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Crestbrook Cove #1
Searching for Sunshine
You know what they say— when everything’s falling apart, move to the beach and marry the grumpy boat captain you haven’t seen in over a decade.
After losing both my teaching job in the city and my grandmother, I feel like I have no idea what to do with my life. If that isn’t bad enough, I just found out my grandmother left me with one more challenge— the only way I can take over the hotel where I spent every summer growing up is by finding a husband for the next year.
I’m devastated, but when Wyatt Robinson finds me crying in my car, he proposes a solution I don’t know how to say no to. It’s been less than twenty-four hours since I arrived back in Crestbrook Cove, and suddenly I’m married to a man who definitely has gotten a lot hotter since the last time I saw him, and I’m now responsible for not one but two failing local businesses.
Between organizing epic bachelorette weekends, renovating the High Tide Hideaway Hotel, and giving Wyatt’s charter boat business a much-needed makeover, I’ve got more than enough to keep me busy until next summer. The only problem? The more time I spend with Wyatt, the more I’m convinced that a year with him won’t ever be enough, and I don’t think either of us is ready to admit that this marriage might not be as fake as we planned.
After losing both my teaching job in the city and my grandmother, I feel like I have no idea what to do with my life. If that isn’t bad enough, I just found out my grandmother left me with one more challenge— the only way I can take over the hotel where I spent every summer growing up is by finding a husband for the next year.
I’m devastated, but when Wyatt Robinson finds me crying in my car, he proposes a solution I don’t know how to say no to. It’s been less than twenty-four hours since I arrived back in Crestbrook Cove, and suddenly I’m married to a man who definitely has gotten a lot hotter since the last time I saw him, and I’m now responsible for not one but two failing local businesses.
Between organizing epic bachelorette weekends, renovating the High Tide Hideaway Hotel, and giving Wyatt’s charter boat business a much-needed makeover, I’ve got more than enough to keep me busy until next summer. The only problem? The more time I spend with Wyatt, the more I’m convinced that a year with him won’t ever be enough, and I don’t think either of us is ready to admit that this marriage might not be as fake as we planned.
226 pages, Paperback
Published June 23, 2025
15 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
June 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is honestly the perfect summer read. It has romance, banter, sunshine, and the kind of friendships that make your heart feel full. From the very first page, I was hooked. I sat down to start this book and ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down.
The characters were so easy to fall in love with. Stella, our FMC, is picking up the pieces after a rough patch, and Wyatt, the grumpy but loveable MMC, is searching for a fresh start of his own. Their chemistry is electric, and the fake marriage trope sparked by a quirky clause in Stella’s grandmother’s will was executed in such a fun, heartfelt way.
One of my favorite parts? The older women in the story who completely stole the show with their humor and wisdom. They added so much warmth and charm to the story.
At its core, Searching for Sunshine is about coming together, rebuilding, and finding unexpected joy in second chances. It’s light, heartfelt, and the ultimate palate cleanser. If you’re in the mood for a cozy beachside romance with a dash of nostalgia and a whole lot of heart, this one’s for you.
This is honestly the perfect summer read. It has romance, banter, sunshine, and the kind of friendships that make your heart feel full. From the very first page, I was hooked. I sat down to start this book and ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down.
The characters were so easy to fall in love with. Stella, our FMC, is picking up the pieces after a rough patch, and Wyatt, the grumpy but loveable MMC, is searching for a fresh start of his own. Their chemistry is electric, and the fake marriage trope sparked by a quirky clause in Stella’s grandmother’s will was executed in such a fun, heartfelt way.
One of my favorite parts? The older women in the story who completely stole the show with their humor and wisdom. They added so much warmth and charm to the story.
At its core, Searching for Sunshine is about coming together, rebuilding, and finding unexpected joy in second chances. It’s light, heartfelt, and the ultimate palate cleanser. If you’re in the mood for a cozy beachside romance with a dash of nostalgia and a whole lot of heart, this one’s for you.
July 22, 2025
3.25-Cute, fast read. Do not have to think much on this one. Something to read quickly and next to a body of water.
June 27, 2025
This is the second book by Hollie Luckie that I’ve read and I absolutely loved it. I actually couldn’t put it down! I love that Stella and Wyatt were childhood friends who didn’t realize how much they missed each other and that Wyatt immediately agrees to help Stella so she can keep her grandmother’s hotel. I also loved the small town beach setting, Stella’s best friend, Avery, and Wyatt’s brothers and the people in their community that help them. I will definitely be reading more of her books and I’m looking forward to the next book in this series. Thank you to author Hollie Luckie and Booked with Rae Author Services for the opportunity to read this early!
July 20, 2025
I’m confused by so many people giving this high ratings. 🤔
July 2, 2025
Spice: 2
Tropes:
marriage of convenience
forced proximity
one bed
childhood friends to lovers
small town
Dual POV
Searching for Sunshine was adorable. It'd make a good quick beach read, I think! FMC Stella thought she had everything planned out. Job is great, she's roommates with her best friend, and it's summer break! Only, that seems to be when life throws us curve balls! Stella and her bff both lose their teaching jobs, leaving them wondering what will happen after summer break is over. Then... Stella gets a call that changes the projectory of their lives....
Wyatt is leaving in the coastal town he grew up in, running a bout tour company with one of his brothers. Out of the blue one day, he sees his childhood friend, Stella, sitting in a car crying. Stella's not been back to town in 10 years, so seeing her was definitely a surprise. Turns out, Stella's moving back to town... and she needs a husband within the next 5 days to fulfill her Grandma's will. Wyatt doesn't even think, he volunteers!
What I loved about this story was watching Stella, Wyatt, and their friends/family restore Hide Tide Hideaway hotel, their banter, the camaraderie between friends, and Duke the dog. I always love a dog sidekick lol. It really was a cute summer story!
Tropes:
marriage of convenience
forced proximity
one bed
childhood friends to lovers
small town
Dual POV
Searching for Sunshine was adorable. It'd make a good quick beach read, I think! FMC Stella thought she had everything planned out. Job is great, she's roommates with her best friend, and it's summer break! Only, that seems to be when life throws us curve balls! Stella and her bff both lose their teaching jobs, leaving them wondering what will happen after summer break is over. Then... Stella gets a call that changes the projectory of their lives....
Wyatt is leaving in the coastal town he grew up in, running a bout tour company with one of his brothers. Out of the blue one day, he sees his childhood friend, Stella, sitting in a car crying. Stella's not been back to town in 10 years, so seeing her was definitely a surprise. Turns out, Stella's moving back to town... and she needs a husband within the next 5 days to fulfill her Grandma's will. Wyatt doesn't even think, he volunteers!
What I loved about this story was watching Stella, Wyatt, and their friends/family restore Hide Tide Hideaway hotel, their banter, the camaraderie between friends, and Duke the dog. I always love a dog sidekick lol. It really was a cute summer story!
June 24, 2025
✨𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠✨
Searching for Sunshine
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 26th
Read if you love:
🩷Childhood Friends to Lovers
☀️Forced Proximity
🩷Small Coastal Town
☀️He Falls First
🩷Marriage of Convenience
☀️Grumpy x Sunshine
🩷Found Family
Stella is struggling after losing both her grandmother and her teaching job. She is devastated and unsure what to do next when a phone call changes everything. Her grandmother left her the hotel she spent her childhood summers at but there are stipulations... She must be married and live there for one year.
𝓜𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼:
I was so excited for Hollie Luckie’s newest series and Crestbrook Cove captured my heart from the first page. This book feels like a warm hug – packed with all the summer vibes. Searching for Sunshine is the perfect beach or poolside read! ☀️🩷☀️
Childhood friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and Stella and Wyatt were such a treat. Wyatt stole my heart from the immediately, he is so thoughtful and caring. No questions asked, Wyatt is the sweetest book boyfriend/husband. Watching Stella and Wyatt reconnect and work together had me giggling one minute and swooning the next. My heart, the mutual pining… so good!
The friendship vibes in this book were so heartwarming. This book is loaded with lovable characters that show up. Stella’s bestie Avery is such a doll!
MeMaw knows best! Searching for Sunshine was an easy 5 star read! This book made me smile from start to finish. I cannot wait to continue this series!
💕Thank you Hollie Luckie for allowing me to read Searching for Sunshine in advance!
Searching for Sunshine
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 26th
Read if you love:
🩷Childhood Friends to Lovers
☀️Forced Proximity
🩷Small Coastal Town
☀️He Falls First
🩷Marriage of Convenience
☀️Grumpy x Sunshine
🩷Found Family
Stella is struggling after losing both her grandmother and her teaching job. She is devastated and unsure what to do next when a phone call changes everything. Her grandmother left her the hotel she spent her childhood summers at but there are stipulations... She must be married and live there for one year.
𝓜𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼:
I was so excited for Hollie Luckie’s newest series and Crestbrook Cove captured my heart from the first page. This book feels like a warm hug – packed with all the summer vibes. Searching for Sunshine is the perfect beach or poolside read! ☀️🩷☀️
Childhood friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and Stella and Wyatt were such a treat. Wyatt stole my heart from the immediately, he is so thoughtful and caring. No questions asked, Wyatt is the sweetest book boyfriend/husband. Watching Stella and Wyatt reconnect and work together had me giggling one minute and swooning the next. My heart, the mutual pining… so good!
The friendship vibes in this book were so heartwarming. This book is loaded with lovable characters that show up. Stella’s bestie Avery is such a doll!
MeMaw knows best! Searching for Sunshine was an easy 5 star read! This book made me smile from start to finish. I cannot wait to continue this series!
💕Thank you Hollie Luckie for allowing me to read Searching for Sunshine in advance!
June 29, 2025
A SUPER cute summer read!! If you’re looking to dive into a summer book with cute summer, beach town vibes. No angst, easy read, and every single character was the perfect addition to the story!!
Fair warning on my end, I didn’t love the way they ended up in the marriage of the convenience. The “I need to get married” to the “I’ll marry you” happened a little too quickly for me and felt like woah! why! But this very may well be a me thing. Sometimes the story was super cheesy, and that’s exactly the point of this book. I think I haven’t been in the right mindset for cheesy, but I still know this was a super fun summer read.
I will ABSOLUTELY be continuing on the series seeing as I need her best friend’s story! It’s not a want, but a need.
Huge thank you to the author and booked with Rae for the eARC to read and review!🖤
You’ll like this if you like
- small town romance
- coastal town
- marriage of convenience
- childhood friends
- he falls first
- grumpy x sunshine
- found family
3.5, rounded up to 4!
Fair warning on my end, I didn’t love the way they ended up in the marriage of the convenience. The “I need to get married” to the “I’ll marry you” happened a little too quickly for me and felt like woah! why! But this very may well be a me thing. Sometimes the story was super cheesy, and that’s exactly the point of this book. I think I haven’t been in the right mindset for cheesy, but I still know this was a super fun summer read.
I will ABSOLUTELY be continuing on the series seeing as I need her best friend’s story! It’s not a want, but a need.
Huge thank you to the author and booked with Rae for the eARC to read and review!🖤
You’ll like this if you like
- small town romance
- coastal town
- marriage of convenience
- childhood friends
- he falls first
- grumpy x sunshine
- found family
3.5, rounded up to 4!
June 24, 2025
“𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚’𝙨 𝙖 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙥, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥, 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙖 𝙝𝙤𝙩 𝙜𝙪𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙩𝙤𝙤.”
Searching for Sunshine by Hollie Luckie
4⭐️ || 1.5🌶️
♡ Grumpy x Sunshine
♡ Forced Proximity
♡ Childhood friends
♡ Small Town Beach Romance
♡ Fake Marriage
This is a feel-good, laugh-out-loud, sunshine-soaked, little-bit-spicy summer read—and I devoured it in one sitting.
Stella is fresh off a rough patch and trying to piece her life back together, while Wyatt—the grumpy, broody, completely loveable MMC—is in desperate need of a reset himself. Their slow chemistry bolstered by a fake marriage of convenience is hilariously perfect—all set in motion by Stella’s grandmother’s will. The setup is quirky and believably delivered.
“𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙢𝙚?”
What made this story shine is the perfect mix of laughter, heart, and just enough spice to have you kicking your feet. The friendships were imperfectly perfect and the found family—chef’s kiss. And Avery is now one of my favorite side characters— the kind of friend we all need hyping us up and dropping hilarious TRUTH-TELLING one-liners along the way.
And let’s not forget the meddling older ladies in this story. Their humor & wisdom had me cackling. They add so much charm and warmth that you’ll wish you lived in this tight-knit community too.
“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙩, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙄’𝙢 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙖 𝙃𝙖𝙡𝙚.”
At its core, this book is about second chances, rediscovering joy, and building the life you deserve—with a little chaos and a lot of love thrown in. It’s a quick read that’ll leave you smiling—the perfect beach day book.
Searching for Sunshine by Hollie Luckie
4⭐️ || 1.5🌶️
♡ Grumpy x Sunshine
♡ Forced Proximity
♡ Childhood friends
♡ Small Town Beach Romance
♡ Fake Marriage
This is a feel-good, laugh-out-loud, sunshine-soaked, little-bit-spicy summer read—and I devoured it in one sitting.
Stella is fresh off a rough patch and trying to piece her life back together, while Wyatt—the grumpy, broody, completely loveable MMC—is in desperate need of a reset himself. Their slow chemistry bolstered by a fake marriage of convenience is hilariously perfect—all set in motion by Stella’s grandmother’s will. The setup is quirky and believably delivered.
“𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙢𝙚?”
What made this story shine is the perfect mix of laughter, heart, and just enough spice to have you kicking your feet. The friendships were imperfectly perfect and the found family—chef’s kiss. And Avery is now one of my favorite side characters— the kind of friend we all need hyping us up and dropping hilarious TRUTH-TELLING one-liners along the way.
And let’s not forget the meddling older ladies in this story. Their humor & wisdom had me cackling. They add so much charm and warmth that you’ll wish you lived in this tight-knit community too.
“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙩, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙄’𝙢 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙖 𝙃𝙖𝙡𝙚.”
At its core, this book is about second chances, rediscovering joy, and building the life you deserve—with a little chaos and a lot of love thrown in. It’s a quick read that’ll leave you smiling—the perfect beach day book.
June 26, 2025
Thank you Hollie Luckie + Booked With Rae for my copy of Searching For Sunshine. 🤍 I received this book for review, all opinions are my own and given freely.
This was my first read by this author and absolutely not my last! I was anticipating this read for so long and it didn’t disappoint in the least. This is easily going to be a top recommended summer, beach read.
Wyatt and Stella were such lovable characters. I loved their banter and chemistry. Childhood friends to lovers is quickly making its way to my top tropes list. Wyatt’s thoughtfulness and kindness to Stella from the moment they ran into one another again after many years was heartwarming. I was giggling, kicking my feet, laughing out loud and swooning the whole way through. The friendships seen throughout this book are also noteworthy. Literally, this is just such a fun, feel good read perfect for the pool or beach.
Searching For Sunshine releases today, June 27.
This was my first read by this author and absolutely not my last! I was anticipating this read for so long and it didn’t disappoint in the least. This is easily going to be a top recommended summer, beach read.
Wyatt and Stella were such lovable characters. I loved their banter and chemistry. Childhood friends to lovers is quickly making its way to my top tropes list. Wyatt’s thoughtfulness and kindness to Stella from the moment they ran into one another again after many years was heartwarming. I was giggling, kicking my feet, laughing out loud and swooning the whole way through. The friendships seen throughout this book are also noteworthy. Literally, this is just such a fun, feel good read perfect for the pool or beach.
Searching For Sunshine releases today, June 27.
June 27, 2025
Rating: 8/10⭐️
Spice: 2/5🌶
Tropes:summer novella; beach town; found family; marriage of connivence
Stella and her best friend find themselves jobless after teacher layoffs and no plan for the future but with one call all that changes... Stella finds out her Meemaw has left her the hotel she owned and ran but theres one small (giant) barrier.. her Meemaw put in there that she needs to be married to inherent it.
i read this novella in one sitting at the pool one day and had the absolute time of my life. the banter. the found family. the besties. the fact that the FMC loves to run? it all was GIVING. the spice was put in there perfectly and it all felt just idk fun and crazy in the best possible way. In a romance world where books are being written longer and longer this was so nice to be able to start and finish the same day and still get the vibes I was hoping for!
if you have an upcoming beach trip this book is a must!!
Spice: 2/5🌶
Tropes:summer novella; beach town; found family; marriage of connivence
Stella and her best friend find themselves jobless after teacher layoffs and no plan for the future but with one call all that changes... Stella finds out her Meemaw has left her the hotel she owned and ran but theres one small (giant) barrier.. her Meemaw put in there that she needs to be married to inherent it.
i read this novella in one sitting at the pool one day and had the absolute time of my life. the banter. the found family. the besties. the fact that the FMC loves to run? it all was GIVING. the spice was put in there perfectly and it all felt just idk fun and crazy in the best possible way. In a romance world where books are being written longer and longer this was so nice to be able to start and finish the same day and still get the vibes I was hoping for!
if you have an upcoming beach trip this book is a must!!
July 1, 2025
This was such a fun summer beach read! It was a short & quick read but, Wyatt and Stella were the sweetest childhood friends turned lovers, in a marriage of convenience. I also loved meeting the group of friends & family, and look forward to all the future books.
Crestbrook Cove was just the dreamiest small beach town, and I loved watching everyone work together to achieve their dreams, and grow their businesses. And the way Stella’s Meemaw was intertwined into her & Wyatts love story was the absolute sweetest. Also, I really enjoyed the friendship between Avery and Stella, I feel like we could all use a friend as supportive as Ave’s!
Read if you enjoy:
☀️Small beach town
💕Childhood friends to lovers
☀️Found family
💕Spicy
☀️Marriage of conveniance
Crestbrook Cove was just the dreamiest small beach town, and I loved watching everyone work together to achieve their dreams, and grow their businesses. And the way Stella’s Meemaw was intertwined into her & Wyatts love story was the absolute sweetest. Also, I really enjoyed the friendship between Avery and Stella, I feel like we could all use a friend as supportive as Ave’s!
Read if you enjoy:
☀️Small beach town
💕Childhood friends to lovers
☀️Found family
💕Spicy
☀️Marriage of conveniance
June 21, 2025
ARC REVIEW
Wyatt and Stella have the CUTEST love story!
Wyatt is the grumpy charter boat captain who saves the day when Stella loses her job and is surprised to learn her late grandmother left her the hotel with some stipulations - live there for a year with her HUSBAND!
These two knew each other as kids and it seems fate brought them back together when they needed it most!
Along the way, we have a special lizard friend and a pup named Duke who brings lightheartedness to the characters.
I adored this story and I cannot wait for the next book - the epilogue cliffhanger was perfect!
Wyatt and Stella have the CUTEST love story!
Wyatt is the grumpy charter boat captain who saves the day when Stella loses her job and is surprised to learn her late grandmother left her the hotel with some stipulations - live there for a year with her HUSBAND!
These two knew each other as kids and it seems fate brought them back together when they needed it most!
Along the way, we have a special lizard friend and a pup named Duke who brings lightheartedness to the characters.
I adored this story and I cannot wait for the next book - the epilogue cliffhanger was perfect!
June 27, 2025
"I guess now's as good of a time as any to tell my wife I'm in love with her."
After losing her grandma and her teaching job, she gets an ominous phone call. Stella finds out that in her grandma's will she inherited her family's hotel under one condition .. she has to be married. But only in a few days?? Wyatt, the town grump and charter owner offers to marry her for the next year.
Stella never knew that Wyatt has always had a crush on her. While working on renovations of the hotel and making Memaw proud, Stella and her best friend Avery tackle it head on. They turn the hotel around and make it their own little empire.
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Small town
Grumpy x Sunshine
Marriage of Convenience
He falls harder
Found Family
After losing her grandma and her teaching job, she gets an ominous phone call. Stella finds out that in her grandma's will she inherited her family's hotel under one condition .. she has to be married. But only in a few days?? Wyatt, the town grump and charter owner offers to marry her for the next year.
Stella never knew that Wyatt has always had a crush on her. While working on renovations of the hotel and making Memaw proud, Stella and her best friend Avery tackle it head on. They turn the hotel around and make it their own little empire.
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Small town
Grumpy x Sunshine
Marriage of Convenience
He falls harder
Found Family
July 2, 2025
Best way to kick off summer is with a perfect fake marriage summer romance!
Stella has gotten bad news and weird news. The weird? The fact she needs move to Crestbrook Cove, run her grandparents hotel, and be married too.
Wyatt can barely stay afloat with his boating business, so when he happens to be the right person at the right time, offering to marry Stella is the most logical move.
But after flooded rooms, boozy boat tours, and an adorable puppy, the marriage slowly turns from fake to real.
Stella has gotten bad news and weird news. The weird? The fact she needs move to Crestbrook Cove, run her grandparents hotel, and be married too.
Wyatt can barely stay afloat with his boating business, so when he happens to be the right person at the right time, offering to marry Stella is the most logical move.
But after flooded rooms, boozy boat tours, and an adorable puppy, the marriage slowly turns from fake to real.
July 6, 2025
I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face! Such a sweet small town romance! Love a marriage of convenience! Stella is in a hard spot; but little does she know memaw who recently passed away has plans for her!
1-take over and run the family hotel 1 year and it becomes hers!
2- live at said hotel for one year!
3-can’t do any of the above unless she is married
Biggest problem she has under a week to find a husband and save the family hotel from being sold off to developers!
Such a good summer/beach read! I def recommend if your looking for something super sweet and heartwarming 💕
1-take over and run the family hotel 1 year and it becomes hers!
2- live at said hotel for one year!
3-can’t do any of the above unless she is married
Biggest problem she has under a week to find a husband and save the family hotel from being sold off to developers!
Such a good summer/beach read! I def recommend if your looking for something super sweet and heartwarming 💕
June 21, 2025
This was such a sweet, fast paced, short, summer beach read.
Stella & Wyatt 💕
She loses her teaching job and gains her Meemaws beach hotel.
He’s a fishing boat charter owner.
Grumpy x sunshine
Marriage of convenience & “my wife”
Childhood summertime friends
Found family x solid group of friends
For sure had a rom com vibe.
There’s a lizard, a cute dog, and a meddling town with a knitting club.
Arc review ✨
Stella & Wyatt 💕
She loses her teaching job and gains her Meemaws beach hotel.
He’s a fishing boat charter owner.
Grumpy x sunshine
Marriage of convenience & “my wife”
Childhood summertime friends
Found family x solid group of friends
For sure had a rom com vibe.
There’s a lizard, a cute dog, and a meddling town with a knitting club.
Arc review ✨
July 5, 2025
This was honestly such a short and sweet summer read! Hollie had me at arranged marriage, but kept me with the delulu/match-making grandma who just happens to own a sweet boutique hotel in a small beach town!! Stella and Wyatt are friends to lovers, but only after being reunited by queen memaw’s will. Wyatt’s grump was no match for Stella’s sunshine!! This one had me kicking my sandy feet. Just give me a pineapple vodka drink & im SAT.
P.S. I need this place to be real so I can pay a visit please and thanks.
P.S. I need this place to be real so I can pay a visit please and thanks.
July 7, 2025
This was a perfect summer read! Now I want to quit teaching and run a hotel! 😆 what a cute story, I loved all the characters! I kept waiting for something terrible to happened and it never did. So sweet and full of fun, love, and adventure. Just the right amount of detail and spice! Wish the second one was out already!
June 20, 2025
I want to move to Crestbrook Cove! This cute summer beach read about Stella and Wyatt, makes me want to join the small town beach community of Crestbrook Cove! This book has laughter, banter and a little spice!
June 28, 2025
The cutest summer read! Short, sweet, and to the point with the perfect amount of detail!
June 26, 2025
This book had amazing vibes 🏝️🩷✨ Blessed to receive this ARC and seriously CANNOT WAIT for the next book :)
June 25, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️
• small coastal town
• marriage of convenience
• childhood friends to lovers
• found family
• boat captain x hotel owner
This was a super sweet and quick summer read. Low drama - all very summery and light with a fun twist and a whole cast of characters we’ll be getting more of in Crestwood Cove!
Stella’s life is abruptly upturned when her teaching job lets her (and her bestie Avery) go. But in an interesting turn of events, her grandmother who recently passed, left her the hotel she used to visit every summer as a kid. But there’s one BIG stipulation: if she wants the hotel, she has to be married and work there for a year before it’s hers.
Aaaaand cue in Wyatt, her childhood friend she made in Crestwood Cove when she would visit Memaw. He’s still in town and running a fishing boat chartering company with his brother. They’re struggling for a bit with tourism down and once Wyatt sees Stella and hears what happened, he offers to marry her and live with her on the hotel property for the year.
The shorter story has a fast pace to it with a hint of insta-love (not my fave trope) but Hollie made it work! Funny banter, a great group of friends, and a perfect option for a light and sweet summer read!
🌶️
• small coastal town
• marriage of convenience
• childhood friends to lovers
• found family
• boat captain x hotel owner
This was a super sweet and quick summer read. Low drama - all very summery and light with a fun twist and a whole cast of characters we’ll be getting more of in Crestwood Cove!
Stella’s life is abruptly upturned when her teaching job lets her (and her bestie Avery) go. But in an interesting turn of events, her grandmother who recently passed, left her the hotel she used to visit every summer as a kid. But there’s one BIG stipulation: if she wants the hotel, she has to be married and work there for a year before it’s hers.
Aaaaand cue in Wyatt, her childhood friend she made in Crestwood Cove when she would visit Memaw. He’s still in town and running a fishing boat chartering company with his brother. They’re struggling for a bit with tourism down and once Wyatt sees Stella and hears what happened, he offers to marry her and live with her on the hotel property for the year.
The shorter story has a fast pace to it with a hint of insta-love (not my fave trope) but Hollie made it work! Funny banter, a great group of friends, and a perfect option for a light and sweet summer read!
June 19, 2025
What a cute summer/ beach read! Hollie always writes such adorable small towns, that make you want to pack up and move immediately. This story follows Stella, as she loses her teaching job and simultaneously finds out that she has inherited her grandma’s beach front hotel in small town Crestbrook Cove. The only stipulation: she has to be married. Enter Wyatt, small town body captain and childhood friend of Stella.
Avery is the best friend everyone wants. Stella’s best friend Avery also loses her teaching job, and drops everything to move with Stella and help her with running the hotel. She completely supports Stella and provides essential business support in the form of social media, booking, and logo design. Girlfriend is really doing the most.
My biggest detractor from the romance between Stella and Wyatt, was that I felt more attached to the relationship between Stella and Avery. I felt like the scenes with Wyatt were more surface level, and the spice wasn’t as romantic because that build up didn’t transfer from their interactions. Overall, this was an adorable summer romance and you can read it on its release June 27, 2025.
Thank you, Hollie, for providing me with an eARC. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Read if you like:
Dual POV
Short and Sweet (less than 250 pages)
Childhood friends to lovers
Marriage of Convenience
Small town
Avery is the best friend everyone wants. Stella’s best friend Avery also loses her teaching job, and drops everything to move with Stella and help her with running the hotel. She completely supports Stella and provides essential business support in the form of social media, booking, and logo design. Girlfriend is really doing the most.
My biggest detractor from the romance between Stella and Wyatt, was that I felt more attached to the relationship between Stella and Avery. I felt like the scenes with Wyatt were more surface level, and the spice wasn’t as romantic because that build up didn’t transfer from their interactions. Overall, this was an adorable summer romance and you can read it on its release June 27, 2025.
Thank you, Hollie, for providing me with an eARC. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Read if you like:
Dual POV
Short and Sweet (less than 250 pages)
Childhood friends to lovers
Marriage of Convenience
Small town
July 8, 2025
Arc Read Review:
Spicy level 🌶🌶
Star rating 4.5/5
Book Synopsis:
You know what they say— when everything’s falling apart, move to the beach and marry the grumpy boat captain you haven’t seen in over a decade.
After losing both my teaching job in the city and my grandmother, I feel like I have no idea what to do with my life. If that isn’t bad enough, I just found out my grandmother left me with one more challenge— the only way I can take over the hotel where I spent every summer growing up is by finding a husband for the next year.
I’m devastated, but when Wyatt Robinson finds me crying in my car, he proposes a solution I don’t know how to say no to. It’s been less than twenty-four hours since I arrived back in Crestbrook Cove, and suddenly I’m married to a man who definitely has gotten a lot hotter since the last time I saw him, and I’m now responsible for not one but two failing local businesses.
Between organizing epic bachelorette weekends, renovating the High Tide Hideaway Hotel, and giving Wyatt’s charter boat business a much-needed makeover, I’ve got more than enough to keep me busy until next summer. The only problem? The more time I spend with Wyatt, the more I’m convinced that a year with him won’t ever be enough, and I don’t think either of us is ready to admit that this marriage might not be as fake as we planned.
Tropes:
**Small town (costal)
❤️Grumpy/sunshine
👩❤️👨Childhood friends to lovers
💒💍Marriage of convenience
🛌Forced proximity- one bed
This is my first ARC read for Hollie, so I want to start off by saying thank you to Hollie and her team for giving me an advance reader copy to read Searching for Sunshine!!!!
I was so excited I got an Arc read on Hollie's new series!! This is the perfect summer read. It had me giggling, wanting to kick my feet. I read this in literally no time, it was nice to read a smaller book and still get all the story and not feel like you are missing something. I really like that they were friends and became lovers. Stella and Wyatt definitely had a spark. The buildup between these two was 🥵🥵, the mutual desire for each other *chef's kiss*. I loved reading about them reconnecting since they had spent summers together as kids. The way Wyatt was so sweet to offer to help and how they worked so well together to bring her memaw's hotel from having very few guests to being booked out and also Wyatt business boomed along with the town getting more tourists. Memaw definitely knew what she was doing and knew Wyatt and Stella were end game. Even mentioned in the letter Stella found on the bookshelf "Just in case my intuition was right on who you picked to marry, tell Wyatt I said thank you for taking care of my girl. You two always had something special, and I hate that Meredith and I aren’t there to give you shit for how right we always were about the two of you." If you want a cute childhood friends to lovers small town summer romance, this book is for you! I can't wait to see who book 2 is going to be about? Thanks for an amazing read Hollie!!
Spicy level 🌶🌶
Star rating 4.5/5
Book Synopsis:
You know what they say— when everything’s falling apart, move to the beach and marry the grumpy boat captain you haven’t seen in over a decade.
After losing both my teaching job in the city and my grandmother, I feel like I have no idea what to do with my life. If that isn’t bad enough, I just found out my grandmother left me with one more challenge— the only way I can take over the hotel where I spent every summer growing up is by finding a husband for the next year.
I’m devastated, but when Wyatt Robinson finds me crying in my car, he proposes a solution I don’t know how to say no to. It’s been less than twenty-four hours since I arrived back in Crestbrook Cove, and suddenly I’m married to a man who definitely has gotten a lot hotter since the last time I saw him, and I’m now responsible for not one but two failing local businesses.
Between organizing epic bachelorette weekends, renovating the High Tide Hideaway Hotel, and giving Wyatt’s charter boat business a much-needed makeover, I’ve got more than enough to keep me busy until next summer. The only problem? The more time I spend with Wyatt, the more I’m convinced that a year with him won’t ever be enough, and I don’t think either of us is ready to admit that this marriage might not be as fake as we planned.
Tropes:
**Small town (costal)
❤️Grumpy/sunshine
👩❤️👨Childhood friends to lovers
💒💍Marriage of convenience
🛌Forced proximity- one bed
This is my first ARC read for Hollie, so I want to start off by saying thank you to Hollie and her team for giving me an advance reader copy to read Searching for Sunshine!!!!
I was so excited I got an Arc read on Hollie's new series!! This is the perfect summer read. It had me giggling, wanting to kick my feet. I read this in literally no time, it was nice to read a smaller book and still get all the story and not feel like you are missing something. I really like that they were friends and became lovers. Stella and Wyatt definitely had a spark. The buildup between these two was 🥵🥵, the mutual desire for each other *chef's kiss*. I loved reading about them reconnecting since they had spent summers together as kids. The way Wyatt was so sweet to offer to help and how they worked so well together to bring her memaw's hotel from having very few guests to being booked out and also Wyatt business boomed along with the town getting more tourists. Memaw definitely knew what she was doing and knew Wyatt and Stella were end game. Even mentioned in the letter Stella found on the bookshelf "Just in case my intuition was right on who you picked to marry, tell Wyatt I said thank you for taking care of my girl. You two always had something special, and I hate that Meredith and I aren’t there to give you shit for how right we always were about the two of you." If you want a cute childhood friends to lovers small town summer romance, this book is for you! I can't wait to see who book 2 is going to be about? Thanks for an amazing read Hollie!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2025
ARC Review: Searching for Sunshine by Hollie Luckie
Searching for Sunshine packs a full-length romance punch into just a little over 200 pages. From the first “marry-the-grumpy-boat-captain” proposition to the final sunset over Crestbrook Cove, I was completely charmed by Stella and Wyatt’s whirlwind marriage-of-convenience.
What worked
• Instant chemistry with genuine warmth. Stella’s sunny resilience meets Wyatt’s guarded loyalty in a way that feels playful yet deeply caring. Wyatt’s instinct to look after Stella—whether rescuing her from a tear-stained parking-lot meltdown or steadying her nerves during hotel renovations—mirrored the quiet, everyday devotion many long-term couples will recognize. I found myself smiling often, thinking of my own husband’s “I’ve got you” moments.
• Bite-size pacing that never drags. Despite its novella length, the story hits all the emotional beats: grief, career upheaval, small-town obligations, and a delicious slow build from practical partnership to real passion. Not a single page feels wasted.
• Side-character sparkle. Best-friend Avery steals scenes with her blunt humor, while Wyatt’s crew adds camaraderie (and clear sequel potential). Crestbrook Cove feels like a community I’d happily revisit.
• Balanced steam. The spice level is just right—enough heat to satisfy romance readers without overshadowing character growth.
What I wanted more of
Because the premise is so fun, I found myself wishing for a few everyday “married life” moments—quiet breakfasts in the cottage kitchen, late-night bookkeeping, or cooking side-by-side as they rehab the Hideaway Hotel and Wyatt’s charter business. A handful of domestic scenes would have deepened the sense that their partnership works beyond the initial spark.
Bottom line
Sun-kissed, heartfelt, and effortlessly readable, Searching for Sunshine is perfect for fans of small-town, grumpy-/sunshine marriages of convenience who want a quick escape with satisfying depth. I’m eagerly awaiting Hailey’s story—and crossing my fingers that Avery, Chloe, and the boys will each get their own happily ever after.
Searching for Sunshine packs a full-length romance punch into just a little over 200 pages. From the first “marry-the-grumpy-boat-captain” proposition to the final sunset over Crestbrook Cove, I was completely charmed by Stella and Wyatt’s whirlwind marriage-of-convenience.
What worked
• Instant chemistry with genuine warmth. Stella’s sunny resilience meets Wyatt’s guarded loyalty in a way that feels playful yet deeply caring. Wyatt’s instinct to look after Stella—whether rescuing her from a tear-stained parking-lot meltdown or steadying her nerves during hotel renovations—mirrored the quiet, everyday devotion many long-term couples will recognize. I found myself smiling often, thinking of my own husband’s “I’ve got you” moments.
• Bite-size pacing that never drags. Despite its novella length, the story hits all the emotional beats: grief, career upheaval, small-town obligations, and a delicious slow build from practical partnership to real passion. Not a single page feels wasted.
• Side-character sparkle. Best-friend Avery steals scenes with her blunt humor, while Wyatt’s crew adds camaraderie (and clear sequel potential). Crestbrook Cove feels like a community I’d happily revisit.
• Balanced steam. The spice level is just right—enough heat to satisfy romance readers without overshadowing character growth.
What I wanted more of
Because the premise is so fun, I found myself wishing for a few everyday “married life” moments—quiet breakfasts in the cottage kitchen, late-night bookkeeping, or cooking side-by-side as they rehab the Hideaway Hotel and Wyatt’s charter business. A handful of domestic scenes would have deepened the sense that their partnership works beyond the initial spark.
Bottom line
Sun-kissed, heartfelt, and effortlessly readable, Searching for Sunshine is perfect for fans of small-town, grumpy-/sunshine marriages of convenience who want a quick escape with satisfying depth. I’m eagerly awaiting Hailey’s story—and crossing my fingers that Avery, Chloe, and the boys will each get their own happily ever after.
July 2, 2025
Sun, Spice, and a Fake Husband 💛
This isn’t just a love story, it’s a beach towel hug for your heart - warm, comforting, and swoon-worthy.
Dedication: To anyone who’s fighting to find your sunshine. Never stop searching.
Stella (FMC): 28 • New Owner of High-Tide Hideaway • Loves Running and Orange Cream Energy Drinks • Anxious Sunshine • Dog Mom •
Wyatt (MMC): 29 • Boat Captain and Owns Crestbrook Charter Company • Loves Fishing and Being on the Water • Grumpy •
Tropes:
⚓️ Boat Captain x Motel Owner
🌞 Childhood Friends to Lovers
⚓️ Marriage of Convenience
🌞 Beachy Small Town
⚓️ Meddling Townspeople
🌞 Found Family
⚓️ Adorable Fluffy Sidekick (🐕)
🌞 Text Messages
⚓️ He Falls First
🌞 Sunshine x Grumpy
⚓️ “My Wife” & “F It” Moments
🌞 Low Angst
⚓️ No 3rd Act Breakup
🌞 Fun & Quick Read
Rating: 🍍🍍🍍🍍 (4⭐️)
Spice: 🌶️.🫑🫑🫑(dirty talk, praise, toys as teammates, 👅)
T/W: anxiety (referenced), cancer (referenced), parental death (referenced), grandmother death (referenced), divorce (referenced), alcohol consumption (on page), parental abandonment (referenced), anxiety attack (on page)
Searching for Sunshine is like sipping an ice cold pineapple vodka lemonade on a sweltering day—sweet, refreshing, and just the right amount of tart.
After losing her teaching job and her beloved Memaw, Stella heads back to Crestbrook Cove, the beachside town of her childhood. She’s expecting closure. What she gets instead? A hotel… with strings. To inherit the charmingly dilapidated High Tide Hideaway, she must marry and live on the property for a year. Enter Wyatt: childhood best friend, boat captain, and grumpy, heart-of-gold certified book husband material. His solution? “Why don’t you just marry me?”
From motel renovations (including a surprise reptile guest 🦎), to meddling town elders, social media-savvy bestie, and the kind of slow-burn chemistry that sneaks up on you. This book has everything. The banter is top-notch, the vibes are pure sunshine, and the community is one of those places you’ll wish you could visit IRL.
Stella and Wyatt’s relationship is all soft pining, cozy mornings, and a deep-rooted friendship that blossoms into something real. Add a dog named Duke, a boat named Fin and Tonic, and a meddling Memaw from beyond the grave? Instant favorite.
I laughed, I swooned, I now check Zillow for beach motels that come with romantic clauses in wills. I need more from Crestbrook Cove! Bring on Avery, Wyatt’s brothers, and every nosy neighbor with an agenda.
I received an ARC copy and wanted to leave an honest review.
This isn’t just a love story, it’s a beach towel hug for your heart - warm, comforting, and swoon-worthy.
Dedication: To anyone who’s fighting to find your sunshine. Never stop searching.
Stella (FMC): 28 • New Owner of High-Tide Hideaway • Loves Running and Orange Cream Energy Drinks • Anxious Sunshine • Dog Mom •
Wyatt (MMC): 29 • Boat Captain and Owns Crestbrook Charter Company • Loves Fishing and Being on the Water • Grumpy •
Tropes:
⚓️ Boat Captain x Motel Owner
🌞 Childhood Friends to Lovers
⚓️ Marriage of Convenience
🌞 Beachy Small Town
⚓️ Meddling Townspeople
🌞 Found Family
⚓️ Adorable Fluffy Sidekick (🐕)
🌞 Text Messages
⚓️ He Falls First
🌞 Sunshine x Grumpy
⚓️ “My Wife” & “F It” Moments
🌞 Low Angst
⚓️ No 3rd Act Breakup
🌞 Fun & Quick Read
Rating: 🍍🍍🍍🍍 (4⭐️)
Spice: 🌶️.🫑🫑🫑(dirty talk, praise, toys as teammates, 👅)
T/W: anxiety (referenced), cancer (referenced), parental death (referenced), grandmother death (referenced), divorce (referenced), alcohol consumption (on page), parental abandonment (referenced), anxiety attack (on page)
Searching for Sunshine is like sipping an ice cold pineapple vodka lemonade on a sweltering day—sweet, refreshing, and just the right amount of tart.
After losing her teaching job and her beloved Memaw, Stella heads back to Crestbrook Cove, the beachside town of her childhood. She’s expecting closure. What she gets instead? A hotel… with strings. To inherit the charmingly dilapidated High Tide Hideaway, she must marry and live on the property for a year. Enter Wyatt: childhood best friend, boat captain, and grumpy, heart-of-gold certified book husband material. His solution? “Why don’t you just marry me?”
From motel renovations (including a surprise reptile guest 🦎), to meddling town elders, social media-savvy bestie, and the kind of slow-burn chemistry that sneaks up on you. This book has everything. The banter is top-notch, the vibes are pure sunshine, and the community is one of those places you’ll wish you could visit IRL.
Stella and Wyatt’s relationship is all soft pining, cozy mornings, and a deep-rooted friendship that blossoms into something real. Add a dog named Duke, a boat named Fin and Tonic, and a meddling Memaw from beyond the grave? Instant favorite.
I laughed, I swooned, I now check Zillow for beach motels that come with romantic clauses in wills. I need more from Crestbrook Cove! Bring on Avery, Wyatt’s brothers, and every nosy neighbor with an agenda.
I received an ARC copy and wanted to leave an honest review.
July 6, 2025
Title: Searching for Sunshine: Crestbrook Cove (Book 1)
Author: Hollie Luckie
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 209
Rating: 4.5⭐️/5 (rounded up!)
“Oh my sweet child, don’t you know everything is going to work out? Life’s a trip, and it’s time for you to enjoy the ride. And if you need some help, find yourself a hot guy and ride him too.”
Stella Hale’s life is in shambles—she just lost her teaching job, her beloved Memaw, and any idea of what comes next. But then comes one wild plot twist: she’s inherited her grandparents’ beachside hotel if she agrees to run it, live on-site for a year… and get married within five days. That’s when Wyatt Robinson, her grumpy, swoon-worthy childhood bestie turned boat captain with a struggling charter biz, steps in with a solution: fake marriage. What starts as a desperate plan quickly spirals into heartfelt chaos.
SEARCHING FOR SUNSHINE had me grinning from the very first page! It’s everything I love in a small-town romance—I was instantly mesmerized by the cover (so cute!!) and even more obsessed once I dove in. The plot was absolutely adorable. The characters were all consistent, so lovable, and full of heart. It has that fun, feel-good, sunshiney vibe that makes it the ultimate summer read! And let’s talk about the writing—when an author can guide you where you think the story’s headed, then still throw in surprises that keep you glued to the page? That’s talent. I adored every side character—Avery is the best hype girl ever, and the story is complete with a mischievous lizard, a dog named Duke, slow-burn tension, and a meddling grandma still pulling strings from beyond. It’s small-town romance at its funniest, sweetest, and most delightfully messy!
A big thanks to Booked With Rae and Hollie Luckie for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!
Released today, 06/27/25 on Amazon, KU and paperback.
—
#AdvancedReaderCopy
Author: Hollie Luckie
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 209
Rating: 4.5⭐️/5 (rounded up!)
“Oh my sweet child, don’t you know everything is going to work out? Life’s a trip, and it’s time for you to enjoy the ride. And if you need some help, find yourself a hot guy and ride him too.”
Stella Hale’s life is in shambles—she just lost her teaching job, her beloved Memaw, and any idea of what comes next. But then comes one wild plot twist: she’s inherited her grandparents’ beachside hotel if she agrees to run it, live on-site for a year… and get married within five days. That’s when Wyatt Robinson, her grumpy, swoon-worthy childhood bestie turned boat captain with a struggling charter biz, steps in with a solution: fake marriage. What starts as a desperate plan quickly spirals into heartfelt chaos.
SEARCHING FOR SUNSHINE had me grinning from the very first page! It’s everything I love in a small-town romance—I was instantly mesmerized by the cover (so cute!!) and even more obsessed once I dove in. The plot was absolutely adorable. The characters were all consistent, so lovable, and full of heart. It has that fun, feel-good, sunshiney vibe that makes it the ultimate summer read! And let’s talk about the writing—when an author can guide you where you think the story’s headed, then still throw in surprises that keep you glued to the page? That’s talent. I adored every side character—Avery is the best hype girl ever, and the story is complete with a mischievous lizard, a dog named Duke, slow-burn tension, and a meddling grandma still pulling strings from beyond. It’s small-town romance at its funniest, sweetest, and most delightfully messy!
A big thanks to Booked With Rae and Hollie Luckie for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!
Released today, 06/27/25 on Amazon, KU and paperback.
—
#AdvancedReaderCopy
July 7, 2025
“I can’t ask you to stay married to me if it’s not what you want. But I’m just asking if we can give this a real shot, because you’ve become the most important person in my life and I can’t imagine letting you walk away at the end of this year.”
✔️marriage of convenience
✔️boat captain x hotel owner
✔️childhood friends to lovers
✔️small coastal town
✔️grumpy x sunshine
✔️no 3rd act breakup
When I picked up this book I was hoping for a cute summery romance and that is exactly how I would describe this book! It is a fairly quick read and the perfect book to escape into and dream about being in a small town near the beach. If you are looking for super deep characters and a complicated story you won’t find that in this book, but you will find a cute couple, a ride-or-die bestie, meddling townsfolk and a woman who is trying to fulfill her grandma’s dying wish and resurrect a beloved town business.
I love a marriage of convenience story, and this book lived up to my expectations. The setup makes sense and isn’t completely far-fetched (though you obviously have to suspend your disbelief a little bit) and there isn’t a third act breakup, they actually communicate their emotions once they sort out how they are feeling about everything. They aren’t faking anything or have to pretend it’s a love marriage, it is clear from the start that they are getting legally married and living together but as platonic friends.
There are many swoony romance novel moments/tropes in this story. If you love when there is conveniently only one bed, a “get your hands off of my wife” moment, realizing that the fake relationship isn’t so fake, and the “f*** it” moment when they can’t hold back physically anymore, you might like this book. I am glad I picked it up and the teaser for the next book in the series has me so excited for what is to come next!
✔️marriage of convenience
✔️boat captain x hotel owner
✔️childhood friends to lovers
✔️small coastal town
✔️grumpy x sunshine
✔️no 3rd act breakup
When I picked up this book I was hoping for a cute summery romance and that is exactly how I would describe this book! It is a fairly quick read and the perfect book to escape into and dream about being in a small town near the beach. If you are looking for super deep characters and a complicated story you won’t find that in this book, but you will find a cute couple, a ride-or-die bestie, meddling townsfolk and a woman who is trying to fulfill her grandma’s dying wish and resurrect a beloved town business.
I love a marriage of convenience story, and this book lived up to my expectations. The setup makes sense and isn’t completely far-fetched (though you obviously have to suspend your disbelief a little bit) and there isn’t a third act breakup, they actually communicate their emotions once they sort out how they are feeling about everything. They aren’t faking anything or have to pretend it’s a love marriage, it is clear from the start that they are getting legally married and living together but as platonic friends.
There are many swoony romance novel moments/tropes in this story. If you love when there is conveniently only one bed, a “get your hands off of my wife” moment, realizing that the fake relationship isn’t so fake, and the “f*** it” moment when they can’t hold back physically anymore, you might like this book. I am glad I picked it up and the teaser for the next book in the series has me so excited for what is to come next!
June 25, 2025
✨ 𝕒𝕣𝕔 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝑺𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆
𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗟𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗲
ᴄʀᴇꜱᴛʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴄᴏᴠᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ 1
𝒜𝓋𝒶𝒾𝓁𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝒥𝓊𝓃𝑒 𝟤𝟩𝓉𝒽!
𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲.
This is such a fun, sweet and quick summer read! I ate this right up.
The passing of Stella’s Memaw brings her back to Crestbrook Cove and Stella is forced to chose if she wants to take over her Memaw’s hotel. But it comes with some conditions from Memaw herself.. She needs to be married to take over. Enter Wyatt, her childhood friend she hasn’t seen in 10 years.
“𝘚𝘰, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘺? 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬, 𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘦?”
I absolutely loved Stella and Avery’s friendship. Avery is the best friend all girls need. Ready for a summer of adventure. & there when Stella needed to be called out!
I loved that Wyatt knew exactly what Stella needed to calm her down when her anxiety came about and knew how to talk her through it. He was so sweet! & a man willing to ship in your favorite drink to your small town. *swoon*
I loved all the friendships in those book! Between Wyatt’s brothers, best friend and of course Avery. You can’t forget the old ladies of the town. Between Miss Agatha the town gossiper or Miss Eleanor. Such funny little side characters that added the right touch to the story.
And we can’t forget our good boy Duke. Having a chocolate lab myself, I love him so much.
I can’t wait for book two! It was not who I was expecting it to be about! But I’m excited!
𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲’𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽, 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝘂𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝘁𝗼𝗼.
Thank you Hollie for this ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝑺𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆
𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗟𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗲
ᴄʀᴇꜱᴛʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴄᴏᴠᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ 1
𝒜𝓋𝒶𝒾𝓁𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝒥𝓊𝓃𝑒 𝟤𝟩𝓉𝒽!
𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲.
This is such a fun, sweet and quick summer read! I ate this right up.
The passing of Stella’s Memaw brings her back to Crestbrook Cove and Stella is forced to chose if she wants to take over her Memaw’s hotel. But it comes with some conditions from Memaw herself.. She needs to be married to take over. Enter Wyatt, her childhood friend she hasn’t seen in 10 years.
“𝘚𝘰, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘺? 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬, 𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘦?”
I absolutely loved Stella and Avery’s friendship. Avery is the best friend all girls need. Ready for a summer of adventure. & there when Stella needed to be called out!
I loved that Wyatt knew exactly what Stella needed to calm her down when her anxiety came about and knew how to talk her through it. He was so sweet! & a man willing to ship in your favorite drink to your small town. *swoon*
I loved all the friendships in those book! Between Wyatt’s brothers, best friend and of course Avery. You can’t forget the old ladies of the town. Between Miss Agatha the town gossiper or Miss Eleanor. Such funny little side characters that added the right touch to the story.
And we can’t forget our good boy Duke. Having a chocolate lab myself, I love him so much.
I can’t wait for book two! It was not who I was expecting it to be about! But I’m excited!
𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲’𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽, 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝘂𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝘁𝗼𝗼.
Thank you Hollie for this ARC!
June 27, 2025
𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎
4.75 ★
Every single time I start a new Hollie Luckie book I am literally grinning from ear to ear and just kicking my feet the whole time. Trust me when I say this, that Searching For Sunshine will give you the exact same feeling! While we are in a new location for this story I loved the subtle nod to the Springside series 🤭🫶🏻
After unexpected job loss, Stella gets the opportunity for something that changes her life forever. Her grandmother had owned this small little hotel in a coastal town and little to Stella’s knowledge this was left to her after her grandmother had passed away. But to add to the fun, she also has to live on the property for a year and be married to keep it. In walks Wyatt—her former childhood friend and now husband of convenience.
The way he stepped up to support her with no questions asked. This man was already gone for her right from the start. They both just needed the little push from the universe, aka Stella’s grandma to get there 😏
The INSTANT tension between these two had me swooning! And when it finally broke, I was blushing and regretting that I was reading this in public.
If you are in need of an adorable summer read I think this would be it for you! But please do yourself the favor and head to Hollie’s back list as you won’t be disappointed in the cute and cozy vibes you will get from these books!
𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
- marriage of convenience
- hotel owner FMC x grumpy boat captain MMC
- small coastal town
- found family
- grumpy x sunshine
- childhood friends to lovers
- a 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐞 moment that will have you kicking your feet 🙂↕️
Huge thank you to Hollie Luckie and Booked With Rae for the ARC ✨💕
4.75 ★
Every single time I start a new Hollie Luckie book I am literally grinning from ear to ear and just kicking my feet the whole time. Trust me when I say this, that Searching For Sunshine will give you the exact same feeling! While we are in a new location for this story I loved the subtle nod to the Springside series 🤭🫶🏻
After unexpected job loss, Stella gets the opportunity for something that changes her life forever. Her grandmother had owned this small little hotel in a coastal town and little to Stella’s knowledge this was left to her after her grandmother had passed away. But to add to the fun, she also has to live on the property for a year and be married to keep it. In walks Wyatt—her former childhood friend and now husband of convenience.
The way he stepped up to support her with no questions asked. This man was already gone for her right from the start. They both just needed the little push from the universe, aka Stella’s grandma to get there 😏
The INSTANT tension between these two had me swooning! And when it finally broke, I was blushing and regretting that I was reading this in public.
If you are in need of an adorable summer read I think this would be it for you! But please do yourself the favor and head to Hollie’s back list as you won’t be disappointed in the cute and cozy vibes you will get from these books!
𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
- marriage of convenience
- hotel owner FMC x grumpy boat captain MMC
- small coastal town
- found family
- grumpy x sunshine
- childhood friends to lovers
- a 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐞 moment that will have you kicking your feet 🙂↕️
Huge thank you to Hollie Luckie and Booked With Rae for the ARC ✨💕
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