Beachcombing in the Bahamas

by Jennifer Skully, Jasmine Haynes

Turquoise waters, sultry nights, and holiday romance await on a Caribbean island paradise…

When Yvette Donnelly lost her husband, she was grateful to his elder brother Brock for being there for her and her two children. She never meant to fall in love with him...

Brock Donnelly, the family's eldest son and CEO of their thriving shipping empire, must stand against the force of his own tempestuous emotions. Divorced and a doting father of three college-age children, he never anticipated the storm his heart would unleash when he gave in to his attraction for his stunning sister-in-law, Yvette.

Their desire is a forbidden fire, burning hot and unquenchable. And while Brock yearns to declare his love to the world and make Yvette his forever, the consequences of revealing their secret affair could bring chaos to the family dynasty.

As the Christmas season beckons, a family vacation on the sun-soaked shores of the Bahamas seems like the perfect way to end the year. And Yvette and Brock’s craving for each other has never been stronger.

Can the star-crossed lovers summon the courage to defy the family's expectations and celebrate their love? Or will the revelation crush their hopes of happiness forever?

Imagine dipping your toes in that warm aquamarine water in this later in life, second chance, Christmas romance.

Perfect for readers who love…
✿ Later in Life Passion
❥ Second Chance Love
⛱ Holiday Travel Romance
✈ Vacation Romance
♥ Silver Fox Hero
☀ Christmas Romance
✪ Forbidden Romance
✯ Family Drama
⛱ Tropical Escape

The Once Again series, stand-alone romances with no cliffhangers
Dreaming of Provence
Wishing in Rome
Dancing in Ireland
Under the Northern Lights
Stargazing on the Orient Express
Memories of Santorini
Siesta in Spain
Top Down to California
Cruising on the Danube
Margaritas in Mexico
Beachcombing in the Bahamas
Love Affair in London
Passion in Prague

Once Again Boxed Sets
Holiday in Paradise, Once Again Books 1 thru 3
Love on Vacation, Once Again Books 4 thru 6
Escape to Romance, Once Again Books 7 thru 9

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2024

About the author

If you like your romantic suspense fast-paced and laced with humor, try award-winning author Jennifer Skully. Jennifer adores quirky characters. The whackier the better! And you’ll find a whole cast of them in each and every Jennifer Skully book. Of course, being in the same body with alter ego Jasmine Haynes, she doesn’t let you down on the hot, sexy love scenes either.

After a long hiatus, Jennifer Skully is back!

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a family affair!🏖

This romance between mature adults Brock and Yvette, hiding their hot, intimate relationship from a quite large family, had a good central battle between family matriarch Adeline and her widowed daughter-in-law Yvette. Adeline's scheming is a lynchpin of the drama. I wondered for the longest time just why Adeline so consistently fought to hurt and isolate Yvette from the family (and especially Yvette from her two daughters) but it all burst out in the end. A humdinger! And this romance really is a "family affair" since Yvette was married to Brock's profligate brother and their five children are first cousins! Yvette dreads telling her daughters that she's sleeping with their uncle. Brock seems unworried about how his three sons will take the news: not sure why.

The author seemed to devote about half of the pages to the passionate clinches and got a bit repetitive in expounding on Yvette's fear of discovery. Both are an important part of the narrative, but they could have been mentioned less.

The vacation setting gave a nice, action vibe, especially with so many young adults, family and their invited companions, being a big part of the holiday celebration. There's a tag-along guest, Darryl, who adds a boorish touch to an otherwise jocular and happy holiday in their sunny island paradise.

The climax was dramatic and the ending happy (for most).

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Sharon Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

The situation at the Donnelly estate is, at times, contentious for widow Yvette Donnelly. Her husband passed away five years ago and her mother-in-law, Adeline, has never approved of her. Adeline has plans to remove Yvette from the estate, but Yvette is not leaving…she intends to remain there for her daughters. A family Christmas trip to the Bahamas allows Brock and Yvette to find more personal, intimate time together. Adeline had been unaware that her eldest son, Brock, had become romantically involved, during the past nine months, with Yvette, his sister-in-law and administrative assistant. Most of the family have enjoyed the various planned events, zip-lining, the waterfalls, horseback riding, the native meals and the spas, well almost everyone, since Adeline is unable to attend most of the events. As Adeline begins to see the closeness between Yvette and Brock, to what lengths will she go to finally force Yvette from the family? Will it be too late for Adeline to recognize the consequences of her actions?? A heartwarming romance that proves the fight for love is always worth the effort. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

[Kathy Coatney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I mean who can resist turquoise waters, sultry nights, and holiday romance on a Caribbean island paradise? But even more, I loved the depth of this book, and particularly the scenes with Adeline. It also had some totally unexpected twists that were amazing.

Yvette Donnelly’s husband died in a car accident. He was a gambler, drinker and philander, but she stayed with him. Five years after his death, she falls in love with his brother, Brock, who was the complete opposite of his brother. Brock was CEO of their thriving shipping empire, honest, dependable, and the perfect man for Yvette.

So why no happily ever after? Because of Adeline, Yvette’s mother-in-law and Brock’s mother. She made all the years Yvette was married to her husband a living hell. So won’t suffer Adeline’s cruelty again. Will Yvette and Brock find their happily ever after? I stayed up late to find out that answer, and I highly recommend this read.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this addition to the Once Again series. I love that this has mature love interest that get another chance to find love again, its a bit tricky because of the family dynamics, but Brock is determinedly in love. Outside of the romantically love and adult steaminess, the authors also take the time to portray the emotional reactions of the loved ones concerning their "taboo" relationship, the good, bad and even the ugly. I love that their strength as a couple in a secret relationship shines. Emotionally engaging and romantic love story. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to read and leave a review.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story had some teeth to it. It had a lot of hate initially along with love. Adeline was the aging family matriarch and dictator who is slowly losing her powers and desperately trying to hold on and manipulate the others. Yvette has already done what's best for her daughters. She is falling for her BIL. Does she have the courage to finally put her happiness first. Adeline reminded me of a viper laying in wait for its' prey. She was so selfish . I was so afraid Yvette wasn't strong enough to take her happiness . The vacation place sounded like a paradise I want to go to!!

[Jennifer Artiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this holiday vacation book with it's vivid descriptions of the locations, food and activities to be found in the Bahamas. It made me want to try ziplining! The characters were so realistic, even the evil mother-in-law who wanted to control everyone and everything (thankfully, most MILs are not like that). Yvette's struggles were well-fleshed out and not overdramatized and her solutions were wonderful. Brock's strength, support and understanding were just what we would hope to see in a real-life situation. Keep up the great work! Highly recommended.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A secret affair! Oh my! But, what might the consequences be if it is no longer a secret?

Brock may want more. But Yvette, she's absolutely reticent!

Might the holiday in the Bahamas be what Yvette needs to see that a second time love is right. Even if the who seems wrong?

The heart wants what the heart wants! Sometimes you just have to give in and say...WTF...to the rest of the world!
I sure was hoping for that!

[Christine Jalili · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story and devoured it in a day. Loved Brock and Yvette together. I felt for his as he wanted to let everyone know about them, but she’s afraid her daughter’s won’t understand. After all, she had been married to his brother before he died. Loved getting multiple points of view. There’s some drama and I felt for them but thankfully they finally get their happy ever after. I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy and I recommend this book.

[Nancy Gorbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

travel romances.

Wish the release date was given for Love Affair in London .
All her books are so good. Each story line is unique