Kelsey is a freelance web developer, and Isabella is a freelance branding expert. They are each contracted separately to The Coral Bay Resort in the Virgin Islands. They meet just before Christmas when in the arrivals of the airport, Kelsey helping Bella with her expansive luggage, too much for just a few days. After they find out that they will be working together on increasing the public profile of Coral Bay, with the CEO Carmen, they decide to return every month, concentrating on a different holiday package each time.
Kelsey is a single mom, with both her girls at college. She had her daughters by IVF, never having had a long term partner, instead getting help from her mom and brother to raise the kids. Isabella is divorced, with two younger sons, sharing custody with her ex husband. She has never been with a woman, the possibility never even having crossed her mind. However she finds someone special in Kelsey, beginning an instant deep friendship, each being attuned to the other almost from their first meeting. Their attraction is a slow burn, but not too slow; the ongoing story keeps things engaging and interesting. Others at the resort can see their attraction way before they can. After returning home, even their kids remark on how happy they seem when talking about the other.
I especially like that there is no subterfuge here; both Kelsey and Bella talk openly with each other, and with their families about their friendship. In each case, it’s not until others talk to them about the obvious growing attraction that they do something about it.
While in the Islands, the women are constantly vlogging to their increasing amount of followers, doing special videos for each activity or place, and a few times they are recognised while there.
They begin their online journey as two single moms making videos to help Coral Bay and other businesses in the area. As they realise their attraction and love they eventually become a couple in their online life, but not until after a few negative comments online and a few misgivings from Carmen.
The women make some wonderful friends in the Islands, especially Riley and Alex at Peaches, a popular bar on the neighbouring island - both them and the bar from one of Jamey’s previous books.
In almost all of Jamey Moody’s books, the characters talk of their hearts connecting, talking to each other. This is also very much a part of this story, such a beautiful way of explaining deep, almost magical love. What I love is that we get to see their happy-ever-after, and also we get to see how they fare several years into the future.
This is a nearly zero angst beautiful story, told in a warm captivating way, with some of the greatest characters. Not only Kelsey and Isabella, but also their growing group of friends on the islands, and especially all four kids who play a big part in the story. The writing is excellent, as is usual with Jamey Moody’s books. I really don’t know how she manages to write so many excellent, warm books in such a short space of time. Jamey is one of those authors that once you have read one story, you know all the others will be just as warm and beautiful. Jamey, you have set yourself a high bar to continue to live up to!