3.64 stars ✨
This was enjoyable, but it didn’t quite meet my expectations.
Marina was not the strong lead I was anticipating. She’s supposedly the “glue” that holds the group together, but I didn’t get a sense of reliability from her, or anything else to suggest that she was the “go-to” person. Actually, most of her interactions were with May, whom she received advice from. I also simply expected more fire from her character, especially towards Miles.
Miles was definitely thoughtful, respectful, and patient with Marina as she relearned to trust him. I liked his journey of figuring out his identity outside of work. His character development seemed very straightforward.
In terms of the writing, there was a lot of tell and not enough show when it came to their relationship development. Both Marina and Miles shared a lot of heartfelt words, which were very pretty and charming, however, their connection could’ve been stronger. It’s one thing to tell me how one charcater makes another character feel, but a much more powerful thing to actually show me what that looks like. I don’t mind insta-lust, but it should build up to something more substantial as the characters get to know each other better, and I wasn’t aIl that convinced by their romance. They both kept saying they were more than a summer fling, but there was no depth to prove them right. By the end, it seemed more like it was convenient for them to pick up where they left off because they were both ready to settle down.
One thing that didn’t add up is that when Miles tries to search for Marina, he says she left without a trace, but she had been leaving him calls and texts, so clearly he had her number. It’s not unrealistic that she would’ve changed her number, but this should’ve at least been explained.
I wish we got more of their story in the time after Miles left but before they crossed paths at the wedding. Miles says he wasn’t the same after leaving the first time because Marina consumed him, but I’m sorry, his words didn’t really hit me. I wish we actually got to see the effects the memory of her had on him before he even found out that he had the chance to see her again.
Miles says he could see himself finding a place within their found family in this small town, but it doesn’t feel genuine, just convenient. He’s finally ready to settle down in one place, but why THIS place with THIS community? Why is THIS town special to him—unrelated to his sister and Marina? Again, there’s more tell than show in establishing his connection to Ruby Cove.
I also wish we got to see him interact with everyone in the friend group a bit more and be more engaging with his environment in a way that was separate from his relationship with Marina. In the previous book, we really got to see May fall in love with every aspect of the town and form a bond with each person in the group. That magic is severely lacking in this story.
I really, really don’t like it when an injury is what brings about the reconciliation. I do like that Marina is aware that Miles would have otherwise left the next day, but an injury always feels rushed and like “the easy way out.”
I also wasn’t fully convinced by Marina’s supportiveness. She says she wouldn’t have asked Miles to stop being a pilot back then, but then she contemplates doing just that this time around. I’m glad they found a workaround to his career, but the getting there still felt very much like an ultimatum situation, which was disappointing.
Lastly, this is very minor, but the word “just” is used A LOT in this story.
Overall, I liked this book, but I wanted MORE from these characters and their relationship. The romance lacked depth, the second chance aspect felt a little cheap, and there was hardly any small town magic or found family sweetness.
Thank you very much to Bridie Charles for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.