dad. That's so disturbing to me and so off-putting. Then out of nowhere she moved in with Teague and they're getting married. That was moving pretty fast.
While Skye and Gage were having sex he says do you have something to ask me, Skye? You can. Like Edith asked Max. I loved that moment, that he was willing to give up his career for her and stay in Crescent Cove with her. I really liked that part. And I understood why she left the jewel from the story in there. She wanted the magic of the house to continue, but it’s a shame that it had to stay hidden under the house.
They had sex way too much. I was really getting tired of it. I wanted some substance to their relationship, and every time I turned around they were just having sex like animals. Sex isn’t everything, in fact, it’s pretty insubstantial and unimportant because of all the issues they needed to talk about. It didn’t mean anything and all the sex got really old. It was the same position every time, and I waited for Skye to want to be on top, you know, to show some growth that she’d gotten over her trauma.
I’m glad I bought it, and I’ll read it again sometime in the future. There were some good things, some nice moments between them. The chemistry was pretty good, especially the time Gage and her were at a restaurant or something, and he mentioned making love to her. I liked the sexual tension, I just wish Skye hadn't been so problematic and Gage hadn't had the past that he had.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2019
an awesome book it was better than the other two combined. I had been waiting so long for this story and it was worth the wait.
Gage and Skye had both been through traumatic events in the past few months and it shape them. they gave each other something in the end that's resolved all the problems they've been having with their selves and their minds.
Skye had it in her mind that she never wanted to be touched by anyone ever again especially men after she was tied up in her kitchen after home invasion. Gage was kidnapped in the Middle East by his guide and who wasn't who he thought he was and held hostage for two weeks in a very dark hole after light bulb went out. The only thing he had to keep him going was letters from Skye at first and then the image of her and the Cove when light bulb went out.
there was also the wedding with Griffin and Jane from book 1. I like games and Griffin's interaction with each other being Twins and all it was brotherly dysfunction at some point because Gage would not tell Griffin what happens but Griffin sound outs I'm his own contacts you made gauge promise when he was going back that he would be his contact if anything happened.
however thankfully Gage came to his senses at the very end. he did not go back like I knew he wouldn't even though there was a moment where I thought he was actually wanted to come after him and tie him down and make sure he did not leave Skye. It was back and forth of them on and off because of Gage's danger seeking. and then at the end he stayed because of her.
That ending dream that Skye had was awesome. I actually thought it was 10 years in the future when I was reading it and then she woke up and and she finally found what they were looking for from book two and a love story that also got resolved from years ago Skye's great-great-grandparents. she wasn't sure if it was what held the magic there so she put it back. also the people that had tied her up in her house was captured I also think they kind of helped Gage since they also knocked him in a hole and he overcame some of his fear. I did guess right on who was the culprit it was someone from book 2 you also was the one who was in the archived room who knocked the ones in book 2 down.
also Teague from book 1 and 2 finally got his self together as well. ended up with his best buddy Polly. they were just as back and forth as Gage and Skye on the on and off I love you but you don't see me as me front. I was so glad when they ended up engaged because I really deserved each other after all they have been through. I was glad to see Teague happily ever after. he had been hung up on Gage and Griffin sister Tess for the whole book trilogy until Polly pointed out that he only really liked her not loved her because she was what he could not have pretty much a safe bet.
After all of these books this is definitely my favorite as I said. I was sucked in from page one and I didn't want to put it down even when I had a headache because I've been reading so much. I'm really going to miss this place I can always go back I might just read books three or read them out of order I don't know yet it was awesome and I hate to see it come to an end.
Gage and Skye had both been through traumatic events in the past few months and it shape them. they gave each other something in the end that's resolved all the problems they've been having with their selves and their minds.
Skye had it in her mind that she never wanted to be touched by anyone ever again especially men after she was tied up in her kitchen after home invasion. Gage was kidnapped in the Middle East by his guide and who wasn't who he thought he was and held hostage for two weeks in a very dark hole after light bulb went out. The only thing he had to keep him going was letters from Skye at first and then the image of her and the Cove when light bulb went out.
there was also the wedding with Griffin and Jane from book 1. I like games and Griffin's interaction with each other being Twins and all it was brotherly dysfunction at some point because Gage would not tell Griffin what happens but Griffin sound outs I'm his own contacts you made gauge promise when he was going back that he would be his contact if anything happened.
however thankfully Gage came to his senses at the very end. he did not go back like I knew he wouldn't even though there was a moment where I thought he was actually wanted to come after him and tie him down and make sure he did not leave Skye. It was back and forth of them on and off because of Gage's danger seeking. and then at the end he stayed because of her.
That ending dream that Skye had was awesome. I actually thought it was 10 years in the future when I was reading it and then she woke up and and she finally found what they were looking for from book two and a love story that also got resolved from years ago Skye's great-great-grandparents. she wasn't sure if it was what held the magic there so she put it back. also the people that had tied her up in her house was captured I also think they kind of helped Gage since they also knocked him in a hole and he overcame some of his fear. I did guess right on who was the culprit it was someone from book 2 you also was the one who was in the archived room who knocked the ones in book 2 down.
also Teague from book 1 and 2 finally got his self together as well. ended up with his best buddy Polly. they were just as back and forth as Gage and Skye on the on and off I love you but you don't see me as me front. I was so glad when they ended up engaged because I really deserved each other after all they have been through. I was glad to see Teague happily ever after. he had been hung up on Gage and Griffin sister Tess for the whole book trilogy until Polly pointed out that he only really liked her not loved her because she was what he could not have pretty much a safe bet.
After all of these books this is definitely my favorite as I said. I was sucked in from page one and I didn't want to put it down even when I had a headache because I've been reading so much. I'm really going to miss this place I can always go back I might just read books three or read them out of order I don't know yet it was awesome and I hate to see it come to an end.
January 17, 2018
ALMOST PARADISE is the 4th installment to the awesome Almost series, and I think that this one was the best of them all! Gage and Skye have known each other for years and been pen pals who have shared their secrets and thoughts with each other. They each represent something important to the other and that is where the heartwarming part comes from. Gage has hidden depths and tries to shrug off the past that bothers him, but he immediately comes to Skye’s defense when he sees something is wrong with her. But can they move on from friends to something more?
Skye is a complex character that had me guessing throughout the story. She has hidden parts that she keeps close to her heart and battles fear every day. She isn’t sure if she can get back to who she is after something happens in her life, and Gage is not helping her either. He reawakens things inside her that she thought she had lost forever, and that scares her. As I read I knew there was something that happened to Skye, but what happened was not what I expected, or not fully. She keeps things close to her chest and has a very hard time trusting, but Gage breaks her defenses.
However, these two characters are both hard headed in their own way. Gage stubbornly refuses to explain what happened to him and what changed him, and Skye is the same way. In part this could have destroyed their HEA, but it was awesome to see how they both grew and overcame their issues to move on to their future. There were times that I teared up and times that I laughed and smiled with the characters. Another awesome thing … there is another couple that have their own HEA as well. There is danger and angst in the story, but what really pulled me in was the struggle between the two main characters and the way that moved on to the future. Definitely an awesome story!
eARC through L Woods PR
Skye is a complex character that had me guessing throughout the story. She has hidden parts that she keeps close to her heart and battles fear every day. She isn’t sure if she can get back to who she is after something happens in her life, and Gage is not helping her either. He reawakens things inside her that she thought she had lost forever, and that scares her. As I read I knew there was something that happened to Skye, but what happened was not what I expected, or not fully. She keeps things close to her chest and has a very hard time trusting, but Gage breaks her defenses.
However, these two characters are both hard headed in their own way. Gage stubbornly refuses to explain what happened to him and what changed him, and Skye is the same way. In part this could have destroyed their HEA, but it was awesome to see how they both grew and overcame their issues to move on to their future. There were times that I teared up and times that I laughed and smiled with the characters. Another awesome thing … there is another couple that have their own HEA as well. There is danger and angst in the story, but what really pulled me in was the struggle between the two main characters and the way that moved on to the future. Definitely an awesome story!
eARC through L Woods PR
January 16, 2018
4.5 stars
After reading this series, it makes me want to go to beach house #9 in Crescent Cove. It seems that is where all the magic happens.
In this book, there are two couples with a beautiful story. Gage has come to rest and relax before going back to his dangerous job oversees. He has been tortured and is need of some down time and wants to reconnect with Skye, his friend who has become his pen pal. Skye's letters are what held Gage together while suffering in another country. Skye has her own secret that she wants to keep from Gage and everyone. This poor girl broke my heart and I felt so bad for her. It seems Gage and Skye are perfect for each other because they are what each other needs to be able to heal and move on with their lives. I love how they reconnect, become close friends and confidants, because it turns into a beautiful romance.
Teague and Polly are the second couple that you can enjoy in this book. They have been friends for years, but Teague has put her in the friend zone. That's not what Polly wants at all and seeing that Teague believes she is the perfect and innocent woman, she proves to him she can be a little wild when needed. I was furious with Teague at times because I just wanted to shake him and make him open his eyes to see the beautiful Polly that is right in front of him. Standing up to Teague and showing him her sexy side is just what he needs to actually see Polly. Their friends to lovers romance comes together in a story you can't help but love.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and all of these characters. You feel like a part of Crescent Cove where you find good friends, family, and romance. I hate to see this series end.
After reading this series, it makes me want to go to beach house #9 in Crescent Cove. It seems that is where all the magic happens.
In this book, there are two couples with a beautiful story. Gage has come to rest and relax before going back to his dangerous job oversees. He has been tortured and is need of some down time and wants to reconnect with Skye, his friend who has become his pen pal. Skye's letters are what held Gage together while suffering in another country. Skye has her own secret that she wants to keep from Gage and everyone. This poor girl broke my heart and I felt so bad for her. It seems Gage and Skye are perfect for each other because they are what each other needs to be able to heal and move on with their lives. I love how they reconnect, become close friends and confidants, because it turns into a beautiful romance.
Teague and Polly are the second couple that you can enjoy in this book. They have been friends for years, but Teague has put her in the friend zone. That's not what Polly wants at all and seeing that Teague believes she is the perfect and innocent woman, she proves to him she can be a little wild when needed. I was furious with Teague at times because I just wanted to shake him and make him open his eyes to see the beautiful Polly that is right in front of him. Standing up to Teague and showing him her sexy side is just what he needs to actually see Polly. Their friends to lovers romance comes together in a story you can't help but love.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and all of these characters. You feel like a part of Crescent Cove where you find good friends, family, and romance. I hate to see this series end.
January 20, 2018
I really enjoyed reading Almost Paradise by Christie Ridgway, the fourth book in her Almost series. This story is a re-issue from her Beach House series with updates. Photojournalist and world traveler Gage Lowell returns to Crescent Cove for some R & R, where he spent many summers as a kid. Beach House No. 9 seems like a great place to relax after his latest harrowing adventure and he plans to surprise old friend and current pen pal, Skye Alexander, manager of these beachside properties. The last time they were together in person they had been kids. Over the years her letters kept them connected and they gave him hope while he was photographing war torn areas. Yet once he arrives, Skye doesn’t seem very happy to see him again. Skye knows she’s crazy to not be excited to spend time with the sexy Gage, but she believes he sees her as just a friend while she might actually be thinking of him in more intimate ways.
Secrets seem to be a theme for throughout this book as both Gage and Skye seem to have some. These two need to open their hearts up to each other and share their secrets so that they can help each other heal from the past. This is the only way they can find the happiness they need in their lives. This is a heartwarming romantic story about not letting the past stand in the way of future happiness. As an added bonus we also get the story of Skye’s friend Polly who has been in love with her best friend Teague for years but he has only had eyes for another.
Ms. Ridgway is a wonderful story teller, making me feel as if I was right there and making me want to spend time in Crescent Cove. Her books draw me in, making me forget the world around me, not wanting to put the book down until I turned the last page. I highly recommend this book to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Secrets seem to be a theme for throughout this book as both Gage and Skye seem to have some. These two need to open their hearts up to each other and share their secrets so that they can help each other heal from the past. This is the only way they can find the happiness they need in their lives. This is a heartwarming romantic story about not letting the past stand in the way of future happiness. As an added bonus we also get the story of Skye’s friend Polly who has been in love with her best friend Teague for years but he has only had eyes for another.
Ms. Ridgway is a wonderful story teller, making me feel as if I was right there and making me want to spend time in Crescent Cove. Her books draw me in, making me forget the world around me, not wanting to put the book down until I turned the last page. I highly recommend this book to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
January 17, 2018
Almost Paradise is the fourth book in this series and I have to say that I did enjoy it more than the Almost Everything (but I still really liked both).
This was the story of Gage and Skye. First off I LOVE the name Gage for some reason it is just one of those "hot" guy names LOL. Anyway, Gage grew up with Skye and he and Skye developed a pen pal relationship while he was off globe trotting as a photographer. He can't wait to come home for his twin brother's wedding and to spend some time with Skye.
I really enjoyed this one. I really like both Gage and Skye. They were both broken people who have their own demons but neither really had someone that they felt they could confide in... until they confide in each other. I think that they made a great couple.
I LOVE that Ms. Ridgway has a secondary love story in the books. This was about Teague and Polly. I really liked Teague although I wanted to throat punch him a couple times there and my heart just broke for Polly. I really liked their friends to lovers story.
Overall this was a good read. The pacing was good, The flow was very good. It was very predictable. I knew who the "bad" guys were pretty much from the first time the person was mentioned. And I pretty much guessed what was wrong with Skye, while normally that would bother me, I wasn't to bothered this go around as by reading Almost Everything, I got a sense of the author's writing and so it wasn't shocking to me.
The Characters were good, very likable. Good Read if you are looking for a sweet romance with not a TON of angst. Plus we also get our HEA as well. 4 stars
This was the story of Gage and Skye. First off I LOVE the name Gage for some reason it is just one of those "hot" guy names LOL. Anyway, Gage grew up with Skye and he and Skye developed a pen pal relationship while he was off globe trotting as a photographer. He can't wait to come home for his twin brother's wedding and to spend some time with Skye.
I really enjoyed this one. I really like both Gage and Skye. They were both broken people who have their own demons but neither really had someone that they felt they could confide in... until they confide in each other. I think that they made a great couple.
I LOVE that Ms. Ridgway has a secondary love story in the books. This was about Teague and Polly. I really liked Teague although I wanted to throat punch him a couple times there and my heart just broke for Polly. I really liked their friends to lovers story.
Overall this was a good read. The pacing was good, The flow was very good. It was very predictable. I knew who the "bad" guys were pretty much from the first time the person was mentioned. And I pretty much guessed what was wrong with Skye, while normally that would bother me, I wasn't to bothered this go around as by reading Almost Everything, I got a sense of the author's writing and so it wasn't shocking to me.
The Characters were good, very likable. Good Read if you are looking for a sweet romance with not a TON of angst. Plus we also get our HEA as well. 4 stars
August 19, 2021
Gage Lowell è un fotoreporter di guerra e per trovare pace e tranquillità dopo essere sopravvissuto ad un sequestro durato ben due settimane, decide di tornare a Crescent Cove, piccola località di mare dove ha passato svariate estati della sua infanzia. Un altro motivo importante per cui ritorna è Skye Alexander, amica di penna che non vede da anni. Le lettere di Skye sono l’unico motivo per cui è rimasto lucido durante il sequestro, sono state la sua luce infondo al tunnel. Skye ha subito un trauma e ora soffre di attacchi di panico tutte le volte che un uomo le si avvicina ma non con Gage.
Gli altri due protagonisti della nostra storia sono Polly, la maestra dell’asilo della cittadina e Teague un pompiere. Sono migliori amici da anni ma Polly è innamorata di lui da una vita ma non sembra rendersene conto perché pensa di essere innamorato della sorella maggiore di Gage, già felicemente sposata con quattro figli.
Questo harmony mi è piaciuto tantissimo, una storia avvincente, alle prime pagine ero curiosissima riguardo a Skye e al suo trauma. Non riuscivo a staccarmi, volevo capire cosa fosse successo. Anche Gage ha subito un trauma ma è convinto di tornare in zona di guerra a finire quello che aveva iniziato.
Ad essere sincera ho apprezzato di più la storia secondaria, quella di Poppy e del suo amore apparentemente non corrisposto per Teague. Lui duro di comprendonio fino alla fine, si è reso conto quello che provava per lei proprio quando rischiava di perderla.
⭐️⭐️⭐️,5
January 17, 2018
Almost Paradise (Book 4) by Christie Ridgway is a re-issued book that was part of the Beach House series. I am not sure how much revision has been done since I never read that series. I have enjoyed the retitled Almost Series, thinking that the new title fits this set of books.
Like the others, Skye and Gage have had regrets that were events earlier turned out from the way that they had Almost thought that they would. Now they have an opportunity to have a new beginning that is Almost what they thought that they wanted but is totally what they needed.
There is a second romance happening between Teague and Polly who have issues of their own. It is not unusual for Ms. Ridgway to have friends of the main couple also have their story too. I enjoy seeing each person would through the problems that they have and find happiness with their love.
Almost Paradise flows smoothly even with two romances going on. The emotional tension is high with great character development. These are characters with real issues that must be dealt with if they are to move forward in their lives. You can’t help but root for them to do exactly that. It was a pleasure to see that Gage’s twin Griffin had done just that with Jayne (Almost Everything, book 3), as Gage has his story too.
The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book
Like the others, Skye and Gage have had regrets that were events earlier turned out from the way that they had Almost thought that they would. Now they have an opportunity to have a new beginning that is Almost what they thought that they wanted but is totally what they needed.
There is a second romance happening between Teague and Polly who have issues of their own. It is not unusual for Ms. Ridgway to have friends of the main couple also have their story too. I enjoy seeing each person would through the problems that they have and find happiness with their love.
Almost Paradise flows smoothly even with two romances going on. The emotional tension is high with great character development. These are characters with real issues that must be dealt with if they are to move forward in their lives. You can’t help but root for them to do exactly that. It was a pleasure to see that Gage’s twin Griffin had done just that with Jayne (Almost Everything, book 3), as Gage has his story too.
The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book
January 7, 2018
Gage has come back to the peaceful place of his childhood, the Cove. He needs the peace to help him recover his zest for life & photography. His brother Griffin's discussions about how much being at the Cove had helped him, made Gage hope it would do the same for him. Plus, Skye would be there. Skye was a childhood friend that had been corresponding with him for years. He couldn't wait to surprise her.
Skye has had a secret for years and another secret for a short time. She has harbored a secret love for Gage since they were kids. Sending letters was safe since he was halfway across the world. He just thought she was being a good buddy. After all, he could have any woman he wanted
This story concentrates on Gage & Skye but a second couple is also working for their HEA. Both Gage & Skye have terrors they aren't willing to discuss with anyone. I like how neither of them made the other feel weak or insignificant but managed to help the other deal with everything. The characters have many sides/faces & they both have to work on their fears. The interactions between the characters are realistic & in many cases, emotional. The plot moves at a perfect pace & sets up the ending nicely. Another great read by Ms. Ridgway!
Skye has had a secret for years and another secret for a short time. She has harbored a secret love for Gage since they were kids. Sending letters was safe since he was halfway across the world. He just thought she was being a good buddy. After all, he could have any woman he wanted
This story concentrates on Gage & Skye but a second couple is also working for their HEA. Both Gage & Skye have terrors they aren't willing to discuss with anyone. I like how neither of them made the other feel weak or insignificant but managed to help the other deal with everything. The characters have many sides/faces & they both have to work on their fears. The interactions between the characters are realistic & in many cases, emotional. The plot moves at a perfect pace & sets up the ending nicely. Another great read by Ms. Ridgway!
January 7, 2018
Gage has come back to the peaceful place of his childhood, the Cove. He needs the peace to help him recover his zest for life & photography. His brother Griffin's discussions about how much being at the Cove had helped him, made Gage hope it would do the same for him. Plus, Skye would be there. Skye was a childhood friend that had been corresponding with him for years. He couldn't wait to surprise her.
Skye has had a secret for years and another secret for a short time. She has harbored a secret love for Gage since they were kids. Sending letters was safe since he was halfway across the world. He just thought she was being a good buddy. After all, he could have any woman he wanted
This story concentrates on Gage & Skye but a second couple is also working for their HEA. Both Gage & Skye have terrors they aren't willing to discuss with anyone. I like how neither of them made the other feel weak or insignificant but managed to help the other deal with everything. The characters have many sides/faces & they both have to work on their fears. The interactions between the characters are realistic & in many cases, emotional. The plot moves at a perfect pace & sets up the ending nicely. Another great read by Ms. Ridgway!
Skye has had a secret for years and another secret for a short time. She has harbored a secret love for Gage since they were kids. Sending letters was safe since he was halfway across the world. He just thought she was being a good buddy. After all, he could have any woman he wanted
This story concentrates on Gage & Skye but a second couple is also working for their HEA. Both Gage & Skye have terrors they aren't willing to discuss with anyone. I like how neither of them made the other feel weak or insignificant but managed to help the other deal with everything. The characters have many sides/faces & they both have to work on their fears. The interactions between the characters are realistic & in many cases, emotional. The plot moves at a perfect pace & sets up the ending nicely. Another great read by Ms. Ridgway!
January 16, 2018
5 Star Review by Jodi for Ruby Red Romance Review
I want to start this review by saying I'm extremely sad to see this series end. I have loved all the books in this series. Christie Ridgway has done an amazing job making these characters feel real. Like all books in this series, we are back at Crescent Cove and Beach House No. 9. Gage is has come to the Cove for his brother's wedding. Gage is looking forward to rest and catching up with childhood friend Skye. Skye has helped Gage through so much by sending him letters. The only problem is, they both have secrets. Things that haunt them both. Neither wants to talk about them. In the end, they have to decide if they can come clean and move on or let the past define them.
This story also has a second couple, Polly and Teague. Polly has a thing for her best friend, but Teague doesn't see it until it's almost too late. I like seeing them get their HEA.
I hope you will check this story out. I have fallen in love with these characters. I feel like I'm emotionally invested in these characters. These stories are emotional and realistic. While I'm sad to see this series end, I'm excited to see what Christie Ridgway has to come in the future.
I want to start this review by saying I'm extremely sad to see this series end. I have loved all the books in this series. Christie Ridgway has done an amazing job making these characters feel real. Like all books in this series, we are back at Crescent Cove and Beach House No. 9. Gage is has come to the Cove for his brother's wedding. Gage is looking forward to rest and catching up with childhood friend Skye. Skye has helped Gage through so much by sending him letters. The only problem is, they both have secrets. Things that haunt them both. Neither wants to talk about them. In the end, they have to decide if they can come clean and move on or let the past define them.
This story also has a second couple, Polly and Teague. Polly has a thing for her best friend, but Teague doesn't see it until it's almost too late. I like seeing them get their HEA.
I hope you will check this story out. I have fallen in love with these characters. I feel like I'm emotionally invested in these characters. These stories are emotional and realistic. While I'm sad to see this series end, I'm excited to see what Christie Ridgway has to come in the future.
April 1, 2018
Really loved this book the first time I read it when it was part of the Beach House #9 Series, which introduced me to Christie's wonderful writing; and now I loved it even more the second time around. Gage and Skye were childhood friends who became pen pals when he became a photo journalist who traveled all over. Her letters helped him thru some pretty terrifying situations, especially this last one. He needed some R & R, so he headed home to Crescent Cove to surprise his pen pal, who little did he know, she had her own personal trauma to overcome. He also didn't know that when he made the reservation,under an assumed name, to surprise Skye; that his twin brother Griffen would be getting married at Beach House #9 at that time. Gage and Skye always had a connection and now an attraction that when they quit denying it was hot, steamy and explosive. They in turn helped each other overcome their traumas and found true love in the process. I also enjoyed Teague and Polly's Friends to True Love story too. This was a great way to end the series. I highly recommend this book and series and anything written by Christie Ridgway. Her writing has a way of grabbing your heart. I received a ARC of this book in exchange for my voluntary review.
January 11, 2018
This is the 4th book in the "Almost" series which is a re-release of the Beach House No. 9 series.
After being MIA, photojournalist Gage Lowell returns to Crescent Cove for some R&R and his twin brother's nuptials. He is also eager to see his childhood friend and pen pal Skye Alexander. Her letters have kept his balanced while he was globe trotting the world. But he finds that something is wrong with Skye and while he tries to find out what happened to her, he has his own secret that he is keeping from her and his family. Meanwhile, Skye's friend and neighbor, Polly has been in love with her best friend, firefighter Teague White, but he has only had eyes for Gage's married sister, Tess. Now he suddenly realized that he has romantic feelings for his "best friend who was a girl", just has she has given up on him and tells him to get out of her life.
All four of these people have trust issues to overcome. Will the power of Crescent Cove and especially Beach House No 9 help them open to the other, or will they all blow their chance at love?
I received a free advanced copy as part of the author's Facebook group.
After being MIA, photojournalist Gage Lowell returns to Crescent Cove for some R&R and his twin brother's nuptials. He is also eager to see his childhood friend and pen pal Skye Alexander. Her letters have kept his balanced while he was globe trotting the world. But he finds that something is wrong with Skye and while he tries to find out what happened to her, he has his own secret that he is keeping from her and his family. Meanwhile, Skye's friend and neighbor, Polly has been in love with her best friend, firefighter Teague White, but he has only had eyes for Gage's married sister, Tess. Now he suddenly realized that he has romantic feelings for his "best friend who was a girl", just has she has given up on him and tells him to get out of her life.
All four of these people have trust issues to overcome. Will the power of Crescent Cove and especially Beach House No 9 help them open to the other, or will they all blow their chance at love?
I received a free advanced copy as part of the author's Facebook group.
January 17, 2018
I was waiting for Gage and Skye's story. This is the fourth in the Almost series. But while in a series, you can read the stories independently. Though they are better if you read all of them. Gage returns to Crescent Cove after being out of country taking photos for an extended period of time. Crescent Cove is where he spent his childhood summers. In previous books, we met his twin brother and his sister. He experienced a nightmare event on his last trip that he hasn't shared with anyone. Skye had been in touch through letters in recent months. the two shared a lot of private thoughts. Skye had her own nightmare event in her home in the recent past as well. Upon Gage's return, the two finally got to see each other face to face as adults. The letters they exchanged built a layer of trust in each other that they didn't realize. When they got to spend time together in person, their relationship built from there. Both found someone they could trust sharing their nightmares with. I enjoyed their story and how their friendship grew into something more. I received an advance copy for an honest review.
January 8, 2018
A sweet romance full of healing, trust and love. I love how we get more then one love story from Christie Ridgway. Not only do you get Skye and Gage's friends to love but you also get Polly and Teague's friends to love story too. Skye and Gage are the main focus in Almost Paradise. Friends since childhood turned later to pen pals once Gage is away doing war photography. All focus on Crescent Cove and the healing powers that it possesses. Beach House No. 9 seems to have a special power to all that stay there for both love and healing. Both Gage and Skye have been traumatized in different ways. You ache for them. You feel the chemistry and pull for them to be able to heal and find peace within themselves. Once Skye and Gage come together you just swoon a little more. Add Polly and Teague finally finding love right in front of them and healing of their own you get a beautiful and sweet story. Almost Paradise is just another wonderful story in this series that I've grown to love so much.
January 27, 2018
The final book of the “Almost” series (#4) does not disappoint. World traveler and photojournalist Gage Lowell (Griffin’s twin from book #2) returns to Crescent Cove for the wedding of his twin brother as well as time to rest and reflect. He had been writing to his pen pal, Skye Alexander, for the past year and decides to surprise her with his visit. Skye is the manager of the beachside properties, a job she inherited from her father. After the first moment of shock (well, scream) when she sees Gage, Skye knows that there is no way that a man like Gage could possibly be interested in her and is determined that they will just be friends. An incident in Skye’s past has made true intimacy with a man unlikely or maybe not - with Gage? Lovely finish to this series and the “Almost” Epilogue is pure Christie Ridgway. Enjoy! I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
January 23, 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this title and voluntarily reviewed it.
Wow! Christie Rigeway’s books seem to be getting better and better with each book! I loved this book and had trouble finding places to stop for food, sleep and work. Ms. Ridgway always starts her books with action and lots of intrigue. This book hooked me at the beginning and never let go.
Even with all of her intrigue and twists and turns, there is no shortage of beautiful descriptive language.
“The blue sky was tempura-paint bright and the sun smiled like a benign god from its place within it.”
This is the story of two imperfect couples who find each other and attempt to move past the problems. I love that there is some intrigue in this, and, even though I figured out why the committed the crime, I never had a hint of who it was.
I highly recommend this book. You will not be able to put it down.
Wow! Christie Rigeway’s books seem to be getting better and better with each book! I loved this book and had trouble finding places to stop for food, sleep and work. Ms. Ridgway always starts her books with action and lots of intrigue. This book hooked me at the beginning and never let go.
Even with all of her intrigue and twists and turns, there is no shortage of beautiful descriptive language.
“The blue sky was tempura-paint bright and the sun smiled like a benign god from its place within it.”
This is the story of two imperfect couples who find each other and attempt to move past the problems. I love that there is some intrigue in this, and, even though I figured out why the committed the crime, I never had a hint of who it was.
I highly recommend this book. You will not be able to put it down.
February 5, 2018
Christie Ridgway has done it again. I so love the fact that she gives us two romances in one book. Beach House #9 is working it's magic again. Gage has returned to try to recover a bit from his overseas adventures of photographing war torn areas. His pen pal, Skye, has helped him to keep going and he is eager to meet up with her once more. Unfortunately, she doesn't seem as excited to see him. They both have problems and secrets that the need to share with each other in order to help each other heal. Can Skye get Gage to think of her as more than a pen pal.
The second romantic pair in the book are Polly and Teague. Polly has to get Teague to see her as more than a friend. Once again, Ridgway has done justice to both love stories in the one book! You can't help but love the double dose. I do anyway!
The second romantic pair in the book are Polly and Teague. Polly has to get Teague to see her as more than a friend. Once again, Ridgway has done justice to both love stories in the one book! You can't help but love the double dose. I do anyway!
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