★★★½
This is one of those stories where you can’t put your finger on exactly what makes it special, but you still find something different and unique in it. Cole is a supposed playboy, talented surfer and hot underwear model. So we can well understand why the “cool and calm” bartender might go weak in her knees at close proximity with him. Initially, I was taken in by Wendy, but it’s not long before Cole steals the spot light from her with his cute ways and the initial shy awkwardness he feels around Wendy.
Cole and Wendy make a good couple, with Wendy keeping Cole humble and grounded, and Cole teaching Wendy to have fun and de-stress. Still, it would have been better if we were given a bit more insight to their back story. There’s a mention of an argument between them that apparently led to their first kiss, I really want to know more about that. I suppose the previous two books of this series might have its mention. Also, there isn't a lot of emotional development leading to the start of their relationship, and we see them going from distant friends to kissing friends rather promptly in my opinion. Another thing that bothered me, though it does not affect my rating in anyway, is the continuous ‘sighing’. I counted 142 sighs in total. Maybe it’s just me, but so much of sighing was making me want to sigh.
The minor characters in the book are all rather endearing, especially Cole’s sister Cassey. And I liked how the author builds up the base for the next pair of Grayton siblings, Roman and Marissa, in this book. If you are looking for something simple yet sweet, then Cole and Wendy’s love story just might be a good choice.
My thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.