Restoration

Worthings #4

by Noelle Adams

After spending six years as an assistant to reckless, entitled Edmund Worthing, I've finally had enough. I want more in my life than scrambling to fulfill his every whim and demand. He's got too much money and too little responsibility, and he never takes anything seriously. I want to do something worthwhile in my life, and Edmund Worthing will never be that.

So I hand in my resignation letter. After we return from an extended cruise on his new yacht, I'm gone.

The last thing I expect is to get caught in a sudden, devastating storm at sea, but now I'm stranded alone on a deserted island with my obnoxious boss. He can't even pick out his own meal at a high-end restaurant. He'll be absolutely no help as we scrounge for food and shelter.

But, if we want to survive, he's all I've got.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Survival, Forced Proximity, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Workplace Romance

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 16, 2024

About the author

Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.

She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.

Reviews

[Christina (stinarinareads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4✨
1.75🌶️

Restoration by Noelle Adams is Book 4 in the interconnected standalone romances of the Worthings series. Fellow readers may also know Noelle Adams as Claire Kent, author of Kindled, a post-apocalyptic romance series.

This one was quite cute actually, and uses one of my guilty pleasure tropes in books you don't see too often used - stranded on a deserted island. The FMC Autumn is the MMC Edmund/Worth's personal assistant/life-planner, who, after realizing that giving her life to his is preventing her own life from growing, resigns in order to pursue further education. Her resignation just so happens to coincide with a boating trip the pair are going on, which makes things all the more awkward. When the boat goes down and Autumn and Edmund end up on a deserted tropical island, they must both learn how to survive together, while also navigating their growing and changing feelings towards each other.

The progression of their relationship under the circumstances, watching them grow to appreciate and truly respect one another on a base level, was a worthwhile reading experience. This definitely wasn't a case of "it's always been you" and they were lusting after each other the whole time they worked together (although Autumn did sort of have feelings deep down). We see Edmund in a previous relationship during the first part of the book, although it's not one with a real connection. Autumn has had relationships in the past, but it's mentioned off page. Once Autumn and Edmund are on the island together, that's when their eyes truly begin to open to each other, and realize, "hey, maybe what I really need HAS been here this whole time, and I just didn't appreciate it enough".

Very cute, very sweet, with the additional interesting stranded-on-a-desert-island trope. I don't think I've read the other books in the series yet, but I didn't feel lost or confused here at all. It's a pretty quick read too!

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Reread for Content Pull in 2025*

This book may have been a ship-wreck story but It really didn't read like a disaster at all. I found it to be so cozy and have all the aspects of a Claire Kent novel without the danger in the world around them. Yes, it's still Edmund and Autumn against the elements but their teamwork and clever thinking make their island marooning a type of paradise.

Autumn begins this book as Edmund's longtime assistant. She is good at her job but she also feels wasted being a billionaire's errand girl. She wants to do bigger things. And having to watch him date woman after woman isn't helping her heart either. So this yacht trip alone with him is going to be her last job.

But when things go sideways, there's no escape for either of them.

They lean on each other, comfort each other, and they keep each other alive. It doesn't take long for deeper feelings to come to the surface and it was beautiful to watch.

I also think this is a great book if you're not sure if you want a serious disaster story. Things work out pretty smoothly for them and I never felt anxious. It was an adventure and a survival story.

It's my favorite in the Worthings series and it has all the best that this author has to offer.

4.5 stars
3 on the spice scale

[AvidReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75!

Noelle Adams has become my ultimate comfort author and I adore her books!

Edmund lost his parents when he was very young but fortunately for him they left him a huge fortune. So he never had to work for anything. The downside was, because he didn’t have to work for anything he came across as an Air head, which wasn’t the truth. Meanwhile Autumn was responsible, serious and capable- a complete opposite to Edmund.
So imagine what happens when a seemingly Air headed billionaire hero with heart of gold and a no nonsense, serious heroine who works for him are stranded together on an island with only basic things.

I love survival romance. There is something so fascinating about it when a hero and heroine are forced to survive and work together. So you can imagine how much I loved this book. Edmund and Autumn was made for each other. They had mutual understanding, respect and friendship between them. It was really amazing to read their transition to lovers.

This was fun, steamy and a quick read that I couldn’t put down.

Absolutely recommended.

I received an advance review copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

[Maria Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked this modern day shipwreck romance! (It's quite likely that at some point in my romance reading early days I read a pirate romance set in the 1700s where a shipwreck occurred, though none springs to mind offhand).

Autumn is an indispensable personal assistant to Edmund Worthing, but she decides that she doesn't want to stay working for him forever and needs to chart her own course. Right after she returns from an extended cruise on his yacht she's going to quit, and gives him her resignation letter prior to the trip. But instead of an idyllic paradise cruise, they end up shipwrecked on a deserted island. Autumn and Edmund have different priorities at the start - Autumn believes that their chances of rescue are remote and works towards building the shelter and finding the food they'll need to survive alone. Edmund is solely focussed on what he can do to attract any passing ships to their location, believing that any search will find them quickly. While they adjust to their new situation, they also see each other in new lights, leading to a new intimacy, both emotional and physical. The author doesn't shy away from the dangers of their predicament and it isn't all fun and games (there's no camera crew to a rescue like on Survivor), but the relationship they build is strong and can stand up to whatever comes. Now, it's not really a spoiler to assume they'll be rescued but how things come about, how they adjust, and what's needed to get to their happy ending is what makes Noelle Adams a wonderful author to read and adds a unique story to her catalogue.

A copy of this story was provided by the author.

[Carvanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ADORE Edmund! He is such a fun, lighthearted hero. While he isn’t completely capable of making some decisions, such as what to pack for a trip, when push comes to shove, he’s absolutely perfect.





I loved everything about this story from the trope, to the characters, to the evolving relationship between Edmund and Autumn. This author did an amazing job of painting a picture of this couple alone on a deserted island. I never found it to be trite or overblown. Their lives felt realistic for the situation which pulled me further into their story.





This was a fast paced read that kept me engaged from the beginning and made it difficult for me to put it down.

Heroine POV
Safe H and h have both dated other people since they’ve met and worked together; H is with ow at time the book begins; ow is not on page and does not cause drama that affects the H/h relationship; h not a virgin; H not a manwhore but he does have relationships
Triggers ow gave H a drug but he took it willingly
Steam 5 /5; explicit; No birth control but they took steps in an effort to prevent pregnancy

[ChasxSabri💗🫧]

If this girl giggles one more time, I swear to God……….

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story lead me on a whirlwind adventure aboard a luxurious yacht, that took a turn for the unexpected when a sudden storm leaved two very different characters stranded on a deserted island.
The story revolves around the protagonist, who has spent six exhausting years catering to the whims of her entitled boss, Edmund Worthing. Tired of being his assistant in more ways than one, she finally decides to break free, only to find herself thrown into the most challenging situation imaginable—trapped with the very man she was eager to leave behind.

One of the strongest aspects of the book is its ability to blend humor with tension, turning what could have been a suffocating situation into a backdrop for some truly hilarious moments. The juxtaposition of the protagonist's fierce determination to survive and Edmund's utterly clueless nature creates a delightful contrast that keept me engaged. I particularly enjoyed scenes where Edmund’s inability to perform even the most basic tasks leaves them both in absurd predicaments. As their survival instincts kick in, the banter between them shines, and readers are treated to a mix of comedy and tension that elevates the narrative.

However, while the premise of being stranded on a deserted island has the potential for thrilling storytelling, I found that the plot fell into predictable patterns as it progressed.
The tension of survival is palpable initially, but the resolution felt somewhat formulaic, making it hard to shake the sense that I could predict the outcomes of various scenarios.
Instead of the unpredictability and suspense I hoped for, we traverse familiar ground, which dampened my overall excitement.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book in "the Worthings" series but there might be more in the future per authors statement at the end.

This is a low-angst "Robinson Crusoe" plot in which the MCs find themselves stranded in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on a small Island no one knows about.
I really liked the dynamics between Autumn and Edmund, their past (that counts 6 years) and how well they seem to know each other. Nothing like survival mode to bring out one's true colours and it looks like it is what Edmund needed to show his protective and caring side.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh I LOVED this. This book was like a Noelle Adams/Claire Kent crossover. The usual lighthearted style of a Noelle Adams romance with the survival aspect of Claire Kent. Chef's kiss tbh. Loved the characters, loved everything about the story, 10/10.

[Julia Borazo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only have read one book from this author (two if I count with this one). They look the same, bitter main characters with what I gently describe as “feminist-minded”. It’s really not a great or even average story.
They get lost in an island, develop into a physical relationship, then get back to city, two pages of misunderstanding and then got married.

Ps: the h is really so boring and flat. Geez.

[BookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are deserted island romances, and then there's this one. Edmond and Autumn's story is like nothing else I’ve read with this trope, and I couldn’t get enough. Once again, this talented storyteller managed to surprise and delight me.

I swear, I don’t know how she does it, but this gifted wordsmith gives us a seemingly entitled, lackadaisical, unlikable man-child and has me falling at his feet in adoration by the end. Autumn takes some time to see Edmond in a different light, but she's been his assistant for the last six years doing everything for him but tying his shoelaces.

It's not until a cruise with only the two of them, and her last official obligation as Edmond's employee, that Autumn begins to see him in a new light. That may have something to do with the vıolent storm they survived, their boat sinking, and them now inhabiting a deserted tropical island.

The thing I love so much about this one is the character growth. Yes it’s entertaining to watch Edmond and Autumn try to survive on an island with only natural resources, but Edmond, bless his heart, he shows up and grows up and finds he’s capable of far more than he ever realized. Charming, heartfelt and unexpected, this is by far the best deserted island romance I’ve ever read.

[Nikisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Read if you like: workplace romance, boss x personal assistant, forced proximity, stranded on a deserted island, survival, shipwreck, he saves her, caretaking, one shelter, no third act breakup

I absolutely loved this book! I can always count on Noelle Adam’s writing to get me out of a slump.

Edmund is a billionaire who needs guidance and for someone to make the decisions for him. Despite this, he has an incredibly kind heart and I found it so sweet that he had a soft spot for Autumn 🥰
Autumn is Edmund’s rock, she does everything for him until she comes to the realisation that she is holding her life back by staying to work for him.

When they get stuck on a deserted island in a shipwreck they get to know each other in a way they never would have in the “real” world. I loved this survival story and how you can see them slowly falling for each other 💕

I recommend this book if you’re looking for a quick read with forced proximity and a survival romance

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, I am voluntarily leaving my honest review

[rj]

DNF at 33%

the hero gave me the ick being such a big man child

like the book literally started with h dropping H and his girlfriend off on a date... huh?? why does he need his personal assistant for that?? does she also stand by his bed and open his condoms for him and his girlfriend?

also they've known each other for 6 years and she's had to watch him date around (his longest relationship was only 6 mo)

while it wasn't explicitly stated he slept around (from what i read so far) a lot it was mentioned he was a wild child and partied everyday and drank to oblivion and so he def had lots of relationships over their 6 years that the h had to be front and center for

[Sydney S · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many things I love in this one.
- It’s a standalone.
- Survival stuff. I could read about people setting up a shelter and foraging for a whole book probably.
- Massage scene.
- Golden retriever/black cat vibes. Maybe not entirely black cat though, more of a grey cat.
- Absurd and dramatic, yet somehow still realistic and not stupid.
- The characters! Love them so much.

The only negative for me is that there’s an epilogue. I very rarely see the point of them. That’s a very small negative though, because it wasn’t a terrible epilogue, and it can be skipped.

[Sandra R · Rating 4 out of 5]

A ship wreck romance! Such fun to read, as usual by this author. Lots of steamy scenes and an interesting story. 3.5 stars. 😍

[Amanda Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was short and sweet, but ultimately, I felt like I had a hard time connecting to the characters and their relationship. I think the problem is that they've known each other for 6 years before the plot begins and consequently, too much of their relationship seemed to occur off the page. We were told about some of it, but that's not the same as experiencing it as the reader.

[MBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Restoration by Noelle Adams is a beautifully paced, emotional romance about survival, self-discovery, and the gradual blossoming of love between two unlikely people.

Autumn has spent six years being the efficient, ever-capable assistant to Edmund Worthing, a wealthy, charming, and often exasperating man who has drifted through life without any real purpose. When she finally decides to quit and reclaim her life, the last thing she expects is to end up stranded with him on a deserted island after a violent storm at sea. What begins as a nightmare slowly turns into something transformative, both in terms of their survival and their hearts.

Autumn is practical, dependable, and tired of living her life in service to someone else’s whims. Edmund, on the other hand, is the definition of carefree privilege, a man who has never had to lift a finger for anything and masks his intelligence behind an easy, teasing charm. Stripped of the luxuries and distractions of his old world, Edmund is forced to face his own complacency, while Autumn is pushed beyond her comfort zone in ways she never imagined. Together, they learn how to endure hunger, illness, fear, and the stark reality of isolation, and in the process, they also learn how to see each other, truly see each other, for the first time.

The shift in their dynamic from boss and assistant to equals is one of the most satisfying elements of the story. Adams gives their relationship time to breathe, to evolve from mutual dependence to affection, and finally to love. The island becomes a crucible for both their growths: Edmund transforms from a spoiled socialite into a man capable of tenderness and grit, while Autumn, for all her composure, learns to let go of control and embrace vulnerability. The chemistry between them is charged, their connection deepened by moments of laughter, frustration, and the kind of intimacy that can only come from relying on someone with your life.

What I loved most about this story was how well Adams balanced the sensual with the emotional. The romance feels valid and not just a product of forced proximity but of two people who find their missing halves in one another. Edmund’s devotion, his quiet acts of care, and the way he steps up when Autumn falls ill all underscore how far he has come from the man she once worked for. The angst, particularly after their rescue, was perfectly handled. The inevitable readjustment to the real world hurts, but it makes their eventual reconciliation even more satisfying.

If there is one thing I might have wanted more of, it would be a deeper dive into the aftermath of their ordeal once they return home, how two people changed by survival reconcile that with normal life. But the epilogue delivers exactly what the reader hopes for, sealing their journey with warmth and fulfillment.

Recommended for: readers who love slow-burn, boss-assistant romances with emotional depth, strong character development, and a healthy dose of survival-driven angst.

Final Verdict: Tender, emotional, and quietly intense, Restoration is angsty, sensual, and deeply satisfying.

Rating = 4/5

For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance

[Sassy Southern Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love stories like this where characters are put in situations where they have to reluctantly spend time together, getting to know the real person inside, not the person they perceive to be for everyone else. This is what happens to Autumn and her boss Edmund.
Autumn was only meant to be assistant to Edmund for a temporary position, but she has been there for 6 years now and it was getting too much. She has had enough and wants to finally go to university, but before she can leave she has one last job to get through, one last trip and then she would resign. What was unexpected is that they are both caught up in a violent storm that leaves Autumn stranded on a deserted island with her impossible, demanding boss. I loved reading this book and the transformation of Edmund's character as he is forced to stop behaving like a rich spoilt man. He has to use his survival instinct and protective side to take care of Autumn and make sure they both survive until they are hopefully rescued. Autumn sees a completely different side to Edmund and they have to work together so they can stay alive. Getting to know him in this remote setting she likes what she sees and feelings for him grow and vice versa for Edmund towards Autumn. Giving into the passion that ignites between them leads to some steamy desert island shenanigans. This is my first read by Noelle Adams which means I haven't read the other books in this series, but it didn't make a difference because Restoration reads as a standalone. I really enjoyed Noelle Adams' writing and the characters she created, it is well thought-out, funny, steamy and a little emotional too. This is a wonderful story and I relished it. Excellent. 5 Stars.- Cat W.



Stranded on a deserted island sounded like a unique and exciting storyline and this book did not disappoint. Once I started reading I was hooked and unable to put this book down. I love a good forced proximity romance but throw in the need to survive with little to nothing and it made for a great read. Autumn and Edmund are definitely opposites with how they approach life. What is supposed to be a temporary job for Autumn turns into 6 years of being a personal assistant for Edmund. He needs her for everything and before she knows it, her dreams are placed on the back burner. When she finally gets the nerve to turn in her letter of resignation she feels like she made the right choice. Edmund is upset of course but agrees that once they are back from the cruise they are taking she would be leaving. This is where things take a turn. After running into a terrible storm where the ship is destroyed, Edmund and Autumn find themselves washed up on a deserted island. They are forced to rely on each other for survival and start to see each other in a different light. While Autumn has always noticed how handsome Edmund is, she thought he didn't take life seriously. Edmund has always known that Autumn is the one who keeps his life together but never really looked at her as a person to notice how beautiful she is. Being stranded together lets them each open their eyes to another side of someone they thought they knew so well. The chemistry between the two jumps off of the pages and is impossible to resist. I really enjoyed reading about the things they did to make the island a home. Will they be rescued? If so, will they still have the connection they did on the island once back home? You will definitely want to one click this ASAP to find out. 4 stars- By Alisa

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book four in The Worthings series and it is Edmund and Atumn’s story and omg it is definitely a must read. Autumn has worked for Edmund for six years as his assistant when originally it was meant to be a short term job and now she had decided that she has had enough of always being at his beck and call but now she wanted to start to live her own life so Autumn decided to hand in her resignation and leave after they have returned back from the cruise that Edmund had planned because he needed some quiet time on his new yacht and Autumn was going along with him but unfortunately things didn’t go as planned because they were caught up in a vicious storm which stranded them on a uninhabited island so now more than ever they will have to work together if they are going to survive and hopefully be rescued and return home safely. Edmund is a reckless and entitled man with a wealth that makes him have people at his beck and call and never takes anything seriously but when they are stranded on a island he will have to pull his weight and change if they are going survive long enough to be rescued so with the help of Autumn they need to make sure that they keep each other safe, protected and find food and drink and that is when he starts to change and become a better man in every way possible. The more time that Edmund and Autumn spend and rely on each other they start to see each other in a different light and that is when feelings start to grow between them as they keep each other alive but is it the situation that they are in and what they are feeling for each other real or will it all change if and when they are rescued, well you will just have to read this addictive book to find out. I absolutely loved Edmund and Autumn together and it just shows that when you are in a very dangerous and difficult situation how the characters grew so much while being stranded especially Edmund who originally was so spoilt, demanding, needed to grow up and childish in many ways and then he did a complete turn around when needed and found exactly what he was capable of. The attraction and chemistry between them grew so strong and it made for such a beautiful story that will pull you in and keep your attention throughout and I can’t wait to read more books by this author in the future.

[Jody Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it possible to write a cozy shipwreck book? Restoration (I don't know how the title relates) is part of the Worthings series, but stands completely alone and was a very cozy shipwreck book.

Autumn is the PA to a billionaire failson Edmund, managing every aspect of his life, including planning his dates and just facilitating the way so Edmund can remain useless. Autumn has sublimated herself completely into this demanding and well-compensated role ("Never making a show. Always hoping to fade into the background"), but realizes she's stagnant in it, and sticking there through comfortable inertia, but not exploring what she wants from life. So she resigns, and her two months notice will be spent sailing with Edmund on his yacht in the Pacific.

Naturally a storm capsizes there boat on the beach of the deserted island they were headed to. Naturally they have a big enough piece of the boat to be a shelter, a crate of supplies, and a source of fresh water and ripe fruit. Naturally they decide to act on their mutual attraction (and the realization they might spend the rest of their lives together alone) and bang it out all over the island.

Adams is always clever and her nuanced with her books than the tagline would suggest. Oh it's a billionaire/employee, shipwreck forced proximity? Sure! But rather than have Autumn been pining for Edmund, she's basically recognized his hotness but doesn't respect him enough as a person to be attracted. He's come to appreciate and rely on her utterly, but only recently come to look at her differently (yep, it's a he-falls-first, in a way). He learns competency, she learns to let go of her role as the only capable one. The culture clash when they are rescued adds an element of "what do we do back in real life" and the resolution was so heartfelt, with the kind of HEA that could have been a near-miss save for the willingness to be vulnerable and hold on to happiness.

I received this book as an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billionaire man-child Edmund Worthing lived in a bubble of luxury and innocence isolated from life's hard truths. Always in the background but in the forefront of Edmund's life was his PA Autumn. For six years Autumn did everything but breathe for Edmund so when she tendered her resignation Edmund's world was thrown off balance and Autumn was left trying to figure out what she wanted from her life.
Noelle Adams Restoration 4 Stars

Agreeing to one last sailing trip this couple dramatically found themselves shipwrecked on a remote island with nothing but each other and limited resources. This situation changed everything for Edmund and Autumn as it now was about Autumn stepping back and Edmund stepping forward, recognizing their individual strengths and weaknesses, but more importantly acknowledging their true feelings for each other beyond superficial interactions.

Edmund and Autumn's shared experience found them taking on challenges and seeing sides of themselves that they were able to turn a blind eye to. What could have broken them made them better people and allowed them the chance to explore the love they had for each other but had always ignored. This book was not just about love but of opportunities found, building character and becoming the people Edmund and Autumn wanted to be both individually and together.

This author did a good job of showing her character's growth as people. Taking Edmund from a helpless playboy to a competent man was no easy task but by the end of the book Edmund showed he was worthy of the hero title. Autumn not being responsible for everyone in her life's well being and showing her vulnerability gave this portrayal depth.

Restoration shook up two people's worlds and returned them to where they needed to be for a memorable read!

*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.*
*While part of a series this book can be read as a stand alone.*

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love stories like this were characters are put in situations were they have to reluctantly spend time together,getting to know the real person inside,not the person they percieve to be for everyone else.
This is what happens to Autumn and her boss Edmund.
Autumn was only meant to be assistant to Edmund for a temporary position,but she has been there for 6 years now and it was getting too much.
She has had enough and wants to finally go to university,but before she can leave she has one last job to get through,one last trip and then she would resign.
What was unexpexted is that they are both caught up in a violent storm that leaves Autumn stranded on a deserted island wih her impossible,demanding boss.
I loved reading this book and the transformation of Edmunds character as he is forced to stop behaving like a rich spoilt man..He has to use his survival instinct and protective side to take care of Autumn and make sure they both survive until they are hopefully rescued.
Autumn sees a completely different side to Edmund and they have to work together so they can stay alive..Getting to know him in this remote setting she likes what she sees and feelings for him grow and vice versa for Edmund towards Autumn.
Giving into the passion that ignites between them leads to some steamy desert Island shenanighans..
This is my first read by Noelle Adams which means I haven't read the other books in this series,but it didn't make a diffrence because Restoration reads as a standalone.
I really enjoyed Noelle Adams's writing and the characters she created,it is well thought-out,funny,steamy and a little emotional too.
This is a wonderful story and I relished it.
Excellent.
5 Stars.

[Mary Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say, Noelle Adams must be having fun writing the Worthing series. She’s taking some of the wildest story tropes and seeing what she can do with them in romances. Restoration focuses on the classic “stranded on a desert island.”

But as this is a romance instead of survivalist tale, said island has plentiful fruit that happens to be in season, a freshwater source, and enough shipwrecked material to help Autumn and Edmund survive. This way, Adams can focus on the shifting relationship between these two, as Autumn has been Edmund’s PA (and organizational wonder) for years—and she’s told him she’s quitting after this last boat trip.

Restoration is set up so nicely. We know Autumn has been in unrequited longing for Edmund for ages, while Edmund has been growing in maturity and responsibility; it’s part of why Autumn knows it’s time to leave. But when they’re stranded and must rely on their abilities to survive, they come to see one another differently.

The love story flows wonderfully from one point to the next. I never felt like feelings were forced or that something was happening in this story because it’s supposed to at that point. There’s an assurance to Adams’ writing here that helps this move so smoothly.

Frankly put, this book is like a lovely day at the ocean, restful and challenging all at once. And if I ever have to be stranded on a desert isle, I hope it’s like the one in Restoration.

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cozy, contemporary shipwreck romance by Noelle Adams/Claire Kent. The premise is great, assistant ends up stranded on a deserted island with her spoiled boss. The execution fell a little flat for me. Not much really happens, and the characters don’t open up to each other until the very end. It’s tame, sometimes bland, and I was a little bored in spots.

However, the writing is lovely and the steamy scenes are definitely hot. Just wish the emotional connection had started earlier.

Tropes/themes:
Stranded together/forced proximity
Boss/assistant romance
Grumpy/sunshine (ish)
Mild irritation to lovers, lol
Survival situation
One bed err, one island
Personal growth for the H
Escape from the modern world

If you’re looking for something along these lines, but with a bit more fire, I highly recommend Surviving Raine, or On the Island. Unseen Messages is good as well, but a little depressing overall.

[Judith Miguel · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I LOVED THIS BOOK!!
After spending six years as an assistant to reckless, entitled Edmund Worthing, Autumn has finally had enough. She wants more in her life than scrambling to fulfill his every whim and demand. He's got too much money and too little responsibility, and he never takes anything seriously. So she hands in her resignation letter. After they return from an extended cruise on his new yacht, she’ll go. The last thing they expected was to get caught in a sudden, devastating storm at sea. Now they are stranded on a deserted island together and everything is possibly. Even to fall in love.
This was such a great story right from the beginning! So moving and deeply emotional. It’s hot and sexy, but full of meaningful moments and dialogues that warm your heart and break it at the same time. I fell in love with these characters almost form the first page. But once they are alone in the island, everything was even more engaging.
I loved the way Edmund takes care of Autumn and how they help each other. The steamy moments were really nice and the end was absolutely perfect.
I highly HIGHLY recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tiffany Readz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Predictable but Cute

Even though Restoration is the fourth book in a series, it totally stands on its own—especially since it’s the only one I’ve read. The story revolves around Edmund, a millionaire bachelor, and Autumn, his personal assistant of six years.

The blurb gives everything away, but the real fun is in the details. I was curious to see how Edmund would handle life on a deserted island and how much he’d drive Autumn nuts. This guy’s been rich his whole life, with people doing everything for him. Not exactly a spoiler, but Autumn’s fed up with Edmund’s pampered lifestyle and is ready to make a change after their boat trip. Once they’re stuck on the island, things start to shift.

The book is well written, and while it’s a quick read, you can tell it’s been thought through. Even though Edmund and Autumn have known each other for six years in a purely platonic way, their relationship speeds up as soon as they hit the island. Personally, I was more interested in how they’d cope with island life than in their romance. Restoration reads well as a standalone with an epilogue to wrap things up.

Review for Renee Entress’s Blog

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book I've read by this author, and RESTORATION reminded me of all the reasons why I love her writing! A friend of Autumn's dad got her a job as a personal assistant to Edmund "Worth" Worthing. Six years later, she finds herself still doing the same thing and realizes she needs to go back now to what she initially planned to do and finish her Masters or she never will. Edmund, the billionaire, can't imagine what he'll do without her... after all Autumn helps him with everything, including packing his suitcases. Autumn gives her resignation later and will finish her position after they come back from a cruise... but what happens after if they've been shipwrecked from said cruise for several weeks and are in forced proximity and attraction and feelings ignite? Autumn is used to taking care of Edmund, can Edmund in return also take care of Autumn? I loved Autumn and Edmund, their opposite personalities, their banter, and the intensity between the two.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co=op and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Elspeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this installment of the Worthings series. I believe they are all distantly related and have different tropes. In this book Edmund "Worth" Worthing is a young man whose parents died when he was 15. Since that time he's been basically a playboy, dating models and actresses, and not all that serious.

Meanwhile Autumn has been his assistant for 6 years. She does most things for him, and started working for him while she was in graduate school. Autumn is finally ready to move on and restart her life, but just before she officially quits, they have one final trip together on Worth (though she calls him Edmund)'s yacht. They're on the water for a couple of months and then get shipwrecked on a private island.

The next 2 mos are Autumn learning to let go and Edmund learning to become more serious about himself. I liked the two of them and was happy with the HEA for the both. A nice series that fits in "all" the tropes :)

I received an advanced copy and am giving an honest review.

[ikwi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and swoony shipwreck story

The entire Worthings series is adorable and this book is no exception. Autumn and Edmund (even their names are cute and matching) have been employee and employer for six years. Autumn is about to quit when the two get stranded on a desert island for several months. Noelle Adams does a great job integrating survival challenges (searching for food and shelter, caring for each other's injuries, signaling for help) with budding romance and character development. Autumn is a wonderful everywoman heroine, smart and honest and introspective, while Edmund is thoughtful, respectful, and kind. Through the ordeal they learn to rely on each other, and Edmund matures beyond the lovable slacker he started as and into someone Autumn can see herself with. The book is very sweet, funny, and mildly steamy. Overall, a lovely shipwreck romance.

[Claire Coan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! My first time reading anything from Noelle and can’t wait to read more, especially the rest of the Worthings Series.
This follows Autumn who has been Billionaire Edmund Worthing for 6 years, she never intended to stay this long, she wants to complete her MBA so hands her notice. The long planned trip alone with Edmund is her last job, when plans change Worth detours to take in a Pacific deserted island his friend raved about. On route they hit a massive storm and end up ship-wrecked.
They both come together to ensure they find water, shelter and food. With everyday that passes they get closer, I loved the slow burn and spice between them.
No spoilers as to whether they get rescued, you’ll need to read to discover ☺️
Thank you NetGalley, Noelle Adams and Victory Editing for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.