Sunshine Avenue: Crown Island, Book 2

Oooooh I love everything Jan Moran has written!!!!!!!! She is truly a gem of an author. If you haven't read any of her books yet what are you waiting for?????

Lynn

559 reviews3 followers

October 10, 2023

Junie Raines is ready to move on with her life after losing her husband two years ago. She is living on Crown Island with her grandmother, mother and sister and running the gift shop at the Majestic Hotel after closing her on line business she owned with her husband. It is time to find her own place to live and take the next step in her career. She may even go on a date or two when things settle down. When she places a bid on a dilapidated house across the street from her best friend, things look like they are coming together. When she finds out that the Majestic’s newest employee Knox MacKenzie has also bid on the house, the race is on. Can Junie outbid the handsome, frustrating Knox to get her life back on track or will she be back at square one?

This second novel in the Crown Island series by Jan Moran is everything you could hope for in a small-town series. We have Junie who is trying to start a new chapter in her life, a handsome new man Knox with an adorable six-year-old daughter, a run-down house with an overgrown garden, and family and friends willing to help them both. The characters are so well written, you fall in love with Junie from the very first page. We met Junie in the first novel, Beach View Lane where we were introduced to the Raines family and read April’s story, so I was excited to read this next book in the series. This novel also touches on Maileah’s story, Junie’s sister and I will be anxiously awaiting her journey in Orange Blossom Way, the next novel in the series. My sincere thanks to the author Jan Moran for an advanced copy of the book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. If you like, small beach town series with fascinating characters, this is one you do not want to miss.

Lisa Wetzel

565 reviews29 followers

Sunshine Avenue by Jan Moran is the second book in her Crown Island Series. I love reading Jan Moran books, she never disappoints me. This is another heartwarming story by a very talented author. This is June and Knox’s story and a wonderful addition to this series. Ms. Moran writes with such great description that she makes you feel like you are on the island! The characters are great and you feel like you know them or are friends with them. A story filled with family, healing, forgiveness and second chance love. A must read for all Jan Moran fans!!!

Thank you Sunny Palm Press and Jan Moran for another wonderful book to read and review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
#sunnypalmpress #janmoran #sunshineavenue #arc
#crownislandseries

arc

Elyse Mcnulty

893 reviews24 followers

October 11, 2023

I was lucky enough to have the ARC of Sunshine Avenue by Jan Moran sent to me. This is book #2 in the Crown Island series. The same gang is back from book 1. The story opens with Junie wanting to buy a home on Crown Island and her new obstacle to this potential purchase. The descriptions of the homes and Majestic Hotel are so vivid, I felt like I was there. Honestly, this is just the type of place I would like to live someday so enjoying the stories. Jan also shares her recipe for Lemon Poppyseed Muffins on her FB page. You will have to read to find out the rest of the story. Give this series a try and have fun.

Sue

44 reviews3 followers

October 9, 2023

I was excited to receive an ARC copy to read before publication. I am a fan of Jan Moran. I enjoyed “meeting” Junie and Knox. A sweet story to escape into.

Doni

1,382 reviews10 followers

October 10, 2023

Sunshine Avenue, is Book 2
in the feel-good Crown Island
series. It's a delightful
& moving romance.
Junie, is ready to settle permanently
on Crown Island.
Being close to her family is important.
Time to buy a home.
Knox, has been given a great
new job offer, here on Crown Island.
Being a single father,
is moving here the best for his daughter?
Junie & Knox's new friendship
hits a snag. Can they work it out?
I truly enjoyed reading this book!

SOS

920 reviews31 followers

abandonment advanced-reader-copy beach-read

This is book two in the Crown Island series, but it could easily be read as a standalone. I do think it would help to read the first book before this one in order to understand the characters histories and relationships better. Still, it is fine as a standalone.

Junie is finally moving forward from the grief she’s been mired in since her husband died in an accident two years ago. She loved Mark completely, and he her, and dealing with his loss and moving on with her life has been difficult. She’s found a job she loves and has plans for a business of her own; she’s making friends; and she’s hoping to purchase a house on Sunshine Avenue, across the street from her friend Jo, who runs a Cuppa Jo, a diner. The house purchase doesn’t go as smoothly as she’d hoped as another has put in a competing bid. That someone happens to be a new member of The Majestic’s management team.

Knox MacKenzie, a former employee of The Majestic’s owner, is looking for a nice community for his six-year-old daughter and his parents. Crown Island fills that bill for them all. But things don’t get off to a good start with Junie. Still, there’s something between them, a spark. Will they be able to get over their differences concerning the house and move on? If they can, there just might be some romance awaiting them. Knox isn’t the only one who shows interest in Junie. Several nice, eligible men also take notice of the lovely young widow.

Junie’s older sister, Maileah, is a bit of a brat, but she’s always there for her sister. And she’s hoping to cross paths with the right guy for her. Can she find someone on Crown Island? And will she be able to find a job she’s qualified for there?

This was such a sweet and delightful romance. I enjoyed the characters and the mix-ups, as they joined together to create a wonderful story. I loved the parties Junie organizes, her plans for her business, and her determination not to let anything stop her from getting the house she wants.

This book is another winner from author Jan Moran. I highly recommend it, and I look forward to the next book in the series.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no impact on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.

Betty

1,124 reviews32 followers

October 8, 2023

"Sunshine Avenue" by Jan Moran is a delightful addition to the Crown Island series. It took me on an escape to the sunny shores of Southern California. With its charming setting, relatable characters, and themes of love and second chances, this novel is a sweet and heartwarming read.

The story follows Junie Raines, a widow in search of a fresh start on Crown Island. Managing the gift shop at the Majestic Hotel, Junie is confronted with the challenges of her past and the complexities of her relationship with her sister, Maileah. Moran expertly portrays the dynamics of sibling rivalry and family bonds.

Knox MacKenzie, a newcomer to Crown Island, brings a touch of intrigue to the story. As he and Junie find themselves in competition over a beach house, the plot takes an engaging turn filled with humorous and endearing moments. Moran skillfully builds the chemistry between the characters, making their interactions a highlight of the novel.

Moran painted such a vivid picture of the colorful beach resort and the idyllic surroundings that I was able to completely immerse myself in its setting. Moran's attention to detail makes Crown Island a charming and inviting location.

"Sunshine Avenue" also examines the themes of healing and forgiveness. Junie's journey toward a second chance at love and family is relatable and heartwarming. Moran reminds us that life offers opportunities for redemption and new beginnings.

Jan Moran creates relatable characters in a captivating setting making her books a delightful choice for fans of clean romance and women's fiction. If you're looking for a feel-good read with characters you'll want as friends, "Sunshine Avenue" is a perfect choice.

Jean

3,714 reviews42 followers

October 9, 2023

This is book two in The Crown Island series and it is Junie and Knox’s story and it is definitely a must read. When Junie’s husband died two years ago leaving her a widow she decided that she needed a fresh start and went to live on Crown Island and now she managed the gift shop in the Majestic Hotel but Junie’s life is so complicated thanks to her sister Maileah and all Junie wants is a peaceful and quiet life and hopefully she will get a second chance at love so that she can have the family that she always wanted especially as she is still young enough but finding the right person could be more difficult than she first thought and it is causing more issues than Junie ever wanted. Knox has moved to Crown Island and works at the Majestic Hotel and when he meets Junie for the first time he is not only intrigued but also attracted to her and would love to get to know her. Junie and Knox have strong chemistry but when they both bid on the same beach house things definitely start to get complicated but who will win and how will it effect the growing attraction between them and will it cause a difficult situation between them especially as they now work in the same place, well you will have to read this book to find out but you will not be disappointed. Wow I absolutely love this book and I felt like I was there going through and feeling everything with them and the description of Crown island was so clear that you could imagine yourself living there with all these great characters. I read this book in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down and I can’t wait to read the next book in this amazing series.

Laurie

122 reviews

I have read all of Ms. Moran’s Seabreeze Inn and Coral Cottage books, as well as Beach View Lane, the first in this new Crown Island series. I think that this book, Sunshine Avenue, is my new all-time favorite. Why? This story beautifully melds family and second-chance romance in a delightful beach setting (think Coronado Island near San Diego).
Junie, a young widow, returned to Crown Island in Beach View Lane, and is navigating her new life while living with her mother, April, and grandmother, Ella. She works at the gift shop at the Majestic Hotel, but wants to do more with her life. As she pursues those next steps, which also includes buying her own home, she also works on her relationship with her sister, Maileah and meets Knox, a new employee at the Majestic, who moves from the East Coast with his six-year-old daughter Penny and his parents to Crown Island.
The characters are multi-dimensional (I particularly enjoyed seeing Junie’s strength and determination unfold), the dialogue and banter are sharp, and the situations are realistic. Ms. Moran also weaves in just enough information from the first book in the series to bring a new reader up to date (I’ve read some series books where the authors spend nearly half the book repeating the first book, so I really admire her ability to do that!).
If you’re looking for an escape to a beautiful beach town in Southern California, here’s your ticket. I would suggest reading Beach View Lane first (and then, after reading Sunshine Avenue, reading the Seabreeze Inn and Coral Cottage series, because they’re all lots of fun). I received an ARC and am happy to provide this honest review.

Deb F.

203 reviews4 followers

Sunshine Avenue is another in a long line of WONDERFUL books by Jan Moran!!! I usually zoom through all my favorite writers books so I can see how they end but with Sunshine Avenue I took my time and enjoyed every page to the fullest!
This book is the second in a series, picking up right where Beach View Lane left off. Everyone that were characters in book one returns and we get to see what is happening in their lives. Jan Moran has written another great series where her characters are so true to life, I feel like I am catching up on the lives of good friends.
In Sunshine Avenue, Junie is getting settled right into life and what's happening on the Island. She is happy with her job at the gift store but living with her Grandma Jo, her Mom April and her seemingly entitled unemployed sister, Maileah is getting a bit crowded. Junie's friend Jo told her about a home on Jo's street that is going to be put up for sale. The house needed lots of work, the last renters had left it a real stinky mess. Junie is still grieving her husband's death two years before, but her mom, grandma, & sister are encouraging her to get out and start dating. This is where the story really starts.... Sunshine Avenue is a great book about reclaiming each of their lives after tragic circumstances. There was a particular part that clearly resonated with something that happened in my life and how they worked so hard to overcome that situation. This wonderful book is filled with saying goodbye to the past and embracing
new beginnings. You really need to read this series, it is also filled with much love and feel good feelings!!

Lia Lorimer

806 reviews18 followers

Due to the time lag between “Beach View Lane” (Book 1) and this next book in the series, it was initially a little difficult to pick up this story; however, the author includes enough hints and background to jog the reader’s memory… It is also possible to read “Sunshine Avenue” as a stand-alone, but reading Book 1 will give the full benefit of the back-story, especially about the reasons for the family settling on Crown Island.
Junie has established herself in the Majestic Hotel’s gift shop but feels ready to expand her talents into a wider market. She has a simultaneous desire to find her own home, considering that her gran’s cottage is becoming cramped with the arrival of her sister, Maileah, from Seattle. Finding a badly neglected house, she sets her heart on restoring it to its former glory…until new hotel employee, Knox, arrives on the island!
With obstacles to both her ambitions being put in her path, Junie’s initial reaction is to give up, but she eventually decides to channel her feelings of anger and disappointment into a more positive and proactive attitude.
Jan Moran’s writing style makes her books enjoyable and easy to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Susan

1,496 reviews13 followers

October 17, 2023

This contemporary sweet and clean romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building in the quirky small town of Crown Island which is engulfed by sunshine and sweet romance magnificent picturesque sunrises and sunsets that are vibrantly painted across the sky, and realistic, fascinating, and intriguing. After Junie Raines' husband died two years ago, she wanted to escape reality and start over, so she's managing the gift shop at the Majestic Hotel, a Victorian-era beach resort, and her sister Maileah is trying her patience with her sibling rivalry, Junie is looking for a beach cottage and rival, Knox MacKenzie, bids against Junie on the beach house, this is a beach saga, vacation, dating, and love romance. I recommend reading by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with Sunshine Avenue and a sweet, clean romance that is sure to take readers on an exhilarating roller coaster ride in this heartwarming, heartfelt, drama-enhanced romance that will have readers soaring in this unforgettable journey.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Sue Flickinger

32 reviews

October 7, 2023

This is a great transition book for a series. I have had the privilege of receiving ARC copies of previous Jan Moran books. I have also read her stand alones and all of the Seabreeze Inn and Coral Cottage books. So I was excited when the ARC for Sunshine Avenue hit my in box. While I eagerly read this book, I was left with a feeling of wanting more. Whether I had an unrealistic expectations based on past books or it is just the nature of this book. This book sets up the potential for future books in the series yet somehow it feels incomplete. The Moran themes of individual growth after tragedy and the exploration of personal, professional and inter generational relationships are there. There is just something missing for me. The previous two series have the themes set in a context of a secondary storyline. I wish I could be more positive but for me Junie and May are pale versions of the lead characters of the other series. Hopefully, it is just me and the next book will hit the mark.

Marcie Pomper

164 reviews2 followers

This is the second in the Crown Island series. This time the story revolves around Junie coming out of her funk. Two years after her husband was tragically killed, she is finally coming back to life. She is successfully running the gift shop at the Majestic Hotel, but now realizes she needs more of a challenge and is hoping that she will be able to spread her wings. In addition to changes with her work, she decides that she wants to buy a beach cottage to move out on her own. When she ends up in a bidding war for the cottage with Knox, a new employee at the hotel, the battle begins. She is experiencing emotions for the first time since her husband passed. Loved seeing Junie coming back to life. Loved the twists and turns going on. Loved seeing another side to Maileah, and how she is doing her best to convince Junie that she needs to move in with her. Loved this book and look forward to reading the next book in the Crown Island series.

Susan Hamann

1,601 reviews14 followers

This is a light, fun story. Junie is ready to move on and to buy a house on her own. She also wants to expand the business of the gift shop to include another venue.

Knox has just been hired by the hotel to do project management and he and Junie don't get off on the right footing. In fact, they downright don't like each other. Turns out they are both bidding on the same house, which doesn't make them any fonder of each other.

Junie is being pushed to start dating again, by her family. She receives two invitations to see the fireworks. One feels very wrong and the other man feels more like a friend.

This is a fun, easy read. It's got the warm weather vibes, lots of interesting people. Romance seems to be floating in the air. This is a clean story that can read by anyone. You do not need to have read the first book in the series to enjoy this one completely.

Andrea Stoeckel

3,158 reviews132 followers

realistic-fiction romance

"Crown Island represented a new beginning for all of them."

Junie, Maileah, April and the rest of the Crown Island "regulars" are back as Junie finds more ways to "adult" in this world. She buys a house, expands the gift shop at the Majestic, and gets involved with a new man in town. But, all these changes... are they enough?

I love these characters - even Maileah who needs to be less self centered and more into recognizing her own abilities without a "man". I've watched Junie be less afraid, her mother's relationship with Ryan grow and now Grandma might have found someone too.

Keep writing Jan, and we'll keep reading! Highly Recommended 5/5

[ Disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]

Ashley Kohls

443 reviews

November 22, 2025

The second book in Crown Island!

Junie is still working at the Majestic Hotel running the gift shop and enjoying every minute. She’s ready to take on more when a new person takes over the company. She’s ready isn’t sure what will happen, if it will be better or worse. So Junie lives her life and decides to put an offer in on a house. It’s a major fixer upper, but she’s excited for the project!
Soon comes into her life, Knox. He is the new owner of the Majestic and he thinks not only is he going to buy the perfectly redone house next to her fixer upper, he’s also planning to buy the one she is interested in!
Clearly their lives are beginning to clash and both of them really just need a break and a fresh start.

Teresa Krizay

52 reviews

October 15, 2023

Jan Moran's books are like spending time with old friends. You always just pick up where you left off the last time you saw one another. An excellent trait of Jan's books is that, while the characters embrace all ages, the protaganists are women with more life experience. They often are struggling with the same things as other women - aging family, suddenly single, loss, grief. The characters and their struggles are relatable to everyone. Another plus is that the books always include at least one yummy recipe that you have to try. This time it was Lemon Poppyseed muffins. I get some of my favorite recipes from Jan's books.

Vivian

693 reviews30 followers

The second book of the new series Crown Island by Jan Moran has all the themes we are used to seeing on the author's books, individual growth after tragedy, being personal and/or professional, besides the intergenerational relationships and wisdom that brings life to a full circle.
I was happy to read the new installment on this series, and getting to know all the characters from book 1 more in depth.
This is a feel good, second chance in love and in life kind of good, with clean romance that makes you want to seat in your favorite chair to read from beginning to end.
I'm looking forward to reading book 3 in the series and continue the journey along with the Raines family.

Judyr

59 reviews

October 7, 2023

This is the second entry in the new Crown Island series (following Beach View Lane). The focus is on Junie, a young widow trying to move on with her life with help from family and friends. To understand the dynamics and the characters it would be helpful to read book 1.

When I read a Jan Moran book it feels like I’m catching up with old friends. I find the stories comforting in the crazy world that we are living in.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Paulette

983 reviews23 followers

Junie is unsure if she will ever find again the type of love she and her deceased husband Mark, shared. But as she finally puts herself back out in her career world, there just may be a surprise for Junie. I loved how the characters came together in different parts of the book and how Junie and her sister Maileah overcame their differences. The author has written a fun, heartwarming and ‘sunshine’ filled book that I immensely enjoyed. I received an early copy from the author and this is my honest review.

Annie

297 reviews1 follower

This book is about taking chances - taking new ones, acknowledging second ones, and embracing them when you literally run into them on the street! Once again Jan Moran has brought the joy of living in a small coastal Southern California town to life with her second book in the Crown Island Series. There’s really nothing better than getting to know more about a group of friends, family and co-workers and follow their new lives in a familiar setting. This book lifted my spirits and made me smile and I can’t wait for Maileah’s story.

Fleur

3,733 reviews29 followers

I absolutely love Junie and was excited hers was the next book in the series and even more excited as Knox is just the man for her even they totally clashed with each other to begin with!
There is a lot of growing and new beginnings for Junie and I love her for moving forward while moving on from the past, although Maileah certainly tests her at times.
I can not wait for the next book to see what's in store for Maileah!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

2023

Brenda

351 reviews5 followers

October 17, 2023

Jan Moran knows how to make a
story so inviting. Junie feels like it is finally time to move on since losing her husband. She is looking to buy a house and move out of her grandmother's house. She also wants to improve her business. Knox is on Crown Island to meet with Ryan, owner of the Majestic Hotel about a job. Knox has a daughter and parents that will move with him. It was refreshing to see two soulmates come together and realize what they have. Loved Penny and Knox's parents. Great story!

Mary-Margaret Mackenzie

1 review

November 3, 2023

I’ve loved Jan Moran’s books since I discovered the Seabreeze Inn series, I currently have 23 of her books on my Kindle and enjoy rereading them. Her latest didn’t disappoint in any way, I love her credible characters and want to know more about them and their stories and surroundings. In Sunshine Avenue we get more insight into the Raine family introduced in the Seabreeze Inn series (I like authors who do this) and it was worth the wait.
For someone who lives on a windswept island off the northwest coast of Scotland I really enjoy escaping to the southern coast of California.

Janie D

269 reviews5 followers