Rock the Boat

The Ballard Brothers of Darling Bay #3

by Rachael Herron

Love 'em and leave 'em wanting more, that's always been Jake's motto. Only one thing matters, and it's not love--it's the pure freedom of the open ocean, the wind in the rigging, and nothing but blue water ahead.

Zora, though?

She was the one catch it hurt to release.

Okay, the honest truth is she dumped him a really long time ago, and he's never known why, though it sure as hell couldn't have been the sex because she's still the hottest woman he's ever seen in his life.

Now that she's back and on his reality show, "On the Market," he can clearly see there's a dark secret behind her incredible eyes.

And no matter what it takes, Jake's going to find out what she's hiding from him so he can finally be free again.

It's totally not a problem that he kind of WANTS to get caught in her net. Nope.

No problem at all.

That's what Jake's telling himself, anyway.

"The Bachelor" meets "The Property Brothers": Love, property, and construction. What could possibly go wrong?

Genres: Romance, Fiction

275 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 24, 2019

About the author

Unofficial bio: Rachael eats way too many Cadbury Creme eggs, no matter time of year it is. She lives with a menagerie, and battles dog hair on a full-time basis. She's a Knitter with a capital-K, and she reads WAY more than she'd ever even think about exercising.

Official bio: Rachael Herron (RH Herron) is the internationally bestselling author of more than two dozen books, including thriller, mainstream fiction, feminist romance, memoir, and nonfiction about writing. She received her MFA in writing from Mills College, Oakland, and she teaches writing extension workshops at both UC Berkeley and Stanford. She is a proud member of the NaNoWriMo Writer’s Board. She’s a New Zealand citizen as well as an American.

Find her at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rachael.Herr...
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rachaelherron
Instagram: http://instagram.com/rachaelherron
Blog: http://rachaelherron.com/blog

Reviews

[Emily Lind · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I've loved Rachael Herron's books for a long time. She's built a nice little world in Darling Bay over a few series and I always enjoy my trips back to this town. What I'm not a big fan of are second chance romance stories. They so often boil down to "Would you just talk to one another already?" and I felt even the actual talking got short-changed in this one. Maybe it's that it's been awhile since I've read the previous two Ballard brother books but I just never felt like Jake and Zora ever really figured out their past issues. They did talk about the reason why they broke up back when they were high school sweethearts but they had lived in the same small town for years afterwords and didn't really talk until the events of the book threw them back together. I liked Zora for the most part but Jake seems like a terrible boyfriend and I don't know that he really showed that he would change some of the smaller things that would eventually drive most women crazy over the years. It was a happily ever after that didn't convince me that it would remain happy.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachael Herron is one of my favourite writers and she never disappoints. I throughly enjoyed this trip back to Darling Bay. This book is the third in a series but could certainly be read alone, however I highly recommend reading the entire series as well as the the two other Darling
Bay series, the Songbirds and the Firefighters. As for this book, likeable characters and storyline made for a very enjoyable read.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am usually a huge fan of Rachael Herron, love all of her books I have read, but for some reason this one didn't work for me. I don't know if it was that I was tired and not really in the right mood or if it is just not the story for me. Either way it makes me sad that I didn't love it. Oh well, I am still looking forward to her next book. **some spoilers ahead! Proceed at your own risk!**



This is the story of Zora and Jake. Zora and Jake who used to date in high school until something happened and they broke up. Something that broke both of their hearts. Jake thinks about how Zora broke his heart and Zora thinks about how Jake broke hers. Now...Jake seems like a great guy. Friendly to everyone, everyone loves him, he helps out when he can, he is an all around good person. So I was really curious what happened back then especially since Zora references many times how her hurt her. He did something that hurt her and now that they are thrown back together again she is not sure she can deal with being hurt by him again like he did back then. So it seems like Jake did something. Maybe something stupid because he was young and whatnot, but I was hoping it wasn't something lame and he didn't really do anything. Well...it turns out it was so lame and I yelled at Zora so much. Because Jake didn't do anything. He didn't even know what was going on because she didn't tell him and he is not psychic. And then she broke up with him after he did nothing because he deserves better and she made decisions for him because he is not his own person and can't make up his own mind. I hate that. Hate it hate it hate it. Let the other person know what is going on and give them the chance to decide for themselves. Because honestly? Jake would have been amazing I am sure of it. He loved her. He is a great guy. If she would have let him he would have been right by her side every step of the way and they would have figured everything out together. But instead she is all poor me, he hurt me even though I am the one who did everything and kept him out and he didn't even know poor me. Ugh I hated her.



Zora really wasn't much better for the rest of the book so even if what happened in the past didn't annoy the begeezus out of me I still wouldn't have enjoyed the book overall. She is so insecure and lame and put words in Jake's mouth that he never said!! Like they are going to be on this TV show together (Jake has been on it a few seasons, fix up a house and date a girl who is buying the house he is fixing up and Zora needs help buying a house so easy peasy it should work). Well Jake doesn't want Zora to feel pressured so she has to do it so he says this. He comments on how he doesn't want to make her do this especially since they just ambushed her and she takes that to be he will do anything to get out of this because he hates her. Which made NO sense. He was obviously very worried about her and her wellbeing and didn't want to make her do something she didn't want to do. So she grated on my nerves. I hate poor me whiny people when they are the ones making everything bad for themseleves. Like she doesn't believe Jake when he says he loves her, she thinks he only thinks he loves her but she loves him so this will never work. UGH!! She was sooooo annoying!!



So yeah this book didn't work for me. I really didn't like Zora, she is the kind of character I am not a fan of. Oh well, hopefully the next one by this author is better.



*Note: I received a free copy of this book for voluntary review consideration

[BookwormishMe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachael never disappoints. Whether the Cypress Hollow books or the Darling Bay books, I always finish them with a smile on my face. This latest and last book in the Ballard Brothers trilogy is about Jake, the only brother left without a bride. This book can absolutely be read as a standalone, or you can read this one first and move on to the other Ballard brothers later.

Jake is the wandering brother, the one who simply refuses to put down roots. He lives on his boat in the harbor and dreams of leaving to sail to New Zealand. Except Jake has a commitment to the brothers’ home renovation show. Nor does Jake have the money to pull up anchor and hit the seas. Along comes Zora, Jake’s high school girlfriend, who wants to buy her own home. Zora has dreams of owning a home but doesn’t have the money to purchase anything in Darling Bay. Jake’s sister-in-law steps in and makes Jake and Zora an offer that can’t be refused.

Darling Bay is this wonderful seaside town in northern California, all of Rachael Herron’s making. There are several trilogies that take place in this perfect town - The Songbirds of Darling Bay and The Ballard Brothers of Darling Bay. As I said they can be read as standalone novels or in order, but they should be read! Rachael’s books are the perfect sweet romance novels. They provide enough romance balanced with reality. Her characters are fallible, and mostly loveable, and every novel is wrapped up neatly in a bow at the end. That’s important to me when I’m reading for fun. Rachael’s books are the books that I sprinkle in between the more heavy and difficult reads. Because I know that when I pick up one of these books, I’m in for a fun, lighthearted story that is going to make me happy.

My only complaint about any of Rachael’s novels is that they go too fast. I can’t seem to put them down. When I finish I am anxiously awaiting the next release. She just can’t write fast enough!


Review posted at http://bookwormishme.com

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love coming back to Darling Bay. It's always fun to see what the neighbors have been up to and find out who is falling in love this time. At this point I have a mental map of the entire community.

Rachael Herron writes the men I want to meet. They are real, sweet, charming, thoughtful, and sex positive. Her heroines are real people with real lives, real troubles and real flaws. In this installment Zora is a woman who has never gotten over her first love. She and Jake Ballard had a heady young romance and still pine for each other, though neither will admit it. This traditional romance narrative was sweetly enhanced by a conflict that stemming from their high school years. I've loved all of the Ballard Brothers books and Rock the Boat is no exception.

I highly recommend reading the Ballard Brothers books in order. While all of Rachael's books work as stand alone romance novels, getting to know the entire community by reading them in the publication order is really fun.

If I had one complaint it would be that I can't put these down! I stayed up until 2am to finish this one. Eeep!

*ARC was kindly provided to me by the author. All opinions and thoughts are my own**

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed another visit to Darling Bay for Jake's story. He and Zora were high school sweethearts who fell out and now circumstances bring them together to discover each other again. and Sparks Fly! I don't want to spoil anything for other readers, so I will just say that there were several scenes that just made me laugh out loud, and then go back and read it again just for the fun of it! This was a good book that read smoothly and still had some surprises, you can't see the way to the end from the beginning for sure. And the ending is really good.

This makes me want to go back and re-read the earlier Darling Bay books. Although it is fun to revisit previous characters, this is still a stand alone book that can be enjoyed even if you haven't read the two previous in the trilogy. Rock the Boat

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting for this book and it arrived (as an ARC in exchange for my honest review) at the perfect time! As with all the other books in this series it is well written, engaging, has real relationship issues at its core and its characters feel like real people who work through those issues, grow, and have aha moments.

Of all three houses that appear in the books, this is the one that I might want the most ... especially if it comes with the garden!

While part of a trilogy (which is part of a whole set of books set in this community) it stands nicely on its own. When thought of as part of a whole set it does what I love about Rachael’s books and layers on information about characters featured in other book. Nothing overwhelming and it feels natural. I always appreciate check ins that other characters I’ve connected with are still around and doing well.

[Loy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another installment in the Ballard Brothers of Darling Bay series. It is about Jake who is the last brother still single. They star in a reality T.V. show about remodeling a home while on one of the brother’s 'dates' the single owner.
Zora has always lived in Darling Bay and is trying to buy a house. She is about to lose her rental. She is also Jake's first love. She broke it off with him in high school without any explanation and they have gone with separate lives. She is tapped to be the newest owner, to get a house. This is about a two people who have history.
I have read all the books in the series and thoroughly enjoyed them all. A side note I also read the Darling Bay trilogy which was just as good. I was glad to have many of the characters return in these books.
The writing is fresh and sweet. Ms. Herron knows how to write a great story.

[Bette Stanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for second chances. While this book is the third in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone. Although it is probably a little more enjoyable if you know the dynamics of all the characters from the previous books. Jake is the last of the Ballard brothers left dateable and once he’s off the market the reality TV show they have been the stars of will be over. He’s finally getting his chance to live his dream. Will he take it? Zora was his first love, his high school sweetheart, and she left him broken. But is that how it went down? Are there things he doesn’t know? Has she been keeping secrets? Hmmm, you should read this book to find out! This has truly been an entertaining series with wonderful characters and a quirky town.

[Sharondblk · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun! This book is a lovely ride from start to finish. All the Darling Bay books are just darling, and this is no exception. The characters are interesting and feel real. The thing keeping them apart feels genuine and is not forced or overplayed, and the ended left a smile on my face for days.

If you like the Darling bay books, you'll love this. If you haven't read them yet, you are in for a treat. This can be a stand-alone, but characters from the other books do pop up and it was such a pleasure to visit with them again.

I was given an ARC from Rachael Herron in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Rachael - mainly for writing this joyful book.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a preview copy of this book in exchange for a review.

It was an enjoyable and very quick read, however I found the plot a little rushed and felt that some of the earlier characters were acting out of character (for want of a better phrase) and were pushing events forward even though it didn't fit with how they'd acted in the past.

Rachael does write a good romance though, I've enjoyed reading the all, I just wish this one had involved a little more conversation and time to develop rather than it all occurring so fast.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this book! I received it as a review copy at a time when I really needed to take a mental break from life. I am in the midst of moving and this was the perfect book to cozy up to in the evening before bed. The characters are compelling and interesting. The romance is warm and fuzzy, without going over the top. Zora and Jake feel like real people. I'm only sad that this is the last Darling Bay book. They are all wonderful and I'm happy to say quite a few past characters make guest appearances throughout the book.

[Dara Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and read it in one sitting. I have read every one of Ms Herron’s books and have thoroughly enjoyed them all. Fair warning, you will want to go back and read both the other two books in the series and the other Darling Bay series as well. The characters are all so real you feel you could pull up a chair and have a beer with them. I love books I can just escape into and this one did not disappoint.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another can’t put down novel of Rachael Herron’s - full of characters we’ve grown to love, and sharing the next installment of their lives. While you could say that the story wraps up too many loose ends neatly, I would counter that life works that way. Most of tend to resolve, or at least try to resolve, open chapters. This story felt like this was the only way it should have happened!!

Thank you for allowing me to review this book, Rachael.

[Nancy Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story in the Darling Bay series. I really enjoyed it as it's fun to see what's been happening with all the characters in the previous stories. This can easily be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed the storyline and the writing. Small town, humor and a second chance at love, what more do you need.

[Barbara Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this series...so good!

I want the Ballard Brothers to remodel.my house. This series has kept me awake at night reading. I didn't think I could like another series as much as The Darling Songbirds, but it is a close race. I highly recommend any book that Rachel Herron has written! Darling Bay would be a wonderful place to live! Especially if you like to.knit! 😊

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this third installment in the Ballard Brothers series! Jack and Zora are likable characters and I was thrilled to read about their second chance at love. Appearances of other Darling Bay characters is a fun bonus.

[Margie Senechal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series! I was so excited that Ms.Herron got the third book out and read it within a day.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final instalment of the series did not disappoint.

[Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading light romances during the shelter in place order. I like Rachael Herron's books because I can easily relate to the characters and they are fun. Perfect pandemic getaway.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 fun romance but not in depth enough for me even given the genre

[Glenda Bettin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite

[Beachbaby]

In boxed set - "Ballard Brothers Boxed Set (The Ballard Brothers of Darling Bay)"

[Silver · Rating 5 out of 5]

:)