No Place Like You

Cloud Bay #3

by Emma Douglas

Home--in the island village of Cloud Bay--is where the heart is. . .

Leah Santelli always knew that Zach Harper, son of a rock legend and her best friend's brother, was painfully out of reach. Then, on the night of her eighteenth birthday, Leah shocked herself by asking for--and receiving--the gift she wanted: one night of passion with Zach before he left town to pursue his rock star dreams. Now, years later, Zach is back in Cloud Bay to record his first solo album. His return could also be Leah's big chance to step up her own music career. But getting the producing credit she needs means spending long hours with Zach in the recording studio...and falling back into the habit of longing for him, for better or worse.

Zach used to believe that a man must put his past behind him. But coming back home for Cloud Bay's famed music festival has allowed him to finally make amends with his family and, much to his surprise, reunite with Leah. He might have left her once but now it seems he can't stay away. Trouble is, even though the heat between them burns hotter than ever, Leah has old wounds in need of healing before she can give Zach a real chance. Can he find a way to convince her that they can make more than just great music together--and that she's the one that he wants for all time?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Music, Second Chance, Fiction, Family

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 5, 2017

About the author

Emma Douglas has read like a wild thing since she was small. She discovered romance novels at an age that way probably way too young but she survived unscathed. When she realized you could make up stories as well as read them, she started taking notes about what the characters wandering through her head were telling her and then, eventually, books happened.

Before the books happened she did the usual things (was a band geek (and a geek generally), had crushes on rock stars and fictional characters, spent chunks of her summers on an island beach, got a degree in something sensible that doesn’t involve writing about kissing, became a black belt in internet procrastination, fell down the rabbit-hole of craft, traveled a bit, indulged her love of baked goods, got bossed around by cats, began a quest for the perfect margarita, and napped to recover from all of the above.

She still does most of that plus the writing thing from a tiny house which her feline overlords have kindly agreed to share with her.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leah has been living in Cloud Bay all her life. She is producing music in the Harper family’s studio and happy with her life. There is nothing that Leah wants more than landing a big name to skyrocket her producing career…and now that Zach Harper has returned to town, he would be the perfect person to do it. Leah has known Zach Harper her whole life and has even had a night with him on her 18th birthday, but that was before he became a world-famous Rocker.

Zach is back in Cloud Bay and hoping that he can record some solo work while his band is on a break. He thinks he’s put the past behind him, but he has unresolved issues with his ½ sisters and the beautiful Leah, he left behind.

Leah and Zach both quickly realize the burning passion from the past still burns brighter than ever. Deciding on a friends with benefits relationship, it is soon evident that the new circumstances are going to end in heartbreak and might just destroy careers.

Zach puts his desires above his family, his friends, time and time again, all for his career. What happens when everything you've been looking for stares you in the face but you have to pick one dream over the other?

No Place Like You is one of those feel good, second chances romance that put a smile on your face and keeps you wondering how often two singularly minded people could be so oblivious to what is right in front of them.

In the end, I found No Place Like You to be easy, enjoyable and serving a good dose of humor/angst.

I received this ARC copy of No Place Like You from St. Martin's Paperbacks. This is my honest and voluntary review. No Place Like You is set for publication Dec. 5, 2017.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since that night with Zach Harper, Leah Santelli has lived a lifetime of experiences, marriage, divorce and a budding career as a music producer. Now he has come home, a successful rockstar looking to break out on his own. All he needs is a producer, but even as he rebuffs the idea of using unknown Leah for a big name in the business, they begin a friends with benefits relationship that may end in heartbreak for a career that may never get off the ground and the another chance lost with Zach.

NO PLACE LIKE YOUby Emma Douglas is a second chance type romance that sometimes had me shaking my head. Two people, both seeking the same goals, one desperately trying to convince the other how well they work together, because in their small island town, they do, while the other is more consumed with his career, completely missing the forest for the trees. When things don’t go his way for his big breakout plans, his selfishness could cost him more than he ever bargained for.

This contemporary romance is good, I haven’t read the others in the series, but I don’t feel I missed any major background. That said, while the plot flowed along, it just didn’t scream, OMG at me with that I have to keep reading vibe! For those who like an easy read with some higher levels of angst, I think you’ll enjoy the small town feel where everybody knows your name and whose shadow you live in.

I received an ARC edition from St. Martin's Paperbacks in exchange for my voluntary review.

Series: Cloud Bay - Book 3
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (December 5, 2017)
Publication Date: December 5, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[♥ WishfulMiss ♥ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for 2nd chance romances but I'm really picky with them. Like Goldilocks, they have to be just right (for me) or they tank tragically.

No Place Like You sadly, tanked for me. It had a slow start, the characters never really engaged me and the romance was too subtle for me. I don't mind slow burn but there needs to be a spark . It might be instant and intense or it might be tame and blossoming but give me something to build on.

I felt Leah was too invested and the "H" Zach wasn't invested enough.

The story is about Zach and Leah. Zach is back in town after his band unexpectedly splits when their lead vocalist leaves to "find himself." Zach heads home to regroup and finally start working on his solo career. Leah's dream is to produce music and Zach would be a big name that could launch her career.

This is where I had issues connecting with the characters. Leah approaches Zach with an offer to work his music and produce his solo album but Zach blows her off and instead focuses on getting big name producers to work with him. It's not until the big wigs either turn him down or accept but take his music in a completely different direction, does Zach reconsider Leah's proposition.

Zach's character is introduced as a guy with a big ego and a one track mind, making it big in the music world. Leah is introduced as a friendly girl next door type who's been half in love with Zach for years and has been left behind once before by him and taken second place to his dream of hitting it big.

Why this didn't work for me was the simple fact that neither character changed much from their initial representation. Zach doesn't learn from his mistakes and again rejects and abandons Leah for his superficial dream of fame and Leah is still the girl who makes excuses for his jerk treatment and in the end not only begs him to stay, takes him back after zero groveling. Ugh! It was cringe worthy to see her cry in front of him and ask him to please stay but to have the author separate them for weeks and have Zach do an about face was not very believable. For someone like Zach to change, it would have helped to see it happen gradually over time and not so rapidly. I felt like if you blinked, you would have missed it completely.

***ARC provided for an honest review ***

SAFETY INFO:

Ages: Leah is twenty eight, divorced and has carried around a crush for Zach for years. Zach is older than Leah but I can't remember his age right now. I would guess he is 30 something.

Cheating: None. They were together once ten years ago but Zach left to pursue his music career and Leah married and then divorces her ex. She admits she never really loved him and that she still carried a torch for Zach.

OM/OW drama: None.

Separation: Two weeks.

Push/Pull Zach does the pushing and the pulling in this one sided relationship. He basically called all the shots, romantically and professionally.

Main Pursuer of relationship: Leah is the one to first propose the working relationship as well as the sexual relationship.

Triggers: Unrequited love, second best h, second chance romance, jerk H

HEA/HFN: Ends as a HFN and an epilogue two weeks later showing the MCs in a committed relationship.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

The prodigal son returns home in Emma Douglas’ No Place Like Home, the third book in her Cloud Bay series. After ditching his sister and their combined musical career when his late father got ill for another band, not showing up for a show with his new band at the family’s big music festival last year, and basically ignoring his family for years Zach Harper is returning home to lick his wounds after the lead singer of his new band decides to take a year off. Zach has plans to start a solo album, but knows that making amends to those he left behind will also come with his return. While he expects to have to grovel to his family, what he doesn’t expect is to mess up repeatedly with his sister’s best friend, and the girl he left behind years ago whose help he needs with his new album.

If I didn’t like the characters in these books so much I’m not sure I would keep reading this series because there seems to be some continuity issues with the books and manufactured drama is getting old. I’m going to address those issues first; in the first two books the town’s mayor, Angie, seemed to have it out for the Harper family at every turn and yet in this book she is never mentioned which I found to be ridiculous. Yes, she was somewhat put in her place in the last book, but to be completely missing in this one especially with the Cloud Fest musical festival on the horizon just seemed strange. Secondly, the way the big drama played out between Zach and his father’s former band mate at the last minute was just ridiculous and made no sense to be honest and it was unnecessary.

As for the romance in this book, there was little of it; yes, Zach and Leah spent time together but basically it was a friends with benefits arrangement and they never until almost the very end ever really talked about it being more. There was a lot of sex (which is fine) and a lot of them working on getting Zach’s album ready, but there was very little of them talking or sharing anything about their lives or plans. I get that they practically grew up together and knew each other well as children and teens, but they’ve had many years apart so it would seem logical for them to share their lives with one another, but instead we got the bare minimum, a blow up, he leaves, and then they are together professing their love. It was disappointing to not actually see them forming a relationship, just sex and then boom they are in love. There was a distinct lack of character and relationship development in this story.

I liked Leah and felt at least she was honest and proved time and time again to be forgiving and had great work ethic. I’ll admit I didn’t like Zach much because of what he did in the previous books, and after the stuff he pulled in this one; my opinion of him really hasn’t improved. Since it seems like they’ll be at least one more book, I’m hoping maybe we’ll see some growth in him.

I loved the first book in this series so much that I had really high hopes for this series, but unfortunately No Place Like You did not live up to my expectations and I was disappointed.

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Place Like You by Emma Douglas is the Third book in the "Cloud Bay" series. This is the story of Leah Santelli and Zach Harper. Leah and Zach had one night together when she was young and before he left their town. Now years later Zach is back in Cloud Bay and working on becoming a solo singer. Leah wants to work with Zach but he isn't sure about taking that chance it seems but the work toward their friendship which leads to more in their relationship...and working one.
Loved this second chance at love story.

[Lauren - SERIESous Books]

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. This is a voluntary review; all opinions are my own and not influenced by my source.**

DNF at 24% (Start of Chapter 6)

This is my first novel in the Cloud Bay series despite it being the third. But I didn't mind because I adore the "in love with best friend's brother" trope and it intrigued me that this was also a second chance romance of sorts. When I dive into a series that's already established, it usually works in my favour and I end up picking up the other novels because I get interested in the previous stories.

Why this one didn't work? I felt lost almost immediately. Keeping Zach's band members and the different bands straight wasn't something I was able do. I felt like I missed a chapter or two where their relationships are explained--and I hate feeling like I should know something innately when I pick up a book (especially one that is toted as a standalone in a series).

I also didn't connect with these characters. I'm all for slow burn romance but nothing was really happening other than the acknowledgement that they had slept together nearly a decade ago. I didn't see the draw these two had towards each other besides physical attraction. Perhaps that would have come in time but when it is labelled as (or at least gives the allusion it is a) second chance romance, I want that tension to be there from the start. I want those lingering feelings to be there, waiting to be built upon.

Overall: I'm sure fans of the previous novels will enjoy this one but for someone new to the series, it didn't convince me to give the other books a read.

Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!

Full Review: N/A
Actual Rating: DNF

[Olga Miret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and to St. Martin’s Press for providing me an ARC copy of this novel that I freely chose to review.
Although I am not a big reader of romance, this novel is an example of what I think is a subgenre of it, the romance that takes place in the world of music and musicians. The setting of the novel is a small imaginary American island called Cloud Bay, off the coast of California, best known for a music festival and for being home to the musicians of a well-known band and their families. Grey Harper, the singer and leader of the band, passed away a few years back, and his family members and associates have been keeping the music festival and the studio going, quite successfully, but although the business is going well, their personal lives have seen a fair amount of turmoil.
The story centres on the second generation of the family, on Zach, Grey’s son, and Leah, a good friend of his sister Faith, and daughter of the sound engineer of the band. She also does sound engineering and producing now, and has had a crush on Zach since they were teenagers, and they have a bit of a history together. Their professional and personal lives get entangled in a way that seems impossible to avoid in Cloud Bay, and no matter how determined they are not to allow things to get complicated, they do.
The author manages to create a good sense of place and of the strange and slightly incestuous relationships that happen in such a setting, where everybody knows everybody and nobody can step outside of the house without somebody knowing about it. Nothing is private and the actions of one person have far-reaching consequences. I particularly enjoyed the exchanges between the female friends (Faith and Leah in particular) and the wedding preparations (Leah is due to get married after the festival, at the end of the summer), as their friendship is portrayed in an easy and natural way and the way they support and care for each other is heart-warming and feels real. Those and other elements of the novel reminded me of a chick-flick (there are plenty of cakes, pastry, and ice-creams as well) but the fact that half of the story is told from the point of view of Zach gives it a different emphasis.
As for the romance, although both of the characters are gorgeous, as is to be expected, this is not a love-at-first-sight story, as Leah and Zach know each other and have a bit of a history (however brief) together. I found it interesting that their behaviour at times goes counter to the traditionally expected male and female roles, as Leah is the one to initiate their relationship (both in the past and now), and she is the one to suggest a no-strings-attached sexual relationship, while he initially resists (although his resistance doesn’t last long). I don’t think you need to be an eager reader of romance novels to suspect how things are going to go from the beginning, and although there are some twists and turns, there are no major surprises. There is sex, but it is not very explicit (described in a lyrical and poetic manner), and although I do not like erotica or sex scenes, as I feel they slow the action, I don’t think many readers would feel offended by it (but I would not class it as “sweet” or “clean” either). The ending… I think romance readers will enjoy it, and there is a hook to keep people coming to read the next novel, although it is a side-story not directly related to the romance.
The story is told in the third-person from the alternating points of view of Leah and Zach. This is not always separated into chapters, but the transitions are clear and not confusing. As mentioned above, the division between the characters is not down to standard gender roles, and they both seem to behave more in keeping with their characters and their history (that we get snippets of thanks to their conversations and memories throughout the book) than with traditional male or female roles. There is a moment of crisis towards the end of the book, and I felt that the novel’s pace grew faster at that point, while until then it had moved steadily. I realised later that this is the third book in the series (for some reason I thought it was the first) so I am not sure how well it fits in with the whole series, although I had no difficulty following the novel (but I imagine the background story would increase the expectations and enjoyment). I must admit that I did not think there was much depth to the characters and they seemed to act younger than they were (Leah had been married, and Mina, Zach and Leah’s sister, is a widow), but perhaps they have developed slowly and it is unfair to judge them by the events in a single book. Leah is a fairly rounded and sympathetic character, and I felt she behaved in a consistent manner, although I was not as convinced about Zach, who has much to atone for.
The music business background will be of interest to those who enjoy that genre, and the descriptions of the way the characters feel about music are inspiring, but it is not as detailed or technical as to interfere with the enjoyment of readers of other types of romance.
In sum, a romance set in the background of the rock music business and in a lovely setting, which will be enjoyed by lovers of the genre and followers of the series, but with few surprises for the rest of readers.

[Lis Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zach Harper and his sisters are the children of Grey Harper, late leader of the band Blacklight. Since Grey's death, his former bandmates and his three grown children have all, in various ways, been struggling. Zach has spent the last year playing for a new band. The youngest sibling, Mina, has gotten married after some hardships of her own, and middle sibling Faith is planning her own wedding.

A friend of the siblings, Leah Santelli, is sound engineer at Harper Studios on Lansing Island, but has ambitions to be a producer. She needs a break, a way in to the ranks of producers. When Zach comes back to Lansing to make a solo album, she hopes Zach's album can be that break.

The problem is that she and Zach have a romantic history. She doesn't want to rekindle that history, not because she's over him, but because she isn't. The "don't rekindle romance" goal is of course doomed from the beginning, but that's just a piece of the problems and challenges they face. The Harpers, Grey's former Blacklight bandmates, and their friends on Lansing Island make a large, complicated, and often disfunctional family.

The main story here is Leah and Zach, but there's a lot more going on around the edges. Former Blacklight band member Billy may have problems of his own that haven't come out yet. The Harpers have been told by the lawyers handling their father's estate that there was a $5 million payout by Grey to someone, six months before his death. Other things lurk in the background. This is the third book in the series, but clearly not the last planned.

I like the Harpers and their friends. The character development, and the relations between them, are interesting and well done.

Sadly, I found that I don't care about rock stars' romantic lives. Not even a little bit.

That's really not a criticism of the book. I don't think my annoyance with that aspect of it was a function of the writing. I think it's a function of what I do and don't care about. There's enough that's very good about this book to make me believe that a lot of people will like it a lot better than I did. So bear that in mind.

I received a free electronic galley from the publisher via NetGalley.

[booksofallkinds · Rating 4 out of 5]

**RATING 3.5**

Leah Santelli has never truly forgotten that one night all those years ago with her best friends brother, but she has changed in the last ten years and is no simpering girl with stars in her eyes. So when Zach Harper returns with plans to launch his own solo career, Leah is certain that she is the producer he needs to make him a huge success in his own right. And she can definitely ignore the spark of attraction that still seems to exist between them ...

Zach hasn't been the best brother in the past few years and when he returns home to Cloud Bay he hopes to salvage some of the closeness that he used to share with his sisters. And after being left in the lurch by his current band, a solo career just feels like the right move. And when he sets his eyes on Leah again there is something about her that just seems to get under his skin. But Zach is used to things going his way and when it comes down to it will he make the biggest mistake of his life and walk away from Cloud Bay forever?

NO PLACE LIKE YOU by Emma Douglas is the third book in this series but is easily read as a standalone. While I did find the pace a tad slow throughout, I really liked Leah, Faith, and Mina, and the community of Cloud Bay. Zach is handsome, charismatic, and sexy, but at times he got on my last damn nerve, and I wanted to shout at him to wake up!!

NO PLACE LIKE YOU is a lovely romance about family, friendship, and finding your own place in a world where everyone compares you to someone else and is an enjoyable story.

*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.com

[Vania Nunes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zach, son of the famous rock star Grey Harper (deceased) and brother of Faith and Mina (living on the island of Cloud Bay, and happy), he wants his fortified career once and for all recording a solo album. For this, he would enjoy the sabbatical year taken by his band.

Getting back to the island that brings him so many painful memories may be the beginning he needs to make peace with the past and delineate what he wants for his future. And one of the good surprises is his reunion is Leah.

Leah ran the recording studio that Harper Inc operated on the island. She always had a crush on Zach - and that was no secret to him.
But even though she knew that Zach was leaving, years ago, to go after his dreams of fame, it it broke her heart to know he never looked back.

Zach now wants to have Leah to complete his picture of happiness and personal reunion, but you can not "take back" what never belonged to you, right?

Here closes the trilogy of the Harper brothers
4 stars

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange of an honest review

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Cloud Bay series but it can very easily be read as a stand-alone novel. Having read the other books in the series, I was expecting Zach to be a complete jerk. While he did have his moments, overall he was a rather likeable guy. Leah has always had a crush on Zach so when he comes home for a short stay, she proposes a no-strings fling for whatever time he is home for. But what always happens during these flings happens, and suddenly Leah wants more. While initially, I thought this was a great way to wrap up this series, it seems from the ending that we just might have more Cloud Bay stories in the future. A fact that I for one am looking forward to!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, slow burning second chance, No Place Like You was an interesting read. It is the third book of a series, but can be read perfectly as a standalone.

Zach and Leah had one night together, and then he took off for stardom. He returns home to a newly divorced Leah, and still a heaping if chemistry between the two.

I had a bit of trouble falling in love with Zach. He felt very pushy at times, but then would melt your heart. Leah was a determined heroine, professionally and personally. I loved how brave she was.

Overall, I really enjoyed No Place Like You. It really pulled my emotions, making me mad, then excited, it was very well rounded. I would recommend to the hopeless romantic looking for a second chance.

*Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads*

[Cathy Geha · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Place Like You by Emma Douglas
Cloud Bay #3

On a small island off the coast of California lies Lansing Island and where the ferry lands is the town of Cloud Bay. A small island brought to the world’s attention by a rock group that settled there and created a venue for the annual rock festival “Cloud Fest”. One family, the Harpers, is at the forefront of the island and of this series – at least so far. In book one Faith Harper falls for tennis player Caleb White and breaks all of her island rules to achieve a HEA that thrills both of them. In book two the story of widow Mina Harper and whiskey distiller Will Fraser find love. And, in book three Zach Harper comes home to lick his wounds, make a record and get a second chance at love.

Leah Santelli has worked with her father, Sal, for years and has begun to make a name as a sound mixer who has aspirations of producing records. She has been married and divorced and perhaps has always treasured her one night of passion with Zach. Now Zach Harper is an entitled wannabe rock star. He is part of a ban that suddenly finds itself on hiatus for at least a year and all the members are scrambling for what to do next. Zach has opted to write songs that will push his career forward IF all goes well. Being back home for him is a mixed bag…still rather entitled, a bit at loose ends, still driven, sometimes unable to see beyond his own needs and yet…as time goes by he does seem to begin to realize how his past behavior might have impacted others. The question, in the end, is what will prove to be most important to Zach and whether or not his second chance with Leah will become more than a no strings fun time for the two of them.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars

[Connie N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

#3 in the Cloud Bay romance series

Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is another excellent book in this series. We've already met Faith and Mina, but now we get to know Zach better, the oldest of the Harper siblings. Zach is talented and gorgeous, but he's also nervous about his career and makes some mistakes, putting music before family. Leah has loved Zach for years, but she's trying to be adult about their current relationship and not hoping for more than he can give. She's been in Cloud Bay all her life, but she's also developed a strong career as a sound engineer there, but now she wants to try her hand at producing, with the help of Zach's new album. I really loved their camaraderie and was rooting for the success of their relationship. The background in the music world was extensive with the first book, but dropped away with the second. Now we're back, and I loved hearing about behind-the-scenes in the music world. Very interesting to hear about the nuts and bolts--hard work, no glamor. This would have been a nice ending to a very enjoyable trilogy if Douglas hadn't left us with a cliff-hanger right at the end. I hope she continues with this series and doesn't leave us hanging.
The covers for this series are always gorgeous scenery shots, making me want to head to Cloud Bay immediately to enjoy the beauty.
I learned that this author also writes as Melanie Scott (sports romance) and M.J. Scott (fantasy). I'll be looking for more from her.

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can't run forever. Zach has come home to lick his wounds and to try record some music. Wherever he goes he feels his father's presence it is all over the island. Will his sisters ever forgive him for leaving them when they needed him most? Leah can't believe that he is back she thought that she would never see him again she has always hoped that he would come home. Now that she knows that he is home and why, she knows that she has a chance to show him how good a producer she is. But Zach turns her down she isn't well known he wants someone well known in the business. Leah knows that she is good enough and that it is Zach's loss but it still hurts. When Zach realizes what a mistake he has made he begs for her help. They both know that they don't have much time together and that once the record is done Zach will leave the island again. Can Leah's heart withstand another break or will she realise that this is her chance to leave as well? Zach made a mistake by leaving he just hopes that she will forgive him. Can they find their happy ever after? A good solid read. I was lucky enough to receive a copy via Netgalley & the publishing house in exchange for my honest review.

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Place Like You-
3rd Book in the Cloud Bay Series by Emma Douglas-

Like this series a lot.
When Zack comes home to Cloud Bay he didn’t know what to expect from his family.
He wasn’t expecting a big welcome home, because he left them high and dry not too long ago
for the big event in town. Seeing Leah again he just wasn’t prepared. He walked away a long time ago from her and his family.

Leah hasn’t forgotten Zach Harper. Now he’s back home for a break. When she offers her help to him he turns her down. He may change his mind, and she’ll help him.

See what happens. So good.

Do read both before this one..

Book 1-Need You Now
Book 2-A Season if You

Voluntarily accepted a copy from St. Martin’s Press.
All my own feelings in this review.

[Dixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like series books read in order, you'll want to go back and read the prior two books in this series. If you just like a good rock star reunited with the woman who used to be the girl he left behind story, this is a great place to start.
Zach and Leah both carry emotional baggage and hide behind the professional images they have built over the years since they parted. They agree to a no-strings fling, but we all know how that doesn't work out. Eventually, a good grovel and some old fashioned honesty lets us see them find a way back from their misery. This gave me lots of laughs and tears along the way.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.

[Shirley Whittemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story line enjoyed this book with zach and his family all very talented musicians and Leah who has carried a crush for zach for years. He’s back now. And she still feels the same. She’s just starting out as a producer in the recording studio. It all goes well until zach leaves again a good read

[Rejane]

I admit I like a 2nd chance romance. But it needs some kind of redemption. It looks like it doesn't happen in this book. This is more 2nd chance, 2nd best. Weak heroine.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Cloud Bay series. I haven’t read the previous romances in the series and didn’t have a problem following along with the various characters.

No Place Like You is a small-town reunion romance. Musician Zach Harper and Leah Santelli got together on her eighteenth birthday when she propositioned him, then he left. Fresh from a divorce, Leah sees complications when she realizes Zach has returned, but she also sees an opportunity since she wants to boost her career to the next level. With this in mind, she approaches Zach and asks if she can produce the album he’s working on to start his solo career.

It’s the characters and the small-town setting that makes this book work so well. The characters feel like best friends and the family links within the story bring both interest and cohesion. As I mentioned, this is a reunion romance, and while the plot doesn’t hold many surprises, this is an enjoyable read.

Fans of small-town romances will definitely enjoy this book and the rest of the Cloud Bay series.

Received via NetGalley

[Katie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Zach Harper has returned to Cloud Bay to play in the annual music festival and record a solo album. Leah Santelli knows working with him would help boost her career but she's going to have put her personal feelings towards Zach aside. Years ago the two of them spent one hot and steamy night together and she knows she will have to be careful so she doesn't get her heart broken again. But can their working relationship turn into something more this time around? This is the third book in the Cloud Bay series but can easily be read as a standalone novel.

I loved the music aspect of the story and thought it brought something different to the romance genre. I thought this book had a little more depth than typical romance novels because there were other things going on with the characters such as career goals and sibling relationships. I enjoyed the chemistry between Zach and Leah and found them to be pretty likable characters for most of the book. I did however hate what one of the characters did near the end of the book and to be quite honest from that point on I just didn't even care if the two ended up together or not. I understand throwing some drama into the plot but it did end up with me being disappointed in the character.

I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

[E-Reader Addict · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is going to be a hard review to write. I almost gave up several times (and read four other books after I started this one), and gave myself until the 50 percent mark to get into the story. And it was right at that point in the book things finally picked up and held my attention.

A quick synopsis: Zach is the son of a famous rock star, who is on his way to becoming just as famous as his father. However, the band he’s been a part of for the past several years has just taken a hiatus, so he’s decided to work on a solo album. Leah is the daughter of the producer Zach’s father used to use. She’s now working on making a name for herself in the industry, and offers to produce Zach’s album. He agrees, but lingering chemistry from a past one night stand 10 years ago makes things awkward. They decide to give into their attraction, even though Leah is recently divorced and Zach isn’t staying around. When plans for performing songs from the new album are ruined, Zach makes a decision that not only hurts Leah emotionally, but has the potential to damage her professional credibility as well.

My first thoughts about this story were of confusion. Who are all these people? Is this a sequel? (A quick look on Goodreads confirmed it’s book three in a series.) Should I have read the first two? At 20 percent, I was still kinda confused by who some of the people were. And I don’t like being confused when I read...

The next thing I had a hard time with were the quick jumps in time. One sentence ends, and the next starts with “Two days later” without any discernible break - no extra spaces between the paragraphs, no cute little design doohickey to tell me “we are moving on in the story!” I was reading an ARC and know formatting was probably added for the final print, but usually jumping that far ahead starts a new chapter. So, more confusion.

Then there was some writing that was problematic for me. Too many repetitions of phrases such as “poke the bear” and too much internal dialogue made the story drag. Add in the fact that the hero and heroine’s past relationship is only alluded to in the beginning, and it made it hard for me to understand why Leah was still stuck on Zach after 10 years (because for me, “he’s so hawt” isn’t a good enough reason). I just couldn’t get into the story, nor did I care much about the characters.

But once Zach and Leah decided on their no-strings, sex-only relationship things picked up (and the bedroom scenes were basically closed-door, so that’s not why things got more interesting!). There was more dialogue. And it was good. The banter was funny and playful. The plot moved along “in real life” instead of all in their heads. They dealt with working together and their pasts and just life in general. There was conflict, and Zach behaved selfishly. And while I would have liked to see more groveling when Zach realized the error of his ways - because he really was an ass - he also had a pretty good apology.

“This is home,” he said. “I want somewhere to come back to.” His fingers tightened and he pulled her toward him. “I want us to have somewhere to come back to. So what do you say? Make a life with me, Leah. Make music and memories and mistakes with me. Figure it out with me. Don’t make me go away again.”

If nothing else, it's always good to see a character say "I screwed up, please forgive me, and let me make things up to you."

I would have liked to give this book a higher rating, but a decent last half just isn’t enough for me to say I liked this story as a whole. I may be willing to give Emma Douglas another try, but I’ve no interest in going back to read the first two books in the series, which is sorta telling. A good sequel shouldn’t leave you so confused for so many chapters at the beginning, and should pique your interest for the other characters - which just didn’t happen. Maybe I’ll find the next book more to my liking.

[Mandie Foxylutely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read December 2017

This is the third book in the Cloud Bay series about the Harper family but can be read as a standalone, however better enjoyment would be to read the series in order. This is Zach’s story.

Zach Harper is back in Cloud Bay to refocus his musical career after his band broke up when the lead singer quit. Now looking to record a solo album he heads back to where he can think clearly and find new inspiration. He has another reason to go back home and that is to make peace with his sisters who he has let down badly in the past. Being back home brings him face to face again with Leah, his sister’s best friend and an ex-lover, even if it was only one night all them years ago.

Leah is shocked to hear Zach is back on Cloud Bay. She has never forgotten their night of passion, even after all these years and one marriage and one divorce later. She has always held a candle for Zach and it appears no one has been ever been able to break that connection. Now a budding music producer and using all the skills her father taught her, she is looking to get her name out there so when she hears Zach is looking to make a solo album she hopes he will give her a chance to produce for him After he immediately refuses her, he soon comes back to asking after the famous producers he tried made a mess of his vision.

Working together though has its own troubles such as the close proximity bringing back long ago buried feelings that after a time cannot be denied.

This is a slow burn, small town feel romance. Although throughout the series I have thought of Zach as a selfish man, he actually grew on my in this book and I got to understand the reasons for his actions in the past. I loved the banter between the three siblings and it was nice to read about them being back together and reminiscing about the old days. The connection between Zach and Leah seemed to be a little one sided and mainly was Leah who was doing all the running. Luckily after a lot of soul searching Zach does realise the error of his ways and does (just in the nick of time!) redeem himself, although I wished it had come sooner in the book.

Overall I enjoyed the book as I have the series to date. It’s not a hotbed of passion and fire but it you like your small town second chance romance to have a gentler pace then this is one I would recommend. Three and a half stars (would have been four if the redemption had come a little sooner in the book)

*ARC kindly provided by the publishers St Martin's Press via NetGalley to Foxylutely Books

[Debi Stout · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucky for me, St. Martin's included me on the release of this book by Emma Douglas, No Place Like You.  Because I had read Book 1, Need You Now, and Book 2, A Season Of You, I knew I wasn't going to miss Book 3!  While you can read No Place Like You as a standalone, since I already knew the background, I'm betting it would be a better read all the way around if you would read them in order.  Just my opinion.... but read on......

In No Place Like Home, the third book in Emma Douglas' Cloud Bay series, the prodigal son returns home. As with the other books in this series, the setting is a small island called Cloud Bay located off the coast of California. Cloud Bay is best known for an annual music festival and for being home to the musicians of a well-known band and their families. 

Faith and Mina's brother, Zach Harper is returning home after ditching his sister and their combined musical career when his late father got ill for another band. He didn't show up for a show with his new band at the family’s big music festival last year and he has basically ignored his family for years. After the lead singer of his new band has decided to take a year off, Zach Harper is returning home to try and start a solo album.  He knows that he will have to repair the relationships he had broken in the past when he returns.

Leah Santelli has lived a lifetime of experiences, marriage, divorce and a budding career as a music producer.  She had a night of passion with Zach on her 18th birthday, which feels like forever ago.  While Leah and Zach are the main story, there's a lot more going on around the edges of the story.  A former band member, Billy, may have problems of his own that haven't yet been revealed.  The Harper children have been told by the lawyers handling their father's estate that there was a $5 million payout by their father to someone, just six months before his death.  

The story is told in the third-person from the alternating points of view of Leah and Zach. This is not always separated into chapters, but the transitions are clear and not confusing.  This is the third book in the series, but clearly not the last planned.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for my participation in this post! I would like to thank St Martin's Press for allowing me the opportunity to participate, read and review this book. My views are my own and are in no way influenced by anyone else!

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with this crazy, loving and very real family – the Harper’s. They are children of a legendary rock star and this has shaped the way they think, feel and act. This is very much true for Zach Harper. He is an emotional person but is not very good at showing those emotions. While he has tried his hardest to run from his Dad’s legacy and not be like his Father, he is finding himself more and more like him. This tends to scare him and sometimes cause him to ignore his actions out of fear. He does not want to be anything like his Father (and when you read the story you understand fully why!). He loved his children but wasn’t there for them in the way a child needs.

Leah is a kind, strong, independent young woman who has just recovered from a divorce. Although it was a divorce they both agreed on, it still caused her pain that she hasn’t quite worked through. She works in the music industry as a producer and is trying to make a name for herself. She not only wants to use Zach for breaking out in the industry but she also has strong feelings for him – something that she continually tries to deny to him, herself and her best friend Faith. It was very interesting to find out about their secret past that they kept hidden from everyone!

As Zach works on his relationship with his family, his relationship steams up with Leah. You can see the two falling in love but holding so much of themselves back from each other. They both seem too afraid to just let go. You are constantly on the edge of your seat guessing if they will take that leap of faith or continue to hold back.

No Place Like You is a well written story of hope, finding oneself, taking that second chance and trust. Our main characters have to work past their own fears and past history in order to move into the future – one that may just hold a lifetime of happiness and love. It is in their hands to have a happy future but they struggle with putting the past where it belongs – in the past.

I loved every moment of this novel and could not put it down! While it is book three in the Cloud Bay series, you don’t have to read the other ones first but I highly recommend you do (look out for another review of a book in this series, A Season of You, coming October 17th). This book is set to release December 5th, 2017.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series and have been looking forward to Zach's story. For some reason I had a disconnect with Mina's story but Zach's was spot on.

Zach is the only son of rock legend Grey Harper and while that might seem awesome to most Zach has had a hard time finding his own place outside Backlight's shadow. Having fled the island village of Cloud Bay to make a name for himself Zach leaves behind friends and family is his wake that only want the best for him and be a part of his life while Zach has been selfish and only cared for himself. When the tables are turned and he is the one left standing after the gig is up, Zach heads home to focus on a solo career and recording in the safety of his family's secluded compound.

Leah has always had a thing for Zach and gave in to temptation knowing he was headed out and probably never to return. She didn't care; just wanted to have her heart's desire for one night. Having remarried and found it lacking, Leah is recently divorced and a nervous wreck when Zach heads home.

Hoping to have Zach take a chance on her musical talents, Leah asks to produce Zach's album. Can we say that Zach was anything but a jerk in his response. The tension begins and things really get interesting. I loved the strength of Leah to take charge and ask what she wants. Zach I wanted to smash in the face but when he comes around he is so sweet and such a charmer.

Working together brings these two close and Leah is having a hard time battling desires she realizes have never went away. When she and Zach make an arrangemnent for a temporary relationship while he is on the island Leah does everything possible to hold back and only let it be physical while Zach's eyes are opened to what Leah really means to him.

From Leah battling back her emotions to Zach trying to get her to see him as something more than temporary I quickly fell in love with these two. But when circumstances change and Zach is given an opportunity for the bigger and better or to keep going with what feels right and what's working his choices affect many and cause great pain. Can Leah and Zach make it through such pain or is Zach destined to live a life away from the island and family.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zach Harper, son of the late Gery Harper and leader of the rock band Blacklight, is working hard to establish his own way in the world. After his band leader breaks the band up to "find himself," Zach returns home to Lansing Island and Cloud Bay. With at least a year off, he plans to make his own music and launch a solo album. Returning home won't be an easy landing after his six years away. Six years in which he ditched his sister and their musical career when his father fell ill, joined another band to continue moving his career forward, and being a no-show with no word at the family music festival, Cloud Fest, on the island the year before. Essentially, Zach has done everything he could to ignore his family and advance his own musical career. 

While making amends with his sisters, Faith and Mina, and stepmother Lou, Zach also finds himself being a jerk to the Grey studio sound engineer, Leah. The girl-next-door type of girl, Leah grew up on the island living on the fringes of the Grey Harper family. Her father served as his sound engineer and she spent many days on at the Harper studio.  Now she is following in her own father's footsteps while Zach is trying to make his name and his own way, no matter who he has to use or step over or leave out to make it happen. 

Just like he did 10 years ago when he loved and left Leah on her 18th birthday. Not that she is holding a grudge - she knew he was leaving but she wanted her night with him anyway. Since then Leah Santelli has lived her own life. She married and later divorced, and she is happy with her life. Now she is trying to get her own music career as a producer off the ground. Zach's return home and solo album is the perfect project to launch her own career. 

First, Zach totally rebuffs the idea of Leah the unknown nobody making his album. Despite knowing him well and knowing his music well, Zach wants a big wig to produce his music. After being turned down by his dream producer and having another mangle his vision, he slinks back to Leah, who is doing some amazing work with one of Faith's newfound female artists. 

As their professional career flourishes, Leah and Zach find themselves in the conundrum of the personal creeping in. Once again, Leah proposes a liaison. This time, though, a friends with benefits relationship. She knows once the album is finished he'll be leaving again, but she'll spend her time with him while she can. 

I loved Leah's character. She is strong and spunky and has an equal measure of compassion for others and also herself. She has her own dreams that aren't shadowed by a relationship. I didn't like that Zach called most of the shots. He makes himself look like a huge jerk. While Leah is in charge of the studio, she is also doing her best work as a producer and has her sights set on a bigger project after Zach' album. 

With Cloud Fest, the music fest his father started decades ago, on the horizon for Lansing Island and Cloud Bay, Zach is betting on the secret slot to launch his new music and create some buzz and publicity. Suddenly, one of his father's bandmates and father of his best friend, swoops in and steals the secret slot from under him. There is lots of drama revolving around those issues that throw Zach out of kilter. In some form of retribution, Zach is offered the producer of a lifetime. 

Zach has continually put his desires for his career above his family and friends for years and years. He has everything at his fingertips, but can only pick one dream. 

[Misty (Reds Romance Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zach Harper constantly feels like he is living in the shadow of his famous father, and it's a daily struggle for him to break free of the shadow and earn a reputation in the music world on his own merit. He thought leaving Cloud Bay behind, and going out on his own would help him find the stardom he craved, but things didn't quite pan out like he thought, and now he finds himself returning home to face all that he left behind. Namely, Leah, a beautiful woman he spent one night with, and then walked away from without so much as a goodbye...

Leah Santelli has harbored a serious crush on Zach Harper for as long as she can remember, and the one night that they shared years ago, still lingers with her everyday. She so desperately wanted to explore the feelings their one night brought about, but Zach had other things on his mind, a music career that would bring him the stardom he craved. So, she reluctantly moved on, married another, but things didn't turn out like they were supposed to, and now she is a divorced woman trying to find her way in the music world. When she hears that Zach is returning home she is filled with reservations about seeing him again after all these years, but he could also be the one person who can help her break into the music world... problem is the moody musician has no interest in what she has to offer.

No Place Like You is a touching read that is filled with moments that will push your emotional buttons, and moments that will have your heart singing. This is my second visit to the series and I have to say I enjoyed this trip just as much as the first, these wonderful characters pulled me into their world, made me feel right at home, and their journey to finding forever left my heart happy. The story line was well crafted, it was poignant, rich with emotion, and kept me captivated from start to finish! Highly recommend you make a visit to Cloud Bay, the folks there will pull you into their world and have you never wanting to leave!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

[Brigitte · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Rewarding read

When I read the previous book in the series, I fell in love with the beautiful setting of Cloud Bay and the captivating storyline. No Place Like You is just as captivating.

Zach, a native of Cloud Bay left to persue his musical career, leaving his friends and family with pain, heartache and resentment. Ten years later and he has returned to explore a different aspect of his career.

Leah is Zach's sister's best friend and works in their family music studio. She hasn't had much luck in her love life and is now looking to advance in her career as a music producer.

Zach's return stirs old memories and a longing that Leah didn't expect. With him going solo and her new career aspiration, it's the perfect opportunity for them to work together. After some gentle persuasion, Zach agrees to give it a go. Leah keeps telling herself that she can keep this arrangement on a strictly business basis. Somehow, she can’t forget about what happened between them all those years ago and decides to take matters into her own hands. Zach is game. They agree that it's a temporary arrangement as Zach would be leaving again sooner or later. Easier said than done! They spend quality time making sweet music in the studio as well as in the bedroom.

When the plans for the music festival take an unexpected turn, Zach reverts to his old self. He leaves an emotional turmoil behind, only this time, he gets a dose of his own medicine. Can he make amends or is it too late to salvage what could have been the best thing for them?

Although Zach can be stubborn and oblivious to his true feelings, he is a lovable character. Leah shows her strength of character when she takes a chance and hopes for the best. She is a loyal friend and adorable with it. This second chance story has its up and downs. There is love and passion. Mistakes are made. Lessons are learnt. It's a beautiful storyline in an idealistic setting. A rewarding read, indeed.

I was kindly issued with an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley and the views expressed are my personal opinion.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leah Santelli is a music producer living in Cloud Bay who wants one chance to make it big. Zach Harper is the brother of her best friend and the son of a rock star legend, who has returned home to try to try to launch a solo career. Leah knows she can help make that happen, but hesitates because of her history with Zach. Years before, on her eighteenth birthday, the pair spent a night of passion together. Now, Leah is concerned abut how many hours they would spend together if she were to work with Zach on this solo album. Zach knows he can use this return to Cloud Bay to make amends with his family and to reunite with Leah, the girl he once left behind. However, there is a past that each must contend with and issues that must be resolved before this can happen. Can they manage to make things go right for them?

No Place Like You provides a good glimpse at second chances. In the beginning, Zach blows off Leah’s idea to work together, hoping to land a working relationship with a big name. Once again, Zach lets his huge ego get in the way. Leah also again makes excuses for Zach and his behavior. I found these traits disconcerting. Things may work out, but can people really change? Can they make a go of things when they both seem to be stuck in the same rut they were in years ago? The story is a good second chance one, but I was not totally into the way things worked out between the pair in the end. I did not see as much chemistry or trying to make the relationship work throughout the book, just mostly at the ending. This is a good book to read, if you like interesting romances set in the music world or reading bout second chances. I have read the other books in the series and have liked them more than this one. However, I enjoy the series, the small-town atmosphere, and the basic idea behind the series. This is just not my favorite book in the series. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.