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Golden Beach #5

Resolution

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Firefighter Alex Oliver lost everything that mattered. In the blink of an eye, the life he’d built burned to the ground. Now, he’s starting over. Returning home to Golden Beach, he’s determined to pick up the pieces and put himself back together. But love isn’t an option. He had that once upon a time, and all he got was a broken heart.

Optimistic and sunny, Lauren Garcia is exactly what Alex doesn’t want in his life. Despite his fears, he can’t stay away. Her love might be the glue that holds him in place. But something once broken isn’t easily repaired. And if it breaks again, it will shatter.

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 19, 2017

41 people are currently reading
273 people want to read

About the author

Kim Loraine

79 books1,065 followers
USA Today bestselling author Kim Loraine was raised a Navy brat but spent most of her life growing up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. A proper Washingtonian, she's addicted to coffee, doesn't let a little rain ruin her day, and thinks the sun is a gift from God. When not chasing her three little minions around, Kim spends her time writing, reading, and binge watching Doctor Who.

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5 stars
62 (54%)
4 stars
39 (34%)
3 stars
9 (7%)
2 stars
2 (1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer Pierson.
11.7k reviews188 followers
April 18, 2017
Lauren Garcia is a sunny person who discovered a box of old love letters in her apartment, which has her questioning if a love like that really exists. Firefighter Alex Oliver has come home to Golden Beach, heartbroken after losing everything he held dear. When he meets Lauren in a little cafe, he knows he doesn't want her sunny disposition in his life, and yet, he can't make himself stay away. Wow, this was hard to try to describe, as my little words couldn't do the emotional ride that I just got off, proper justice. Lauren is a breath of fresh air, which is awesome after coming from an unloving family, and I wanted to be around her. Alex is so frustrating, that I spent some time wanting to shake him, and I know that there are valid reasons for his actions, but still, sometimes you have to try and heal. This is the first time that I've read Kim Loraine, and boy, is she talented. I could quickly tell that she puts her heart into her writing, as all the emotions swirled out of my kindle, making me a mess. The story instantly captivated me, because even though I'm not really a sunny person, per se, I love the fact that Lauren really never gave up on believing for a HEA. I'm so excited that I was given the chance to discover this amazing author, and I can't wait to get my hands on more of her work. HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Profile Image for Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase .
4,850 reviews179 followers
March 30, 2017
This is pure second chance romance at its best. The story of Lauren and Alex had me laughing out loud and wiping tears from my cheeks. Alex is haunted by the suicide of his first wife, Lauren is looking to start her life away from her unloving family. What starts off with a group of letters found in the back of a closet ends up in a beautiful happily ever after. It's not an easy road to get to their destination, but in the end it is do worth it. I highly recommend this book and I definitely need to read more of this series.
5 reviews
March 29, 2017
I got an ARC for an honest review. I have read all the books in this series and loved them. This one I read in 24 hours...I couldn't put it down, I wanted to know what was going to happen next! It was really well written, it took me through different emotions...I was happy, I was frustrated, I cried. I was frustrated with Alex and loved him too. I can't wait to see what the next book brings!
Profile Image for Mande Duoto.
67 reviews1 follower
March 31, 2017
Resolution is my new favorite in the Golden Beach series. Shattered widower, firefighter Alex returns to his hometown of Golden Beach to mourn in peace and try to pick up the remnants of what is left of his life after loosing his high school sweetheart. It is here in a little cafe he meets eternally patient Lauren. When Lauren isn't busy waiting tables at the local cafe, she loves to write.
Lauren discovers a box of old love letters in her apartment that beg her heart to question if a love like that could really exist and if could she ever be lucky enough to have someone truly love her like that. Those old letters begin to give her heart hope.
This is such a wonderful story. I want to share so much more but I would spoil the good stuff. It is a must read for all the feels.
Profile Image for Erin OBrien.
1,235 reviews5 followers
April 5, 2017
So much anguish. So much pain. But also a chance at happiness.
Books are supposed to be a way for us to tap into all the emotions that we don't experience every day. If you're looking for a chance to sigh over a romantic gesture, rage about someone being a "butt-hole", or have a good cry, this book will get you there. This book deserves 6 stars!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Rachel Talavera.
687 reviews7 followers
August 15, 2017
WOW ... This is by far my favorite book in the Golden Beach series. Alex and Lauren's story ripped me a part and put me back together in small piece's. Compelling and beautiful written book with well round characters. Would highly recommend this book it is fantastic.
89 reviews
March 25, 2017
i received this arc for an honest review. i love this book. by far my favorite of the series. it made me both laugh and cry. it also made me want reach inside the story and headslap alex. as usual the author held me captive chapter by chapter. another awesome read by an amazing author.
5 reviews2 followers
March 5, 2017
This was such an amazing read. There was a lot of brokenness, love and the feeling of needing to know more.
Alex Oliver is my favorite leading man in the Golden beach series. Sexy, broken and funny.
Profile Image for Megan Jacob.
442 reviews2 followers
March 27, 2017
Alex is going through steps to deal with the loss of his wife. When he meets Lauren, his attitude messes up their acquaintance. I loved reading how both of these people start to work on themselves and show that patience is a virtue. This is my honest review of a book I received. It was a very well written and emotional story
Profile Image for S.J. Higgins.
Author 1 book27 followers
April 19, 2017
By far my favorite of the Golden Beach Series. I wanted to write a really profound review listing all my favorite lines but around twenty percent in I forgot all about highlighting and just devoured this book.
Angst, laugh out loud moments and cringe worthy moments will keep you flipping the pages long after you should be asleep.
Awesome!
82 reviews
April 14, 2017
I love a love story that starts out with tension and angst between the two principals. Alex is broken, hurt, and rough around the edges. Lauren is strong, sassy, and determined. Both are trying to put their lives back together. It's so hard for Alex to give into the feelings he’s having for Lauren that he sometimes reacts to that frustration. She is right by his side, to support him, and offer encouragement as he struggles with his past, reassuring him that she's not going anywhere and the love is true. He falls all in and their love is strong and passionate and blissful, despite his being haunted by what happened just over a year ago. The pain is hard to let go of but with Lauren by his side they move forward and start seeing a future together.
Lauren comes to Golden Beach to start a new life, away from her disapproving parents, to follow her dreams of being an author. She finds a cute studio apartment in this small seaside town which just happens to be the basement apartment of Alex's home. As an added bonus, tucked in the back of a closet of the apartment, she discovers a box of old letters and from there her book is born. She's found inspiration in these letters, a wonderful man to be her partner and lover; the only obstacle is her ex, Dean.
Tensions run high between Dean and Alex; a cop and firefighter, and both incredibly stubborn. They play tug-o-war with Lauren, making assumptions about her intentions. It's tough for her. There are things that happen with Alex that cause her to go to Dean for support and there are so many misunderstandings that you wonder how it can ever be reconciled.
You'll love reading this story! It's beautiful and passionate and heart wrenching. A roller coaster of emotions that you don't want to get off! All the feels for these characters! LOVED IT! This was my first time reading any of the Golden Beach books and now I need to read them all!
Profile Image for Nerdy Dirty & Flirty.
3,985 reviews362 followers
April 28, 2017
description

Starting over is hard and paved with good intentions…
Alex and Lauren were starting over from very different very places in their lives but that didn’t mean they couldn’t recognize something special building between them. Alex was reluctant – in a way that was painfully obvious – to engage in anything resembling love. Loss and grief were going to keep him insulated until Lauren quietly broke through and made things even more uncertain…
I love how love refuses to be denied and this story eloquently showcases that. It was never a one-sided romance even if Alex was determined to have no part of it. It was funny – amidst the sorrow and anger – to watch him slowly, and against every part of his will, realize that Lauren was special.
“Who was he without Roxie? He didn’t know, but glancing through the open door at the beautiful woman in his bed, he was finally realizing it was okay to find out.”
While the drama often butted against ‘over the top’, I can’t argue that Alex and Lauren worked. Even with my head spinning from the about-faces, I was invested in their story. They were at odds, a lot, but I couldn’t help but care for them and their problems. Complicated family, regrets - all things anyone can relate to and empathize with. And I did. I so did. Even as I silently (and not silently) nudged them into frank conversations they needed to have. If the story climax was not a surprise, it was done with emotion and heart in keeping with the best love stories…
I don’t know how I stumbled onto Golden Beach but I’m glad I did. I’m definitely late to the party with this series but Alex and Lauren have whetted my appetite for more…
579 reviews17 followers
April 19, 2017
Oh my, the feels in this book are ...just...wow.

Alex is struggling with his wife's suicide. She was his first and only love, his everything. She's been gone a year, but he still is haunted by the memories of her. Lauren is a breath of fresh air. Even though he is distant and an all around "butt-head" to her, she is always kind to him and tries to get through his tough exterior. She knows there is something troubling him and wants to help. As his walls start to come down, he has a new battle in his heart - his attraction to her. He had his "the one" there is no way there can be another. But there is no stopping the attraction and his desire to have her.

Alex and Lauren's story is an emotional roller-coaster. You can't help but feel for Alex and his pain. He is shattered with grief. Lauren is extremely patient and understanding. Their relationship blossoms into something neither expected. Their story is emotionally gripping and felt so real. With their story, the angst, the twists and turns, I just couldn't get enough. Page after page I fell in love with these two.

This just might be my favorite in the series to date. It is a wonderful story of loss, grief, acceptance, and learning to love not only yourself again, but to open up and love again.

Amazing job Kim! A definite must read!
Profile Image for Virginia.
749 reviews43 followers
April 24, 2017
Resolution was my first romance read by Kim Loraine and I loved it!! (I also read Wake the Watcher which is paranormal and was also fab).

After reading Resolution I want to go back and read the rest of the books in the series. I absolutely loved Alex and Lauren’s story. I loved the idea of the small town setting and how they both live in the same house but in separate apartments.

Alex has issues from his past making him closed off and a little difficult to deal with at times. But he’s also so lovable. Lauren doesn’t give up on him. They are so great together, both as friends and as a couple. I found them to be down to earth and realistic characters that were both well developed.

Resolution is well written and I became invested in the story and characters. I felt like I was there with them thanks to the descriptive writing and I was rooting for them to have a happy ending.
There is a great plot twist that is unique and the roller coaster of emotions has you all over the place. It’s fun and funny, emotional, angsty and romantic. I definitely recommend it!!
Profile Image for Zara Quintana.
172 reviews2 followers
August 22, 2017
Heartbreaking But Oh So Beautiful Romance. I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review. This book in the series can be a stand-a-lone or continuation in the series. It's more heartbreaking than any of the others in the series, but so worth it. The audiobook download from audible initially had a recording issue with section 13 (chapter 12) but once the author was notified she was quick to notify audible.com and get the issue resolved. I was able to delete the original download and re-download the audible file and continue to listen with perfect recording. I was so pleased the author cared enough to get the download file issue resolved so quickly so her customers could have a pleasant listening experience once fixed. If you encountered an issue with your download file, please be sure to delete the file and re-download so you can listen to the corrected download file before leaving negative reviews.
Profile Image for Stacie Christensen.
758 reviews23 followers
March 29, 2017
Firefighter Alex Oliver lost everything that mattered.
In the blink of an eye, the life he’d built burned to the ground.
Now, he’s starting over. Returning home to Golden Beach, he’s determined to pick up the pieces and put himself back together.
Love isn’t an option.
He had that once upon a time, and all he got was a broken heart.

Optimistic and sunny, Lauren Garcia is exactly what Alex doesn’t want in his life. Despite his fears, he can’t stay away.
Her love might be the glue that holds him in place.
But something once broken isn’t easily repaired and if it breaks again ...it shatters.

Wow! I loved Alex & Lauren's story! It was flawless and beautiful! It was an emotional read as you learned about Alex's late wife. Lauren was so patient and loving. They're story wasn't easy, but in the end so beautiful! Must Read!
Profile Image for Rach.
171 reviews5 followers
April 10, 2017
Alex and Lauren revive one another, remind each other that life is for living, grasping what makes you happy. "Resolution" by Kim Loraine reminds me of a heart rate monitor, up and down and showing that the characters are still alive, still beating. Alex and Lauren battle their own pasts and their own self-doubts all while striving for a mutual goal: to live and to love. "Resolution" is relatable and the characters are fighters, so it's very easy to root for them and want them to get their HEA. It's a pleasure to be there for their story through all of the ups and downs, the two steps forward and three steps back. All of that to be reminded that life's good greatly outweighs the bad.
Profile Image for Tersia Eloff.
574 reviews2 followers
March 26, 2017
I received an ARC copy of this and when I read the first sentence I almost gave up. I do not read 3rd person writing. But I ignored that and was hooked by the first page. I loved Alex, I thing I descovered my first book friend. He is totally lovable, just wanted to hug him and hide him away so that he can never be hurt again. I didn't like Lo, maybe it was the connection I had with Alex from the start, I felt that all her choices were just wrong. Over all this was a heart felt love story. Worth the read.
Profile Image for Tammy.
185 reviews2 followers
April 13, 2017
Resolution (Golden Beach #5)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I got an ARC for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this read... I couldn't put it down. I had to know what was going to happen next!!!! I was on an emotional roller coaster. I was happy, sad, and frustrated. Alex, the fire fighter returns to Golden Beach to pick up the remnants of his life after losing his high school sweetheart. Lauren waits tables at a local cafe. She also loves to write. She found some old letters in her apartment that gave her hope to find someone to truly love her like that. No spoilers!!!!! Must read!!!!!
10 reviews
March 27, 2017
This book. My goodness, this book. Fantastic read. Alex is the guy we all want to be the one to save. Lauren is all of us struggling to find our way. I've loved all of Ms. Loraine's books but this one is my new favorite! I was so caught up in these people and what they were struggling through. I was sucked into their world and fully invested until the last page. And Alex? Yum. My favorite Golden Beach fella to date. Thanks for the great story Kim!!!
Profile Image for Ana Tamura.
9 reviews2 followers
April 20, 2017
I loved this story. Alex and Lauren amazing characters! Alex is going through a difficult time dealing with the loss of his wife and he's determined to not fall again but there's Lauren who happens to cross his path. And she's so sweet and understanding.
To avoid any more spoilers I'll just say their relationship felt so real! To say this story has all the feels is an understatement. This was the first book by Kim I've read and definitely not the last. Highly recommentded!
Profile Image for Renee.
1,501 reviews8 followers
April 24, 2017
Really great romance. Alex is a firefighter with a tragic past. Lauren is trying to do what she loves despite her family's misgivings. Despite his reluctance, Alex starts to have feeling for Lauren.

Definitely an angsty read. Great story.
Profile Image for Lylian.
626 reviews1 follower
April 2, 2017
Hot roller coaster of emotions. Alex and Lauren have so much chemistry, they are so hot together but that's not all. This book takes you in a journey full of hot emotions. Amazing!
Profile Image for Jan Miller.
732 reviews7 followers
August 9, 2017
I loved this book! The story was so awesome and the narration perfection! This is absolutely one of the best books that I have listened to. I loved how Lauren and Alex found love after Alex thought he was broken. This book has so many emotions involved. My review is not a synopsis of the book, but rather my opinion of it. I loved the duet narration and thought it was perfect for this book. Both narrators added so much emotion to it. Will M Watt and Susan Fouche are so talented! I found myself laughing and crying while listening to this book. Kim Loraine writes such awesome books with great character development. The story is quite moving and has many layers and characters. I will definitely listen to this book again. This particular book is part of the Golden Beach series which has reference to the town and certain characters, but each book is a standalone listen. I cannot give this book enough praise! I was honored to review this audiobook from the author, publisher, and or narrators and have voluntarily written this review.
Profile Image for Veronica Bellaorev Books.
519 reviews79 followers
May 4, 2017
Sweet as Apple Pancakes!!!

A beautiful story with a happy ending. But to get to that ending Lauren and Alex will struggle. Lost and pain will mark them both. Alex is a sexy, broken firefighter, coming back to his home town to try and get his life on track after a mayor lost. Lauren is a really beautiful, talented, intelligent and sweet woman working on a dinner while pursuing her real passion that is writing. What she never guess was that a handsome, sexy, hard headed, annoying man would enter her work and forever steal her heart.
I really enjoy getting to know all of Golden Beach gang.
405 reviews3 followers
November 23, 2017
What a sweet romance! Alex and Lauren had a undeniable chemistry the moment they met, but Alex had so much to overcome to get to their happily ever after.

I loved this book! I highly recommend reading it. There are so many twists turns that you will keep you wanting to find out what happens next!
Profile Image for Brooke.
1,401 reviews6 followers
March 11, 2020
Resolution

Grief and misunderstandings can cause such trouble. I really like this book. So realistic with issues that many have to deal with to the point that you are pulled in and feel like you are right beside these characters as they struggle. I’m really happy with the way that everything works out in the end.
692 reviews18 followers
January 6, 2026
Almost 4 stars. This was an emotional exploration wrought with loss, grief, and self-blame on a journey to eventually believing and trusting in finding love again. The characters had a vivacious depth and spirit. I would more of this series.
Profile Image for Nina ~ Meleth Bookaddicted ~.
1,567 reviews48 followers
September 6, 2017
This series is just amazing! I might only have listened to two books of it this far, but I already love it so much! Kim Loraine’s flawless writing brings out all the emotions and had me bawling, sobbing and smiling all over the place time and again.

Seeing firefighter Alex Oliver, who has lost everything that mattered to him, finally finding happiness again after about two years was devastatingly beautiful. Seeing him suffer had my heart breaking for him – no wonder he became this closed-off and difficult to deal with loner of a man after all of that. Golden Beach is supposed to be his clean slate, to start anew and put himself back together – apart from the love part at least. Because that won’t be an option for him ever again…

Lauren Garcia couldn’t be more of an opposite of Alex. She is sunny, all-smiling and optimistic to Alex’ dark and brooding. In short: everything that he wants to avoid. But yet… Lauren’s persistence and patience pays off. Ever so slowly, they form a fragile friendship, and despite all his efforts to stay away from her, he just can’t do it.

I loved everything about this story, Lauren and Alex building a friendship, their easy banter once they passed the first hurdle of Alex blocking Lauren at every turn, the sparks that begin to fly, those beautiful heartbreaking letters, amazing characters that evolve so much as the story progresses and the many layers of the plot.

Full of emotion and anguish, romance and fun, a story about second chances and never giving up.

Will M. Watt and Susan Fouche are quickly becoming one of my favorite – if not *the* favorite – narration team. They bring the characters to life flawlessly, giving each one their own distinctive voice and conveying every single emotion just perfectly, enhancing them even. Narration at its best.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews

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