All the Ways You Break Me

Sandy Harbor #2

by Melissa Wiesner

“Promise you’ll be there?” Ian’s eyes plead with me. I take a shaky breath and nod my head even as my heart is shattering into a million pieces. I thought the boy in front of me would be my future. But I’ll have to break my promise if I want to keep my family safe…

Ten years after fleeing Sandy Harbor Island, Josie’s hometown is the last place she wants to be. But she’s maid of honor for her sister Madeline and determined to give her the beachside wedding of her dreams.

Josie hadn’t reckoned on the best Ian. One look in his sky-blue eyes and she’s back to the summer she turned eighteen, waitressing at the sailing club. She never expected the son of the island’s wealthiest property developer to notice her. But sun-kissed days out on the water showed Josie that Ian had the kindest heart and biggest dreams.

Their future had only just begun when Josie’s life was torn apart. She can never tell Ian why she ran away. She’ll just avoid him all week and leave as soon as the wedding is over.

But Ian’s oceanside cottage is the only place to stay, and wedding events throw them together in all kinds of ways. It’s clear from every lingering glance and accidental brush of hands that neither of them ever forgot that fleeting, magical summer…

But the harder Josie falls, the more danger she’s in of revealing her secret. Ian is the one person who can never, ever know what she did on that life-shattering day a decade ago. But if Josie runs away—forever this time—will she break her own heart all over again?

An absolutely heart-shattering and gorgeously escapist romance, perfect for fans of Carley Fortune, Catherine Cowles, Mia Sheridan, and anyone who believes in second chances.

If you love these tropes, this book is for Second chance romance Forced proximity Sister’s best friend Forbidden love Best man and maid of honor Small town romance
R

Genres: Romance

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 17, 2026

About the author

Melissa Wiesner’s mother didn’t allow her to watch much TV as a child and instead, made her play with paint, colorful pipe cleaners, random bits of fabric, and all manner of other crafty things. This set Melissa up for a lifetime of creative pursuits, and it was only a matter of time before things took a bookish turn.

A night-owl, Melissa began writing novels when her early-to-bed family retired for the evening. She is the award-winning author of both emotional women’s fiction and romantic comedies. Melissa’s book, His Secret Daughter was an Amazon bestseller, The Second Chance Year was a Book of the Month add-on pick, and It All Comes Back to You will soon be translated into almost a dozen languages.

Along with her charming husband and two adorable children, Melissa splits her time between the big city of Pittsburgh, PA and rural West Virginia.


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Reviews

[Alya ( 20 comments restriction ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
All The Ways You Break Me by Melissa Wiesner
Publication date: 17th February 2026

Thoughts
Ian and Josie's story ❤️‍🩹 my babies 🥹 this book was everything I didn't want to binge it but here's me hoping there's more books in this series 🤞🏻 this universe is so beautiful -- the attachment is real🥲 the characters, the plot, pacing of events, the writing style.. everything was just perfection! Ian is my new book boyfriend🫠 he's so patient, caring, selfless.. Just loyal to the core! The communication between Josie and Ian is the key factor to this read being deeply emotional ( in my opinion) I'm obsessed with this author's writing style and books in general ( yes two books ) were more than enough to consume me! I can't wait to discover her other works!

⚠️ CHECK CONTENT WARNINGS ⚠️

What to expect
▪︎ Second Chance Romance
▪︎ Forced Proximity
▪︎ Sister's best friend
▪︎ Best Man and Maid of honour
▪︎ Forbidden love

Plot Summary
Josie hasn’t returned to Sandy Harbor Island in ten years, and she plans to keep it that way—until her sister’s wedding brings her home. Focused on giving Madeline the perfect day, Josie is unprepared for the memories the island stirs up, especially when she crosses paths with Ian, someone from a summer she’s never truly forgotten. Old feelings resurface as wedding preparations force them together, and the past presses in closer than she expected. With secrets she can’t risk exposing. Josie must decide whether leaving is the only way to protect herself—or if staying might cost her everything.

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC

My Bookstagram

[Heather Adores Books]

February cannot come soon enough! I have unanswered questions!

[Chandler (chapterswithchan) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely obsessed with book one of the Sandy Harbor Series, All The Ways You Save Me, so I couldn’t wait for book two. While Madeline’s story felt beautifully wrapped up in the first book, there were still unanswered questions that had me counting down to the next installment.

In All The Ways You Break Me, we dive into Josie’s story, told through a dual timeline that weaves between what happened eleven years ago and the present day during Madeline’s wedding week. When Josie’s hotel plans fall through, Ian, an old friend from her past and the wedding’s best man, offers her a place to stay. Unfortunately, staying with Ian is the last thing Josie wants. He has no idea why she packed up and left all those years ago, and she’s not sure she can ever bring herself to tell him the truth.

Josie and Ian were absolutely adorable. Melissa did an incredible job revealing their history piece by piece, and every timeline switch left me impatiently waiting to learn what happened next. I loved revisiting Madeline and Garrett, and seeing them in this story made it even more special.I adored this book and really hope that Melissa continues with Chloe and Everly’s story next, because I am not ready to leave Sandy Harbor!

Thank you to the Author and her team for an ARC!

[Sara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I thought Wiesner couldn’t write a book that surpasses All The Ways You Save Me, she writes this masterpiece. Bravo!

In this novel we follow Ian and Josie. Between present scenes and flashbacks, we find out these two first met at 18 when Josie worked at a country club for the summer and Ian attended rowing practice at the dock. It was love at first sight for these two, but after a tragic end to the summer, Josie runs off and Ian doesn’t see her again. Not until she is back in town for her sister’s wedding. Is now their chance at love?

This book was beautifully written. I love how Ian did everything he could to correct his fathers’ real estate wrongs and make Sandy Harbor a great place for locals. I liked him since the last book, and this only solidified how much of a good person he is. Josie was equally amazing and so strong. When we discover what she went through, my heart broke for her.

I will say, check the trigger warnings. There is one slightly graphic scene of a situation too many women have found themselves in, but thankfully she gets away. It brought tears to my eyes and had me wanted to hug this character through the book. I want to give kudos to the author for how she handled this topic and scene. It was handled in a way the readers will appreciate.

This author has become an instant read for me. You can’t go wrong with one of her novels.

*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.

[Kerri Wells Goetzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel completely stole my heart. It is emotional, romantic, and impossible to put down. From the first page, I felt pulled into Josie and Ian’s story and didn’t want to leave Sandy Harbor Island.

Josie returning home after ten years is filled with tension and pain, and the moment she runs into Ian again, you can feel everything they never said hanging in the air. Their past summer together is tender and sweet, while the present day story is heavy with longing and regret. I don't usually love dual timelines, but I loved how the story moved between past and present, slowly showing why Josie ran and what it cost them both.

One of the strongest parts of this book is the emotional maturity of the characters. Instead of relying on miscommunications, the story focuses on real fear, real love, and real consequences. Josie’s secret adds a layer of suspense that kept me turning pages, even when I thought I understood what had happened. The emotional payoff was worth it.

Ian is the kind of love interest that’s hard not to fall for. Gawd, he's kind, steady, and deeply loyal. His patience and quiet strength made every interaction between him and Josie feel meaningful. This is a powerful second chance romance about love, sacrifice, and finding the courage to face the past.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. This review is my honest opinion.

[Mamawattto4 Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
All the Ways You Break Me by Melissa Wiesner (Sandy Harbor #2)

If I could give this book 10 stars, I would so I’ll begrudgingly settle for five. After giving the first book in the Sandy Harbor series five stars, I didn’t think it was possible for Melissa Wiesner to outdo herself, but somehow she did.

The writing is absolutely incredible. The emotions feel raw and real, the characters are deeply layered, and the story completely pulls you in from start to finish. This book broke me in the best way and then put me back together again. I was fully invested, heart racing one minute and aching the next.

Melissa Wiesner has such a powerful way with words, and this series truly showcases her talent. I cannot recommend her books enough, but especially the Sandy Harbor series. If you’re on the fence don’t be. This one is unforgettable.

[Marina Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was a roller coaster! The suspense, the build up, the ending? PERFECT! I wish there was more 🥲

[Kat Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been feral for this book. I checked NetGalley multiple times knowing it would be released soon and finally it was there. I started reading it the same day I got approved for it and read it in less than 24 hours.

This one was a romantic suspense. And while I loved the first book in this series, I loved this one even more. I figured out early on what happened with Josie and Ian, but it was still such a great read to see it all play out. And there was a twist in there that I didn’t see coming and that pleasantly surprised me.

The best part of this book? There were so many opportunities for the author to use misunderstandings as a trope, but she didn’t do it. The characters acted like mature adults who cared about and trusted one another.

While you probably don’t need to read the first book, All the Ways You Save Me, in order to enjoy this one, I do recommend it. It did a good job setting the stage for this one and providing a bit of context.

This one is perfect for fans of:
—> romantic suspense
—> second chance romance
—> small town romance
—> dual timelines and dual POVs

A giant thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I loved this one and hope you do too! It releases on 17 February 2026.

[Dallas Chandler O’Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for providing me this copy in exchange for an honest review.

I’m loving this series! Such an enjoyable read. I would classify it as cozy romantic suspense. A genre I didn’t know I needed! There were so many unanswered questions I had about Josie and the Sullivan family after book 1 that I was dying for in book 2! It did not disappoint! Overall the suspense kept me hooked and the love story was chefs kiss.

[Lexy Foghture · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ARC REVIEW

All the Ways You Break Me by Melissa Wiesner
Publication Date: February 17, 2026
Publisher: Bookouture

💜 Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with a free ARC copy. This is my honest review. 💜

Let me start with a confession:
I am not a second-chance romance person.
I am not a flashback person.

I usually avoid books with those tropes. Hear me out. I don’t hate them, but they’re often poorly executed. And it’s really hard to get me to like them. Messy timelines, repetitive angst, miscommunication stretched too thin. You get the idea.

This book? Completely proved me wrong.

I devoured All the Ways You Break Me in almost one sitting. I genuinely couldn’t put it down.

What worked (aka: why I loved this)

Josie and Ian’s story is deeply emotional without being manipulative. Their history is heavy, yes, but it’s handled with maturity and care. The dual timeline (past summer / present return to Sandy Harbor Island) is working out. Every flashback adds context instead of padding the story, slowly revealing why Josie ran and what it cost both of them.

The second-chance romance here doesn’t rely on endless miscommunication. Instead, it focuses on real fear, real trauma, and real consequences. That alone made it stand out for me.

Ian is the kind of MMC I don’t usually expect to love this much. He is not only strong, but he is patient (which don’t he me wrong doesn’t happen a lot here in real life or even fiction), emotionally steady, and deeply loyal..

Josie returning home after ten years feels heavy from page one. It’s like the aching sensation that’s making you tick. You can feel everything they never said hanging in the air, and the emotional payoff is absolutely worth the slow burn. (Emotional turmoil that made me sit till 1 am reading)

Things I usually dislike but didn’t here:

✔ Second-chance romance
✔ Flashbacks
✔ Dual timelines

All of it was done beautifully.

The pacing is excellent, the writing is emotionally immersive, and the island setting adds this quiet, bittersweet atmosphere that fits the story perfectly.

This book surprised me in the best way. It took tropes I usually avoid and executed them so well that I couldn’t stop reading. It’s emotional, mature, and thoughtfully written.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Highly recommend, especially if you think second-chance romance “isn’t your thing.” 💔❤️

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always know when I open a Melissa Wiesner book that I’ll be treated to “a totally unforgettable and emotional romance.”

As the title suggests, this book is centered around a broken promise. Thankfully, it’s also centered around a second-chance romance. The interplay between despair and hope is well done, and the characters’ yearning for forgiveness and reconciliation pulled me in and gave me more to cheer them on. Josie Sullivan left Sandy Harbor Island in the dark of night ten years ago and never looked back. With her, she carried the secret about the day Ian Langley’s (her boyfriend) dad died.

Being in her sister’s wedding party meant that Josie had to return, and despite her intentions to steer clear of Ian, she discovers she needs his help before she even arrives. When she realizes that Ian is the best man at her sister’s wedding, she has a choice to make: run away again or face the past.

This is a bingeable book, so clear your schedule. Grab tissues, too. I keep declaring that each book I read of Melissa’s is my favourite, but this one is my absolute favourite. The characters felt like real friends of mine, the setting like somewhere I’d been before, and the twists/revelations broke me, and the denouement stitched me back together again. I loved Ian and Josie’s story and encourage you to visit the author’s site for trigger warnings.

Book one, All the Ways You Save Me, is Melissa Sullivan's story. Book two is her sister's story. It an be read as a standalone, but I'm sure you'll want to follow the Sullivan sisters and understand the background.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you enjoy small town romance, second chances, forced proximity and maid of honour + best man romance, this book will tick a lot of boxes for you!

Josie returns to Sandy Harbour for her sister’s wedding, only to be reunited with Ian who she had a short tryst with one summer. With Ian being the best man, she knew she’d have to spend time with him in the lead up to the wedding but she hoped to keep it minimal. But her hotel plans fall through, everything else is booked, and lucky for Josie, Ian has a spare room she can use.

The chapters go back and forth between Josie and Ian’s POV, both in the present and more than ten years ago when they first met. Josie has been holding onto a big secret, one that made her family abruptly leave Sandy Harbour.

I liked the romance in this book and the build up was good. I had a strong suspicion early on as to what caused Josie’s family to leave, which meant that some parts of the story felt a bit predictable. I was hoping for a bit more spice, especially because there seemed to be good chemistry and banter. I enjoyed the cast of characters, especially Josie and Ian, both of whom were quite sweet and thoughtful.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Cassidy Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

After finishing the first book in the Sandy Harbour series, I was genuinely excited to dive into this one—there were unanswered questions I needed resolved, and this book delivered.

I loved Josie as the FMC right from the start. Her instinct to put others’ feelings first was handled beautifully. It was never forced or overdone, but naturally woven into her actions across both timelines. It made her feel more genuine.

While I did anticipate some of the major plot points fairly early on, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all. If anything, it kept me hooked as I waited to see how everything would unfold, fully aware that the journey there would be emotional and heavy.

One thing I especially appreciated was that the story didn’t end the moment all the secrets were revealed. Instead of an abrupt conclusion, we’re given space to sit with the aftermath and see how the characters begin to move forward. That choice felt refreshing as I find sometimes authors very quick to wrap things up and end the story.

Overall, an emotional, well-paced continuation of the series. I want more from Sandy Harbour. I need everyone’s stories!

Thank you to Bookouture and Melissa Wiesner for the ARC! I’m forever thankful! ⭐️

[Jen Grá · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️3 5 stars- rounded up⭐️
I didn't realise that "All the Ways You Break Me" was the second in a on-going series so before I could begin, I read the previous Sandy Harbour book, "All the Ways You Save Me". I was hooked from the off. It's a little more melodramatic than my usual taste but so well done that it held my attention throughout. The time changes between past and present are swift, keeping the plot moving and not bogging the reader down in either era. The second in the series follows a similar format and is just as engaging.
Josie arrives back in Sandy Harbour for her sister's wedding. It is her first proper time there in many years after the family left suddenly. She immediately finds herself in the path of her first teenage love, Ian, who also happens to be the best man at the wedding. The pieces of the past slot into place via flashbacks and current POVs. It's fairly predicatable but it works and I had a great time.
I hope that there's more in the series!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the Ways You Break Me
By: Melissa Wiesner
Pub Date: Feb 17, 2025
Publisher: Bookouture

I did not realize this was 2nd in a series, but that did NOT take away from then enjoyment of this one.
As Josie returns to Sandy Harbor Island for her sister’s wedding, she is panicking as memories from 10 years ago threaten her future. She had the start of a fun summer with Ian, but when something happened that made her flee without a trace. Ian has always wondered what happened.

Will he get a chance to find out what happened when she disappeared? Will that have a second chance?

I did figure out before the reveal what happened, but that did not take away from the story.

Before the novel starts the author gives you a chance to read a trigger warning. Now I want to read the first one in this Sandy Harbor series, All the Ways You Save Me.

Thank you Bookouture and the author for having me on tour.

[The Balcony Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrative style was absolutely engrossing and I immediately liked Josie and Ian. This had all of the hallmark small town romance charm with a hint of mystery and secrets. Though somewhat predictable with the pacing slowing down from about the 40% to the 70% mark, the MCs' likability overcame all that. Josie's passionate and bubbly personality was a true match to Ian's steadfast patience and loyalty. The writing leaned more cozy than emotional with an almost fairytale-like HEA. One of the biggest highlights of this book is the lack of miscommunication. Despite it being the low-hanging fruit for melodrama, the characters behaved in the mature and thoughtful that you'd expect people their age to be. Overall, this was an enjoyable read though not quite the angsty, emotional, heart-wrenching story that the synopsis had suggested.

Thank you so much Melissa Wiesner and Bookouture for this ARC!

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josie regresa a Sandy Harbor consciente de que volverá a ver a Ian, el hombre que marcó su juventud y el pasado que nunca logró cerrar. Aun así, decide enfrentar ese temor porque el amor por su hermana pesa más que cualquier herida antigua. La isla la recibe con recuerdos que siguen vivos y con una cercanía inevitable que la obliga a convivir con Ian durante los días previos a la boda. Lo que parecía una visita breve se transforma en un viaje emocional donde los silencios, las decisiones mal tomadas y los sentimientos no resueltos exigen respuestas. Josie tendrá que elegir si seguir huyendo es más fácil que enfrentarse a la verdad y a lo que todavía late en su corazón.


--

Lo de Sam no lo vi venir.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Melissa Wiesner and Bookouture for the free arc!

In the second book of the Sandy Harbor series, Josie’s story is the focus. She returns to Sandy Harbor for her sister Madeline’s wedding to Garrett, and is forced to face the demons that chased her away in the first place. She also reconnects with her first love, Ian, who wonders what caused her to leave so suddenly all those years ago.

I really enjoy Melissa’s writing style, and this book was every bit as captivating as her previous ones. It answered questions that I had from the first book and really brought the story full circle. The romance was sweet and genuine, and Ian’s character was easy to love. There’s a bit of mystery, secrecy, angst, and of course, romance, making it such an entertaining and quick escapist read! This series is one that you can binge so quickly and enjoy thoroughly at the same time.

[Harps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josie returns to Sandy Harbor for her sister’s wedding, a place filled with lovely memories. It’s also where she met Ian, but that future together was torn away, and it held her back from returning to her childhood town.

This is the second book in the Sandy Harbor collection, and I enjoyed it just as much as the first. I think it could be read as a standalone, but I’m glad I read them in order, it gave me a better feel for all the characters and that extra backstory.

I loved both Josie and Ian. The flashback chapters really brought the story together, which isn’t always my favourite, but they didn’t take away from the flow of the story at all.

Melissa really paints a picture of the scenery, whether it’s being by the beach or on the dock, I felt like I was there soaking up the sun!

A brilliant read. Thank you, NetGalley, for the download.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review
Release date is 17th February

Wow… this book was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️for me.
I loved the first book in the series and after having so many questions still needing to be answered I couldn’t wait to get straight back into it. (Mostly to find out who this mystery man is!)

This book contains:
- second chance romance
- forbidden love
- Small town romance
- dual timelines
- Dual pov

I was roped into wanting to know everything about Josie and Ian’s story from the very start, and it was nice to see both past and present versions of them to see the growth of their characters.
I loved the continuation of the found family from the first book. Even though some parts of the book I guessed it didn’t make the journey or anticipation boring.
As this is one of the first series I have read from this author, I will definitely be excited to see what other books of hers I can dive into!

[LP · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

I love this author's writing style and was excited to see a second book in this series. I liked it as much as the first. The reveals weren't surprising but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book. Josie and Ian were both so mature, they seemed older than their actual ages, and thank goodness there was NO miscommunication trope! As soon as Ian found out what happened to Josie in the past, he stuck around to hear her side. Many other authors would have had him storm off without learning the truth. Thank you, Ms. Wiesner, for taking that scene in another direction. Will there, perhaps, be another in this series? Chloe's story please? I would love to revisit these characters. You could read this without reading the first one but you'd be missing out on another terrific book.

[Anna Grace Paulovkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5 stars) Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! Loved it. It was just as good as the first story in the series. I love her emotional and heartfelt writing and characters. Her stories are always heartbreaking yet redeeming. There was one twist in this that I didn’t expect! Their summer romance was so sweet and innocent and I loved her art.

FYI there is an assault that happens so be aware before reading. It was a great book and I can’t wait to see what she writes next! Loss of half a star for some spice.

“I lift my hand in a wave and the strangest feeling comes over me. Like I’ve untied my sailboat from the dock, and I’m about to launch into the ocean. Like I’m on the cusp of the most exhilarating adventure.”

[Kristin Hemingway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right from the very start, this book captured me in its grasp, and I didn’t want to let it go.

Ian and Josie’s love story took place 10 years ago, but soon after, she fleas with her family to another state, leaving him behind. Fast forward to now, her sister is getting married, which has her returning to the island that she has so desperately tried to forget. She runs into Ian and feelings start to resurface. Will they get their second chance or will they part ways for good?

If you love second chances, forced proximity, sister’s best friend, and a forbidden love story with a shocking twist then this book is definitely for you!

I gave this a 5 star rating and I am looking forward to more books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me to ARC this.

[KDRBCK · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the Ways You Break Me by Melissa Wiesner published by Bookouture, is the second book in the Sandy Harbor Series.
An heartfelt second chances small town romance that gives all the feels.
Josie is back at the island for the wedding of her sister after ten long years away. She's maid of honor and the first thing she does is getting starnded on the side of the road only to be rescued by the man she ran from years ago.
Ian. Ian and her share a past and now he's knight in shining armor again - -and he's going to be best man in the wedding party. So no chance of avoiding him.
Sweet, beautiful writing, beautiful characters and story, 5 stars.

[Jessica Bradford · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.**

I absolutely adored book 1, so when the opportunity came to read book 2, I knew it was a no-brainer. Melissa Wiesner is perfection when it comes to emotional turmoil wrapped in feel-good, wholesome romance, and this book is definitely all that and much more.
When Josie left Sandy Harbor 10 years ago, the last place she expected to find herself was right back in the midst of her hometown. She finds herself back on the island as the maid of honor of her sister’s wedding and vows to make it the wedding of a lifetime.

As with any romance story, you can’t know love without first knowing heartache, and Josie is no stranger to heartache, especially since that heartache comes in the form of the best man, Ian. Josie and Ian were a thing 10 years ago, but that all came to an abrupt stop when Josie took off, leaving Ian wondering what happened.
Now that she’s back, she faces the challenge of not getting swept up in the whirlwind of second-chance romance, but she also has to battle the fact that Ian can NEVER know why she left in the first place.

This book really hits you in the heart!!

[Alex Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Bookouture for the ARC of this one! I have read many books by Melissa Wiesner including the one that comes before this one in the series. This was an emotional love story/romantic suspense written in a similar way to Colleen Hoover or Mia Sheridan. If you like books like that, you will love this one. I truly couldn't put this one down and was almost immediately immersed in the story. The book follows Josie as she returns to her hometown to attend her sisters wedding. She hasn't been back in a decade since one event sent her running for her safety. She left behind Ian, who she had been falling for the summer after her senior year of high school. She returns to town and is immediately thrust into his orbit again and realizes that she very much still has feelings for him. She wrestles with how to tell him the truth about what really happens while she falls for him all over again. Definitely a five star read!

[Ines Robles · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
I was very intrigued by the blurb of the book, and I was already excited to read it because I loved the first book.
This was very entertaining, I do feel more like it is the story of a possible relationship/romance and not particularly the love story itself, I wish that the relationship part was a bit more developed.
With that said, I did really like it, it’s dual POV and past/ present timelines which is always fun. I was more interested in the past then the present, but I think that that’s because of the suspense.
I did really like it and would recommend to anyone looking for a fast, fun, romantic book with some mystery elements to unravel!

[Kasey Connors-Beron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ARC of this book thanks to the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story was wonderful. There was enough suspense to keep you on your toes. I really enjoyed how the story was told from two points in time across the male and female main characters. It was a unique way to expose parts of the mystery and build tension. I definitely recommend. I do recommend reading the first book of the series before reading this one, although it could be a standalone.

[Alisha (Bemybookhangover) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒕𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒚."

I thought the way the serious topics were handled were done well and with sensitivity (check the TWs). From the beginning clues you can probably guess what happens to our FMC. I felt the dread for the entire length of the book waiting to get to that moment.

Josie and Ian have chemistry from the moment they meet. Their relationship when they were young was so innocent. The dual timeline was nice because you see the evolution of why these two people are the way they are. We all love a happy ending though!

[Amy Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

- 🌶️🌶️ out of 5
- Second chance romance
- Small town romance
- Mentions of a family member's death
- ⚠️TW⚠️ Mentions of SA ⚠️
I loved this story. I really enjoyed the first book and I enjoyed this one just as much. Finding out why Josie, Madeline and their mother had to leave Sandy Harbor was and emotional roller-coaster I wasn't prepared for. The love between Ian and Josie is just as breathtaking and heartbreaking as Garrett and Madeline's and the ending was absolutely a chefs KISS. This book is definitely a must read as well as the first one!