Every once in a while, a book comes along that completely wraps itself around your heart—and this one did that for me in the gentlest, most unexpected way. Travis and Amelia’s story felt like stepping back into a world I already loved, only to find it richer, deeper, and more beautiful than before.
I’ve adored Travis from the very first book, but this story made me fall for him in an entirely new way. We’ve always known he carried scars—some visible, many not—and watching him try to rebuild a life after everything he’s lived through was both heartbreaking and profoundly moving. His journey is messy, raw, and painfully honest. Being inside his head was not always easy, but it was necessary. His thoughts are jagged, complicated, and painfully human, and Tracy gives us a version of him that feels so real you almost forget he’s fictional. There’s something incredibly special about seeing a broken man learn to believe in himself again.
Then there’s Amelia—fiery, determined, and carrying her own weight of hurt. The way her past brings her to Starboard Beach, and the way she finds the strength to face it, made me love her so much. Her growth is beautifully written. She doesn’t just show up in Travis’s life; she becomes a mirror, a light, and a reminder of the future he once thought he didn’t deserve.
Their second chance isn’t neat or easy. It’s two souls who once fit perfectly trying to find their way back through grief, regret, and the years that slipped away. Their past connection—hinted at long before this book—unfolds in such a satisfying, emotional way. I loved how their history becomes the key to their healing, even when the truth hurts.
Tracy balances the heavier moments with humor and warmth so naturally that the story never feels weighed down. The banter, the quiet tenderness, the cameos from characters we already adore—each one adds something special without taking focus away from Travis and Amelia. And yes, Gus absolutely steals the spotlight more than once.
What struck me most, though, was the way Travis slowly, painfully opens up. Watching him take those shaky steps toward rebuilding himself—for Amelia, but also for himself—felt like witnessing someone relearn how to breathe. And Amelia’s unwavering belief in him? That’s the kind of love that stays with you.
I’ve enjoyed every book in this series, but this one carved out its own little corner in my heart. It’s tender, emotional, and filled with the kind of quiet magic that lingers long after the final chapter.
If you love second chances, slow healing, and characters who feel achingly real, this story will absolutely sweep you away. Travis and Amelia’s journey is proof that sometimes, even after years of silence and pain, love has a way of finding its way home again. LOEVED Being an ARC Reader for this book