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Cape May #1
Changing Tides
“I think about how a person can be like a Cape May diamond. A dull piece of quartz but when the tide changes, as it always does, they can become shiny and new again.”
Sometimes the tide that sweeps you away can bring you home...
After thirteen years of marriage and seven years of infertility with her supposed soulmate, Sophie Bennett’s life is turned upside down. Not only does she discover her husband is having a sordid affair, on her birthday, but his mistress is also pregnant with his baby. Seeking solace, Sophie flees to Cape May, New Jersey, a quiet coastal town where she spent many summers as a child. There she encounters Liam Harper, a brooding carpenter who seems intent to keep everyone at a distance. Despite his best efforts, Sophie recognizes the vulnerability under his prickly exterior, sparking a curiosity about him that she can’t ignore.
Liam Harper is walking around with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Haunted by a tragedy from his past that changed him forever, Liam doesn’t believe he deserves love or happiness. After being unexpectedly awarded permanent custody of his one-year-old niece, Liam’s script flips yet again. He doesn’t know the first thing about parenthood, and his gruff exterior makes it hard for him to ask for help. When the beautiful and heartbroken Sophie becomes his new neighbor, Liam never expects her to be the one to chip away his defenses.
As the two navigate their attraction and work to heal old wounds, emotions run high. If they want to change the tides of their futures, they must decide whether love is worth the risk. Will they walk away forever, or will fate step in and see them through?
Content Warnings:
PTSD
Infidelity
Infertility (not directly on page)
Fatal Car Crash
Sometimes the tide that sweeps you away can bring you home...
After thirteen years of marriage and seven years of infertility with her supposed soulmate, Sophie Bennett’s life is turned upside down. Not only does she discover her husband is having a sordid affair, on her birthday, but his mistress is also pregnant with his baby. Seeking solace, Sophie flees to Cape May, New Jersey, a quiet coastal town where she spent many summers as a child. There she encounters Liam Harper, a brooding carpenter who seems intent to keep everyone at a distance. Despite his best efforts, Sophie recognizes the vulnerability under his prickly exterior, sparking a curiosity about him that she can’t ignore.
Liam Harper is walking around with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Haunted by a tragedy from his past that changed him forever, Liam doesn’t believe he deserves love or happiness. After being unexpectedly awarded permanent custody of his one-year-old niece, Liam’s script flips yet again. He doesn’t know the first thing about parenthood, and his gruff exterior makes it hard for him to ask for help. When the beautiful and heartbroken Sophie becomes his new neighbor, Liam never expects her to be the one to chip away his defenses.
As the two navigate their attraction and work to heal old wounds, emotions run high. If they want to change the tides of their futures, they must decide whether love is worth the risk. Will they walk away forever, or will fate step in and see them through?
Content Warnings:
PTSD
Infidelity
Infertility (not directly on page)
Fatal Car Crash
283 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2025
452 people are currently reading
20611 people want to read
About the author
Linny Mack
12 books233 followersLinny Mack grew up a voracious reader and writer. She spent her days of adolescence up in her room writing her own stories, cutting her characters out of the Delia’s catalog, and then forcing her family to listen to her read them aloud. Now, Linny is a debut author of contemporary romance. When she isn’t writing your next book boyfriend, she is spending time with her real-life romantic hero and their three children in New Jersey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews
March 14, 2025
Hello readers!
I wrote this book and I hope you love it as much as I loved writing it. Sophie and Liam are so close to my heart. This book is a sweeping romance where both main characters undergo their own healing journeys to finding each other. It's emotional, steamy, and funny at times, but I also want to share a few trigger warnings to protect my dearest readers.
TW: Death from a car crash(not on page), PTSD, Infertility (though nothing on page), infidelity, anxiety and panic attacks. If you are sensitive to any of these topics, please read with care. Love to all!
-Linny
I wrote this book and I hope you love it as much as I loved writing it. Sophie and Liam are so close to my heart. This book is a sweeping romance where both main characters undergo their own healing journeys to finding each other. It's emotional, steamy, and funny at times, but I also want to share a few trigger warnings to protect my dearest readers.
TW: Death from a car crash(not on page), PTSD, Infertility (though nothing on page), infidelity, anxiety and panic attacks. If you are sensitive to any of these topics, please read with care. Love to all!
-Linny
February 9, 2025
Changing Tides is a sweet and heartwarming debut by Linny Mack that will give you all the feels.
The backdrop alone of this beautiful oceanside town will no doubt spark your own childhood memories of places that feel like home which is exactly what Cape May felt like.
The love story between Sophie and Liam is for sure an emotional roller coaster but one you’ll want to ride again and again just to enjoy the end result which is so sweet and worth all the heartbreak it takes to get there.
This story gave me all the heartwarming feels of Virgin River wrapped in a warm hug similar to any Nicholas Sparks novel.
Congratulations on your debut Linny and for allowing me the opportunity to read an early review of Changing Tides!
Changing Tides will be released May 6th.
The backdrop alone of this beautiful oceanside town will no doubt spark your own childhood memories of places that feel like home which is exactly what Cape May felt like.
The love story between Sophie and Liam is for sure an emotional roller coaster but one you’ll want to ride again and again just to enjoy the end result which is so sweet and worth all the heartbreak it takes to get there.
This story gave me all the heartwarming feels of Virgin River wrapped in a warm hug similar to any Nicholas Sparks novel.
Congratulations on your debut Linny and for allowing me the opportunity to read an early review of Changing Tides!
Changing Tides will be released May 6th.
May 21, 2025
Loved this book!! I felt like i was completely transformed into summer and looking for a summer love. The heartbreaks Sophie had, I felt. Sophie may be one of my favorite characters! I felt like i need to pack up and move to Cape May to find my husband. 5/5 stars. Would recommend to anyone!!
April 23, 2025
First off, thank you to NetGalley and Page & Vine for this advanced reader's copy. This book will be published on May 6, 2025.
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.
Ummmm excuse me LINNY, what kind of secret sauce did you put into this book? I did not expect to fall so in love with the town of Cape May and these characters. The slow burn was **chef's kiss** and Liam was PERFECT to me. I'm going to need Miles story, like yesterday.
This story follows Sophie, a recently divorced (and cheated on) woman who heads back to her childhood summer town of Cape May to clear her head and figure out her life. Insert next door neighbor (with lots of past trauma), Liam, and niece Lucy (the cutest little girl without a mom :(), who immediately win over your heart and start to get into Sophie's as well. And let's not forget Ellie (the sweet lady Sophie rents from), because everyone needs a good momma bear in their life.
I was immediately hooked from the first chapter of this book. I was reading whenever I could to see what would happen next. I kept googling Cape May diamonds, the victorian homes in Cape May, and even teakwood! I may or may not have drop hinted to my husband that we need a mini vacation there too.
As I said above I am a SUCKER for a good slow burn and this book was just that. It made me feel all of the feels and want MORE! Also, the connection at the end (once you read the book, you'll understand, not a spoiler) was just soooooo wonderful!! How is this a debut novel?? Let's go ahead and drop it into all of the bookstores ASAP, ok people??
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.
Ummmm excuse me LINNY, what kind of secret sauce did you put into this book? I did not expect to fall so in love with the town of Cape May and these characters. The slow burn was **chef's kiss** and Liam was PERFECT to me. I'm going to need Miles story, like yesterday.
This story follows Sophie, a recently divorced (and cheated on) woman who heads back to her childhood summer town of Cape May to clear her head and figure out her life. Insert next door neighbor (with lots of past trauma), Liam, and niece Lucy (the cutest little girl without a mom :(), who immediately win over your heart and start to get into Sophie's as well. And let's not forget Ellie (the sweet lady Sophie rents from), because everyone needs a good momma bear in their life.
I was immediately hooked from the first chapter of this book. I was reading whenever I could to see what would happen next. I kept googling Cape May diamonds, the victorian homes in Cape May, and even teakwood! I may or may not have drop hinted to my husband that we need a mini vacation there too.
As I said above I am a SUCKER for a good slow burn and this book was just that. It made me feel all of the feels and want MORE! Also, the connection at the end (once you read the book, you'll understand, not a spoiler) was just soooooo wonderful!! How is this a debut novel?? Let's go ahead and drop it into all of the bookstores ASAP, ok people??
April 30, 2025
Unfortunately, this book wasn't for me.
I found it a very easy read, the author's writing is fluid. However, I wasn't emotionally involved in my reading. I felt nothing for the characters and found the themes tackled not deep enough.
Infertility? Being a mother is supposed to be Sophie's dream, and I didn't feel it at all. On the contrary, she feels lost in many aspects of her life and tries to rebuild herself, but this theme quickly falls by the background. I'd have liked to see more of a link between her and Lucy.
Guilt? Liam feels responsible for his high-school sweetheart's accident, but there are no flashbacks showing his love for her. I didn't feel much empathy for him.
⚠️ SPOILERS ⚠️
And then... the epilogue... that's what brought my grade down. There's nothing I HATE more than deciding to write about the subject of infertility. By pointing out that the FMC can't get pregnant naturally and keep the baby, so that once with the new MMC they manage to have a miracle baby naturally. This undermines the whole story of Liam and Sophie, who had found their family balance with Lucy.
I found it a very easy read, the author's writing is fluid. However, I wasn't emotionally involved in my reading. I felt nothing for the characters and found the themes tackled not deep enough.
Infertility? Being a mother is supposed to be Sophie's dream, and I didn't feel it at all. On the contrary, she feels lost in many aspects of her life and tries to rebuild herself, but this theme quickly falls by the background. I'd have liked to see more of a link between her and Lucy.
Guilt? Liam feels responsible for his high-school sweetheart's accident, but there are no flashbacks showing his love for her. I didn't feel much empathy for him.
⚠️ SPOILERS ⚠️
And then... the epilogue... that's what brought my grade down. There's nothing I HATE more than deciding to write about the subject of infertility. By pointing out that the FMC can't get pregnant naturally and keep the baby, so that once with the new MMC they manage to have a miracle baby naturally. This undermines the whole story of Liam and Sophie, who had found their family balance with Lucy.
August 18, 2025
This is one of the best books i’ve read this summer! I could not put it down, so many tears, but also so much love, happiness and heart break all in one book. I can’t wait for the next book to come out!
July 7, 2025
Wow! Read it in a day, I couldn’t put it down! The ending had me tear up. ❤️ loved it!
September 8, 2025
This one was so SWEET! Single dad isn’t generally a trope I enjoy, but I can get behind a single uncle! The romance was cute without being sickening and the book handled difficult topics tactfully while maintaining reality.
May 6, 2025
Where do I even start?
First off, I want to thank Page and Vine Books and Linny Mack for the opportunity to read this advance copy. All of these thoughts are my own in good faith.
What a well written story that showed how life doesn’t always go the way you want it to and how finding your person makes coming out of the darkest places easier than going at it alone. We meet Sophie who after 13 years find herself in the midst of a divorce she never thought would happen. She is a marriage counselor and never thought she would be on the side of what she helps walk her patients through. She decides to up and leave to Cape May to work on finding herself and ends up finding so much more. Liam, oh my sweet, sweet gorgeous, Liam, he was man with his own fears and struggles after 2 very traumatic events happen in his life. He is a single uncle caring for his niece after a tragedy. His learning to forgive himself was just beautiful and I felt like I was walking in his shoes as he worked through things and seeing him gain confidence in himself with his niece was just so sweet. Sophie and Liam just gave me the warm and fuzzies as they came together and helped each other grow and work through their tragedies. Sophie was just who Liam needed and Liam was exactly who Sophie needed. The group of friends and found family made me feel like I was a part of their family. I loved this book and this story will be with for a long time ( no notes)
First off, I want to thank Page and Vine Books and Linny Mack for the opportunity to read this advance copy. All of these thoughts are my own in good faith.
What a well written story that showed how life doesn’t always go the way you want it to and how finding your person makes coming out of the darkest places easier than going at it alone. We meet Sophie who after 13 years find herself in the midst of a divorce she never thought would happen. She is a marriage counselor and never thought she would be on the side of what she helps walk her patients through. She decides to up and leave to Cape May to work on finding herself and ends up finding so much more. Liam, oh my sweet, sweet gorgeous, Liam, he was man with his own fears and struggles after 2 very traumatic events happen in his life. He is a single uncle caring for his niece after a tragedy. His learning to forgive himself was just beautiful and I felt like I was walking in his shoes as he worked through things and seeing him gain confidence in himself with his niece was just so sweet. Sophie and Liam just gave me the warm and fuzzies as they came together and helped each other grow and work through their tragedies. Sophie was just who Liam needed and Liam was exactly who Sophie needed. The group of friends and found family made me feel like I was a part of their family. I loved this book and this story will be with for a long time ( no notes)
April 19, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Page & Vine for allowing me an ARC of this book!
From heartache/grief and loss to hope, healing, and love, you are taken through an emotional rollercoaster that you don’t want to get off of. Changing Tides is the perfect balance of all of these things and then some. It’s a slow burn romance that will leave you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will come next with the character’s Sophie and Liam. Will there be a happily ever after or will they have to go their own separate ways? There’s only one way to find out!
From heartache/grief and loss to hope, healing, and love, you are taken through an emotional rollercoaster that you don’t want to get off of. Changing Tides is the perfect balance of all of these things and then some. It’s a slow burn romance that will leave you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will come next with the character’s Sophie and Liam. Will there be a happily ever after or will they have to go their own separate ways? There’s only one way to find out!
April 10, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC and for introducing me to my new favorite author!
I could not put this book down!!! It was everything! I was completely captivated by Sophie and Liam, their backstories and road to healing. The tension between both of them wanting each other and fighting against the magnetic pull between them made the story have a beautiful energy that kept me from being able to put the book down.
The found family aspect of this book was so heartwarming especially after the individual traumas that Sophie and Liam were both struggling to overcome. I love that these characters were a little older than what I normally see, it gave the story a lot more depth. It also made it more plausible when the characters made major decisions because of their past experiences they already know what they do and don't want out of life.
I would read this book again without a doubt. I really connected to the characters, and the journey that they went on together was WONDERFUL.
I could not put this book down!!! It was everything! I was completely captivated by Sophie and Liam, their backstories and road to healing. The tension between both of them wanting each other and fighting against the magnetic pull between them made the story have a beautiful energy that kept me from being able to put the book down.
The found family aspect of this book was so heartwarming especially after the individual traumas that Sophie and Liam were both struggling to overcome. I love that these characters were a little older than what I normally see, it gave the story a lot more depth. It also made it more plausible when the characters made major decisions because of their past experiences they already know what they do and don't want out of life.
I would read this book again without a doubt. I really connected to the characters, and the journey that they went on together was WONDERFUL.
March 10, 2025
The best way to describe this book-it feels like home. As a fellow Jersey girl, this book captured my life in so many angles. The nostalgia of the 90s playlist, cape May beach, and even some Phillies references. But the biggest thing was how close I felt to Sophie’s character. Her healing journey in Cape May was so inspiring to watch and I was constantly cheering for her to heal however she needed to. I related to the infertility struggles, and felt the topic (though not a prominent part of the story line) was done in a classy way to be sensitive to those who have endured it.
Having dual POV and also getting to hear Liam’s POV, and watch his growth, was equally as healing as it was for Sophie. Not many authors can capture a male POV well when it comes to trauma and growth and this was just so well done. He overcame his grumpy edge with Sophie as she broke down his barriers, and they were able to heal together.
The ending and the epilogue were the perfect ending to their storyline and it was all such an emotional ride. I giggled multiple times, but I cried more often. I will never get over this being a debut novel- it was absolutely incredible and I am so excited to see everyone else get to fall in love with these characters.
Having dual POV and also getting to hear Liam’s POV, and watch his growth, was equally as healing as it was for Sophie. Not many authors can capture a male POV well when it comes to trauma and growth and this was just so well done. He overcame his grumpy edge with Sophie as she broke down his barriers, and they were able to heal together.
The ending and the epilogue were the perfect ending to their storyline and it was all such an emotional ride. I giggled multiple times, but I cried more often. I will never get over this being a debut novel- it was absolutely incredible and I am so excited to see everyone else get to fall in love with these characters.
March 12, 2025
I am thrilled for @linnymackwrites and her debut novel! This book is an absolute must-read. From the very first few paragraphs, I was completely hooked. The opening is incredibly intense, and I don't think I've ever committed to supporting a character as quickly as I did with Sophie Bennett. She’s been through so much, dealing with infertility and then receiving some devastating news. In search of solace, she heads to Cape May, a place filled with childhood memories. Sometimes, you just need to return to a familiar place to find your footing, and Cape May is definitely that for her.
Liam is also navigating his own challenges. His backstory is just as heart wrenching. As he raises his niece, he grapples with uncertainty about his parenting skills, and then Sophie enters his life, changing everything.
What struck me most in this story is its focus on mental health. Both characters face their struggles, and we witness their emotional journeys, including their experiences in therapy.
The ending solidified the story for me and had me so choked up. With themes of heartache, new relationships, found family, the charm of a small town, the importance of self-belief, and seeing that fate truly has a way of making all the pieces fall into place - this book was beautifully written!
Liam is also navigating his own challenges. His backstory is just as heart wrenching. As he raises his niece, he grapples with uncertainty about his parenting skills, and then Sophie enters his life, changing everything.
What struck me most in this story is its focus on mental health. Both characters face their struggles, and we witness their emotional journeys, including their experiences in therapy.
The ending solidified the story for me and had me so choked up. With themes of heartache, new relationships, found family, the charm of a small town, the importance of self-belief, and seeing that fate truly has a way of making all the pieces fall into place - this book was beautifully written!
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June 19, 2025Sadly this one wasn’t for me.
September 1, 2025
easily one of my new favorites 🥹
May 5, 2025
Changing Tides is the book I didn’t know I needed. It made me feel like I was at the beach, will experiencing the emotions with Sophie and Liam.
As someone who goes to the Jersey Shore every year, this debut novel hit home. It was relatable as far as location, but also to have characters in their late 30s.
I was laughing and crying, and getting to see Sophie and Liam develop over the course of the story was everything you could want!
As someone who goes to the Jersey Shore every year, this debut novel hit home. It was relatable as far as location, but also to have characters in their late 30s.
I was laughing and crying, and getting to see Sophie and Liam develop over the course of the story was everything you could want!
April 30, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
Well written romance has always been a favorite to read, especially written with a realistic understanding of all emotions and people who experience them. "Changing Tides" has it all.
Sophie is a marriage and family therapist and Liam is a small town carpenter. Their romance is fast-paced with mutual sparks from the beginning. Their healing reflects their relationship, with mutual understanding and maturing in dealing with real life situations and growth. Their story sucks you in and you don't put it down till the end.
I give this book 5 stars.
Content warning: struggling with infertility, divorce and PTSD.
Well written romance has always been a favorite to read, especially written with a realistic understanding of all emotions and people who experience them. "Changing Tides" has it all.
Sophie is a marriage and family therapist and Liam is a small town carpenter. Their romance is fast-paced with mutual sparks from the beginning. Their healing reflects their relationship, with mutual understanding and maturing in dealing with real life situations and growth. Their story sucks you in and you don't put it down till the end.
I give this book 5 stars.
Content warning: struggling with infertility, divorce and PTSD.
April 17, 2025
This book was amazing from start to finish! The characters sucked me in from the very beginning and I could not stop reading it!
Not only was this story a romance, it had so much personal growth for the characters through their own issues that felt so genuine and real.
5 stars! I can’t wait for the next book by this author!
Not only was this story a romance, it had so much personal growth for the characters through their own issues that felt so genuine and real.
5 stars! I can’t wait for the next book by this author!
May 24, 2025
This one is a no from me. I found both main characters to be very emotionally immature, which is concerning considering one them has a career a therapist.
This was also just way too insta-love for my liking. We’re supposed to believe the main female character is torn up over her husband’s affair, but she moves on pretty quickly the second she seems another good looking man. There wasn’t any emotional exploration or character development for this plot point. She just hops from her marriage to a new relationship without any time to process her betrayal or grieve over losing her ideal life. Her losing everything was briefly mentioned a few times in the book, but it’s glossed over so quickly you hardly have time to emotionally feel for Sophie before she’s thinking about her new beau again.
Now, this might get into spoiler territory, but I have a huge issue with the epilogue. One of the main struggles that Sophie experience is infertility. We see how hard that’s been on her and how much she wants to be a mom and have her own little family. As soon as she’s with a new man she is miraculously able to conceive. I’m all for a good happily ever after, but I just find this plot point disingenuous and a slap in the face to women who are struggling with infertility.
This was also just way too insta-love for my liking. We’re supposed to believe the main female character is torn up over her husband’s affair, but she moves on pretty quickly the second she seems another good looking man. There wasn’t any emotional exploration or character development for this plot point. She just hops from her marriage to a new relationship without any time to process her betrayal or grieve over losing her ideal life. Her losing everything was briefly mentioned a few times in the book, but it’s glossed over so quickly you hardly have time to emotionally feel for Sophie before she’s thinking about her new beau again.
Now, this might get into spoiler territory, but I have a huge issue with the epilogue. One of the main struggles that Sophie experience is infertility. We see how hard that’s been on her and how much she wants to be a mom and have her own little family. As soon as she’s with a new man she is miraculously able to conceive. I’m all for a good happily ever after, but I just find this plot point disingenuous and a slap in the face to women who are struggling with infertility.
April 7, 2025
This book is beautiful, and it is written very well. One of those soul books that stay with you and just make you feel. This author is adorable you will fall in love with her and her book. I will auto-buy anything she writes. Adorable, hard lessons of loss, healing and packed with a whole lot of love.
It is a perfect read for a coastal beach summer.
This book is filled with the painful hurts of life and what it entails healing from them, not meeting someone later in adulthood, and how beautiful love really can help heal each other, with a big twist of fate. This book will pull at every heart string you have, I'm just sitting here thinking about this book and it was literally so amazing.
I love this book so much. It will stay with me for a long time.
This book is for the lover girlies.
It is a perfect read for a coastal beach summer.
This book is filled with the painful hurts of life and what it entails healing from them, not meeting someone later in adulthood, and how beautiful love really can help heal each other, with a big twist of fate. This book will pull at every heart string you have, I'm just sitting here thinking about this book and it was literally so amazing.
I love this book so much. It will stay with me for a long time.
This book is for the lover girlies.
March 13, 2025
I just cannot believe this is Linny Mack’s debut novel! I absolutely adored it!! It was so raw & real. I felt like I was riding the roller coaster of emotions right along with the characters. I just wanted to hug Sophie & give Liam some words of affirmation & encouragement. This book sucked me in from the get go & the author truly made me feel connected to the characters and immersed in the story. I really loved the mental health representation in this book as well. For both the FMC & the MMC. 👏🏻 This was an emotional, sweet, & lovely romance. The small town aspect is always a fave for me. Add to that some found family. Say less. I loved this book! Be on the lookout for its release on 5/6/25!
Linny, thank you so much for this ARC opportunity! Congratulations on an amazing debut! I cannot wait to read more from you. 🩵
Linny, thank you so much for this ARC opportunity! Congratulations on an amazing debut! I cannot wait to read more from you. 🩵
March 13, 2025
I stumbled onto this book through a threads post and it absolutely rescued me during an insane week. The characters are all my favorite, even the baby! The author does an excellent job with dialogue (and there’s a lot of it, kinda like normal life!) and every conversation moves the story in realistic ways. Linny Mack creates just enough angst and drama to keep the reader intrigued but not miserable. Love love love this book and can’t wait to read whatever Mack writes next!
March 27, 2025
Oh my gosh! This was the cutest book ever! I loved Sophie and Liam. I loved that the characters were in their 30s. I could relate to Sophie. I loved the banter that they had and that through their friendship/relationship, they found a way to love again and heal each other. The epilogue was amazing! I laughed, I cried, and I adored this book! What a debut novel! I can't wait to read more from this author!
June 4, 2025
Even though I claim to dislike romance novels, this one was a winner! Loved the characters and of course the Cape May setting. Read this in one day sitting on the beach (lake).
September 5, 2025
As someone who loves romantasy. My go to isn’t usually contemporary romance but I have been going to the south Jersey shore since I was a little girl so I decided on my beach trip this year I would pick up this book since it takes place in Cape May. I figured it would be a perfect beach read but it ended up being so much more. I really enjoyed the story of finding love again after a failed marriage . I relate to the FMC in regard to the shore being her place of tranquility and healing. The MMC is so patient and caring through Sophie’s divorce. It’s definitely Grumpy/Sunshine in the beginning but Sophie breaks down Liam’s walls- turns out he has his own demons to face and Sophie is there to help him heal as well.
I also really enjoyed all the call outs to local places. My go to beach at the Jersey shore has always been Sea Isle City and while I have been to Cape May many times I have never really did a deep dive on the best locations there. Because of this book I was inspired to go to Sunset Beach and watch the sunset. I went with my fiancé and we both agree that it’s one of the most beautiful sunsets we have ever seen. I also looked for Cape May diamonds and had no idea they were a thing until this book. I found a few! We also decided to go to the Rusty Nail the next day for dinner after I read it named dropped in the book and it was phenomenal. Great food and enjoyed the location even more. After dinner we went to the beach across the street (Cape May Cove) to watch sunset and that was a close second to sunset beach. Bottom line is Cape May is charming and I never really let it in until my last beach trip. Reading Changing Tides definitely added to the charm and now the book holds a special place in my heart. I can’t wait to read Chasing Stars and everything else Linny Mack writes. I hope to catch her at a signing one of these days while I’m at the shore.
Oh also I need to mention that I live right near Scranton PA so when I read that that Sophie was from there I almost threw my book lol It just added to me personally relating with story. Leaving Scranton to visit Cape May to unwind is the most relatable thing for me. Hope to live in that area one day myself!
I also really enjoyed all the call outs to local places. My go to beach at the Jersey shore has always been Sea Isle City and while I have been to Cape May many times I have never really did a deep dive on the best locations there. Because of this book I was inspired to go to Sunset Beach and watch the sunset. I went with my fiancé and we both agree that it’s one of the most beautiful sunsets we have ever seen. I also looked for Cape May diamonds and had no idea they were a thing until this book. I found a few! We also decided to go to the Rusty Nail the next day for dinner after I read it named dropped in the book and it was phenomenal. Great food and enjoyed the location even more. After dinner we went to the beach across the street (Cape May Cove) to watch sunset and that was a close second to sunset beach. Bottom line is Cape May is charming and I never really let it in until my last beach trip. Reading Changing Tides definitely added to the charm and now the book holds a special place in my heart. I can’t wait to read Chasing Stars and everything else Linny Mack writes. I hope to catch her at a signing one of these days while I’m at the shore.
Oh also I need to mention that I live right near Scranton PA so when I read that that Sophie was from there I almost threw my book lol It just added to me personally relating with story. Leaving Scranton to visit Cape May to unwind is the most relatable thing for me. Hope to live in that area one day myself!
April 29, 2025
“I think about how a person can be like a Cape May diamond. A dull piece of quartz but when the tide changes, as it always does, they can become new again too.”
Such a beautifully written, heartwarming story by debut author Linny Mack! This is going to be such a perfect summertime, beach read!
Sophie is broken, but in the strongest way possible. The way the author portrays Sophie’s calmness and comfort when returning to Cape May is palpable from the page. The way she is able to blend in and mesh really well and really create her own, new family with the nearby residents was so wonderful to watch unfold!
Liam’s difficult past and his journey to really finding himself and learning how to love again was beautiful. I also loved watching him become “dada” to Lucy. The journey he embarks with Sophie was so tender. They both had a lot of rediscovering to do and watching them be able to do that together made the story that much more raw and real.
I LOVED all the little side characters sprinkled throughout the story. Ellie and Lucy had my heart! Their importance was visualized so well. Sophie’s best friend Claire was so special, too!
I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to all my book besties who love found family, slow burns and mental health representation.
Thank you SO much to the author, Page and Vine and Luv Books for the gifted book!
Such a beautifully written, heartwarming story by debut author Linny Mack! This is going to be such a perfect summertime, beach read!
Sophie is broken, but in the strongest way possible. The way the author portrays Sophie’s calmness and comfort when returning to Cape May is palpable from the page. The way she is able to blend in and mesh really well and really create her own, new family with the nearby residents was so wonderful to watch unfold!
Liam’s difficult past and his journey to really finding himself and learning how to love again was beautiful. I also loved watching him become “dada” to Lucy. The journey he embarks with Sophie was so tender. They both had a lot of rediscovering to do and watching them be able to do that together made the story that much more raw and real.
I LOVED all the little side characters sprinkled throughout the story. Ellie and Lucy had my heart! Their importance was visualized so well. Sophie’s best friend Claire was so special, too!
I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to all my book besties who love found family, slow burns and mental health representation.
Thank you SO much to the author, Page and Vine and Luv Books for the gifted book!
March 14, 2025
ARC Review – 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Linny Mack’s Changing Tides is a heartfelt, emotional journey filled with small-town charm, beachy vibes, and the kind of found family that makes you believe in second chances. This story beautifully captures the highs and lows of life—love, loss, resilience, and the courage to embrace a new beginning, even after heartbreak.
Set in a cozy coastal town, the novel follows a Sophie who has faced unimaginable grief, from the pain of pregnancy loss to the end of a marriage. Yet, through the unwavering support of those around her, she slowly pieces herself back together, learning that even when life crumbles, there’s hope on the horizon. The emotional depth of this story really hit home for me, especially being from New Jersey, where the setting felt all the more real and familiar.
Linny Mack’s writing is both poignant and uplifting, with moments that truly stay with you. Some of my favorite quotes perfectly encapsulate the book’s message:
“Sometimes, good things fall apart, so better things can fall together.”
“The tides may change but one morning you will wake up and just know it’s going to be a good day, without having prayed for it the night before. That’s worth waiting for.”
If you love stories about healing, finding love after loss, and embracing the unpredictable tides of life, Changing Tides is definitely worth picking up.
Linny Mack’s Changing Tides is a heartfelt, emotional journey filled with small-town charm, beachy vibes, and the kind of found family that makes you believe in second chances. This story beautifully captures the highs and lows of life—love, loss, resilience, and the courage to embrace a new beginning, even after heartbreak.
Set in a cozy coastal town, the novel follows a Sophie who has faced unimaginable grief, from the pain of pregnancy loss to the end of a marriage. Yet, through the unwavering support of those around her, she slowly pieces herself back together, learning that even when life crumbles, there’s hope on the horizon. The emotional depth of this story really hit home for me, especially being from New Jersey, where the setting felt all the more real and familiar.
Linny Mack’s writing is both poignant and uplifting, with moments that truly stay with you. Some of my favorite quotes perfectly encapsulate the book’s message:
“Sometimes, good things fall apart, so better things can fall together.”
“The tides may change but one morning you will wake up and just know it’s going to be a good day, without having prayed for it the night before. That’s worth waiting for.”
If you love stories about healing, finding love after loss, and embracing the unpredictable tides of life, Changing Tides is definitely worth picking up.
June 10, 2025
I’m so glad this debut came across my radar! I grabbed the audio and a digital copy on KU.
Sophie Bennett has an unexpected second chance after her marriage falls apart when she finds her husband in bed with his TA on her birthday. And then the TA turns up pregnant. When she thinks about resetting her life, she thinks about her childhood happy memories in Cape May, New Jersey. So she retreats to the coastal small town. While there, she encounters her new neighbor Liam Harper, a closed-off carpenter who has been thrust into parenthood when his sister dies and he takes responsibility for her daughter. Both Sophie and Liam have a lot of trauma and baggage that makes them feel like they may not be worthy of love, but they end up slowly and cautiously discovering love, friendship, joy, and self-worth.
This is not a rom-com - it’s a deeply emotional, beautifully written story about second chances, healing from trauma, and learning that you are worthy of love. Linny Mack’s writing is compassionate and layered, and I loved the slow-burn bond that formed between Sophie and Liam. Their growth felt real. The found family vibes in Cape May are warm and life-affirming, and the theme of rediscovering joy resonated with me deeply. I’m definitely in for book two when it arrives in September!
🎧 Audiobook Notes 🎧 Narrated by the phenomenal CJ Bloom and Tim Paige, this dual narration added so much emotional depth. They captured the grief, hope, and slow-blooming romance perfectly. I listened straight through in one sitting. (9h)
Sophie Bennett has an unexpected second chance after her marriage falls apart when she finds her husband in bed with his TA on her birthday. And then the TA turns up pregnant. When she thinks about resetting her life, she thinks about her childhood happy memories in Cape May, New Jersey. So she retreats to the coastal small town. While there, she encounters her new neighbor Liam Harper, a closed-off carpenter who has been thrust into parenthood when his sister dies and he takes responsibility for her daughter. Both Sophie and Liam have a lot of trauma and baggage that makes them feel like they may not be worthy of love, but they end up slowly and cautiously discovering love, friendship, joy, and self-worth.
This is not a rom-com - it’s a deeply emotional, beautifully written story about second chances, healing from trauma, and learning that you are worthy of love. Linny Mack’s writing is compassionate and layered, and I loved the slow-burn bond that formed between Sophie and Liam. Their growth felt real. The found family vibes in Cape May are warm and life-affirming, and the theme of rediscovering joy resonated with me deeply. I’m definitely in for book two when it arrives in September!
🎧 Audiobook Notes 🎧 Narrated by the phenomenal CJ Bloom and Tim Paige, this dual narration added so much emotional depth. They captured the grief, hope, and slow-blooming romance perfectly. I listened straight through in one sitting. (9h)
April 19, 2025
4.5 ⭐️.
A beautiful debut romance novel from Linny Mack, thank you to NetGalley, the author and publishers for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
A picturesque romance set in a homey beach town, following Liam and Sophie- the two main characters who have faced heartbreak and bring baggage to future relationships that I think any reader can relate to in one way or another. You find yourself falling in love with the characters, rooting for a happy ending and laughing at the banter.
I’m a strong believer everyone needs a neighborhood Grandma like Ellie in their lives.
Overall Mack’s debut novel leaves readers swooning over a love like Liam and Sophie’s. Changing tides is available to readers on May 6th 2025, and as a cherry on top, the sequel will also be available to readers in September 2025, I’ve already added it to my TBR.
A beautiful debut romance novel from Linny Mack, thank you to NetGalley, the author and publishers for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
A picturesque romance set in a homey beach town, following Liam and Sophie- the two main characters who have faced heartbreak and bring baggage to future relationships that I think any reader can relate to in one way or another. You find yourself falling in love with the characters, rooting for a happy ending and laughing at the banter.
I’m a strong believer everyone needs a neighborhood Grandma like Ellie in their lives.
Overall Mack’s debut novel leaves readers swooning over a love like Liam and Sophie’s. Changing tides is available to readers on May 6th 2025, and as a cherry on top, the sequel will also be available to readers in September 2025, I’ve already added it to my TBR.
May 14, 2025
I love books with older MCs. I’ve been trying to read more books with characters over 30. This book left me with so many emotions. MCs, Sophie and Liam, felt very real with their emotions,talents, and insecurities. They are both so strong and vulnerable.
After experiencing heartbreak, Sophie goes back to her favorite Summer Vacation place, Cape May. She wants to start over and heal in a place that she loves. She stays at the cottage of a local middle-age woman, called Ellie. She is kind and does everything in her power to make Sophie feel at home.
We also meet Liam and his baby niece Lucy. He recently got custody of his baby niece after his sister, Leah, dies in a tragic accident. Ellie takes care of Lucy while Liam is working. She’s also his caring neighbor and mother figure.
At first Liam and Sophie have a rocky start. We get both of their POVs, their feelings, what happened in their pasts, their thoughts, and their struggles. Both POVs were amazing. The author does a great job making you feel what both characters are feeling.
Sophie is suffering from the aftermath of her divorce because her husband was cheating on her after years of dealing with infertility and IVF treatments. While Liam is struggling because of the tragedies in his past and present, and his new role as father of Lucy. They both think they are broken and that they need healing. They often try to rationalize why it is a bad idea to start a new relationship. They have such good chemistry and the tension is undeniable. Even though they are drawn to each other, they have doubts on what they want and they often make mistakes because of it. Fate seems to want them together. It was building and building, giving us moments of tension, but not yet getting there until it does.
I like the way mental health was handled. Sophie is a marriage and family therapist that understands the importance of seeking help. And Liam had benefitted from his therapy sessions in his youth and throughout the years. They both know when to ask professional help. The sessions with Dr. Stevens play a big part in their path at healing.
I was so emotionally invested in this book from start to finish. I constantly had my ups and downs. My family would ask me if I was ok because I was screaming, laughing, and crying. I loved the ending. The message it leaves for me is that it’s never too late to find the right person. We never know what a person is going through or the reasons that made them who they are, sometimes we need guidance to heal, that we can start over at any point of life, and that everyone deserves love.
Thank you to NetGalley and Page & Vine for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.
After experiencing heartbreak, Sophie goes back to her favorite Summer Vacation place, Cape May. She wants to start over and heal in a place that she loves. She stays at the cottage of a local middle-age woman, called Ellie. She is kind and does everything in her power to make Sophie feel at home.
We also meet Liam and his baby niece Lucy. He recently got custody of his baby niece after his sister, Leah, dies in a tragic accident. Ellie takes care of Lucy while Liam is working. She’s also his caring neighbor and mother figure.
At first Liam and Sophie have a rocky start. We get both of their POVs, their feelings, what happened in their pasts, their thoughts, and their struggles. Both POVs were amazing. The author does a great job making you feel what both characters are feeling.
Sophie is suffering from the aftermath of her divorce because her husband was cheating on her after years of dealing with infertility and IVF treatments. While Liam is struggling because of the tragedies in his past and present, and his new role as father of Lucy. They both think they are broken and that they need healing. They often try to rationalize why it is a bad idea to start a new relationship. They have such good chemistry and the tension is undeniable. Even though they are drawn to each other, they have doubts on what they want and they often make mistakes because of it. Fate seems to want them together. It was building and building, giving us moments of tension, but not yet getting there until it does.
I like the way mental health was handled. Sophie is a marriage and family therapist that understands the importance of seeking help. And Liam had benefitted from his therapy sessions in his youth and throughout the years. They both know when to ask professional help. The sessions with Dr. Stevens play a big part in their path at healing.
I was so emotionally invested in this book from start to finish. I constantly had my ups and downs. My family would ask me if I was ok because I was screaming, laughing, and crying. I loved the ending. The message it leaves for me is that it’s never too late to find the right person. We never know what a person is going through or the reasons that made them who they are, sometimes we need guidance to heal, that we can start over at any point of life, and that everyone deserves love.
Thank you to NetGalley and Page & Vine for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.
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