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Whisked Away
In the coastal town of Dove Point, where sun-kissed beaches meet the whispers of the sea, Ellie returns home to piece together her broken heart. Torn between the bustling city life of New York and the peaceful simplicity of her hometown, she’s searching for clarity—a second chance at the life she left behind.
Rowan, the dedicated owner of The Salty Dog brewery, has spent years burying himself in his work, avoiding the ache of losing the one person who mattered most. But when Ellie, his childhood best friend and the one who got away, comes back for the summer, Rowan realizes this might be his last chance to claim the love he’s always wanted.
As old wounds surface and sparks reignite, Ellie and Rowan must confront their fears, their pasts, and the undeniable pull between them. Set against the backdrop of endless summer days and star-lit nights, Dove Point weaves a story of friendship, passion, and a love worth fighting for.
Rowan, the dedicated owner of The Salty Dog brewery, has spent years burying himself in his work, avoiding the ache of losing the one person who mattered most. But when Ellie, his childhood best friend and the one who got away, comes back for the summer, Rowan realizes this might be his last chance to claim the love he’s always wanted.
As old wounds surface and sparks reignite, Ellie and Rowan must confront their fears, their pasts, and the undeniable pull between them. Set against the backdrop of endless summer days and star-lit nights, Dove Point weaves a story of friendship, passion, and a love worth fighting for.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2025
99 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
About the author
M. Colette
2 books24 followersA small-town romance author who always loves a happy ending. I love stories with strong, female character leads, no matter the genre. I'm a mood reader through and through! Some of my favorite books are, ACTOAR (series) by SJM, TOG (series) by SJM, Wild Love by Elsie Silver, Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston, Fourth Wing (series) by Rebecca Yarros, and The Windy City series by Liz Tomforde.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
April 30, 2025
3.5⭐
𝓘 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓸𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓭𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓪𝓷’𝓽 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮𝓵𝓯. 𝓘 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓫𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓮𝓿𝓮 𝓲𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵 𝓱𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓵𝓮𝓼𝓼. 𝓘 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓾𝓹 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓵𝓮𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓯𝓪𝓵𝓵.
‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧
🍪childhood friends to lovers
🍻 second chance
🍪pining
🍻 small town
🍪 it's always been you
🍻 chef&brewer
‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧
It was cute fluffy romance . Our MMC was so cute and sweet. he was down so bad for the FMC . The FMC was also kind and sweet. I understood her struggle with losing her passion and I liked seeing her figuring things out . I liked Milo (The MMC's dog ) . he was so adorable.The friends were so helpful and were there for our main characters when they were struggling.I just think that characters were acting a little bit not their age . our main characters felt more like they were in the end of their teenage years or the beginning of their twenties . I also didn't like the way our MMC daddy issues were represented ( I don't want to spoil anything) but I'm just going to say that I didn't like the father at all .
overall I recommend it if you want something cute and fluffy.
‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊
⋆.˚𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 ⋆.˚
Thank you Luna literary for sending me the e-ARC! excited to get into it!!
𝓘 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓸𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓭𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓪𝓷’𝓽 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮𝓵𝓯. 𝓘 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓫𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓮𝓿𝓮 𝓲𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵 𝓱𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓵𝓮𝓼𝓼. 𝓘 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓾𝓹 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓵𝓮𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓯𝓪𝓵𝓵.
‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧
🍪childhood friends to lovers
🍻 second chance
🍪pining
🍻 small town
🍪 it's always been you
🍻 chef&brewer
‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧
It was cute fluffy romance . Our MMC was so cute and sweet. he was down so bad for the FMC . The FMC was also kind and sweet. I understood her struggle with losing her passion and I liked seeing her figuring things out . I liked Milo (The MMC's dog ) . he was so adorable.The friends were so helpful and were there for our main characters when they were struggling.I just think that characters were acting a little bit not their age . our main characters felt more like they were in the end of their teenage years or the beginning of their twenties . I also didn't like the way our MMC daddy issues were represented ( I don't want to spoil anything) but I'm just going to say that I didn't like the father at all .
overall I recommend it if you want something cute and fluffy.
‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊
⋆.˚𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 ⋆.˚
Thank you Luna literary for sending me the e-ARC! excited to get into it!!
Want to read
May 5, 2025🌴┆‧₊˚ ⋅* 𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 ౨ৎ
loved the tropes for this one so happy to read thiss
thank you to luna literacy for an arc
loved the tropes for this one so happy to read thiss
thank you to luna literacy for an arc
May 13, 2025
This was a good read for me. I do love me a second chance romance which is what this was. I also like small town vibes - throw in a beach and I am in a good place. I liked Rowan and Ellie as our main characters. I liked that they found themselves with an option to try again after so many years. They were different people but still felt something for each other. I liked how Rowan supported Ellie through everything. Even though he was jealous that he hadn't had time with her, he was there as her friend first and foremost. I liked the chemistry between these two. It wasn't electric, but it was there. I appreciated Ellie and all that she had experienced. Burn out at work is a real thing, and for her to have a space where she felt comfortable resetting was such a good thing. I liked that Rowan was kind of this shy guy and completely became a dominant in the bedroom- HOT! I think the challenges I had were with the pacing. The plot would be going in one direction and then kind of switch gears pretty quickly. I also felt like some things were thrown in to continue the story but I wanted a little more from the characters if that makes sense?
Ellie is headed home to reset. Her world has been rocked. She is on the verge of a breakdown from work and her BF of 5 years has cheated on her. Which is how she finds herself driving home to the one person she wished had asked her to stay all of those years ago. She finds Rowan, her family and all of her friends there to support her. She is having a hard time getting motivated to do anything in the kitchen. She is having a hard time getting motivated period. But then Rowan is there for her. He holds her hand when she is upset. He helps her through the hard conversations. He is looking at her with those eyes she has missed so much. Those eyes that seem to be saying more than before. Could she be imagining it? Does he still want her after all this time? Because she isn't going to lie- she thinks about him a lot. And now they seem to be playing this dance of who is going to make the first move. He does but then his signals are all over the place. She gets that he is scared because she left before but things have changed haven't they? So when he makes his intentions and feelings clear, Ellie goes for it. And it feels SOO right. This is where she should have been all this time. With him. Now she just has to decide if staying home and being with her person is worth letting go of her dream job. She thinks it just might be.
Rowan has gotten into a rhythm over the years. Being a small business owner has its highs and lows. He hasn't really given time to think too much about Ellie, the girl he let get away, and all of the possibilities they could have had. But then he finds out she is coming home, and he let's hope in JUST a little. Why is she coming home? How long is she staying for this time? When he finds out what led her back, he is heartbroken for her. But also so impressed by her strength. He finds himself wanting to comfort her and support her as a FRIEND. But of course always underneath he has wanted more. So when he starts to see signs from her that she might want that too. He goes for it and freaks out. He decides he needs to work on himself a little more before fully giving into this. He is just not sure about the future. Will she stay? But then he realizes he will go with her if she leaves. And so he is all in. He wants her however he can get her. He just hopes she is on board with that plan.
This series has a lot of potential. There are just some small kinks that need to be worked out for future books in my opinion. I like the teasers for all of the couples to be paired up and am intrigued on how they will all fall.
Thank you to Luna Literary and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Ellie is headed home to reset. Her world has been rocked. She is on the verge of a breakdown from work and her BF of 5 years has cheated on her. Which is how she finds herself driving home to the one person she wished had asked her to stay all of those years ago. She finds Rowan, her family and all of her friends there to support her. She is having a hard time getting motivated to do anything in the kitchen. She is having a hard time getting motivated period. But then Rowan is there for her. He holds her hand when she is upset. He helps her through the hard conversations. He is looking at her with those eyes she has missed so much. Those eyes that seem to be saying more than before. Could she be imagining it? Does he still want her after all this time? Because she isn't going to lie- she thinks about him a lot. And now they seem to be playing this dance of who is going to make the first move. He does but then his signals are all over the place. She gets that he is scared because she left before but things have changed haven't they? So when he makes his intentions and feelings clear, Ellie goes for it. And it feels SOO right. This is where she should have been all this time. With him. Now she just has to decide if staying home and being with her person is worth letting go of her dream job. She thinks it just might be.
Rowan has gotten into a rhythm over the years. Being a small business owner has its highs and lows. He hasn't really given time to think too much about Ellie, the girl he let get away, and all of the possibilities they could have had. But then he finds out she is coming home, and he let's hope in JUST a little. Why is she coming home? How long is she staying for this time? When he finds out what led her back, he is heartbroken for her. But also so impressed by her strength. He finds himself wanting to comfort her and support her as a FRIEND. But of course always underneath he has wanted more. So when he starts to see signs from her that she might want that too. He goes for it and freaks out. He decides he needs to work on himself a little more before fully giving into this. He is just not sure about the future. Will she stay? But then he realizes he will go with her if she leaves. And so he is all in. He wants her however he can get her. He just hopes she is on board with that plan.
This series has a lot of potential. There are just some small kinks that need to be worked out for future books in my opinion. I like the teasers for all of the couples to be paired up and am intrigued on how they will all fall.
Thank you to Luna Literary and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
April 22, 2025
Loved Rowan and Ellie’s story. Can wait for August and Riley 👀 story.
July 26, 2025
just so cheesy
April 25, 2025
Thank you M. Colette and Luna Literary Management for the ARC.
Rowan and Ellie are best friends who dated towards the end of high school and experienced all their firsts together. Their romantic relationship ends when Ellie moves across the country to work as a high end pastry chef in New York City. They still remain good friends from afar. Fast forward 10 years… Ellie is unhappy and overworked, so she returns home to California to recoup. Rowan seizes the opportunity for a second chance at love and hopes he can convince Ellie to stay in California with him.
From the very first pages of the prologue, I was completely drawn into Rowan and Ellie’s relationship. Their bond runs deep, and they truly bring out the best in one another. They have amazing sexual chemistry, but it’s their strong foundation of friendship that makes their connection so special. What stood out to me the most in this second chance romance is that Rowan and Ellie never stop being friends!
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐈 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝:
👀 Dual POV! Rowan’s POV is hilarious whenever he catches himself thinking about Ellie in a sexual way. The transitions between the POV chapters are also SEAMLESS in terms of the events that are happening.
🥰 A memorable friend group with strong personalities! Some are siblings and some clearly have crushes on each other, but all of the friends help Rowan and Ellie navigate their relationship.
🫶 Flawed characters with real problems! Rowan struggles with giving up control and has a fear of being abandoned. Ellie has a hard time saying no to people and overworks herself.
🐕 An adorable dog named Milo!!
😍 A sexy MMC! Rowan owns The Salty Dog brewery, naming it after his dog that he adopted/found when it was abandoned. He is empathetic and observant, remembering all the little details about Ellie.
🍴A dinner date that will make you feel this range of emotions: 🥹🥰🤦♀️💀
Overall, I really enjoyed this love story and am definitely reading future books in this series!
Rowan and Ellie are best friends who dated towards the end of high school and experienced all their firsts together. Their romantic relationship ends when Ellie moves across the country to work as a high end pastry chef in New York City. They still remain good friends from afar. Fast forward 10 years… Ellie is unhappy and overworked, so she returns home to California to recoup. Rowan seizes the opportunity for a second chance at love and hopes he can convince Ellie to stay in California with him.
From the very first pages of the prologue, I was completely drawn into Rowan and Ellie’s relationship. Their bond runs deep, and they truly bring out the best in one another. They have amazing sexual chemistry, but it’s their strong foundation of friendship that makes their connection so special. What stood out to me the most in this second chance romance is that Rowan and Ellie never stop being friends!
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐈 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝:
👀 Dual POV! Rowan’s POV is hilarious whenever he catches himself thinking about Ellie in a sexual way. The transitions between the POV chapters are also SEAMLESS in terms of the events that are happening.
🥰 A memorable friend group with strong personalities! Some are siblings and some clearly have crushes on each other, but all of the friends help Rowan and Ellie navigate their relationship.
🫶 Flawed characters with real problems! Rowan struggles with giving up control and has a fear of being abandoned. Ellie has a hard time saying no to people and overworks herself.
🐕 An adorable dog named Milo!!
😍 A sexy MMC! Rowan owns The Salty Dog brewery, naming it after his dog that he adopted/found when it was abandoned. He is empathetic and observant, remembering all the little details about Ellie.
🍴A dinner date that will make you feel this range of emotions: 🥹🥰🤦♀️💀
Overall, I really enjoyed this love story and am definitely reading future books in this series!
April 22, 2025
Quick Review:
⭐️ 5/5 stars –Cozy, swoony, steamy in just the right places, and full of those ‘I didn’t realize how much I missed you until you were right in front of me’ vibes. I wanted to wrap this book in a blanket and never let it go.
🌶️ 3/5 Spice Rating – It’s best-friends-to-lovers with years of tension finally snapping. He’s all slow touches and soft laughs until the switch flips—then it’s hands everywhere, teasing control, and that “I know exactly what you like” confidence that only comes from knowing someone too well.
🖤 1/5 Darkness Rating – Light and low-angst. No major triggers—just a few emotional bumps, lots of warmth, and all the swoon.
⸻
What I Loved:
Literally everything. M. Colette’s writing has that effortless romcom-ish sparkle, like watching your favorite comfort movie but with more spice and way better banter. The vibes were immaculate—funny, swoony, flirty as hell—and the best part? No third act breakup. I could cry from how refreshing that was. Just two best friends finally figuring it out, being adorably in sync, and somehow making every hug, kiss, and “you’re mine” moment feel like a win. I was fully kicking my feet, grinning like a dork, and rooting for them like my life depended on it. Their chemistry is unreal, but it’s the way they see each other that really got me. It’s feel-good, full-body-sigh romance, and I ate up every second. Everything about it was real, authentic and relatable. There is someone for everyone in this book and I can’t wait for more of this series.
⸻
The Story (No Spoilers!):
Okay, so she’s a burnt-out pastry chef running home after a disaster of a breakup and a career that’s lost its spark. And waiting back in her hometown? Her tattooed, golden-retriever-in-a-grump-suit ex-boyfriend who just so happens to still be her best friend. Yeah. That one. He could totally be the “book boyfriend of the year.”
Things start slow—some casual run-ins, a hug that lasts a liiiittle too long, and boom, suddenly they’re having late-night talks, emotionally charged kitchen moments, and… flour fights. And yes, there’s banter. Like, elite banter. The kind that makes you squeal and kick your feet.
⸻
Final thoughts:
Pure serotonin in book form. It’s second-chance, best-friends-to-lovers goodness with all the flirty tension, emotional sweetness, and toe-curling spice your heart could want. M. Colette’s writing is effortlessly funny, full of warmth, and packed with personality—like your wittiest friend telling you a love story over mimosas and a brunch date. The banter is my favorite—fast, flirty, and so natural it feels like you’re right there, third-wheeling in the best way. I was rooting for Ellie and Rowan the entire time, smiling like a dork and squealing at every stolen glance and “you’re mine” moment. I’ll say it again— the no third act breakup is a breath of fresh air. Just two people choosing each other, over and over, in the most swoony, giggle-worthy way.
⭐️ 5/5 stars –Cozy, swoony, steamy in just the right places, and full of those ‘I didn’t realize how much I missed you until you were right in front of me’ vibes. I wanted to wrap this book in a blanket and never let it go.
🌶️ 3/5 Spice Rating – It’s best-friends-to-lovers with years of tension finally snapping. He’s all slow touches and soft laughs until the switch flips—then it’s hands everywhere, teasing control, and that “I know exactly what you like” confidence that only comes from knowing someone too well.
🖤 1/5 Darkness Rating – Light and low-angst. No major triggers—just a few emotional bumps, lots of warmth, and all the swoon.
⸻
What I Loved:
Literally everything. M. Colette’s writing has that effortless romcom-ish sparkle, like watching your favorite comfort movie but with more spice and way better banter. The vibes were immaculate—funny, swoony, flirty as hell—and the best part? No third act breakup. I could cry from how refreshing that was. Just two best friends finally figuring it out, being adorably in sync, and somehow making every hug, kiss, and “you’re mine” moment feel like a win. I was fully kicking my feet, grinning like a dork, and rooting for them like my life depended on it. Their chemistry is unreal, but it’s the way they see each other that really got me. It’s feel-good, full-body-sigh romance, and I ate up every second. Everything about it was real, authentic and relatable. There is someone for everyone in this book and I can’t wait for more of this series.
⸻
The Story (No Spoilers!):
Okay, so she’s a burnt-out pastry chef running home after a disaster of a breakup and a career that’s lost its spark. And waiting back in her hometown? Her tattooed, golden-retriever-in-a-grump-suit ex-boyfriend who just so happens to still be her best friend. Yeah. That one. He could totally be the “book boyfriend of the year.”
Things start slow—some casual run-ins, a hug that lasts a liiiittle too long, and boom, suddenly they’re having late-night talks, emotionally charged kitchen moments, and… flour fights. And yes, there’s banter. Like, elite banter. The kind that makes you squeal and kick your feet.
⸻
Final thoughts:
Pure serotonin in book form. It’s second-chance, best-friends-to-lovers goodness with all the flirty tension, emotional sweetness, and toe-curling spice your heart could want. M. Colette’s writing is effortlessly funny, full of warmth, and packed with personality—like your wittiest friend telling you a love story over mimosas and a brunch date. The banter is my favorite—fast, flirty, and so natural it feels like you’re right there, third-wheeling in the best way. I was rooting for Ellie and Rowan the entire time, smiling like a dork and squealing at every stolen glance and “you’re mine” moment. I’ll say it again— the no third act breakup is a breath of fresh air. Just two people choosing each other, over and over, in the most swoony, giggle-worthy way.
April 22, 2025
3.5
Okay, first off—the setting? Gorgeous. Like, seriously, I wanted to be there. The cozy vibes, the found family, and the friendships were some of my favorite parts. The group dynamics were really sweet, and I genuinely enjoyed seeing how they all clicked together.
That said, I do wish we got a bit more depth in some of the character interactions. I’m someone who loves a good deep-dive into character development, and at times it felt a little surface-level for me.
As for the romance—I'm a sucker for second chance stories, so I was definitely excited for Rowan and Ellie. I get that their breakup wasn’t super messy, which is refreshing in a way, but their reunion felt kind of... too easy? Like, I wanted more emotional unpacking, more tension or growth before they got back together. It felt a bit rushed or just not fully earned, you know?
Also (minor spoiler alert here)—I didn’t quite get why Ellie was so stressed about talking to her parents? It was made super clear they were loving and supportive, so the stress didn’t really add up for me and ended up being a little frustrating.
And speaking of family stuff: the way
Rowan just forgets about what the dad did? That whole resolution felt pretty superficial. There was a conversation, the dad kind of justified his actions (but not really), and Rowan just went, “Okay, cool.” Like… huh?? I needed more there.
BUT! If you're looking for a low-stakes, cozy read with no big drama or angst, this totally fits the bill. No third-act breakup, just a gentle little journey with warm fuzzies and charming moments.
Also—Riley! Loved Riley so much. Honestly, I’d be first in line for a Riley spin-off. James too. Can we please get more of them?
So yeah, this one’s perfect if you're in the mood for something light and cozy. Me? I like a little drama with my romance, haha, but I still had a good time with this one.
Okay, first off—the setting? Gorgeous. Like, seriously, I wanted to be there. The cozy vibes, the found family, and the friendships were some of my favorite parts. The group dynamics were really sweet, and I genuinely enjoyed seeing how they all clicked together.
That said, I do wish we got a bit more depth in some of the character interactions. I’m someone who loves a good deep-dive into character development, and at times it felt a little surface-level for me.
As for the romance—I'm a sucker for second chance stories, so I was definitely excited for Rowan and Ellie. I get that their breakup wasn’t super messy, which is refreshing in a way, but their reunion felt kind of... too easy? Like, I wanted more emotional unpacking, more tension or growth before they got back together. It felt a bit rushed or just not fully earned, you know?
Also (minor spoiler alert here)—I didn’t quite get why Ellie was so stressed about talking to her parents? It was made super clear they were loving and supportive, so the stress didn’t really add up for me and ended up being a little frustrating.
And speaking of family stuff: the way
Rowan just forgets about what the dad did? That whole resolution felt pretty superficial. There was a conversation, the dad kind of justified his actions (but not really), and Rowan just went, “Okay, cool.” Like… huh?? I needed more there.
BUT! If you're looking for a low-stakes, cozy read with no big drama or angst, this totally fits the bill. No third-act breakup, just a gentle little journey with warm fuzzies and charming moments.
Also—Riley! Loved Riley so much. Honestly, I’d be first in line for a Riley spin-off. James too. Can we please get more of them?
So yeah, this one’s perfect if you're in the mood for something light and cozy. Me? I like a little drama with my romance, haha, but I still had a good time with this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2025
Thank you M. Colette and Luna Literary for my eARC of Whisked Away for my honest review.
Ellie returns to her cozy seaside home in Dove Point after her long-term boyfriend leaves her heartbroken. She also needs a break from her hectic life in New York City and demanding job as a pastry chef. Ellie is excited to have the entire summer off to recharge and spend time with her friends, including her first love, Rowan. As Rowan and Ellie spend more time together, old feelings resurface, and they both wonder if they’re ready to take a chance on a second chance.
I was hoping to enjoy this second-chance romance, but I couldn’t get fully invested. There were too many characters that blended together; I couldn’t keep track of who was related to who and who had romantic feelings for whom; it was all a bit confusing. Rowan gave me the ick at times, especially when he said, “I cannot and will not allow my baby sister to strut around nearly naked.” Excuse me, it’s 2025, and she can wear whatever she wants. But he had no problem constantly sexualizing Ellie.
Also, nothing really happened. All of the conflicts were resolved so quickly that they felt almost insignificant; I kept waiting for something big to happen.
If you’re looking for a spicy romance with a lot of vibes and little plot, this might be for you.
Ellie returns to her cozy seaside home in Dove Point after her long-term boyfriend leaves her heartbroken. She also needs a break from her hectic life in New York City and demanding job as a pastry chef. Ellie is excited to have the entire summer off to recharge and spend time with her friends, including her first love, Rowan. As Rowan and Ellie spend more time together, old feelings resurface, and they both wonder if they’re ready to take a chance on a second chance.
I was hoping to enjoy this second-chance romance, but I couldn’t get fully invested. There were too many characters that blended together; I couldn’t keep track of who was related to who and who had romantic feelings for whom; it was all a bit confusing. Rowan gave me the ick at times, especially when he said, “I cannot and will not allow my baby sister to strut around nearly naked.” Excuse me, it’s 2025, and she can wear whatever she wants. But he had no problem constantly sexualizing Ellie.
Also, nothing really happened. All of the conflicts were resolved so quickly that they felt almost insignificant; I kept waiting for something big to happen.
If you’re looking for a spicy romance with a lot of vibes and little plot, this might be for you.
May 6, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
For starters, this was a good palate cleanser! As a baker, I could relate to Ellie when it came to losing her passion for baking - I’ve always said that baking is my escape and while you may do something as a job, once it starts feeling like a chore - is it worth it? I loved that Ellie knew she needed to come back to her hometown to re-evaluate her current life circumstances, self aware queen. I love the second chance trope, because sometimes we just don’t get it right the first time, I just wish this slow burn, was a tad bit slower with the pace when it came to Ellie’s healing journey. I didn’t feel connected to Rowan and his struggles - but I did love that he always tried to have Ellie’s best interest in mind. Overall, it was a light and fluffy time, and I am intrigued to see the other couples in this friend group evolve.
Thank you Luna Literary and M. Colette for this eARC in exchange for an honest review
For starters, this was a good palate cleanser! As a baker, I could relate to Ellie when it came to losing her passion for baking - I’ve always said that baking is my escape and while you may do something as a job, once it starts feeling like a chore - is it worth it? I loved that Ellie knew she needed to come back to her hometown to re-evaluate her current life circumstances, self aware queen. I love the second chance trope, because sometimes we just don’t get it right the first time, I just wish this slow burn, was a tad bit slower with the pace when it came to Ellie’s healing journey. I didn’t feel connected to Rowan and his struggles - but I did love that he always tried to have Ellie’s best interest in mind. Overall, it was a light and fluffy time, and I am intrigued to see the other couples in this friend group evolve.
Thank you Luna Literary and M. Colette for this eARC in exchange for an honest review
May 31, 2025
When Ellie finds out her now ex-boyfriend cheated on her, what other way to deal than to escape and go home for the summer? The tricky part being not telling anyone the plan and surprises everyone.
What will being home for the summer stir up? Will she start falling for her high school sweetheart again? But truly have either of them ever gotten over the other?
Her best friends have a plan- especially since her high school sweetheart is apart of this beat friend group. What would happen than him asking her out to dinner, but that first date was a flunk. The summer sure does show the sparks reigniting between them. But the question lies, will Ellie return to New York for a great promotion or will she stary in the town she grew up in with her first love?
Favorite scene: Ellie and Rowan baking cookies 🍪 😂
Favorite quote: “I ran away from a place that couldn’t give me stars” I whisper. “And then I remembered where I can always find them, and that was home. You’re my home” 😍🥹🥹❤️
What will being home for the summer stir up? Will she start falling for her high school sweetheart again? But truly have either of them ever gotten over the other?
Her best friends have a plan- especially since her high school sweetheart is apart of this beat friend group. What would happen than him asking her out to dinner, but that first date was a flunk. The summer sure does show the sparks reigniting between them. But the question lies, will Ellie return to New York for a great promotion or will she stary in the town she grew up in with her first love?
Favorite scene: Ellie and Rowan baking cookies 🍪 😂
Favorite quote: “I ran away from a place that couldn’t give me stars” I whisper. “And then I remembered where I can always find them, and that was home. You’re my home” 😍🥹🥹❤️
April 25, 2025
3.75 🌟
This story was such a sweet, light-hearted small town romance that gave me all the cozy feels. I’m a sucker for second chance romances, and the “it’s always been you” vibe? Gets me every single time.
The banter between Rowan and Ellie was fun and natural, and I really appreciated how patient Rowan was—he showed up for Ellie in all the ways that mattered. Their connection felt genuine, and I loved watching their relationship slowly rebuild.
One of my favorite elements was the found family through friendship. It was beautiful, heartfelt, and brought such warmth to the story. The book had a heartwarming, reflective tone that added just the right touch of reality, making it easy to connect with.
Overall, Whisked Away was a charming and comforting read—perfect for when you’re craving something feel-good and full of heart.
This story was such a sweet, light-hearted small town romance that gave me all the cozy feels. I’m a sucker for second chance romances, and the “it’s always been you” vibe? Gets me every single time.
The banter between Rowan and Ellie was fun and natural, and I really appreciated how patient Rowan was—he showed up for Ellie in all the ways that mattered. Their connection felt genuine, and I loved watching their relationship slowly rebuild.
One of my favorite elements was the found family through friendship. It was beautiful, heartfelt, and brought such warmth to the story. The book had a heartwarming, reflective tone that added just the right touch of reality, making it easy to connect with.
Overall, Whisked Away was a charming and comforting read—perfect for when you’re craving something feel-good and full of heart.
May 3, 2025
3.5/5 ☆
Thank you to M. Colette and Luna Literary Management for the ARC!
The book was a small town second chance romance. Unfortunately a lot of characters seemed to blend together for me and didn’t feel very fleshed out so I didn’t connect to the main friend group. Overall it was a quick and cute read!
Thank you to M. Colette and Luna Literary Management for the ARC!
The book was a small town second chance romance. Unfortunately a lot of characters seemed to blend together for me and didn’t feel very fleshed out so I didn’t connect to the main friend group. Overall it was a quick and cute read!
July 28, 2025
I enjoy a good second chance romance! I also liked the side characters. Overall cute story and I am excited to hear who the next book will be about!
May 1, 2025
The story was cute!
I kind of had a hard time connecting with the characters, they were missing some depth for me. The town seems so cute and I really enjoyed the friend group aspect!
thank you Luna Literary for sending me this eARC! 💕
I kind of had a hard time connecting with the characters, they were missing some depth for me. The town seems so cute and I really enjoyed the friend group aspect!
thank you Luna Literary for sending me this eARC! 💕
May 30, 2025
this was a slow starter for me, but the second half of it was amazing! it gave me goose bumps multiple times!
loved the kids get together only to end up with each other in the end! reminds me of my story and I love that!!
loved the kids get together only to end up with each other in the end! reminds me of my story and I love that!!
July 12, 2025
1.75⭐️
Ellie is the most unremarkable female main character of all time, I truly don't understand why everyone in her life is obsessed with her. Knew this book would be cheesy and that's totally ok, but it was so clichéd it was hard to read at times. Also, whoever edited needs a talking to—at one point, an entire sentence was repeated in addition to several other grammatical errors throughout. Yikes.
Ellie is the most unremarkable female main character of all time, I truly don't understand why everyone in her life is obsessed with her. Knew this book would be cheesy and that's totally ok, but it was so clichéd it was hard to read at times. Also, whoever edited needs a talking to—at one point, an entire sentence was repeated in addition to several other grammatical errors throughout. Yikes.
May 3, 2025
I was HOOKED from page one and absolutely refused to put this book down—I ignored every single adult responsibility just to keep reading. Zero regrets. 😌📚
Right away, you fall hard for Ellie and Rowan—childhood sweethearts turned long-distance heartbreak. 💔 Ellie’s chasing her pastry chef dreams in NYC while Rowan stays behind in their small hometown. But when burnout hits, she returns home for the summer… and BAM—the emotional rollercoaster begins. That’s all I’ll spoil, promise 😏
What follows is a deeply angsty, slow-burning journey of second chances. The tension is SO REAL I was practically yelling “JUST KISS ALREADY!” at my Kindle. And when they finally do… let’s just say, I had to take a moment. 🥵
Rowan? That man is the definition of a quiet, loyal, filthy-mouthed king. I was not ready for the level of spice that came out of that man’s mouth. Sir. Please. Never stop. 😮💨
Also I must say it was a little triggering for me due to abandonment issues, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book!
This book has everything:
💞 Childhood sweethearts
🏡 Small town charm
🌀 Heavy angst
🔥 Second-chance romance
💬 Witty banter
🧁 A pastry chef heroine with heart
Watching them confront their past, heal, and fall back into each other was everything my soul needed. If you’re into emotionally charged, just-one-bed-style pining with that perfect balance of sweetness and steam, this one’s for YOU.
Go read it. Now. Thank me later. 🤭
Right away, you fall hard for Ellie and Rowan—childhood sweethearts turned long-distance heartbreak. 💔 Ellie’s chasing her pastry chef dreams in NYC while Rowan stays behind in their small hometown. But when burnout hits, she returns home for the summer… and BAM—the emotional rollercoaster begins. That’s all I’ll spoil, promise 😏
What follows is a deeply angsty, slow-burning journey of second chances. The tension is SO REAL I was practically yelling “JUST KISS ALREADY!” at my Kindle. And when they finally do… let’s just say, I had to take a moment. 🥵
Rowan? That man is the definition of a quiet, loyal, filthy-mouthed king. I was not ready for the level of spice that came out of that man’s mouth. Sir. Please. Never stop. 😮💨
Also I must say it was a little triggering for me due to abandonment issues, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book!
This book has everything:
💞 Childhood sweethearts
🏡 Small town charm
🌀 Heavy angst
🔥 Second-chance romance
💬 Witty banter
🧁 A pastry chef heroine with heart
Watching them confront their past, heal, and fall back into each other was everything my soul needed. If you’re into emotionally charged, just-one-bed-style pining with that perfect balance of sweetness and steam, this one’s for YOU.
Go read it. Now. Thank me later. 🤭
February 2, 2026
Small-town, second chance, lovable interconnected friend group ✅✅✅ so many great elements to this story! I loved the friendship between Rowan and Ellie. I think there are a few kinks to work out as the series continues, such as defining the characters a little more (a lot of the friend group started blending together and I was unsure who was related, who was romantically connected, etc.), but I’m excited to continue the series!
Read
April 23, 2025In Whisked Away by M. Colette, Ellie returns to the coastal town of Dove Point after heartbreak sends her fleeing from New York. Hoping the ocean breeze and her childhood roots will help her sort out her future, she reconnects with Rowan—her former best friend and the man who’s quietly loved her all along. Rowan, still carrying the weight of his own loss, has built a successful life as the owner of The Salty Dog brewery. When Ellie walks back into his life, the two must navigate past wounds, rekindled sparks, and the pull of a love that never fully faded.
On paper, this book has everything I love in a romance: a beachside town, a second-chance love story, baking (bonus points), and a lovable dog named Milo. Dove Point itself was beautifully drawn—the descriptions of the beach and the brewery were especially strong and gave the story a cozy sense of place. I also really appreciated that Ellie and Rowan weren’t portrayed as perfect. They had flaws, histories, and emotional baggage that felt grounded in reality.
But while the ingredients were promising, the execution just didn’t work for me. The writing often leaned into telling rather than showing, which dulled the emotional impact. Characters repeatedly fixated on things like clothing, hair color, and eye color—details that started to feel oddly emphasized and, at times, even distracting.
There were also too many side characters introduced, some with loose narrative threads that never tied up. It left the story feeling cluttered and a bit underdeveloped. And in the intimate scenes, while I appreciated the effort to add nuance, the repeated focus on tongue-sucking pulled me out of the moment—it felt incongruous with the otherwise spicy tone.
Overall, Whisked Away has charm and heart, and I think M. Colette has a strong foundation here. But the story didn’t quite hit the emotional beats I was hoping for. It’s a sweet concept that I wanted to love, but ultimately, it didn’t rise to its full potential.
On paper, this book has everything I love in a romance: a beachside town, a second-chance love story, baking (bonus points), and a lovable dog named Milo. Dove Point itself was beautifully drawn—the descriptions of the beach and the brewery were especially strong and gave the story a cozy sense of place. I also really appreciated that Ellie and Rowan weren’t portrayed as perfect. They had flaws, histories, and emotional baggage that felt grounded in reality.
But while the ingredients were promising, the execution just didn’t work for me. The writing often leaned into telling rather than showing, which dulled the emotional impact. Characters repeatedly fixated on things like clothing, hair color, and eye color—details that started to feel oddly emphasized and, at times, even distracting.
There were also too many side characters introduced, some with loose narrative threads that never tied up. It left the story feeling cluttered and a bit underdeveloped. And in the intimate scenes, while I appreciated the effort to add nuance, the repeated focus on tongue-sucking pulled me out of the moment—it felt incongruous with the otherwise spicy tone.
Overall, Whisked Away has charm and heart, and I think M. Colette has a strong foundation here. But the story didn’t quite hit the emotional beats I was hoping for. It’s a sweet concept that I wanted to love, but ultimately, it didn’t rise to its full potential.
April 23, 2025
Review: Whisked Away
Release Date: May 2nd, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Romance
Spice Level: Open-Door Romance
A swoony, second-chance romance set in a cozy coastal town—perfect for summer reading.
As a new M. Colette reader, I was “in” the moment I saw the dreamy cover and the list of tropes:
Childhood Best Friends to Lovers (yes please)
Second-Chance Romance (sign me up)
Small (Coastal) Town (my favorite!)
Dual Point-of-View (I LOVE dual POV)
It’s Always Been You (::sigh::)
He Falls First (🥰)
Whisked Away follows Ellie, who returns to her childhood town of Dove Harbor with a broken heart and a crushed soul. She’s spent the better part of the last decade in NYC fulfilling her dream of becoming a world-renowned pastry chef. With tears, regrets, and maybe a hint of fear, she packs up her car and drives straight through the night—right back into the loving arms of her best friends.
Rowan, the local brewery owner and Ellie’s high school sweetheart, is still one of her closest friends. She instantly feels that sense of home the moment they reconnect.
I really felt for Ellie in this story—the angsty tension of “should I go or should I stay” is strong, and at times, either answer could be the right one.
Rowan is such a sweetheart of a MMC—strong yet vulnerable, dedicated and supportive. And to Ellie’s surprise, her bestie has grown up. He shows her a completely new side of himself (🔥), starting with flirty teasing and quickly escalating to no-holds-barred passion.
Final Thoughts:
Whisked Away lands just in time for poolside reading this summer. Ellie and Rowan’s story will stir up some serious nostalgia for your first love—and it’s a beautiful reminder of how growth and maturity can open the door for another chance at love.. Huge thanks to M. Colette (@authormomocolette) and Luna Literary Management for letting me be an ARC reader. Let me know if you’ve pre-ordered a copy for yourself!
Release Date: May 2nd, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Romance
Spice Level: Open-Door Romance
A swoony, second-chance romance set in a cozy coastal town—perfect for summer reading.
As a new M. Colette reader, I was “in” the moment I saw the dreamy cover and the list of tropes:
Childhood Best Friends to Lovers (yes please)
Second-Chance Romance (sign me up)
Small (Coastal) Town (my favorite!)
Dual Point-of-View (I LOVE dual POV)
It’s Always Been You (::sigh::)
He Falls First (🥰)
Whisked Away follows Ellie, who returns to her childhood town of Dove Harbor with a broken heart and a crushed soul. She’s spent the better part of the last decade in NYC fulfilling her dream of becoming a world-renowned pastry chef. With tears, regrets, and maybe a hint of fear, she packs up her car and drives straight through the night—right back into the loving arms of her best friends.
Rowan, the local brewery owner and Ellie’s high school sweetheart, is still one of her closest friends. She instantly feels that sense of home the moment they reconnect.
I really felt for Ellie in this story—the angsty tension of “should I go or should I stay” is strong, and at times, either answer could be the right one.
Rowan is such a sweetheart of a MMC—strong yet vulnerable, dedicated and supportive. And to Ellie’s surprise, her bestie has grown up. He shows her a completely new side of himself (🔥), starting with flirty teasing and quickly escalating to no-holds-barred passion.
Final Thoughts:
Whisked Away lands just in time for poolside reading this summer. Ellie and Rowan’s story will stir up some serious nostalgia for your first love—and it’s a beautiful reminder of how growth and maturity can open the door for another chance at love.. Huge thanks to M. Colette (@authormomocolette) and Luna Literary Management for letting me be an ARC reader. Let me know if you’ve pre-ordered a copy for yourself!
April 25, 2025
Whisked Away by M. Collette is a beautifully written second-chance romance set against the backdrop of a quiet coastal town that feels like its own character. Dove Point is sun-drenched and full of memories, the kind of place where time slows down and emotions rise to the surface. That’s exactly what happens when Ellie returns home, heart bruised and unsure of what comes next.
What makes this story work isn’t just the setting or the slow-burn tension—it’s the emotional honesty between two characters who know each other’s scars because they were there when they formed. Ellie’s inner conflict—torn between the fast pace of her New York life and the peace of her hometown—is compelling and relatable. She’s not running back for a fairytale. She’s searching for truth. And Rowan, the loyal, hardworking brewery owner who’s quietly carried the weight of past heartbreak, is impossible not to root for. He’s not flashy. He’s real. And when Ellie walks back into his life, he’s forced to confront everything he tried to bury.
Their chemistry simmers from the start, but Collette takes her time. She builds tension through stolen glances, quiet conversations, and the slow unraveling of shared history. This isn’t insta-love. It’s something deeper—messier, more human. The push and pull between them is full of nuance: grief, hope, fear, and desire all wrapped into one.
The side characters add warmth and depth without stealing the spotlight, and the coastal setting brings a kind of intimacy to the story—bonfires, sea breezes, and late-night confessions under starlit skies. It’s nostalgic in the best way.
If you love stories about coming home, healing, and finding the courage to love again—even when it’s hard—Whisked Away delivers. It’s tender, honest, and quietly powerful. The kind of book that leaves you thinking about the people you once loved—and the ones still worth fighting for.
What makes this story work isn’t just the setting or the slow-burn tension—it’s the emotional honesty between two characters who know each other’s scars because they were there when they formed. Ellie’s inner conflict—torn between the fast pace of her New York life and the peace of her hometown—is compelling and relatable. She’s not running back for a fairytale. She’s searching for truth. And Rowan, the loyal, hardworking brewery owner who’s quietly carried the weight of past heartbreak, is impossible not to root for. He’s not flashy. He’s real. And when Ellie walks back into his life, he’s forced to confront everything he tried to bury.
Their chemistry simmers from the start, but Collette takes her time. She builds tension through stolen glances, quiet conversations, and the slow unraveling of shared history. This isn’t insta-love. It’s something deeper—messier, more human. The push and pull between them is full of nuance: grief, hope, fear, and desire all wrapped into one.
The side characters add warmth and depth without stealing the spotlight, and the coastal setting brings a kind of intimacy to the story—bonfires, sea breezes, and late-night confessions under starlit skies. It’s nostalgic in the best way.
If you love stories about coming home, healing, and finding the courage to love again—even when it’s hard—Whisked Away delivers. It’s tender, honest, and quietly powerful. The kind of book that leaves you thinking about the people you once loved—and the ones still worth fighting for.
April 29, 2025
"Every movement he makes, it's like he's taking away every wound I've carried my entire life."
Ellie and Rowan are the absolute cutest, the most "they belong together" couple on the planet. Rowan is selfless to the detriment of his own mental health and Ellie wants him to let her help him. The support these two have shown each other throughout their friendship is to be envied. I enjoyed reading their story and meeting their circle of support- and I hope we're getting books for all of them! Ellie and Rowan, having been involved and best friends, were able to navigate their new relationship quickly, with mild angst and no third act break up (thank goodness). Both MCs have big decisions to make and big things coming in their future and I'm so happy I got to see them all come to fruition. I loved the writing which moved at a perfect pace and I can't wait to read what this author has up her sleeve for the rest of the Dove Point gang.
5 stars from me because it made my heart happy, a little sad, and there were tears.
Bits from the blurb:
In the coastal town of Dove Point, where sun-kissed beaches meet the whispers of the sea, Ellie returns home to piece together her broken heart.
Rowan, the dedicated owner of The Salty Dog brewery, has spent years burying himself in his work, avoiding the ache of losing the one person who mattered most.
As old wounds surface and sparks reignite, Ellie and Rowan must confront their fears, their pasts, and the undeniable pull between them. Set against the backdrop of endless summer days and star-lit nights, Dove Point weaves a story of friendship, passion, and a love worth fighting for.
Tropes:
Friends to Lovers
Second Chance
Small Coastal Town
"It's always been you"
He Falls First
"I've never had anyone fight for me like this."
Thank you to Luna Literary and M. Colette for sending me the ARC for this book. All opinions are my own.
Ellie and Rowan are the absolute cutest, the most "they belong together" couple on the planet. Rowan is selfless to the detriment of his own mental health and Ellie wants him to let her help him. The support these two have shown each other throughout their friendship is to be envied. I enjoyed reading their story and meeting their circle of support- and I hope we're getting books for all of them! Ellie and Rowan, having been involved and best friends, were able to navigate their new relationship quickly, with mild angst and no third act break up (thank goodness). Both MCs have big decisions to make and big things coming in their future and I'm so happy I got to see them all come to fruition. I loved the writing which moved at a perfect pace and I can't wait to read what this author has up her sleeve for the rest of the Dove Point gang.
5 stars from me because it made my heart happy, a little sad, and there were tears.
Bits from the blurb:
In the coastal town of Dove Point, where sun-kissed beaches meet the whispers of the sea, Ellie returns home to piece together her broken heart.
Rowan, the dedicated owner of The Salty Dog brewery, has spent years burying himself in his work, avoiding the ache of losing the one person who mattered most.
As old wounds surface and sparks reignite, Ellie and Rowan must confront their fears, their pasts, and the undeniable pull between them. Set against the backdrop of endless summer days and star-lit nights, Dove Point weaves a story of friendship, passion, and a love worth fighting for.
Tropes:
Friends to Lovers
Second Chance
Small Coastal Town
"It's always been you"
He Falls First
"I've never had anyone fight for me like this."
Thank you to Luna Literary and M. Colette for sending me the ARC for this book. All opinions are my own.
May 3, 2025
This romance had all the makings of a fantastic read: a big city girl visiting her small town, second chances, and childhood sweethearts. These are tropes that I love and when this book did this well, it really did it well. I could feel how in love our main characters were—it was so easy to tell why they were drawn to each other even after all these years.
However, I wasn't a fan of the general structure. The pacing felt a bit off, sometimes finding its groove and then having breaks that felt abrupt or like they didn't need the transitional pause in progress. Some parts felt clunky with too many summaries and instances of telling us what we needed to know, instead of showing us the action. This felt like it got much better towards the last third though. While the three chapters of spicy scenes could have definitely been condensed, the storytelling started feeling more descriptive, making it easier to get immersed in the world.
It also had many background characters, who clearly had their own arcs going on, but those weren't explored much. I'd imagine these will probably have their own books set in the universe, which will definitely bring the closure that felt missing for them.
I would've also loved to see a deeper exploration of the characters' motivations and more relationship-building conversations. Again, it took time to get right, but it was a difficult start with stilted and awkward language in their conversations.
I really do hope Ellie is happy with her choices in the end and allows herself to try and fail as many times as she needs.
Overall, I wished I would've enjoyed this more, as the characters were lovely. Either way, I can see the universe-building being super interesting in future installments.
Thanks to Luna Literacy for the ARC!
However, I wasn't a fan of the general structure. The pacing felt a bit off, sometimes finding its groove and then having breaks that felt abrupt or like they didn't need the transitional pause in progress. Some parts felt clunky with too many summaries and instances of telling us what we needed to know, instead of showing us the action. This felt like it got much better towards the last third though. While the three chapters of spicy scenes could have definitely been condensed, the storytelling started feeling more descriptive, making it easier to get immersed in the world.
It also had many background characters, who clearly had their own arcs going on, but those weren't explored much. I'd imagine these will probably have their own books set in the universe, which will definitely bring the closure that felt missing for them.
I would've also loved to see a deeper exploration of the characters' motivations and more relationship-building conversations. Again, it took time to get right, but it was a difficult start with stilted and awkward language in their conversations.
I really do hope Ellie is happy with her choices in the end and allows herself to try and fail as many times as she needs.
Overall, I wished I would've enjoyed this more, as the characters were lovely. Either way, I can see the universe-building being super interesting in future installments.
Thanks to Luna Literacy for the ARC!
April 25, 2025
“In the coastal town of Dove Point, where sun-kissed beaches meet the whispers of the sea, Ellie returns home to piece together her broken heart. Torn between the bustling city life of New York and the peaceful simplicity of her hometown, she’s searching for clarity—a second chance at the life she left behind.
Rowan, the dedicated owner of The Salty Dog brewery, has spent years burying himself in his work, avoiding the ache of losing the one person who mattered most. But when Ellie, his childhood best friend and the one who got away, comes back for the summer, Rowan realizes this might be his last chance to claim the love he’s always wanted.”
Tropes:
🥐Friends to Lovers
🥐Second Chance
🥐Small Coastal Town
🥐”It’s always been you”
🥐He Falls First
🥐Open Door Spice
My review:
I’m rating this book 4/5 because I thought the banter between FMC Ellie and MMC Rowan really showed the depth of their friendship and the trust between them. Their love story was playful, earnest and passionate.
Some parts I struggled with were all of the friends/siblings in the story. It definitely gave small town vibes of everyone knowing or having history with one another, but I found it a bit hard to keep track of who was who at first.
Not to pull a card of out of my high school English teacher’s deck, but I also thought the diction could be improved throughout to keep the non-dialogue parts interesting.
This wasn’t a very unique plot. However, you don’t have to have a wild or new concept to make a story enjoyable to read. I think this will be a fun beach read for a lot of people and it’s worth checking out when it releases on May 2nd.
Thank you to Luna Literacy for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Rowan, the dedicated owner of The Salty Dog brewery, has spent years burying himself in his work, avoiding the ache of losing the one person who mattered most. But when Ellie, his childhood best friend and the one who got away, comes back for the summer, Rowan realizes this might be his last chance to claim the love he’s always wanted.”
Tropes:
🥐Friends to Lovers
🥐Second Chance
🥐Small Coastal Town
🥐”It’s always been you”
🥐He Falls First
🥐Open Door Spice
My review:
I’m rating this book 4/5 because I thought the banter between FMC Ellie and MMC Rowan really showed the depth of their friendship and the trust between them. Their love story was playful, earnest and passionate.
Some parts I struggled with were all of the friends/siblings in the story. It definitely gave small town vibes of everyone knowing or having history with one another, but I found it a bit hard to keep track of who was who at first.
Not to pull a card of out of my high school English teacher’s deck, but I also thought the diction could be improved throughout to keep the non-dialogue parts interesting.
This wasn’t a very unique plot. However, you don’t have to have a wild or new concept to make a story enjoyable to read. I think this will be a fun beach read for a lot of people and it’s worth checking out when it releases on May 2nd.
Thank you to Luna Literacy for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 2, 2025
Ellie Thompson and Rowan Williams are high school sweethearts. If you saw one, they wouldn’t be without the other. After graduation, Ellie has the opportunity of a lifetime to travel to New York for 2 years and pursue her dream of being a pastry chef. Rowan and Ellie say their goodbyes as she leaves to achieve her dream. 10 years later, Ellie and Rowan have separated and are living completely different lives. Ellie is a pastry chef at The Red Table, in New York and living with her current boyfriend Charlie while Rowan owns and runs The Salty Dog Brewery back in their hometown of Dove Point. Ellie discovers Charlie has been unfaithful and decides to come back home 10 years later, a surprise to all of her friends and family. What she doesn’t know, is just how much that Summer will change the trajectory of her life completely.
I LOVED this book. The banter between all of the friends was so much fun. Ellie and Rowan’s relationship blossomed wonderfully. It was realistic. It was raw. To watch them fall back to one another reminded me a lot of myself and my husband’s relationship. I connected with this story and almost felt like I was reading a story about my life. Every chapter was filled with a bit of suspense. When things finally get spicy, it’s so worth the wait! It’s like watching them rediscover s*x all over again. Except, they both know a whole lot more than they used to 🥵 This whole story was fun. I really liked that the chapters were short and easy to read. It didn’t feel forced or like there was anything used as filler. I would highly recommend this Small Town Romance to anyone willing to listen! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll feel a whole lot of love.
5/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️
I LOVED this book. The banter between all of the friends was so much fun. Ellie and Rowan’s relationship blossomed wonderfully. It was realistic. It was raw. To watch them fall back to one another reminded me a lot of myself and my husband’s relationship. I connected with this story and almost felt like I was reading a story about my life. Every chapter was filled with a bit of suspense. When things finally get spicy, it’s so worth the wait! It’s like watching them rediscover s*x all over again. Except, they both know a whole lot more than they used to 🥵 This whole story was fun. I really liked that the chapters were short and easy to read. It didn’t feel forced or like there was anything used as filler. I would highly recommend this Small Town Romance to anyone willing to listen! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll feel a whole lot of love.
5/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️
May 14, 2025
☀️Whisked Away🌊
5/5
Burnt out from work, Ellie finds out she’s been cheated on. She decides she needs to get out of the city and go back home for the Summer. She’s hoping it’ll give her the fresh boost she needs to figure out her life.
Rowan has been running his own business ever since Ellie left town. He regrets ever letting her get away the first time. So when he hears of this break up, he decides he’s not going to let this time be the same. He’s determined to find a way to get his girl back.
Will she get her spark back and go back to the city? Or will she find out that home really is where the heart is?💜
-
This has the perfect amount of Summer vibes! The angst, tension and banter is everything! They were friends first and they’re still very close and I just love that there’s nothing they really need to learn about each other. They just fall right back into their friendship. Obviously there’s tension because they’re each others’ first love but they try to not let that get in the way. There’s still feelings that’s never been resolved that are brewing right off the bat too. Ugh I just love this book!
-
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!
Read if you like:
Friends to lovers to friends to lovers😋
Summer vibes☀️
Second Chance romance🫶🏼
Beachy location🌊
Found family🫂
Lil bit of spice🫦
-
I’ve put off finishing this purely because it’s so good (also a slump but I’m serious) the storyline is actually there and it’s so good! They truly worked through their own problems, they were very open about it. We love a couple that can communicate!! (Eventually LOL) I really loved how everything turned out and I absolutely loved the beach vibes. Don’t even get me started with Milo, LOVE him!!
-
Thank you @(luna for this ARC!!!
5/5
Burnt out from work, Ellie finds out she’s been cheated on. She decides she needs to get out of the city and go back home for the Summer. She’s hoping it’ll give her the fresh boost she needs to figure out her life.
Rowan has been running his own business ever since Ellie left town. He regrets ever letting her get away the first time. So when he hears of this break up, he decides he’s not going to let this time be the same. He’s determined to find a way to get his girl back.
Will she get her spark back and go back to the city? Or will she find out that home really is where the heart is?💜
-
This has the perfect amount of Summer vibes! The angst, tension and banter is everything! They were friends first and they’re still very close and I just love that there’s nothing they really need to learn about each other. They just fall right back into their friendship. Obviously there’s tension because they’re each others’ first love but they try to not let that get in the way. There’s still feelings that’s never been resolved that are brewing right off the bat too. Ugh I just love this book!
-
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!
Read if you like:
Friends to lovers to friends to lovers😋
Summer vibes☀️
Second Chance romance🫶🏼
Beachy location🌊
Found family🫂
Lil bit of spice🫦
-
I’ve put off finishing this purely because it’s so good (also a slump but I’m serious) the storyline is actually there and it’s so good! They truly worked through their own problems, they were very open about it. We love a couple that can communicate!! (Eventually LOL) I really loved how everything turned out and I absolutely loved the beach vibes. Don’t even get me started with Milo, LOVE him!!
-
Thank you @(luna for this ARC!!!
June 24, 2025
Very cute, low angst, second chance romance. Usually second chance romances are full of angst and miscommunication but these two were just two friends who fell in love, decided to follow their dreams, and then found their way back to each other. The entire time they were broken up they still stayed best friends which made it so easy for them to fall back in love with each other.
I thought they were really cute together; they had deep conversations, cute banter, and the chemistry was there. I also really liked the side characters though there were a lot of them. I'm assuming they'll all have books eventually and it seems a few might be paired together which would make sense why the friend group is so large but it was just a lot to keep track of for the first book in a series. I had to remind myself of everybody's relation to one another more than once throughout the book.
The only other reason I'm rating this a bit lower is because there were a *few* editing issues that did have me rereading a few times, most especially whether or not Rowan was in therapy... it's stated in an earlier chapter that he'd been in therapy and that's what was leading him to maybe see his father but then at the end, he's talking about how he thinks he might start going to therapy. It's not a huge plotline but it was enough that if you're reading this as quickly as I was it might make you a little confused.
Other than that, for a debut this was pretty solid. I think their writing will only get better from here and I'm excited for what's next. Hopefully, it's Riley and August because I'm dying over them already!!!
I thought they were really cute together; they had deep conversations, cute banter, and the chemistry was there. I also really liked the side characters though there were a lot of them. I'm assuming they'll all have books eventually and it seems a few might be paired together which would make sense why the friend group is so large but it was just a lot to keep track of for the first book in a series. I had to remind myself of everybody's relation to one another more than once throughout the book.
The only other reason I'm rating this a bit lower is because there were a *few* editing issues that did have me rereading a few times, most especially whether or not Rowan was in therapy... it's stated in an earlier chapter that he'd been in therapy and that's what was leading him to maybe see his father but then at the end, he's talking about how he thinks he might start going to therapy. It's not a huge plotline but it was enough that if you're reading this as quickly as I was it might make you a little confused.
Other than that, for a debut this was pretty solid. I think their writing will only get better from here and I'm excited for what's next. Hopefully, it's Riley and August because I'm dying over them already!!!
May 2, 2025
In Whisked Away by M. Colette, high-end pastry chef, Ellie Thompson, returns to her coastal hometown of Dove Point to mend her broken heart and find clarity between the bustling city life of New York and the peaceful small town she left behind. There, she reconnects with Rowan Williams, her childhood best friend (and owner of The Salty Dog brewery), who's been quietly carrying a torch for her all these years. As old feelings bubble back up, Ellie and Rowan have to decide if they're ready to take a second chance on something that might just be worth everything.
This book was so sweet. If you love a good friends-to-lovers story, give this one a read. Ellie and Rowan dated during and right after high school, but after Ellie took a great opportunity on the other side of the country, distance eventually got the best of them. I loved that Rowan supported Ellie no matter what, and didn't want to come between her going after her personal dreams. And Ellie was the same toward Rowan. It was fun to get to see them work through that and finally get the courage to try to make it work again after almost 10 years apart.
The friend group in this book had a really fun dynamic. Their dialogue and banter was amusing, and felt like a real group of friends. Overall, I enjoyed all aspects of this book. It was a very low-stress, feel-good read.
Some Favorite Quotes:
"When I didn't see any stars, I'd just look at the moon, wondering if you were looking at it too. And if we were looking at it together." (Ellie to Rowan)
"I will love you on the days you can't love yourself. I will believe in you when you feel hopeless. I will pick you up and never let you fall. Don't let anything try to dim the light that you shine into people's lives..." (Rowan to Ellie)
Thank you to Luna Literary and M. Colette for the eARC!
This book was so sweet. If you love a good friends-to-lovers story, give this one a read. Ellie and Rowan dated during and right after high school, but after Ellie took a great opportunity on the other side of the country, distance eventually got the best of them. I loved that Rowan supported Ellie no matter what, and didn't want to come between her going after her personal dreams. And Ellie was the same toward Rowan. It was fun to get to see them work through that and finally get the courage to try to make it work again after almost 10 years apart.
The friend group in this book had a really fun dynamic. Their dialogue and banter was amusing, and felt like a real group of friends. Overall, I enjoyed all aspects of this book. It was a very low-stress, feel-good read.
Some Favorite Quotes:
"When I didn't see any stars, I'd just look at the moon, wondering if you were looking at it too. And if we were looking at it together." (Ellie to Rowan)
"I will love you on the days you can't love yourself. I will believe in you when you feel hopeless. I will pick you up and never let you fall. Don't let anything try to dim the light that you shine into people's lives..." (Rowan to Ellie)
Thank you to Luna Literary and M. Colette for the eARC!
May 16, 2025
Yet another small town romance that has captured my heart 😍💜
⭐ Rating Criteria ⭐
💜 Plot and Writing Style:
I love the plot - especially the serious topics that the storylines of both Rowan and Ellie tackle, as well as how they each resolve it, together and individually.
As for their relationship, I enjoyed the childhood sweethearts trope, as well has how the second chance trope was executed - and I'm not usually fond of books with that trope, so this one was definitely great! It was cute how Rowan and Ellie rekindled their relationship, and how it developed from there. I also loved the vulnerability of both characters - I felt how real and relatable they were through their stories of struggle, and I also experienced the emotions they went through as I read the book.
Only one teeny-tiny thing though - I’m not a big fan of reading scenes/chapters that feel like fillers, and I found myself skimming over those - but other than that, this one was an A+ for me ❤️
💜 Characters:
I really like all the characters - I think they’re pretty realistic and it’s so easy to connect with not just the main characers but also the supporting ones.
With the found family trope in this, I’m definitely looking forward to the next books in this series 🥰
💜 Overall:
This was just amazing. From start to finish, I fell more and more in love with the plot and the characters and everything! I literally have no other words for this - I loved it 🥰
Thank you to Luna Literary and the author for allowing me to share my honest review of this ARC ❤️
⭐ Rating Criteria ⭐
💜 Plot and Writing Style:
I love the plot - especially the serious topics that the storylines of both Rowan and Ellie tackle, as well as how they each resolve it, together and individually.
As for their relationship, I enjoyed the childhood sweethearts trope, as well has how the second chance trope was executed - and I'm not usually fond of books with that trope, so this one was definitely great! It was cute how Rowan and Ellie rekindled their relationship, and how it developed from there. I also loved the vulnerability of both characters - I felt how real and relatable they were through their stories of struggle, and I also experienced the emotions they went through as I read the book.
Only one teeny-tiny thing though - I’m not a big fan of reading scenes/chapters that feel like fillers, and I found myself skimming over those - but other than that, this one was an A+ for me ❤️
💜 Characters:
I really like all the characters - I think they’re pretty realistic and it’s so easy to connect with not just the main characers but also the supporting ones.
With the found family trope in this, I’m definitely looking forward to the next books in this series 🥰
💜 Overall:
This was just amazing. From start to finish, I fell more and more in love with the plot and the characters and everything! I literally have no other words for this - I loved it 🥰
Thank you to Luna Literary and the author for allowing me to share my honest review of this ARC ❤️
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