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Sanctuary Island #2
Shoreline Drive
Dr. Ben Faulkner is a veterinarian on warm, welcoming Sanctuary Island, a refuge for wild horses. Though he's dedicated his life to healing animals and rescuing the ones no one wants, Ben is nursing deep wounds of his own. After tragedy tore his family apart, he gave up his dreams of finding happiness long ago…until Merry Preston arrives on the island. Vivacious, friendly, and instantly loveable, Merry is everything Ben is not. She's also nine months pregnant and attempting to carve out a new life for herself and her unborn child.
SHORELINE DRIVE
Though Ben tries to keep his distance, when a raging storm cuts them off from the mainland, he's forced to help bring her new baby into the world. It's a harrowing experience that leaves him with one great certainty: I want these two to be my family. Seeing his opportunity, he makes a dramatic proposal to the young mother: a marriage of convenience. If Merry marries him, he'll draw up a contract naming her son as his heir and promising to provide for them both. But as they'll learn, love is more than a business proposition…and it'll take all the magic hidden in Sanctuary Island to turn Ben's proposal into something real and lasting.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 28, 2014
22 people are currently reading
1171 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
February 26, 2014
Recommended Read! Also posted at TBR Mountain Range.
Fall in love with a cranky veterinarian, right along with the woman and child who capture his heart.
When Meredith "Merry" Preston names her baby Alexander, using Dr. Ben Fairfax's middle name, Ben is emotionally tied to her and her son. It is hard enough that as a vet he delivers a human baby, bringing back all the bad memories from his past. When there is no time to get Merry off the island, the vet does what's necessary which invariably attaches his heart to them against his will.
Pregnant Merry came to Sanctuary with her sister to get to know her estranged mother. She never expects to fall in love with the island enough to stay, but the chance to get to know her mother and raise her child on this harmonious island is too tempting to pass up. Merry eventually realizes that too much togetherness is cramping her own mothering style.
When Ben proposes a marriage of convenience to give Merry the freedom she craves, she can't deny it's a good idea. Except for one thing. How can she keep her distance from the man she's so very attracted to and not risk her heart while they're living life together?
I have been impatiently waiting for Ben and Merry's story since I finished book one, SANCTUARY ISLAND. The best part? It was even better than I anticipated.
Ben and Merry are both quirky characters which are my favorite kind. Ben is the cranky veterinarian who seems at odds with people, yet his kindness shines through when he's caring for animals. He hides behind his job so he won't have to care for anyone else, after a tragedy left him incapable of love. But Merry and her baby sneak through his defenses and turn his world upside down. Merry feels for Ben's need for an heir, so his reasoning for their marriage of convenience seems sensible, but is it the truth? Will she agree to this façade of a marriage or try to make it on her own alone?
In addition to Merry and Ben's story, there's a budding teen romance to enjoy, along with appearances of other favorite characters from book one. Second to this adorable couple, the animals steal the show. If you love country veterinary stories, this one won't disappoint.
Although SHORELINE DRIVE can be read as a standalone novel, don't cheat yourself out of the fun of reading book one and two together. Rarely do I rate two books in a series as recommended reads, let alone two in a row, so don't miss reading both of these engaging contemporary stories for a weekend of happy-ever-after book bliss!
Adorable chemistry with sarcastic laugh-out-loud wit threaded seamlessly throughout the novel, SHORELINE DRIVE is a perfect feel-good contemporary romance. This island's idiosyncratic characters and their bonded friendships once again come alive with the exquisite storytelling skills of Lily Everett. Highly recommended!
Reviewed by Dorine, courtesy of Romance Junkies.
Fall in love with a cranky veterinarian, right along with the woman and child who capture his heart.
When Meredith "Merry" Preston names her baby Alexander, using Dr. Ben Fairfax's middle name, Ben is emotionally tied to her and her son. It is hard enough that as a vet he delivers a human baby, bringing back all the bad memories from his past. When there is no time to get Merry off the island, the vet does what's necessary which invariably attaches his heart to them against his will.
Pregnant Merry came to Sanctuary with her sister to get to know her estranged mother. She never expects to fall in love with the island enough to stay, but the chance to get to know her mother and raise her child on this harmonious island is too tempting to pass up. Merry eventually realizes that too much togetherness is cramping her own mothering style.
When Ben proposes a marriage of convenience to give Merry the freedom she craves, she can't deny it's a good idea. Except for one thing. How can she keep her distance from the man she's so very attracted to and not risk her heart while they're living life together?
I have been impatiently waiting for Ben and Merry's story since I finished book one, SANCTUARY ISLAND. The best part? It was even better than I anticipated.
Ben and Merry are both quirky characters which are my favorite kind. Ben is the cranky veterinarian who seems at odds with people, yet his kindness shines through when he's caring for animals. He hides behind his job so he won't have to care for anyone else, after a tragedy left him incapable of love. But Merry and her baby sneak through his defenses and turn his world upside down. Merry feels for Ben's need for an heir, so his reasoning for their marriage of convenience seems sensible, but is it the truth? Will she agree to this façade of a marriage or try to make it on her own alone?
In addition to Merry and Ben's story, there's a budding teen romance to enjoy, along with appearances of other favorite characters from book one. Second to this adorable couple, the animals steal the show. If you love country veterinary stories, this one won't disappoint.
Although SHORELINE DRIVE can be read as a standalone novel, don't cheat yourself out of the fun of reading book one and two together. Rarely do I rate two books in a series as recommended reads, let alone two in a row, so don't miss reading both of these engaging contemporary stories for a weekend of happy-ever-after book bliss!
Adorable chemistry with sarcastic laugh-out-loud wit threaded seamlessly throughout the novel, SHORELINE DRIVE is a perfect feel-good contemporary romance. This island's idiosyncratic characters and their bonded friendships once again come alive with the exquisite storytelling skills of Lily Everett. Highly recommended!
Reviewed by Dorine, courtesy of Romance Junkies.
April 23, 2019
3.25 stars
This was a nice, quiet and sweet read. The gruff hero proposes a MOC with the heroine as he likes her and adores her son. The hero has given up on the idea of having his own kids after he lost his newborn daughter. I liked this book but in the end it became so soapy, the hero's parents getting the bio-dad and the heroine kind of acting stupid about that. I also felt the issue of the hero never wanting kids was just left hanging. All in all a nice read but nothing spectacular.
This was a nice, quiet and sweet read. The gruff hero proposes a MOC with the heroine as he likes her and adores her son. The hero has given up on the idea of having his own kids after he lost his newborn daughter. I liked this book but in the end it became so soapy, the hero's parents getting the bio-dad and the heroine kind of acting stupid about that. I also felt the issue of the hero never wanting kids was just left hanging. All in all a nice read but nothing spectacular.
January 25, 2014
I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
After reading Shoreline Drive I will buy any book that Lily Everett publishes. Her writing style is fantastic, her characters are well developed, and the storyline flows seamlessly. The story contains Ben, very alpha male, and Merry, a single mom that wants for her child what she never had. I think I fell in love with Ben from the very first chapter. He is gruff and says what he thinks, but when you read from his point of view, you just melt. He has a hard exterior and a very soft, romantic heart. Merry is tough, sensible, and perfect for Ben. Their story is realistic, not insta-love, and not always easy. The angst is light, but the love is real. A very sweet romance where the steamy scenes start, but are finished behind closed doors. Grab this book, find a comfortable spot, and enjoy the world of Shoreline Drive!
After reading Shoreline Drive I will buy any book that Lily Everett publishes. Her writing style is fantastic, her characters are well developed, and the storyline flows seamlessly. The story contains Ben, very alpha male, and Merry, a single mom that wants for her child what she never had. I think I fell in love with Ben from the very first chapter. He is gruff and says what he thinks, but when you read from his point of view, you just melt. He has a hard exterior and a very soft, romantic heart. Merry is tough, sensible, and perfect for Ben. Their story is realistic, not insta-love, and not always easy. The angst is light, but the love is real. A very sweet romance where the steamy scenes start, but are finished behind closed doors. Grab this book, find a comfortable spot, and enjoy the world of Shoreline Drive!
December 5, 2025
A nice continuation from book 1 - the prologue, in fact, takes place concurrently with the end of that one. I liked Ben and Merry in the first book and I like them even more as the focus. This kind of slow-burn romance trope tends to work for me, even though it is absolutely the funniest thing on paper. Like, okay, you've secretly fallen in love with a single mom of a newborn and desperately want them to be your family. Next step?
I know the man has a tragic past , but bro. Grady, come back and talk sense into your bestie.
But I still liked Ben, despite his grumpiness and pride in being so, especially after he was revealed to not only live in a beautiful house on a nice piece of tucked-away land, he fills that land with rescue animals, including SEVEN DOGS at the time of Merry's arrival. Sadly, the dogs get zero focus outside of that scene, but at least the idea is there.
Similarly, until the last quarter there's only one real scene of vet work -- a severely neglected stallion brought to board at Jo Ellen's by an old friend, Sam, who will be the hero of the next book -- but it's a good one, and not just because it ends with Ben being kicked in the head and going home with a possible concussion (which necessitates being watched over by Merry, and leads to their technical first kiss when he wakes up and assumes he's dreaming). We do finally get a good sighting of the wild horses toward the end, in addition to another visit to the barn as Java prepares to be transported out.
I have lost all interest in Teen Troublemaker Taylor, whose existence I forgot entirely between books, and her scenes largely felt like filler.
But bottom line, this is just a pleasant feel-good series. I would still like to continue at least to books 3 & 4, given all the setup threads I can now see being launched, but I have no idea when since those are no longer at the library or even on Libby (AND, somehow, the ebooks are weirdly more expensive than buying a physical copy). Even this, I had to listen to as an audiobook for lack of any other options, and honestly I didn't really like that format -- narrator Julia Gibson is fine but doesn't do the most convincing male voice for Ben as opposed to just sounding hoarse, so I ended up listening to this on 1.25x.
Admit your feelings/ask her on a date: ❌
Propose a convoluted intimacy/feelings-free marriage of convenience and hope she falls in love with you through forced proximity: ✅
I know the man has a tragic past , but bro. Grady, come back and talk sense into your bestie.
But I still liked Ben, despite his grumpiness and pride in being so, especially after he was revealed to not only live in a beautiful house on a nice piece of tucked-away land, he fills that land with rescue animals, including SEVEN DOGS at the time of Merry's arrival. Sadly, the dogs get zero focus outside of that scene, but at least the idea is there.
Similarly, until the last quarter there's only one real scene of vet work -- a severely neglected stallion brought to board at Jo Ellen's by an old friend, Sam, who will be the hero of the next book -- but it's a good one, and not just because it ends with Ben being kicked in the head and going home with a possible concussion (which necessitates being watched over by Merry, and leads to their technical first kiss when he wakes up and assumes he's dreaming). We do finally get a good sighting of the wild horses toward the end, in addition to another visit to the barn as Java prepares to be transported out.
I have lost all interest in Teen Troublemaker Taylor, whose existence I forgot entirely between books, and her scenes largely felt like filler.
But bottom line, this is just a pleasant feel-good series. I would still like to continue at least to books 3 & 4, given all the setup threads I can now see being launched, but I have no idea when since those are no longer at the library or even on Libby (AND, somehow, the ebooks are weirdly more expensive than buying a physical copy). Even this, I had to listen to as an audiobook for lack of any other options, and honestly I didn't really like that format -- narrator Julia Gibson is fine but doesn't do the most convincing male voice for Ben as opposed to just sounding hoarse, so I ended up listening to this on 1.25x.
January 27, 2014
I really, really liked this book. When crusty but hunky veterinarian Ben delivers Merry's baby, the attraction he has to her deepens and he instantly bonds with her baby Alex. Merry is having problems living with her mother from whom she has been estranged for many years until recently. When Ben proposes, Merry agrees to a marriage of convenience with a one year wait to adopt Alex.
Having read the previous book and all of the novellas, I knew I would like this book. Marriage of convenience is a romance novel classic and can be boring if not done right. Ms. Everett puts just enough angst in the book to make it interesting but not frustrating. Ben is a wounded soul who has sorrow in his past and a horrible relationship with his parents. Merry is full of insecurities but is trying her best to be the mother she always hoped to have for herself. I appreciated the fact that they were pretty honest with each other and handled finding out things about each other's past with empathy and maturity (for the most part).
There was great chemistry between them which deepens into love. The secondary characters were perfect to add to the story especially Ben's snooty parents.
I'm anticipating reading the next Billionaire Brother book in July. This will be the fourth Brother novella set in Sanctuary Island.
Having read the previous book and all of the novellas, I knew I would like this book. Marriage of convenience is a romance novel classic and can be boring if not done right. Ms. Everett puts just enough angst in the book to make it interesting but not frustrating. Ben is a wounded soul who has sorrow in his past and a horrible relationship with his parents. Merry is full of insecurities but is trying her best to be the mother she always hoped to have for herself. I appreciated the fact that they were pretty honest with each other and handled finding out things about each other's past with empathy and maturity (for the most part).
There was great chemistry between them which deepens into love. The secondary characters were perfect to add to the story especially Ben's snooty parents.
I'm anticipating reading the next Billionaire Brother book in July. This will be the fourth Brother novella set in Sanctuary Island.
February 17, 2014
Shoreline Drive is the kind of novel that keeps you engaged from start to finish. When you first meet the characters, you know that they are warm and ready to embrace the reader and invite you into their lives.
From the beginning I was whisked away by this author's writing style. Her words flow easily into the mind and allow you to fall into the story without hangups or missteps. I liked the descriptions she used of the island and of the horses, as well as the detail she put into the creation of her characters. The setting was beautiful and at certain points in the novel, I felt like I was right there with the characters.
This was my first book by Lily Everett, but I would be happy to return to this series and learn more about the lives of the characters. It was somewhat reminiscent to me of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series in the regard that the families are all interconnected and one event creates another within the small town atmosphere.
I would have to say that Ben was my favourite character out of them all.He is the perfect lead for a contemporary romance, strong when he needs to be, silent and observant and the kind of man that you want to capture the heart of the female lead. I didn't love Sam, but perhaps that will change in future books.
Overall this was a very pleasant read and one I am happy that I didn't miss.
From the beginning I was whisked away by this author's writing style. Her words flow easily into the mind and allow you to fall into the story without hangups or missteps. I liked the descriptions she used of the island and of the horses, as well as the detail she put into the creation of her characters. The setting was beautiful and at certain points in the novel, I felt like I was right there with the characters.
This was my first book by Lily Everett, but I would be happy to return to this series and learn more about the lives of the characters. It was somewhat reminiscent to me of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series in the regard that the families are all interconnected and one event creates another within the small town atmosphere.
I would have to say that Ben was my favourite character out of them all.He is the perfect lead for a contemporary romance, strong when he needs to be, silent and observant and the kind of man that you want to capture the heart of the female lead. I didn't love Sam, but perhaps that will change in future books.
Overall this was a very pleasant read and one I am happy that I didn't miss.
October 8, 2014
Merry Preston is kind of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your pants person, which is why she's very pregnant and hoping to reconnect with her mother. She's convinced her older sister Ella that tracking their mother down is a great thing to do. The women came to Sanctuary Island in the previous book by Ms. Everett, and Shoreline Drive lives up to the expectations set therein.
Ben is Merry's polar opposite, so of course their chemistry is off the charts. And Ben is concerning with Merry and Alex -- he helped her deliver her son, who is named after Ben -- but he's surprised by just how much he wants to be in their lives. He proposes a marriage of convenience, which Merry accepts.
Given that this is a romance novel, both Merry and Ben are going to figure out their marriage is not just for convenience naturally. Despite some interference by Ben's parents, things work out for Merry and Ben -- and then the book just ends. I was most disappointed by that! I wasn't ready for it to end just yet. Since there is a third book in the works (Heartbreak Cove, March 2015), I'm sure we'll be treated to more glimpses of Merry, Ben, and Alex.
Ben is Merry's polar opposite, so of course their chemistry is off the charts. And Ben is concerning with Merry and Alex -- he helped her deliver her son, who is named after Ben -- but he's surprised by just how much he wants to be in their lives. He proposes a marriage of convenience, which Merry accepts.
Given that this is a romance novel, both Merry and Ben are going to figure out their marriage is not just for convenience naturally. Despite some interference by Ben's parents, things work out for Merry and Ben -- and then the book just ends. I was most disappointed by that! I wasn't ready for it to end just yet. Since there is a third book in the works (Heartbreak Cove, March 2015), I'm sure we'll be treated to more glimpses of Merry, Ben, and Alex.
November 30, 2021
this is trash and i am a raccoon…also ISLAND ROMANCE
June 27, 2022
Real rating: 2.5 stars. It's not that I disliked this book, I just thought it was okay. I definitely preferred the first book!
July 21, 2014
Shoreline Drive was a good read, a story with lots of heart, family, and the love that can form in the most unexpected of places. Merry is a woman that is pulled in many directions, but providing a safe and secure home for her son, one that will allow him to thrive is the most important thing to her now. Ben is a bit of an ass to those around him, but the angry front he shows the world is just to keep him from forming attachments and getting hurt. His decision to escape his old life and close himself off from those who would befriend him, has left him without the skills to woo the woman he is coming to love. The plan he hatches is hilarious and simple in its design, but when dealing with life and love, nothing is ever as clear-cut as we’d like. As Merry and Ben, especially, worked through their issues and find their love together, I found myself drawn to the story more and more, and in the end when their family is assured and their lives bound together irrecoverably, I knew that they would find their way together to an HEA. I will say that I was surprised by how short this novel was in terms of their relationship and I would have loved a more in depth look at their lives individually, not just as Alex’s parents. Maybe a few nights of them being together without having the baby around and being the focus, would have bumped the story up another level, but I liked it all the same. I’m looking forward to whatever’s next in the series and getting a chance to see more of the residents of Sanctuary Island.
See full review on my blog at:
http://romancewitchreviews.blogspot.c...
See full review on my blog at:
http://romancewitchreviews.blogspot.c...
March 4, 2015
I absolutley LOVED LOVED LOVED this book!! I actually love everything that I've read from this author --Lily Everett. This book was about Ben and Merry. We met Merry in Sancuary Island -- she and her sister Emma reconnected with their mother. Merry was pregnant and Ben was the island crank and vet. In book 1 Ben delivered Merry's baby in the midst of a storm because there was no way off the island. Shoreline Drive picks right up on Ben's story -- he really wants Merry and her son Alex (this is Ben's middle name - obviously named after him) to be his. He proposes an arrangement of marriage -- with no love or emotion... but things don't go as planned. Add in Ben's snotty parents and the trouble they bring -- you have a fantastic story of love and determination. I was captured from page 1 -- The Prologue fills you in on book 1! Ben and Merry are a great couple and it's nice to see Merry able to break his and her walls down! Highly recommend this book and all Lily Everett books!!
May 10, 2015
Oh, I liked this one. A gruff loner veterinarian with a crush on a sunny younger woman with a baby. He can't emotionally risk so he proposes a marriage of convenience. Fun!
I haven't read the rest of the books in this series but I plan to do so. I didn't need to have read them to enjoy this one.
The heat level is very low and behind closed doors but you still feel the heat. The small town, other characters and the hero and heroine come together to make this a moving romance with very human lovers.
There is some high drama around his parents that I felt was a bit over the top and took from the realism of the story of single motherhood and the hero's grief but overall I excited to have discovered this writer.
It was just what I wanted in a contemporary marriage of convenience romance!
I haven't read the rest of the books in this series but I plan to do so. I didn't need to have read them to enjoy this one.
The heat level is very low and behind closed doors but you still feel the heat. The small town, other characters and the hero and heroine come together to make this a moving romance with very human lovers.
There is some high drama around his parents that I felt was a bit over the top and took from the realism of the story of single motherhood and the hero's grief but overall I excited to have discovered this writer.
It was just what I wanted in a contemporary marriage of convenience romance!
October 15, 2015
There was something about Merry and Ben that charmed me. I think that part of it was how each was attracted to each other, yet didn't want to admit it to themselves. The way that they interacted, especially when Ben brought up marriage. I hoped that they as they spent more time together they would act on their attraction, so it was great to see that just happen. it helped that Alex seemed to give them common ground to bond over. It was fun to see how the people of Sanctuary Island reacted to Ben and Merry's marriage. I was glad to see how this one ended, that Merry and Ben committed to what was once a business agreement.
December 29, 2015
This was a nice romantic story. The story is set on Sanctuary Island which is a sanctuary for wild horses. The story is about Dr. Ben Falkner who is a veterinarian and Merry Preston who is a recent mother. The pages just seemed to turn themselves. The book was a quick easy read.
January 9, 2022
#2 in the Sanctuary Island romance series
In my previous review of Book #1, I said I was looking forward to reading Merry and Ben's story. I don't know what took me so long to get to it, but it was just as good as I expected. I love that they're such an odd couple. Ben is Dr. Crankypants (as she calls him)--a crochety animal vet who prefers to be alone. Merry, on the other hand, is a cheerful, smiley woman who, although she has doubts about her ability to be a good mother, tries her best to be friendly and happy. But the two of them really work. They have the same family values, even though they are coming to them from different directions. Ben was raised by a wealthy but neglectful family, and Merry was raised by her sister in the absence of her alcoholic mother and workaholic father. They are determined to raise Alex with love and attention, and they mesh well together. Even with plenty of outside problems (people with differing viewpoints, his condescending parents, Alex's birth father), they stand together and work through their issues, just the way a couple should do. I liked that they stuck with it since there are so many people who give up too soon with marriage, as soon as problems appear. It was also great to revisit with people from the previous book, such as sister Taylor, mother Jo, sister Ella, and friend Grady. Plus the setting of Sanctuary Island is soothing and enjoyable. I'm definitely continuing with this series sooner rather than later this time.
In my previous review of Book #1, I said I was looking forward to reading Merry and Ben's story. I don't know what took me so long to get to it, but it was just as good as I expected. I love that they're such an odd couple. Ben is Dr. Crankypants (as she calls him)--a crochety animal vet who prefers to be alone. Merry, on the other hand, is a cheerful, smiley woman who, although she has doubts about her ability to be a good mother, tries her best to be friendly and happy. But the two of them really work. They have the same family values, even though they are coming to them from different directions. Ben was raised by a wealthy but neglectful family, and Merry was raised by her sister in the absence of her alcoholic mother and workaholic father. They are determined to raise Alex with love and attention, and they mesh well together. Even with plenty of outside problems (people with differing viewpoints, his condescending parents, Alex's birth father), they stand together and work through their issues, just the way a couple should do. I liked that they stuck with it since there are so many people who give up too soon with marriage, as soon as problems appear. It was also great to revisit with people from the previous book, such as sister Taylor, mother Jo, sister Ella, and friend Grady. Plus the setting of Sanctuary Island is soothing and enjoyable. I'm definitely continuing with this series sooner rather than later this time.
November 20, 2025
LOVED IT!!!! My first time reading this author and I was soooooo surprised. Mind you, I got this book off a list here in Goodreads and WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED! Shoreline Drive is book 2 I think in a series. Would’ve liked to read Sanctuary Island first but that DID NOT affect the reading experience.
The book is a gem but; there is a lot going on- emotions wise. Please CHECK TRIGGER warnings. It touches on difficult topics for a lot of us. Topics like addic+ion, abandonment, ab**tion- NOT misc, deth, bullyin’, etc, although, in a tactful way; I must add.
We have a plethora of characters and since is book 2 I and had to retrace my steps if you will, to remember who it was.
All in all? One of my faves- it left me wanting more. There’s a baby- Alex, oh my gosh I could just eat him up!!!
Highly recommend.
*The prologue was SUPERB!
The book is a gem but; there is a lot going on- emotions wise. Please CHECK TRIGGER warnings. It touches on difficult topics for a lot of us. Topics like addic+ion, abandonment, ab**tion- NOT misc, deth, bullyin’, etc, although, in a tactful way; I must add.
We have a plethora of characters and since is book 2 I and had to retrace my steps if you will, to remember who it was.
All in all? One of my faves- it left me wanting more. There’s a baby- Alex, oh my gosh I could just eat him up!!!
Highly recommend.
*The prologue was SUPERB!
February 16, 2017
I received this book thru Bookstr. Since this is the second book in the Sanctuary Island series, I got the first book (Sanctuary Island) to read first. I would suggest reading the series in order since the storyline builds and the characters appear in each. I do enjoy small town familial stories and these books fulfill that format. This book is about the younger of two sisters Merry (Meredith), who had arrived on the island unmarried and pregnant. The local vet Ben Fairfax ends up delivering her baby on a very stormy night. He's a very taciturn character with his own baggage. But this is a story of there relationship - I enjoyed it very much and look forward to reading more in the series.
Note: I noticed the back cover calls Ben Fairfax by the wrong name - Ben Faulkner - oops!
Note: I noticed the back cover calls Ben Fairfax by the wrong name - Ben Faulkner - oops!
September 10, 2017
This book made me a bit angry....there was no closure, no definitive ending, no complete ending...sure there was an implied ending, but really?!? What happened to Taylor and Matt? Did Ben's parents give up? Did they accept the marriage? Does Grady marry Ella? What about all these loose ends?! I wanted to have a complete and utter closure so that I could move on to the next book without wondering. These are billed as standalone books but they really aren't....you kinda have to know what happened prior and what is going to happen next to really fully enjoy the story and the characters....a bit of a let down in my opinion.
December 25, 2019
Second in the sanctuary island series about the sister Merry and falling in love with a Veterinarian on the island. She wants stability, but his parents want someone from a good family with money to carry on the name. A cute love story and involves training horses. I will definitely read the next in the series.
June 12, 2023
It was ok. I have not spent that much on a kindle book $12 on a while but the plot really interested me. I thought it was kind of boring. If you are interested in a sweet, low stress, short book this is for you.
February 25, 2017
A marriage of convenience turns out differntly than expected. Family dynamics, old "baggage", romantic sparks... A sweet romance!
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
December 21, 2020
Heartening
When your background is disjointed and you have no picture of what real family is. Can you start a read mainly of hour own? A tale of forgiveness, maturity, and love.
When your background is disjointed and you have no picture of what real family is. Can you start a read mainly of hour own? A tale of forgiveness, maturity, and love.
July 11, 2023
A delightful tale of a very cranky vet and a daydreaming, sunny optimist who find love.
September 28, 2023
sweet story , engaging characters, nothing too deep or too special about it. easy pleasant reading. nice follow up to book #1.
January 13, 2017
I was expecting to love this book a lot because I was really intrigued with the characters and the storyline from the first book. Our heroine is a bit of a wild child and now that she's pregnant she's reconnected with her birth mother and moved to Sanctuary Island looking for a more stable life for her and her child. She then meets the stiff and stern veterinarian, Ben, and the sparks were flying from their first meeting.
But then when I got to their book I thought my expectations might've been a bit too high. That's not to say I didn't enjoy their story. The trope here is a marriage of convenience and I was ok with that setup, but I also think the approach slowed down the building of their relationship a bit too much for my liking. However, the pace was true to character for both Ben and Merry, especially Ben! I guess what I was expecting was to see Merry shake him up more with her lively ways and instead we get to see Merry's issues and the things she's looking for herself, which reflected in how she approached this relationship. Where I thought there would be crazy sparks flying, there was just a slow, steady simmer that never got to boil over. If that all doesn't make sense, sorry, trying not to give much in the way of spoilers.
The conflict towards the end was a bit predictable and maybe, after, easily resolved. But I was still happy to see them standing on solid ground as a couple and it definitely left me believing in the longevity of their HEA.
As with the first book, I'm really liking the town and the overall vibe of this series. It does mix well women's fiction and romance and gives us a good feel for other characters around the main couple as well. I loved the side storyline in this one and hope we get to see more of that in the next book.
*ARC provided by publisher
Reviewed by Francesca
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January 13, 2017
3.5 stars
I was expecting to love this book a lot because I was really intrigued with the characters and the storyline from the first book. Our heroine is a bit of a wild child and now that she’s pregnant she’s reconnected with her birth mother and moved to Sanctuary Island looking for a more stable life for her and her child. She then meets the stiff and stern veterinarian, Ben, and the sparks were flying from their first meeting.
But then when I got to their book I thought my expectations might’ve been a bit too high. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy their story. The trope here is a marriage of convenience and I was ok with that setup, but I also think the approach slowed down the building of their relationship a bit too much for my liking. However, the pace was true to character for both Ben and Merry, especially Ben! I guess what I was expecting was to see Merry shake him up more with her lively ways and instead we get to see Merry’s issues and the things she’s looking for herself, which reflected in how she approached this relationship. Where I thought there would be crazy sparks flying, there was just a slow, steady simmer that never got to boil over. If that all doesn’t make sense, sorry, trying not to give much in the way of spoilers.
The conflict towards the end was a bit predictable and maybe, after, easily resolved. But I was still happy to see them standing on solid ground as a couple and it definitely left me believing in the longevity of their HEA.
As with the first book, I’m really liking the town and the overall vibe of this series. It does mix well women’s fiction and romance and gives us a good feel for other characters around the main couple as well. I loved the side storyline in this one and hope we get to see more of that in the next book.
I was expecting to love this book a lot because I was really intrigued with the characters and the storyline from the first book. Our heroine is a bit of a wild child and now that she’s pregnant she’s reconnected with her birth mother and moved to Sanctuary Island looking for a more stable life for her and her child. She then meets the stiff and stern veterinarian, Ben, and the sparks were flying from their first meeting.
But then when I got to their book I thought my expectations might’ve been a bit too high. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy their story. The trope here is a marriage of convenience and I was ok with that setup, but I also think the approach slowed down the building of their relationship a bit too much for my liking. However, the pace was true to character for both Ben and Merry, especially Ben! I guess what I was expecting was to see Merry shake him up more with her lively ways and instead we get to see Merry’s issues and the things she’s looking for herself, which reflected in how she approached this relationship. Where I thought there would be crazy sparks flying, there was just a slow, steady simmer that never got to boil over. If that all doesn’t make sense, sorry, trying not to give much in the way of spoilers.
The conflict towards the end was a bit predictable and maybe, after, easily resolved. But I was still happy to see them standing on solid ground as a couple and it definitely left me believing in the longevity of their HEA.
As with the first book, I’m really liking the town and the overall vibe of this series. It does mix well women’s fiction and romance and gives us a good feel for other characters around the main couple as well. I loved the side storyline in this one and hope we get to see more of that in the next book.
January 28, 2014
I was provided an ARC by the Publisher and the Author in exchange for my honest review.
"Shoreline Drive" by Lily Everett is a wonderful heart-warming story about love, forgiveness and what really matters most. As I haven't read anything written by this author previously, I was reading this story with no expectations. This author writes a story with such well-developed characters and character interactions that the reader becomes engaged almost immediately.
Dr. Ben Faulkner is a veterinarian on Sanctuary Island. This Island is on the Atlantic Coast and is a refuge for wild horses. Merry Preston returns to Sanctuary Island after many years away to reconnect with the mother she hasn’t seen in many years. Merry is also pregnant and fast approaching her due date. Ben feels an attraction to Merry and would love to get to know her better. Just can’t figure out how to make that happen. Then on a stormy night Merry goes into labor and her mother, Jo Preston, calls Ben for help. Ben rushes to the Old Plantation to help Merry with her delivery.
Ben still has unresolved issues from his past and decides that if he wants to have a family he will need to convince Merry to marry him and let him help her raise her child. He offers Merry an arrangement so that she can be independent of her mother but still be close enough so they can continue to connect. Surprisingly, Merry accepts Ben’s proposal as a way to provide a more stable upbringing to her baby.
As newlyweds Ben and Merry are learning how to be a family as well as getting to know each other. Along the way they discover that they love each other.
When Ben’s parents arrive with the intention of breaking up, what they consider a bad marriage, and the father of the baby shows up to claim his parental rights, Ben and Merry almost lose what they worked so hard to put together.
This author is definitely one that will make it to my TBR list.
"Shoreline Drive" by Lily Everett is a wonderful heart-warming story about love, forgiveness and what really matters most. As I haven't read anything written by this author previously, I was reading this story with no expectations. This author writes a story with such well-developed characters and character interactions that the reader becomes engaged almost immediately.
Dr. Ben Faulkner is a veterinarian on Sanctuary Island. This Island is on the Atlantic Coast and is a refuge for wild horses. Merry Preston returns to Sanctuary Island after many years away to reconnect with the mother she hasn’t seen in many years. Merry is also pregnant and fast approaching her due date. Ben feels an attraction to Merry and would love to get to know her better. Just can’t figure out how to make that happen. Then on a stormy night Merry goes into labor and her mother, Jo Preston, calls Ben for help. Ben rushes to the Old Plantation to help Merry with her delivery.
Ben still has unresolved issues from his past and decides that if he wants to have a family he will need to convince Merry to marry him and let him help her raise her child. He offers Merry an arrangement so that she can be independent of her mother but still be close enough so they can continue to connect. Surprisingly, Merry accepts Ben’s proposal as a way to provide a more stable upbringing to her baby.
As newlyweds Ben and Merry are learning how to be a family as well as getting to know each other. Along the way they discover that they love each other.
When Ben’s parents arrive with the intention of breaking up, what they consider a bad marriage, and the father of the baby shows up to claim his parental rights, Ben and Merry almost lose what they worked so hard to put together.
This author is definitely one that will make it to my TBR list.
October 5, 2014
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life
I received an advance reader edition of this book from St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
I would rate this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. I find that I am becoming a huge fan of Lily Everett's writing. According to Goodreads, this is the second Sanctuary Island book. I have not read the first book and had no trouble keeping up with this book. I have read several of Everett's novellas that were also set on the island and a few of the locations were familiar to me because of that.
This book is focused on Merry and Ben. Ben is the local vet who takes care of all of the animals on the island. Merry goes into labor at the beginning of the book and Ben is there to help deliver the baby. Merry, a single mother, is determined to be a good mother to her baby, Alex. Ben feels a connection to both Merry and Alex and asks Merry to marry him. The couple approach marriage as a business deal and attempt to leave emotions out of the equation but both secretly harbor feelings for each other. Just as they start to falling in love with each other, Ben's parents show up to cause trouble for the couple.
It is no secret that I read a lot. The basic plot of the book was one that I have read before. What sets this book apart for the others for me was the execution of the plot. I found the characters to be believable and well developed. I liked the fact that the author did not rely on sex as the main vehicle for the couple to fall in love. The sex in this book is really left to the reader's imagination.
I would recommend this book to any romance reader. I plan to look for future works in this series and by this author.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
I would rate this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. I find that I am becoming a huge fan of Lily Everett's writing. According to Goodreads, this is the second Sanctuary Island book. I have not read the first book and had no trouble keeping up with this book. I have read several of Everett's novellas that were also set on the island and a few of the locations were familiar to me because of that.
This book is focused on Merry and Ben. Ben is the local vet who takes care of all of the animals on the island. Merry goes into labor at the beginning of the book and Ben is there to help deliver the baby. Merry, a single mother, is determined to be a good mother to her baby, Alex. Ben feels a connection to both Merry and Alex and asks Merry to marry him. The couple approach marriage as a business deal and attempt to leave emotions out of the equation but both secretly harbor feelings for each other. Just as they start to falling in love with each other, Ben's parents show up to cause trouble for the couple.
It is no secret that I read a lot. The basic plot of the book was one that I have read before. What sets this book apart for the others for me was the execution of the plot. I found the characters to be believable and well developed. I liked the fact that the author did not rely on sex as the main vehicle for the couple to fall in love. The sex in this book is really left to the reader's imagination.
I would recommend this book to any romance reader. I plan to look for future works in this series and by this author.
January 31, 2014
This is my 8th book of Lily Everett in the Sanctuary Island setting and they have all been great reading.
The characters are well done, you feel like you are emotionally involved with the characters mainly due to the use of multiple point of view type writing. I have enjoyed all of them but obviously some more than others.
This is mainly the story of Ben and Merry who make an interesting totally abnormal couple that you can't help but be intrigued and frustrated with depending on the scene since as the reader you can sit back and know they are actually crazy about each other but for reasons I won't divulge here seem to manage to do the wrong thing with astonishing consistency.
As a reader it would get boring if all was rainbows and clover so there is a bit of drama from several sides to make the story more gripping and is done well. So highly recommend this series of novels but would start with book 1 since the is the second in the series of novels (there is no need to read the 2 trilogies she has published with this setting but I also highly recommend those also)
Now let me mention some things I did not like, there are several little subplots (for lack of a better term) that are left hanging. These do not effect the outcome but if a few more pages had been included I would have had no problems rating this 5 Stars. I would give more detail but they would come off as spoilers and I don't do that in a review and hate when I accidentally read one, but this is the second time I felt Ms Everett let me with minor questions. Hopefully, maybe it will be solved in later books.
Bottom Line: Highly recommend this series, great stories that are heartwarming and amazing "comfort" reading. I will be awaiting the next excursion to Sanctuary Island. 4 Stars and with a few more pages would have been 5.
The characters are well done, you feel like you are emotionally involved with the characters mainly due to the use of multiple point of view type writing. I have enjoyed all of them but obviously some more than others.
This is mainly the story of Ben and Merry who make an interesting totally abnormal couple that you can't help but be intrigued and frustrated with depending on the scene since as the reader you can sit back and know they are actually crazy about each other but for reasons I won't divulge here seem to manage to do the wrong thing with astonishing consistency.
As a reader it would get boring if all was rainbows and clover so there is a bit of drama from several sides to make the story more gripping and is done well. So highly recommend this series of novels but would start with book 1 since the is the second in the series of novels (there is no need to read the 2 trilogies she has published with this setting but I also highly recommend those also)
Now let me mention some things I did not like, there are several little subplots (for lack of a better term) that are left hanging. These do not effect the outcome but if a few more pages had been included I would have had no problems rating this 5 Stars. I would give more detail but they would come off as spoilers and I don't do that in a review and hate when I accidentally read one, but this is the second time I felt Ms Everett let me with minor questions. Hopefully, maybe it will be solved in later books.
Bottom Line: Highly recommend this series, great stories that are heartwarming and amazing "comfort" reading. I will be awaiting the next excursion to Sanctuary Island. 4 Stars and with a few more pages would have been 5.
February 11, 2014
Shoreline Drive is the newest book in the Sanctuary Island series from Lily Everett. The release date was January 28, 2014 and the publisher is St. Martin's Press. I was lucky enough to be approved for a review copy from NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
I really enjoyed this visit back to Sanctuary Island. While I didn't love Shoreline Drive as much as I loved Sanctuary Island, I did enjoy the story.
I like both Ben and Merry, but really wish they each had been honest about their feelings for one another much sooner. They both really liked the other, yet kept playing at the marriage of convenience idea, even after they finally started sleeping together. I thought they had pretty great chemistry together and loved the little family they made with Merry's son Alex. Honestly some of the sweetest scenes in the book were between Ben and Alex.
I had a big issue with Ben telling Merry half-truths about why he wanted a marriage of convenience. Merry was much more forgiving than I would have been in that situation. I’ve always thought Merry was stronger than she gave herself credit for, and she showed it over and over in this book. I really think it was because of Merry’s strength and love for Ben that they were able to work through so many issues. In my opinion, Ben had some soul searching to do in this book. He was letting is past dictate his future, and he risked his family before he got his head on straight.
Shoreline Drive is a good addition to the Sanctuary Island series. I look forward to seeing where Ms. Everett takes the Sanctuary Island series in the future.
I really enjoyed this visit back to Sanctuary Island. While I didn't love Shoreline Drive as much as I loved Sanctuary Island, I did enjoy the story.
I like both Ben and Merry, but really wish they each had been honest about their feelings for one another much sooner. They both really liked the other, yet kept playing at the marriage of convenience idea, even after they finally started sleeping together. I thought they had pretty great chemistry together and loved the little family they made with Merry's son Alex. Honestly some of the sweetest scenes in the book were between Ben and Alex.
I had a big issue with Ben telling Merry half-truths about why he wanted a marriage of convenience. Merry was much more forgiving than I would have been in that situation. I’ve always thought Merry was stronger than she gave herself credit for, and she showed it over and over in this book. I really think it was because of Merry’s strength and love for Ben that they were able to work through so many issues. In my opinion, Ben had some soul searching to do in this book. He was letting is past dictate his future, and he risked his family before he got his head on straight.
Shoreline Drive is a good addition to the Sanctuary Island series. I look forward to seeing where Ms. Everett takes the Sanctuary Island series in the future.
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