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Seacliff Cove #1
Tides of Change
A stranger with secrets. A deputy with doubts. And a danger that’s closing in…
Garrett Whitlock has two his job as a deputy sheriff and raising his son. He doesn’t have time for secrets or distractions, and the town’s newcomer is both.
Ethan Cole is a bestselling thriller author who never expected to be living inside one of his own plots. He’s come to Seacliff Cove looking for anonymity, but the town’s tempting deputy watches him too closely. When the trouble Ethan thought he left behind catches up to him, Garrett is the only person he can trust.
The more time Ethan and Garrett spend together, the harder it is to resist what’s building between them. But when the threat to Ethan escalates, Garrett is caught in the crossfire.
Can they survive the menace drawing closer? And what will it mean for their hearts?
Tides of Change is a heart-pounding, heartwarming, small town, slow burn MM romance with a single dad, a bi-awakening, and romantic suspense.
Garrett Whitlock has two his job as a deputy sheriff and raising his son. He doesn’t have time for secrets or distractions, and the town’s newcomer is both.
Ethan Cole is a bestselling thriller author who never expected to be living inside one of his own plots. He’s come to Seacliff Cove looking for anonymity, but the town’s tempting deputy watches him too closely. When the trouble Ethan thought he left behind catches up to him, Garrett is the only person he can trust.
The more time Ethan and Garrett spend together, the harder it is to resist what’s building between them. But when the threat to Ethan escalates, Garrett is caught in the crossfire.
Can they survive the menace drawing closer? And what will it mean for their hearts?
Tides of Change is a heart-pounding, heartwarming, small town, slow burn MM romance with a single dad, a bi-awakening, and romantic suspense.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2025
16 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Linden
4 books26 followersLisa Linden writes swoon-worthy MM romance by day and devours it by night. When not crafting happily-ever-afters, she’s hunting for her next book obsession.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 14, 2025
4⭐
I really liked this one. It has everything I love—small town charm, a devoted single dad, slow burn pining, and just the right twist of mystery. The flirting felt so natural, the pace was slow but grounded, and that made the romance build in a way that felt real and earned. Garrett and Ethan were both so easy to root for—so tender, but at the same time passionate in a way that hit perfectly when it counted.
The mystery thread, based on Ethan’s books, was awesome—clever, tense, and such a fun extra layer to the story. I loved how it created suspense without ever overshadowing the emotional journey. And let’s not forget sweet Noah***—adorable 5-year-old Noah with enough energy to light all of Seacliff Cove 😊. He stole scenes every time he appeared and made the family aspect even warmer.
The writing itself was pretty simple and straightforward—it’s not the groundbreaking kind of book, but it’s cozy, easy to sink into, and just felt good to read. Seacliff Cove is such a vivid setting—cozy and welcoming, but with just enough shadow in the corners to keep you curious. By the end, I felt like I knew the town and its people, and I’m already looking forward to coming back.
Some people don’t like cheesy epilogues, not me. I love them, and this one was deliciously cheesy till the last letter! 🥰
The wind, the waves, the warmth of Garrett’s body against mine—everything was exactly as it was meant to be.
We broke apart, breathless and grinning, and I leaned in, voice just for him. “Looks like we finally got our happy ending.”
Garrett chuckled, his fingers lacing through mine. “No, baby. This is just the beginning.”
See? Super cheesy 🤤🥰🥹
A heartfelt, tender, passionate, and quietly suspenseful start to the series.
PS: I wish these covers were a bit better, they are bland and in a way: been there, seen that.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
I really liked this one. It has everything I love—small town charm, a devoted single dad, slow burn pining, and just the right twist of mystery. The flirting felt so natural, the pace was slow but grounded, and that made the romance build in a way that felt real and earned. Garrett and Ethan were both so easy to root for—so tender, but at the same time passionate in a way that hit perfectly when it counted.
The mystery thread, based on Ethan’s books, was awesome—clever, tense, and such a fun extra layer to the story. I loved how it created suspense without ever overshadowing the emotional journey. And let’s not forget sweet Noah***—adorable 5-year-old Noah with enough energy to light all of Seacliff Cove 😊. He stole scenes every time he appeared and made the family aspect even warmer.
The writing itself was pretty simple and straightforward—it’s not the groundbreaking kind of book, but it’s cozy, easy to sink into, and just felt good to read. Seacliff Cove is such a vivid setting—cozy and welcoming, but with just enough shadow in the corners to keep you curious. By the end, I felt like I knew the town and its people, and I’m already looking forward to coming back.
Some people don’t like cheesy epilogues, not me. I love them, and this one was deliciously cheesy till the last letter! 🥰
The wind, the waves, the warmth of Garrett’s body against mine—everything was exactly as it was meant to be.
We broke apart, breathless and grinning, and I leaned in, voice just for him. “Looks like we finally got our happy ending.”
Garrett chuckled, his fingers lacing through mine. “No, baby. This is just the beginning.”
See? Super cheesy 🤤🥰🥹
A heartfelt, tender, passionate, and quietly suspenseful start to the series.
PS: I wish these covers were a bit better, they are bland and in a way: been there, seen that.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
July 27, 2025
It was enjoyable. Cute in places, and the two characters were easily enough to like. The suspense plot was done well, and the ending was incredibly sweet. The story moves very fast and was too repetitive for me to enjoy properly until after the 50% mark.
After the halfway point, it did become more interesting; the climax for the stalking and inevitable ending were good, but I would have preferred a little less build-up and more time with the stalker and his reasons.
Still, it was fun and a nice light read.
——————————————
I received an ARC of this book from GRR, and this is my honest review.
After the halfway point, it did become more interesting; the climax for the stalking and inevitable ending were good, but I would have preferred a little less build-up and more time with the stalker and his reasons.
Still, it was fun and a nice light read.
——————————————
I received an ARC of this book from GRR, and this is my honest review.
August 3, 2025
When sheriff meets an author with a stalker whatever could go wrong?
Apparently a lot of things.
This was a cute story with equally swoonworthy characters. The suspense was there. The heat present and the burn rivaled a snail. There were a few repetitions around the book which didn't allow me to fully enjoy the book. The writing was a bit too explanatory—there wasn't room for imagination to blossom or words and actions to be interpreted in your own way.
Overall it was a solid book with a few misses but enjoyable all the way.
//ARC Review//
Apparently a lot of things.
This was a cute story with equally swoonworthy characters. The suspense was there. The heat present and the burn rivaled a snail. There were a few repetitions around the book which didn't allow me to fully enjoy the book. The writing was a bit too explanatory—there wasn't room for imagination to blossom or words and actions to be interpreted in your own way.
Overall it was a solid book with a few misses but enjoyable all the way.
//ARC Review//
August 2, 2025
3.75⭐️
Soooo, this was a sweet single dad story with a romantic suspense arch, lacking a little in execution. First of all: I liked the setting in a small town at a beach, tho I would have wished for a tiny bit more scenery descriptions to really bring the vibe across. I loved the single dad story arch, Noah is such a gem and the ending almost made me tear up. I chose the book mainly because queer romantic suspense is probably my favourite subgenre, and while it was quite thrilling and the pacing was good, I had some struggles with that part. I don't really like it when a suspense plot only works or unfolds, because the MC(s) do something dumb. And this happens here: (SPOILER!!! Why would you go out at night and alone alone because your car alarm is ringing when you know you've got a stalker and it is so obviously a trap?? Without at least leaving a message? Why would you arrange a mail forwarding system when even your FAMILY doesn't know where you're fleeing to?? - END OF SPOILER)
It's just somehow less rewarding that way. The pace was good, especially because there were some time jumps and rundowns other people probably don't like, but I prefer that over unnecessary lengths. There were some stilistic things that were a bit off-putting, for example some moments were a bit too much telling instead of showing ("he wants to silence you" - and then talking about how that could mean physically, this also gets repeated towards the ending "he thought I stole his voice and now he wants to silence me") and some other repeats, like "I'm not using you as bait".
But overall, it still was a solid read and I had a good time reading!
Soooo, this was a sweet single dad story with a romantic suspense arch, lacking a little in execution. First of all: I liked the setting in a small town at a beach, tho I would have wished for a tiny bit more scenery descriptions to really bring the vibe across. I loved the single dad story arch, Noah is such a gem and the ending almost made me tear up. I chose the book mainly because queer romantic suspense is probably my favourite subgenre, and while it was quite thrilling and the pacing was good, I had some struggles with that part. I don't really like it when a suspense plot only works or unfolds, because the MC(s) do something dumb. And this happens here: (SPOILER!!! Why would you go out at night and alone alone because your car alarm is ringing when you know you've got a stalker and it is so obviously a trap?? Without at least leaving a message? Why would you arrange a mail forwarding system when even your FAMILY doesn't know where you're fleeing to?? - END OF SPOILER)
It's just somehow less rewarding that way. The pace was good, especially because there were some time jumps and rundowns other people probably don't like, but I prefer that over unnecessary lengths. There were some stilistic things that were a bit off-putting, for example some moments were a bit too much telling instead of showing ("he wants to silence you" - and then talking about how that could mean physically, this also gets repeated towards the ending "he thought I stole his voice and now he wants to silence me") and some other repeats, like "I'm not using you as bait".
But overall, it still was a solid read and I had a good time reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2025
Rounding up on this one. I am a total sucker for a kidfic and Noah is really adorable in this. I also really appreciated that this one had a genuine mystery storyline going for it which kept me interested, but it didn't pay off as much as I wanted because the villain ended up being some person that we'd never heard of before. I like my mysteries to be something that I can solve, so the bad guy is someone we've already met. So it didn't really pay off for me in that way, but overall, I really enjoyed this read.
***
I was provided with an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
***
I was provided with an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
August 23, 2025
Reviewed for Love Bytes – 3.5 hearts.
Ethan is running from a stalker who is mimicking scenes from books Ethan has written. He plans to lie low in Seacliffe Cove until the threat subsides. But when he encounters Deputy Sheriff Garrett Whitlock, sparks ignite. Meeting Ethan stirred his ingrained sense of protectiveness and feelings that Garrett had kept long buried. Both could get him into trouble.
There is some confusion about whether this is book one or two in the series. Amazon states that 'Tides of Redemption' is the first book, whereas the cover of 'Tides of Change' lists this as book one. Anyway, each book appears to stand on its own within the series. While reading, it felt as though the story was in two parts. The first half introduces the characters against a background of stalking, while the second half deliciously intensifies all aspects. Although the ending is superb, and the story is fast-paced, which will suit many readers, I had some issues with the police work.
The story is told in the first person from the viewpoints of Garrett and Ethan. Technically, it is in good order, although there are plenty of ‘my gaze was drawn to’ statements, which suggest autonomous parts, which are a no-no among professional editors. Why not just say ‘I was drawn to’? There are plenty of gut feelings, zings up the arms, and repeated lines, which are staples for many romance novels. However, some obvious actions didn’t need to be reinforced by thoughts, too. It was a bit like saying, the door was wide open, so I didn’t need a key. Sometimes less can be more, but as this is a new author, some of those things will come with experience.
Garrett is a deputy officer and a single father who hasn’t looked at another man since school. He has a natural tendency to protect others and is an all-round, likeable, good man. While I usually avoid stories involving children, his son is a friendly lad and doesn’t overly dominate any scene – a detail I appreciated.
Ethan is a writer, running scared. He is out and proud with an attraction to Garrett that he can’t explain, yet understands that, with a stalker, their liaison could be dangerous for the man and his son.
Now here is my ‘what’ moment. Given that Ethan is a crime writer, Garrett is a cop, and the stalker easily finds the hiding Ethan in the small town, why is there no mention of trying to find a tracking device on Ethan’s car? Especially considering that only a handful of people knew Ethan was leaving in the middle of the night. There is also no mention, even to rule it out, of checking management for publicity stunts. Was it budget, lack of experience? These details may turn out to be irrelevant in the larger context. But any fan of crime stories will want answers to these questions – and they aren’t addressed.
Lisa Linden is a promising new author with some excellent ideas. With more experience and refinement, she could become a significant force in writing. I enjoyed the page-turning ending—however, as an inquisitive reader, I was left with unanswered questions and some elements that disrupted the overall consistency.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for
Love Bytes.
Ethan is running from a stalker who is mimicking scenes from books Ethan has written. He plans to lie low in Seacliffe Cove until the threat subsides. But when he encounters Deputy Sheriff Garrett Whitlock, sparks ignite. Meeting Ethan stirred his ingrained sense of protectiveness and feelings that Garrett had kept long buried. Both could get him into trouble.
There is some confusion about whether this is book one or two in the series. Amazon states that 'Tides of Redemption' is the first book, whereas the cover of 'Tides of Change' lists this as book one. Anyway, each book appears to stand on its own within the series. While reading, it felt as though the story was in two parts. The first half introduces the characters against a background of stalking, while the second half deliciously intensifies all aspects. Although the ending is superb, and the story is fast-paced, which will suit many readers, I had some issues with the police work.
The story is told in the first person from the viewpoints of Garrett and Ethan. Technically, it is in good order, although there are plenty of ‘my gaze was drawn to’ statements, which suggest autonomous parts, which are a no-no among professional editors. Why not just say ‘I was drawn to’? There are plenty of gut feelings, zings up the arms, and repeated lines, which are staples for many romance novels. However, some obvious actions didn’t need to be reinforced by thoughts, too. It was a bit like saying, the door was wide open, so I didn’t need a key. Sometimes less can be more, but as this is a new author, some of those things will come with experience.
Garrett is a deputy officer and a single father who hasn’t looked at another man since school. He has a natural tendency to protect others and is an all-round, likeable, good man. While I usually avoid stories involving children, his son is a friendly lad and doesn’t overly dominate any scene – a detail I appreciated.
Ethan is a writer, running scared. He is out and proud with an attraction to Garrett that he can’t explain, yet understands that, with a stalker, their liaison could be dangerous for the man and his son.
Now here is my ‘what’ moment. Given that Ethan is a crime writer, Garrett is a cop, and the stalker easily finds the hiding Ethan in the small town, why is there no mention of trying to find a tracking device on Ethan’s car? Especially considering that only a handful of people knew Ethan was leaving in the middle of the night. There is also no mention, even to rule it out, of checking management for publicity stunts. Was it budget, lack of experience? These details may turn out to be irrelevant in the larger context. But any fan of crime stories will want answers to these questions – and they aren’t addressed.
Lisa Linden is a promising new author with some excellent ideas. With more experience and refinement, she could become a significant force in writing. I enjoyed the page-turning ending—however, as an inquisitive reader, I was left with unanswered questions and some elements that disrupted the overall consistency.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for
Love Bytes.
August 14, 2025
I don't read enough romantic suspense and I really don't know why. This book makes me want to seek out every book I can find. While Tides of Change is the second book in the Seacliff Cove series, it can be read as true standalone. But go read book 1 anyway.
This is billed as a bi-awakening for Garrett, but I would call his journey more of a bi-resurfacing - his attraction to men isn't new, he just buried it after high school. Watching him slowly open up to Ethan, while juggling his role as a single dad and deputy, was sweet. I'm not usually a fan of the single dad trope because the kids can feel shoehorned in, but Noah was a joy - well-written, endearing and an integral part of the story. It was an accurate reflection of how it looks when you get involved with a single dad.
The tension between Garrett and Ethan was immediate but believable, and it was refreshing to see a character who was hesitant at first, and didn't just embrace this new facet of their sexuality with open arms. It felt more authentic when they did finally get together. The stalker plot was great, really taking you on a ride, and I appreciated how every item the stalker left for Ethan gave us a glimpse into his best-selling novels. Ethan was a wonderful character, and his fear of his stalker felt real and urgent, which is why I actually said "WTF" when he made one potentially catastrophic decision.
The ending and epilogue genuinely made me tear up but it was the bonus scene that really made my heart ache in the best way (you'll need to sign up for the author's newsletter, but it's worth it!).
If you like small-town, bi-awakening, single dad romances, you'll love this book. Take Murder She Wrote but make it MM. You can't go wrong.
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]
This is billed as a bi-awakening for Garrett, but I would call his journey more of a bi-resurfacing - his attraction to men isn't new, he just buried it after high school. Watching him slowly open up to Ethan, while juggling his role as a single dad and deputy, was sweet. I'm not usually a fan of the single dad trope because the kids can feel shoehorned in, but Noah was a joy - well-written, endearing and an integral part of the story. It was an accurate reflection of how it looks when you get involved with a single dad.
The tension between Garrett and Ethan was immediate but believable, and it was refreshing to see a character who was hesitant at first, and didn't just embrace this new facet of their sexuality with open arms. It felt more authentic when they did finally get together. The stalker plot was great, really taking you on a ride, and I appreciated how every item the stalker left for Ethan gave us a glimpse into his best-selling novels. Ethan was a wonderful character, and his fear of his stalker felt real and urgent, which is why I actually said "WTF" when he made one potentially catastrophic decision.
The ending and epilogue genuinely made me tear up but it was the bonus scene that really made my heart ache in the best way (you'll need to sign up for the author's newsletter, but it's worth it!).
If you like small-town, bi-awakening, single dad romances, you'll love this book. Take Murder She Wrote but make it MM. You can't go wrong.
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]
July 29, 2025
Garrett, the deputy sheriff in Seacliff Cove, meets new neighbour Ethan in the coffee shop when he accidentally takes a sip of Ethan’s coffee. He notices something is off about Ethan and that feeling is reinforced when they meet again at the local book shop. That’s when Garrett discovers Ethan is a famous author. He is also drawn to the handsome author in other ways which is something he was not expecting while at the same time not being unwelcome.
Garrett is a single father with a five year old son called Noah, an avid reader who quickly bonds with Ethan over a love of books and story telling. There’s the rub as Ethan is on the run from a potential stalker, a potential stalker who it seems has managed to track Ethan from one side of the country to the other. It doesn’t take long for Garrett to uncover Ethan’s secret and they begin to work together to discover who it is.
The story follows them as they become close and the stalker’s actions escalate. This is a very well crafted story that does not shy away from the issues. Garrett is putting his job on the line as he pursues the stalker and Ethan is afraid of putting others’ safety at risk.
There is a lot of excitement along the way to the satisfying conclusion. A great read as a romance and a thriller.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Garrett is a single father with a five year old son called Noah, an avid reader who quickly bonds with Ethan over a love of books and story telling. There’s the rub as Ethan is on the run from a potential stalker, a potential stalker who it seems has managed to track Ethan from one side of the country to the other. It doesn’t take long for Garrett to uncover Ethan’s secret and they begin to work together to discover who it is.
The story follows them as they become close and the stalker’s actions escalate. This is a very well crafted story that does not shy away from the issues. Garrett is putting his job on the line as he pursues the stalker and Ethan is afraid of putting others’ safety at risk.
There is a lot of excitement along the way to the satisfying conclusion. A great read as a romance and a thriller.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 13, 2025
I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Awww Tides of Change was a cute and sweet, lightweight read that had a bit of everything without the heavy drama that usually comes with the sinister stuff this story was about. I really enjoy protective baes, so i could not resist deputy sheriff, Garrett, standing on business AND falling in love with bestselling thriller author, Ethan, when he moved into town on the dl to hide from his creepy stalker.
The narrative was pretty mild in tone and energy, and the culmination of crazy at the end was as expected. I did catch a few sparks when the calling cards increased the tension a bit, but there wasn't any harrowing intensity except for the 3rd act wrap.
Overall this first installment in the Seacliff Cove series was a quick read with a bit of creepiness to it, but without the intensity that would've tipped this over into serious bad vibes. I enjoyed the premise, and even though i would have enjoyed a bit more depth to the characters and bite to the story, the romance between Ethan and Garrett was soft and sweet, and their HEA was a lovely one. And that's all that really matters at the end of it!
Awww Tides of Change was a cute and sweet, lightweight read that had a bit of everything without the heavy drama that usually comes with the sinister stuff this story was about. I really enjoy protective baes, so i could not resist deputy sheriff, Garrett, standing on business AND falling in love with bestselling thriller author, Ethan, when he moved into town on the dl to hide from his creepy stalker.
The narrative was pretty mild in tone and energy, and the culmination of crazy at the end was as expected. I did catch a few sparks when the calling cards increased the tension a bit, but there wasn't any harrowing intensity except for the 3rd act wrap.
Overall this first installment in the Seacliff Cove series was a quick read with a bit of creepiness to it, but without the intensity that would've tipped this over into serious bad vibes. I enjoyed the premise, and even though i would have enjoyed a bit more depth to the characters and bite to the story, the romance between Ethan and Garrett was soft and sweet, and their HEA was a lovely one. And that's all that really matters at the end of it!
August 3, 2025
Review for (Seacliff Cove-1) Tides of Change by Lissa Linden
Garrett Whitlock has a lot to keep safe in his life. His beautiful son, then his job as a deputy. He can't afford to be distracted by anything outside these two things. But in the end, does he have a choice when Ethan Cole walks into his life? Ethan Cole has a good life; he gets to do what he wants to write thrillers. What he didn't expect was to be living in Seacliff Cove and to meet a man that he didn't believe was in his future. Living in this town, he feels like he is part of one of his books. Having Garrett watching him all the time isn't what he expected. What Ethan didn't expect was for trouble from his past to enter his life once again. Could he trust this with Garrett? All he knows is that he feels that he could be the only one he could trust with this. Will the two of them get to see how their lives could be? Or will the trouble from Ethan's past stop them?
I enjoyed this book. A new author for me. I love books that you can read that you fall into the story and feel like you are there. Well, this was one of them.
Nicole Harvey
Garrett Whitlock has a lot to keep safe in his life. His beautiful son, then his job as a deputy. He can't afford to be distracted by anything outside these two things. But in the end, does he have a choice when Ethan Cole walks into his life? Ethan Cole has a good life; he gets to do what he wants to write thrillers. What he didn't expect was to be living in Seacliff Cove and to meet a man that he didn't believe was in his future. Living in this town, he feels like he is part of one of his books. Having Garrett watching him all the time isn't what he expected. What Ethan didn't expect was for trouble from his past to enter his life once again. Could he trust this with Garrett? All he knows is that he feels that he could be the only one he could trust with this. Will the two of them get to see how their lives could be? Or will the trouble from Ethan's past stop them?
I enjoyed this book. A new author for me. I love books that you can read that you fall into the story and feel like you are there. Well, this was one of them.
Nicole Harvey
August 10, 2025
This was an enjoyable book with a good mystery. Both of the MC's were very likable. Ethan Cole, a mystery writer of a quite successful series, leaves his home in New York City due to having a stalker. He goes to a small town across the country, Seacliff Cove, to hide out and finish the next installment in his series. Garret Whitlock is one of the town's deputies and a single father of an adorable little boy. When Garret first meets Ethan, he feels that Ethan is hiding something but is soon distracted by how attracted he is to the newcomer and is happy to discover that Ethan is renting the house across the street from him. The two men are drawn to each other and begin dating. However, Ethan's stalker has found him and seems to be escalating. When he finally tells Garret about his stalker, Garret vows to protect him and convinces Ethan to make a report to the police. This was a sweet romance at heart and had a few twists and turns with finding out who the stalker was. Overall, I enjoyed this book but was a bit frustrated about how at first Ethan buried his head in the sand in regards to his stalker.
I received a free ARC of this book from GRR.
I received a free ARC of this book from GRR.
August 7, 2025
Ethan has a stalker and escapes from New York to a little seaside town across the country. The stalker continues to send subtle messages with ‘gifts’ at his door.
Garrett is a deputy sheriff and when he sees what’s happening he wants to help Ethan. They feel an attraction, but Ethan doesn’t want to endanger Garrett, who has a young son.
However, as neighbours they talk, and they both feel the pull so they start dating. Even when Garrett is taken off the case, he wants to protect Ethan, and together they figure out it’s a disgruntled writer who think Ethan stole his story, which he did not in any way.
In the end, Ethan is kidnapped by the lunatic and Garrett saves him while capturing the criminal.
The story between these two developed naturally, as did the relationship between Ethan and the boy. The gifts escalated and were creepy, but interesting. It took a bit longer to catch him than I thought it would, but it was a good climax.
I received this ARC for free and am glad to give it my honest review with appreciation.
Garrett is a deputy sheriff and when he sees what’s happening he wants to help Ethan. They feel an attraction, but Ethan doesn’t want to endanger Garrett, who has a young son.
However, as neighbours they talk, and they both feel the pull so they start dating. Even when Garrett is taken off the case, he wants to protect Ethan, and together they figure out it’s a disgruntled writer who think Ethan stole his story, which he did not in any way.
In the end, Ethan is kidnapped by the lunatic and Garrett saves him while capturing the criminal.
The story between these two developed naturally, as did the relationship between Ethan and the boy. The gifts escalated and were creepy, but interesting. It took a bit longer to catch him than I thought it would, but it was a good climax.
I received this ARC for free and am glad to give it my honest review with appreciation.
August 15, 2025
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
Tides of Change offers a sweet, if somewhat predictable, story with two main characters that must learn to trust themselves, as well as one another. I enjoyed parts of this book, though on the whole, it had too much of a Hallmark quality for me. It has all the coziness of a warm blanket and, if that’s what you enjoy, then I think Tides of Change has plenty to offer. This is the second book in the Seacliff Cove series, but the books can be read as standalones.
Even though Tides of Change follows a somewhat predictable plot, its sweet romance makes the book worth reading. Ethan and Garrett are a well matched couple and they seemed to have a genuine connection that I appreciated. Theirs is a warm and inviting relationship and, while I usually enjoy a bit more angst in my reads, I appreciated the coziness that Tides of Change offered.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
Tides of Change offers a sweet, if somewhat predictable, story with two main characters that must learn to trust themselves, as well as one another. I enjoyed parts of this book, though on the whole, it had too much of a Hallmark quality for me. It has all the coziness of a warm blanket and, if that’s what you enjoy, then I think Tides of Change has plenty to offer. This is the second book in the Seacliff Cove series, but the books can be read as standalones.
Even though Tides of Change follows a somewhat predictable plot, its sweet romance makes the book worth reading. Ethan and Garrett are a well matched couple and they seemed to have a genuine connection that I appreciated. Theirs is a warm and inviting relationship and, while I usually enjoy a bit more angst in my reads, I appreciated the coziness that Tides of Change offered.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
July 20, 2025
What a seriously good debut! It was low angst in the relationship, because all of the angst came from the delicious suspense plot. The romance was great, the buildup even better, and the steamy scenes were perfectly spaced. The suspense plot was interesting and had me on the edge of my seat. I sat down and read this in one sitting, it’s that good.
There are some moments where it was more obvious that this is the author’s first book, where the writing felt a little repetitive (the use of - to stop a word or sentence mid-way through, e.g.: oh sh - oot; when the child character was around) which happened often enough that it pulled me out of the story.
But aside from that, this is wonderful and I think it’s only gonna get better from here. Can’t wait to read the next book (the free novella you can get set in Seacliffe Cove is also brilliant!)
Thank you GRR for the ARC. This review is honest and voluntary.
There are some moments where it was more obvious that this is the author’s first book, where the writing felt a little repetitive (the use of - to stop a word or sentence mid-way through, e.g.: oh sh - oot; when the child character was around) which happened often enough that it pulled me out of the story.
But aside from that, this is wonderful and I think it’s only gonna get better from here. Can’t wait to read the next book (the free novella you can get set in Seacliffe Cove is also brilliant!)
Thank you GRR for the ARC. This review is honest and voluntary.
August 2, 2025
This is a good mix of romance and suspense.
I like the single dad set-up, it's one of my favourite troops and Noah is a great little character.
The book is kind off split in two, while Ethan is fleeing from a stalker and small things reoccur as well in Seacliff Cove, the first part is definitley more of Ethan and Garrett becoming friends and developing feelings.
These two are likeable and there is decent chemistry, there is background and depth to them.
But it's a quite slow burn and it felt that the story dragged on a bit.
When the stalker part took up, the book definitely gained speed, both on the story itself but also on the romantic development. I definitely enjoyed this part a lot more.
I love how Garrett is protective, how he puts all on the line to keep Ethan safe. There is no angst or drama between them, that's kept for the suspense bit.
It's a good read if you want to relax and I think I will continue reading the series.
I like the single dad set-up, it's one of my favourite troops and Noah is a great little character.
The book is kind off split in two, while Ethan is fleeing from a stalker and small things reoccur as well in Seacliff Cove, the first part is definitley more of Ethan and Garrett becoming friends and developing feelings.
These two are likeable and there is decent chemistry, there is background and depth to them.
But it's a quite slow burn and it felt that the story dragged on a bit.
When the stalker part took up, the book definitely gained speed, both on the story itself but also on the romantic development. I definitely enjoyed this part a lot more.
I love how Garrett is protective, how he puts all on the line to keep Ethan safe. There is no angst or drama between them, that's kept for the suspense bit.
It's a good read if you want to relax and I think I will continue reading the series.
August 11, 2025
multi-room blanket fort, Barnacle Brews, tsunami, tie napkin, dented rear bumper, high tide, wooden oar, chicken noodle soup
Interesting. This is a thriller about an author who writes thrillers. Well, it's also a MM romance. The thriller aspect is great. At times, it had me on edge. The romance part is good, too. The visuals jump off the pages with its deft writing. The characters are well-developed and believable. Garrett's son Noah gives us cute and sweet moments.
Thriller author Ethan runs from NYC to Seacliff Cove. He's trying to dodge an over-zealous fan cum stalker. He first encounters deputy sheriff Garrett at the small town's coffee shop. Thinking he has his order of black coffee, Garrett accidentally takes and sips Ethan's pumpkin spice latte. Oops! Ethan is trying to be incognito. Garrett is a single father of 3-year-old Noah.
I enjoyed this book very much. I'm happy there are an epilogue, and a bonus scene. The story is satisfying. I highly recommend this book.
Interesting. This is a thriller about an author who writes thrillers. Well, it's also a MM romance. The thriller aspect is great. At times, it had me on edge. The romance part is good, too. The visuals jump off the pages with its deft writing. The characters are well-developed and believable. Garrett's son Noah gives us cute and sweet moments.
Thriller author Ethan runs from NYC to Seacliff Cove. He's trying to dodge an over-zealous fan cum stalker. He first encounters deputy sheriff Garrett at the small town's coffee shop. Thinking he has his order of black coffee, Garrett accidentally takes and sips Ethan's pumpkin spice latte. Oops! Ethan is trying to be incognito. Garrett is a single father of 3-year-old Noah.
I enjoyed this book very much. I'm happy there are an epilogue, and a bonus scene. The story is satisfying. I highly recommend this book.
August 16, 2025
Sweet romance with a side of stalker thrown in
An easy read, despite Ethan fleeing a stalker and landing on the opposite side of the country and the opposite side of the road to Garrett and his son, Noah.
I liked the mystery part of the story, which took the edge off the sweetness of Garrett and Ethan's budding romance. Seriously, those two had enough sugar to stock a whole sweet shop. Their attraction to one another was there from the start, and the crazy stalker just gave them an excuse to spend more time with each other.
I'm not keen on children in my romances, on the whole, but sometimes they can add a story. Noah, here, was a prime example of adorable and every time he appeared, I found myself with a big grin on my face. His interactions with his dad, aunt and grandparents were lovely, and when it came to him and Ethan, I adored them.
The epilogue gave them their HEA, then the bonus scene brought me real joy and I loved it.
An easy read, despite Ethan fleeing a stalker and landing on the opposite side of the country and the opposite side of the road to Garrett and his son, Noah.
I liked the mystery part of the story, which took the edge off the sweetness of Garrett and Ethan's budding romance. Seriously, those two had enough sugar to stock a whole sweet shop. Their attraction to one another was there from the start, and the crazy stalker just gave them an excuse to spend more time with each other.
I'm not keen on children in my romances, on the whole, but sometimes they can add a story. Noah, here, was a prime example of adorable and every time he appeared, I found myself with a big grin on my face. His interactions with his dad, aunt and grandparents were lovely, and when it came to him and Ethan, I adored them.
The epilogue gave them their HEA, then the bonus scene brought me real joy and I loved it.
August 2, 2025
Tides of Change is a good mixture of romance and suspense. Ethan is a best selling author who moves to the small town of Sea Cliff Cove to escape the threats he’s been receiving in New York. Garrett is a Deputy Sheriff and single father who lives across the street from his new rental. They have great chemistry but things move a little slow at first. Garrett was attracted to a boy in high school but never pursued his interest in men. When Ethan confides in him about his stalker it brings out Garrett’s protectiveness. It was a quick read for me, especially the last half as the stalker and their relationship heat up. Garrett’s family is great and I’m curious about his friends and their stories. I liked that the angst was outside of the relationship and enjoyed this book from a new to me author.
August 4, 2025
This was a really enjoyable mm romance with an interesting, suspenseful subplot to the main relationship. Garrett and Ethan had good chemistry and I liked them as a couple but for me the stand out character was definitely Noah! He constantly made me smile with his bubbly personality and I really liked the snippets we got in the epilogue and bonus chapter after the book to see him grown up. As for Ethan and Garrett, they worked well as a couple but their relationship went from nothing to everything quite quickly. I was hooked with the 'stalker' plot and it kept me guessing until the end. Overall, I really liked the world building of Seacliff Cove and I hope we get to explore more of the characters who live here. I enjoyed the book and I'll be keeping my eye out for more from this author in the future.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
August 12, 2025
A new to me author and I really enjoyed this book. Here we have the story of Author Ethan and Deputy Sheriff Garrett. Ethan has just moved to Seacliff Cove and when they meet in the local coffee place, there's interest and attraction. But Ethan is hiding from something, nevertheless they grow close. Single dad Garrett has a son to consider, but Ethan and Noah soon become friends.
Will the danger than Ethans hiding from stop them growing close? As things escalate Garretts protective nature is brought to the fore.
With a cast of family and friends to add interest, and an appealing small town setting I really enjoyed this book. The suspense was good, and I had a few moments of holding my breath and hoping everything works out. I'm looking forward from more in this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Will the danger than Ethans hiding from stop them growing close? As things escalate Garretts protective nature is brought to the fore.
With a cast of family and friends to add interest, and an appealing small town setting I really enjoyed this book. The suspense was good, and I had a few moments of holding my breath and hoping everything works out. I'm looking forward from more in this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 24, 2025
This is a romantic suspense that balances sweet and sexy elements with building tension very nicely. It's about Garrett, a deputy sheriff, and Ethan, a suspense writer, who fall in love even with the danger and chaos caused by a deranged man stalking Ethan. Garrett puts his job on the line for Ethan, a man he never would have imagined he'd fall for, given what he thought he knew about his sexuality. Ethan puts his heart on the line for the supposedly straight single father of a sweet boy named Noah, despite not knowing what will happen once his stalker is apprehended and put behind bars. The suspense grew steadily, and the ending was both hair-raising and satisfying. The HEA is cute, especially as it illustrates the depth of love that has grown between Ethan and the new family he's built in Seacliff Cove.
July 26, 2025
My favorite kind of book, the suspense is tightly written, and the plot never gets boring. The romance is not over-the-top, and they are given their privacy.
Ethan is a best seller author of the thriller genre. He has fled New York for the small norther California town of Seacliff Cove. No one knows where he is. He works with his editor via email, his family thinks he is at a writer's retreat, and he had texted his neighbor to keep an eye on his place. He can hunker down until the threat passes. The stalker is relentless and kind of psyco and for some unexplained reason Garrett's boss keeps pulling him off the case.
Looking forward to the next in the series. This is actuality the second book in the series. Tides of Redemption is book one.
Ethan is a best seller author of the thriller genre. He has fled New York for the small norther California town of Seacliff Cove. No one knows where he is. He works with his editor via email, his family thinks he is at a writer's retreat, and he had texted his neighbor to keep an eye on his place. He can hunker down until the threat passes. The stalker is relentless and kind of psyco and for some unexplained reason Garrett's boss keeps pulling him off the case.
Looking forward to the next in the series. This is actuality the second book in the series. Tides of Redemption is book one.
August 3, 2025
Brilliant first in a new to me series!
Nicely written with relatable characters who bonded well and were easy to like!
I enjoyed that the relationship wasn’t full of mistaken assumptions or major angst, it was believable, easygoing, full of sweet, tender moments along with a bit of fizz!
The stalking element was cleverly handled, and the ending was great! Maybe we could have found out a little more about the why’s behind it all and how long it had been happening etc but that doesn’t really take away from the story.
Noah was the sweetest kid and added the cute element!
Great start to a series for me and I’ll be buying the first and watching for the next ones!
Nicely written with relatable characters who bonded well and were easy to like!
I enjoyed that the relationship wasn’t full of mistaken assumptions or major angst, it was believable, easygoing, full of sweet, tender moments along with a bit of fizz!
The stalking element was cleverly handled, and the ending was great! Maybe we could have found out a little more about the why’s behind it all and how long it had been happening etc but that doesn’t really take away from the story.
Noah was the sweetest kid and added the cute element!
Great start to a series for me and I’ll be buying the first and watching for the next ones!
August 6, 2025
This was a really good read. I’m always looking for small-town stories, and this was just perfect. The mystery that is touched on in the story was entertaining, and I love a good thrilling plot. The single dad trope is another one in my bingo card, and in this one it was very nice. Noah is just the sweetest, and he likes to read—so cute. Ethan is a writer who is on the run because of certain threats he is receiving and moves to this small town and gets to meet amazing people but is also trying to keep a low profile. There were some aspects of the story that were a drag, but overall it was a very enjoyable read. The romance aspect and that ending were very rewarding.
August 19, 2025
Absolutely exciting! Garrett is a deputy sherriff single Dad to the most amazing son, Noah. He is a legacy lawman who takes his job seriously as his purpose in life. Ethan, is a successful writer hiding from an unknown stalker. They have a professional relationship that drifts into the personal putting Garrett's life in danger as the stalker escalates. Delightful story as our men grow through the challenges in their lives. Noah is absolutely adorable and provides a sweet respite in the middle of the danger. Excellent adventure, Ethan couldn't have written it better himself. Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 2, 2025
Book 2 in the Series
Ethan thought escaping to a quiet small town would finally free him from the relentless stalker shadowing his every move. All he wanted was peace, quiet, and a chance to write in safety.
But then he meets Garrett—the local deputy who feels like he’s stepped right out of Ethan’s imagination and onto the page. Their connection is instant, intense, and impossible to ignore.
When danger follows Ethan into the very town he thought would protect him, he must decide: can he place his trust—and his heart—in Garrett’s hands?
This gripping story of suspense, passion, and second chances will keep you turning pages late into the night.
Ethan thought escaping to a quiet small town would finally free him from the relentless stalker shadowing his every move. All he wanted was peace, quiet, and a chance to write in safety.
But then he meets Garrett—the local deputy who feels like he’s stepped right out of Ethan’s imagination and onto the page. Their connection is instant, intense, and impossible to ignore.
When danger follows Ethan into the very town he thought would protect him, he must decide: can he place his trust—and his heart—in Garrett’s hands?
This gripping story of suspense, passion, and second chances will keep you turning pages late into the night.
August 5, 2025
I was not expecting this. Tides of Redemption introduced us to the town and some of its residents. Tides of Change will have your blood pumping. I can’t tell you how many times I held my breath while reading through some sections. The author was definitely channeling Ethan while they wrote this. Garrett is a steady sweetheart I want on my side. Noah is so adorable. For a book that had some serious nail biting moments it balanced it out with just the right amount of sweetness and heat. I was given an arc by GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 8, 2025
Suspenseful, sweet and charming! Mystery author Ethan finds himself a stalker and hides in a charming small town. Across the street is police officer Garrett and his adorable son Noah. I really enjoyed watching the connection happen between not only the main characters but Noah as well. You can feel that they are meant to be family. The mystery was well written and kept you on your toes. And the romance was an adorable slow burn. Overall a really enjoyable read! I received this book from GRR and these are my honest opinions
August 14, 2025
As a writer of best selling thrillers, Ethan expects to create the drama on the page, not live it. But he also was not expecting to move to Seacliff Cove, meet the sheriff and be intrigued and attracted to him or to find himself in need of Garrett's assistance when trouble comes calling. Love might have come unexpectedly to this pair but Ethan could not have asked for a more relevant partner given his situation. An enjoyable, romantic thriller.
I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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August 15, 2025Romantic, suspenseful, emotional and hear warming-all the things I love in a book. This one is exceptional. Great characters and great plot. I was on edge of my seat rooting for Garrett the town sheriff to find love with suspense writer Ethan. When Ethan becomes in a difficult situation he has to trust Garrett. Garrett only concerned with law and his son. Soon as the work the ice thaws and feeling emerge. Watching Garrett accept his buried feeling was handled beautifully. A fabulous book that should be at the tip of anyone’s reading list. I did receive an ARC and leave this honest review.
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