Sweet Waters

Otter Bay #1

by Julie Carobini

With her well-planned life in disarray, jilted Tara Sweet leaves Missouri to chase after the fairy tale life her family once knew in Otter Bay. Soon she meets handsome but complicated firefighter Josh Adams and a host of mysterious faces from long ago. But what happens when truth is one secret after another, and the fairy tale turns out to be a soap opera?
     Despite the vivid backdrop of their budding romance by the sea, Tara and Josh soon find themselves at odds with their families, their faith, the quirky townspeople of Otter Bay ~ and each other. Can they face the truth together ... and be set free?

Genres: Christian, Romance, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit

403 pages, ebook

First published July 16, 2009

About the author

JULIE CAROBINI is an award-winning author of inspirational beach romances and cozy mysteries. She has received awards from The National League of American Pen Women and American Christian Fiction Writers; and several of her novels have reached Amazon bestseller status.

Julie is known for spunky heroines, charming heroes, quirky friends, and the secrets they keep. She lives on the California coast with her husband, Dan--not far from their grown-up kids.

Grab a free story for your e-reader at www.juliecarobini.com/free-book/

Learn more:
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3vMcjEF
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/juliecarobi...

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise of this book: Tara returning to Otter Bay to fulfill her father's dying request and discovering things about her parents she never could have imagined. However, her discoveries were a bit drawn out...it seemed to take forever to get even the smallest (and usually very vague) pieces of information. Tara's relationship with Josh was quite juvenile and the nicknames that she and her sister, Melanie, had for each other (Tare-Tare and Mel-Mel) made me crazy.

Overall, it was a fairly enjoyable read, set on the beach in typical Julie Carobini fashion. A light "beach read," perfect for summer.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tara Sweet never thought that she would be moving back to her hometown of Otter Bay, California. After Tara’s fiancé’ calls off their wedding, there isn’t much left for Tara to do in Missouri, so moving back home for a new start is exactly what Tara needs.

It seems that Tara isn’t the only one looking for new adventures. Tara’s sister, Liz is planning to move to Manhattan and their mother will be traveling the European countries with her new younger husband of eight years her junior, Derrick. They will be gone for about a year.

Tara comes back to Otter Bay with dreams and hopes of happy times like it used to be when she grew up. Yes, Tara makes some new friends and even meets sexy firefighter, Trent but Tara also gets more than she bargains for when she learns some secrets about her family.

Tara was a bit of a disappointment for me. I found her to be a bit dull. I found her mother and her new husband had me more interested in what they were going to do. I can’t comment on Tara and Trent’s chemistry as I stopped reading this book about a third of the way in, before things really picked up. I did think though that the people of Otter Bay seemed nice and a nice place to go to visit. For anyone who likes chick lit than you might like Sweet Waters.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tara Sweet, a sensible, predictable, older sister had her life turned upside down when her Mother suddenly marries a very younger man and Tara's long time boyfriend dumps her. She never thought that she would be moving back to her hometown of Otter Bay, but before her Dad passed away he made her promise to return. With no ties to keep her in Missouri, and in hopes to relive some of the good memories of her youth, she takes off for Otter Bay.

Tara's mom leaves for her whirlwind honeymoon and her sister Liz moves to Manhattan. So Tara and her cousin try to find their way around. Upon arriving in Otter Bay Tara meets the sexy, firefighter Josh, but the longer she is in Otter Bay the more she finds disturbing information concerning her family's past. As Tara faces her past she is left questioning everything she has known. But through it all she learns to rely on the One who is faithful and who never changes.

I found this to be a fun book to read with a great message: God is there when life seems to be spinning out of control.

[Julie]

Starry-eyed Tara has a secret. Complicated firefighter Josh does too. As they find themselves barreling toward the truth ... their newfound love is put to the test.

Welcome to my quirky Otter Bay novels, where love, laughter, and secrets rule the coast! Now the entire Otter Bay series is available on Kindle Unlimited:: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078NJGWVK

Here's more about book 1:
In this sweet beach romance, jilted Tara leaves home to chase after the fairy tale life she once knew in Otter Bay. Soon she meets handsome but complicated firefighter Josh--and several mysterious faces from long ago.

But what happens when truth is one secret after another, lies unfold, and the fairy tale turns out to be a bad reality show?

Despite their chance at a forever love, Tara and Josh find themselves at odds with her sisters, their faith, the quirky townspeople of Otter Bay--and each other.

Can they face the truth together ... and find a second chance at happiness?

[Randy Tramp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Waters by Julie Carobini
Tara leaves Missouri and goes to Otter Bay. She meets Josh Adams, a firefighter. Both have mysteries in their past that need to be solved in order for their relationship to blossom or not.

My Thoughts
Sweet Waters is a romance story by the sea. Those two elements make for a good read. Add to that complicated and a few quirky people and you have a great story.
We’re introduced to a mystery early in the book, thickening as pages are turned. I enjoyed the way the story played out, showing the power of truth. This was a fun read with a surprising ending.

[Moon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Waaaaaay to much God and Jesus mentioned for me. I did not know that the story would be Jesus-y in any way. The first time God was mentioned figured it was a random thing that that one character (on a plane) said. Toward the end it just got a lot more. Finished the book anyway. It is not my thing so was not expecting it in my light summer/beach read. I enjoyed the setting which is why I kept reading it. Easy read.

[Jennifer Johnston · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just alright. I wanted to be more interested than I was. The main character was immature (Her sisters were, too—everyone operated 7-10 years younger than ages given.) The relationships didn’t ring true as we never see things intensify and build-we’re just told the characters feel this way with little time or interaction. I know the info about dad was supposed to be mysterious, but it just dragged out. Not sure I’ll pick up the next in the series.

[Deborah Boutwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Returning to a safe place after several major changes in her life...that safe place isn't what she remembered. I thought Julie was writing about my life. Very easy read.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story and characters. The only complaint I had is that some of the dialogue was really unnatural. Great summer beach read!

[teresa pogue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tara Sweet is a practical and predictable older sister whose life has just been turned upside down. Her Mother has just married a younger man and her long time boyfriend dumped her. She moves back to her hometown of Otter Bay to fulfill her promise to her Dad. She promised him before he passed away that she would return. She hopes by doing so that she might relive some of the good memories of her youth.

Upon arriving in Otter Bay Tara meets a sexy firefighter named Josh. She also learns some troubling information concerning her father. Tara has to face her past which causes her to question everything she has ever known. Through the turmoil, she learns to rely on God who is always there even when life is spinning out of control.
This book is an easy read with a great message!

[Mary Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book. The book needs spaces or asterisks when there is a time change within a chapter. It was very jarring to be reading a long, then suddenly two sentences into a paragraph you discover 2 days have elapsed since the preceding paragraph! Also, a 'reality' show is basically a character in the book, though I think it should be referred to as a soap opera not a reality show. The main characters is basically 'Erica Cane' - show is on 5 days a week, with outlandish things happening - how is that a 'reality' show.

[Ida Lukasik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sisters,mystery and faith

Tara the oldest,wanted to get away after her moms wedding. Tara and her boyfriend broke up.she quit her job. She wanted to go back to otter bay. Her younger sister Camille went with her. She goes hoping to remember her past. But things happen and she gets more than she bargained for. She meets a firefighter Josh. She learns of mysteries of him. But also she goes to church and learns so much. You need to read and see how they gain another sister. I really enjoyed this book.

[Caitlin Nikolai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a hard time at first because it seemed like the book was slow. However, I had a lot going on at the time so I probably couldn't focus on the book. I set it aside for a week or two.

When I picked it up again, I ended up getting sucked in like at high tide and couldn't come up for air (nor did I want to). The secrets uncovered, the way they all tied together, scooped me in and I just had to keep reading to figure it all out!

Throw in the handsome, gentlemanly firefighter, and, we'll, icing on the cake!

[Bonnie Theel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author. After Tara's mother marries a man several years younger than herself, and her boyfriend of five years dumps her, she decides to go back to Otter Bay. She found out life wasn't exactly as she thought it was when they lived there.

She met a firefighter, Josh. There was a mutual attraction between them. As it turns out, they both had secrets they were embarrassed about. This was a very enjoyable read.

I received a free book, and this is my honest opinion.

[Barbara Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me engaged from beginning to end.My heart went out to poor Tara who was tasked by her honeymooning mother to watch over the girls. She's in for a lot of surprises when she decided to visit their childhood town in California. On elf her surprises is meeting handsome, troubled Josh. He's a good tortured hero. There are lots of twists and turns and a few surprises . I especially enjoyed the way Julie Carobini makes you feel what's going on

[Reina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little story, with great characters. Some of the drama was a little too dramatic for my taste, and the editing for an ebook could have been much better- there were breaks in the story without breaks even between paragraphs, and it got a little confusing several times. But overall it was an enjoyable read. I really did love the descriptions of the ocean and town, and I totally want to go live there for a month or so!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

The three sisters moved and learned bad thing about their father. The sibling Dina i s were good. The most disconcerting thing I found was no breaks between paragraphs when the time period changed. You read a bit and don’t understand for a bit. Definitely need asterisks or something between those paragraphs. I agree with another reviewer that the three sisters have terrible Knick names. But after I got into the book I enjoyed the story. Good Christian story.

[Shandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Otter Bay. A small town, where lives intertwine and reveal secrets of the past, that lead to answers to questions unknown. Find hope, love and life in this story of forgiveness, and not allowing the past to keep you from what God has for the future. Follow the story of a family who move back to the small town they lived in when young, and you will discover a powerful story of love, life and forgiveness all wrapped into one!!

[Rachel E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

completely worth reading. I plan to read the other two books on the series!!!

I loved the story , hated the transitions. From one paragraph to the next could be a whole scene change. I try not to be a perfectionist but there were more than a few typos. Otherwise, completely worth reading. Pacing was good. Character development was natural. I plan to read the other two books on the series!!!

[Phyllis Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

4 stars for Sweet Water. This is the story of Tara and her family. After her fathers passing and het made their remarried, Tara and her sister dps decide to return to Otter Bay. Tara learns some secrets about her father and is very confused. Also she meets a handsome firefighter named Josh. Turning from her fictional character to church and God is a turning point in her life.

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a nice family , a lot dynamics story. Tara Sweet is the oldest daughter and her mother puts a lot of pressure on her to always help her 2 younger. She finds a great guy in Otter Bay and has moved there to remember her father & growing up there when she was very young. So many things happen, her sisters are finding their way in life with some surprises. And her mom has decided to cut her yearlong honeymoon short so she can start adulting, & coming clean with her kids. Also I received a free book and have reread it. Thanks Julie Carobini.

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the story about Tara, her family and the characters in Otter Bay and enjoying watching the various characters change and grow while learning to rely on God. The one weird part was Peg being mad at Tara and telling her something bad about Tara's father, despite the fact that he had made things right a long time before. More than one character had some issues, but that is how real life is also.

[Snickerfritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of redemption and relief

This novel took a bit longer than I expected because of the depth of each of the characters. They were all flawed in one way or another and yet they loved those around them in spite of those flaws. The overreaching effect of God’s sovereignty and grace draped over imperfect humanity was inspiring, and the plot twists and interconnections made it intriguing and entertaining to read.

[Rosann Comstock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets:

This family the thought they had a happy life but as change came into forces on there life it is went that clear. Is I was reading this story I felt simple for the sister on each one found themself with decisions they had to make for their life to involving forward enjoy this story.

[Bruce Dinsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow that was a lot of history and family and side trips into dramas. I appreciate that the author keeps the spiritual in the background but it becomes steadily more important. There are distractions, abuses, histories of all types working here and it works out for the best (but not necessarily as you would like) and that is reality too.

[Gabby · Rating 2 out of 5]

wow. A friend gave this book to me and said it was a light beach read and she likes it until the end. I read it and it helped pass the time when I couldn't sleep but definitely not my kind of book. It was sweet love story but the crazy coincidence at the end and the blatant Christian tones felt unnatural and odd.

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the premise of the book, sisters going "back home"'to a beach town, discovering secrets and becoming involved with the locals. However, the author took a long, convoluted way around telling the story. Very disappointing.

[Kay Fief · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good story of a family with lots of background and it kept my attention to read for several hours. Through GOD we are going to find our home as to where HE wants us to be. Take the time to listen.

[Patti B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It had lots of twists and turns, and I came to really care about many of the people in it. The author did good work in showing the power of forgiveness, and that none of us are perfect. God used past lies in the book to draw people to the truth, His truth.

[Marcia A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked how how of the threads of this story all come together in the end. I liked this story and the family members who are trying to find their place in the history of their parents. And the beach setting sounds fun!