Kim

Beach Brides #8

by Magdalena Scott

Grab your beach hat and a towel and prepare for a brand new series brought to you by twelve New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors…

Beach Brides! Fun in the summer sun!

Twelve heartwarming, sweet novellas linked by a unifying theme.

You’ll want to read each one!

BEACH BRIDES SERIES (Kim)

Twelve friends from the online group, Romantic Hearts Book Club, decide to finally meet in person during a destination Caribbean vacation to beautiful Enchanted Island. While of different ages and stages in life, these ladies have two things in common: 1) they are diehard romantics, and 2) they’ve been let down by love. As a wildly silly dare during her last night on the island, each heroine decides to stuff a note in a bottle addressed to her “dream hero” and cast it out to sea!

Almost two years later...
Jon Whitfield “landed” the message in a bottle on a fishing vacation with his buddies, and it disappeared before he could decide whether to respond. Now he's on a road trip with Kim Rose, whose gratitude in spite of a painful past reminds him of the touching note he wishes he’d kept.

Find all of the Beach Brides at Amazon!

MEG (Julie Jarnagin)
TARA (Ginny Baird)
NINA (Stacey Joy Netzel)
CLAIR (Grace Greene)
JENNY (Melissa McClone)
LISA (Denise Devine)
HOPE (Aileen Fish)
KIM (Magdalena Scott)
ROSE (Shanna Hatfield)
LILY (Ciara Knight)
FAITH (Helen Scott Taylor)
AMY (Raine English)

Meet the authors of Beach Brides!

USA Today bestselling author Julie Jarnagin (Meg) writes sweet and inspirational romance.

Ginny Baird (Tara) is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance.

Stacey Joy Netzel (Nina) is a NY Times bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense.

Grace Greene (Clair), a USA Today bestselling author, writes sweet contemporary romance and women’s fiction.

Melissa McClone (Jenny) is a USA Today bestselling author of sweet contemporary romance.

Denise Devine (Lisa) is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic comedy and contemporary romance.

Aileen Fish (Hope) is a USA Today bestselling author of sweet contemporary and Regency historical romance.

Magdalena Scott (Kim) is a USA Today bestselling author of small town sweet romance and women’s fiction.

USA Today bestselling author Shanna Hatfield (Rose) writes sweet historical and contemporary romances, liberally sprinkled with humor.

Ciara Knight (Lily) is a USA Today bestselling author of sweet contemporary and historical western romance.

141 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 11, 2017

About the author

If we haven’t met before, here’s the skinny on me:

USA Today Bestselling Author Magdalena Scott writes sweet romance and romantic women’s fiction. A lifelong resident of Small Town America, she invites readers into her world to find out what’s hidden just below the surface of those tiny dots barely visible on the map.

Romance, mystery, and the journey to be one’s best self are all part of a day in her neighborhood. Readers have commented that they’d like to move to the imaginary towns Magdalena writes about, which she takes as high praise indeed.

Magdalena is a practicing minimalist, having downsized from a 3,000 square foot house to a studio apartment, where her Giant Closet continues to resist taming. When not writing at home or spending time with family and friends, she loves to travel–carry-on baggage only–and is always pleasantly surprised at the kindness of strangers.

Magdalena

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a dare twelve woman toss their own
bottle with a note to their dream hero
in it into the sea!!!
The twelve woman have gone to a
Caribbean Isle to meet in person for the
first time. They have been communicating
via their online reader's group entitled the
Romantic Hearts Book Club.
Kim Rose is one of these woman. She is
now living in Serendipity, Indiana.
Kim has experienced an eventful past.
Her mother died from cancer. Then Kim
was diagnosed with cancer. When she
informed her boyfriend about her cancer,
he up and left to suffer through treatment
alone.
Kim is a caring, loving nurse at her job but
harden toward any type of relationship.
Legend, Tennessee is the home of
Jon Whitfield. He owns and operates a
factory there. Jon has a conference to attend.
He has arranged to drive to Serendipity to
meet his friend and his pregnant wife then
drive to the conference with them.
Jon had found a bottle with a note when
fishing but the bottle disappeared.
As fate would have it, Kim's friends plan
for Kim to accompany them on the trip but
Kim knows nothing about Jon going along
with them. The same holds true for Jon.
He has no idea Kim will be driving with them.
Kim and Jon had meet at a wedding. They
are like oil and water....they do not mix.
What will happen on this trip? Will Kim
and Jon be able to overcome past hurts
and become friends? Will Jon find the
missing bottle!
Talented writing with well fleshed out
characters that are complex, interesting
and colorful. A very well plotted adventure.
Tremendous job in description making
the reader a part of their experiences.
I highly recommend reading this book.
This is book # 8 in the Beach Brides Series.
There are twelve books written by twelve
authors in this series. Each book can be
read as a stand alone.
I volunteered to read "Kim". Thanks to
the author for the opportunity. My opinion
is my own.

[Doni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim by Magdalena Scott is another great book in the Beach Brides series. I really enjoyed reading it!!
Every story is so different, even though the premise is about the bottles that are tossed in the ocean.
It is a love story about Kim & Jon.
They both have been hurt badly by a pass relationship. When they first meet, their impression of each other does not go well. With a little help from friends, they agreed to road trip, not knowing the other would be there. Even though the trip got off the a rocky start, their attraction is undeniable.
Can Kim & Jon trust love again & have a future together?
A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE!!!

[Phylis Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just like the rest of the ones in the series. Once you pick it up you will have a hard time putting it back down. I started it this afternoon and just now finished it.

Kim is a nurse and she first met Jon when she went to her best friends wedding. Jon was a friend of the grooms.

This is one of those stories if you get started telling about it you will give spoilers, so let me leave it with you like this. If you like a romance book that will make you smile and cry all at the same time then you need to read this one. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

A great book and thank you Magdalena Scott for allowing me to read an ARC of the book.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim: Beach Brides Book 8 is by Magdalena Scott. This eighth book is another really good one.
Kim Rose had a happy life even if she didn’t have a boyfriend. She had one but he wasn’t trustworthy and she cut all men out of her life after him. However, she had her friends, her job, and her books. She had gone on a vacation with her online book club and had a great time with the other women. The only flaw was when they wrote notes to put in bottles and throw back into the sea. She really didn’t care if they found hers or not. She had then gone to a friend’s wedding where she met Jon Whitfield. She was not impressed with him because he brought a date and then totally ignored her and even tried to flirt with her!
Jon Whitfield was not an untrustworthy man, he and his fiancé had broken up as they got to the airport here in town. When she couldn’t get a flight back out right away, his ex decided to stay and go to the wedding. After all it was the only party in town. She dumped him at the door and proceeded to get drunk and flirt with all the men. Meanwhile, Kim caught Jon’s eye and he appreciated what he saw until he saw her cold face. He wondered what he had done to cause that; but it didn’t’ matter and he went on to talk to his friends.
Later, Jon agrees to drive to a convention with his friend so that his friend’s wife could go. She invited Kim to go with her to spend time with her while the men were at the conference. The problem was, they didn’t know that Kim and Jon had a problem. Even Jon doesn’t know why Kim is so angry with him but he decides she is like his ex and so it doesn’t matter.
How will this trip turn out?

[Pamela Devereux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim Rose has given everything she has and now needs some down time. Her friends keep trying to play matchmaker. They are happily married and want the same for their friend. Jon Whitfield has been burned before and not interested in being set up. He is all about the business. So unbeknownst to Jon and Kim, their friends keep thinking they would be perfect for each other. When the trip is over, she can't get away fast enough. Only in the unpacking of Dave's vehicle, a bottle drops out. She knows that bottle and so does Jon. He knew why he felt so connected to her even though she kept rebuffing his effort. I loved this book!

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It didn't look like this romance would ever work out.
Kim runs hot and cold when interacting with Jon... well, maybe tepid and cold is more accurate. Her past experiences negatively affected the way she reacts to him.

But he's interested in getting to know her based on how she interacts with others.

This one seems to fall in place because of fate, and a willingness to take a chance.

I love that the characters bridge Ms. Scott's Serendipity, Indiana and Legend, Tennessee series.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but not great

I enjoyed this book. The writing and editing were good. I got about four chapters in and was so confused I had to go back and re-read the wedding scene. I couldn't figure out why the girl hated the guy so much. The reason seemed pretty unrealistic to me. But the story ended great and it was definitely worth reading.

[Marie McKenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful Beach Bride story

Love Kim and Jon's adventure. This is an interesting road trip that neither knew the other was going to be on. They had met previously but things weren't aligned correctly. This road trip had lots of adventures. There were a lot of different emotions but in the end it turned out fun. Love the way he found the bottle. Love these books.

[Katherine Horvath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim: It was sad what Kim was going through how she assumed that every man was just like her ex. I am glad it took a road trip and find the bottle again to prove they were meant to be together. Jon was a very special person given a chance. I like how it was written.

[Patti Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Another delight in the Beach Brides series. I loved hearing about Serendipity again in this book . Waiting for theme tbook

[Anne-Kathrine · Rating 2 out of 5]

So far I have loved all the books in this series but this one I didn't mostly because I couldn't stand Kim.

[Tina J · Rating 4 out of 5]

> > Judging a Book by it's Cover < <
This beach bride is looking up and over her shoulder in an almost awkward pose, especially if held too long. This novella sounds like it may have a hint of mischief and whimsy mixed together.

> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third-person

Kim is the 8th book in the #BeachBrides series and can stand well on its own. However, it does not have the same enjoyable vibe that the others had.
Because Jon is a doppelganger for Kim's ex-boyfriend, he's already been given a strike against him without further consideration. She's constantly glaring at him and he has no clue what he's done to offend her but really wants to get to know her. (Maybe he's a glutton for punishment, afterall he does bring his witch of an ex-fiancee to his best buddy's wedding despite the fact that they broke it off with one another only hours prior and neither are heartbroken over, nor are they friends)
The majority of the time, they are in opposition or avoiding one another. He's attending a conference with a friend, the friend's wife is pregnant and hanging out with Kim, who's a nurse. Jon and Kim have one civil conversation that clears the air between them for the most part, but she's still mistrusting and kind of mean towards him. Then, out of the blue, he realizes he loves her?

While not a fan of either main character's personality traits, the secondary characters were enjoyable. I felt no chemistry between Kim and Jon, nor did I see where they would be successfully compatible. The dialogue was good, but much of the cast interaction was not very believable. This novella was pretty short and it showed in the lack of content it contained. That said, the story flowed smoothly and swiftly. The conflicts were addressed and resolved. Predictability was slim to none. The conclusion was abrupt, providing a HEA for the couple.
Because I have enjoyed all of the Beach Brides up until now, I would suggest the series and this book to allow you to make up your own mind about it.
.
Rating: [G] ~ Score: 3.85 ~ Stars: 4

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⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐

[Dorothy Roller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fantastic story in the Beach Brides series and my first story I have read from this author and I loved it. Wow what a difference the heroine Kim is between her friends and everyone she works with and the patients at the hospital to Jon who is going along on a trip with her and friends of them both. They met once before and she was prickly towards him then.
This trip if for a business convention that Jon and Travis are going to and Kim is going along to be with a very pregnant Suzanne to spend time with her and make sure as a nurse she can be there is Suzanne needs her.
They end up driving another friend David's SUV because Travis's car got hit right when they got to Serendipity where they were stopping to have dinner with Emily and David more friends of both Kim and Jon's. Kim ends up driving because Travis is a bit nervous to drive something so big and since his car just got hit. Jon ends up riding up front with Kim who won't speak to him. Both think this is not a good thing.
Several things happen along the way and they end up at the convention in Minnesota. Kim is thankful to get some sleep in a room away from Jon and only spending time with Suzanne exploring around.
Kim and Jon end up talking when they bump into each other and he brings her food from the dinner the first night as she stayed behind. She was grateful for it as she was starved and while she ate, he told her about himself. After she bared her heart about things and he becomes more and more infatuated with her and she is getting a bit infatuated with him like things could be possible between them.
When they get back David brings out a bottle from his car. It is the one Jon found on a fishing trip with the guys. It was in a boot that Jon hooked.
He was engaged at the time so he through it in the pile of other non fish garbage he caught. He had found the letter inside and read it and later wished he kept it. He went back to get it but the bottle and note were gone. Now that David brings it out both Jon and Kim and shocked.
What does this mean and does their new found relationship survive?
This is a must read and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED as it is a great story with a great message as well.

So far I have read four books so far and I loved them all in this series and I hope you read them all. You can start with the first one and read them in order or each is fine as a stand alone but reading from the beginning you get to know all the people that may show up in stories along the way like this one.

I willing read this ARC and this is my honest review.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A group of friends go on vacation together to a island paradise. As a group they decide to write a letter to their true love, seal it in a bottle, and throw the bottle into the ocean. They all feel pretty silly and none of them are expecting that anything will come it. But of course, fate intervenes. A fun, well written contemporary series.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed each of the books that I have read in this series. This was another good story in the series.

Kim and Jon are once again thrown together. Their close friends keep trying to play matchmaker for them. She had an instant dislike for him and he can't seem to figure out why. The last thing that she wants is to be on a road trip with him. She has started a new life in Serendipity and is beginning to branch out and make new friends.

He agreed to go on the trip because he is going with one of his college buddies and his wife. He needs to make connections to get his shop business. He was happy to live the bachelor life after his last experience with love.

These two are in for a fun ride as long as they let go of the past. They just have to get over a few bumps in the road.

I like the story and wanted to find out what would happen next. If you are a person who likes sweet romance stories then you will like it.

[Noreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Kim's story in the Beach Bride Series. Twelve women in an online book club decide to vacation to the Caribbean and on the last night they all take a dare to throw a bottle into the sea with a message seeking true love. I enjoyed Kim's story and getting to know her and what leads up to her relationships to seek true love. I loved how the bottle was found by Jon while fishing with friends. I had a sneaky suspicion what happened with the bottle after the fishing trip. I'm really enjoying the series. I hope there will be sequels on all of these as I need to know what happens next!!!
I was given an ARC of the book for an honest review.

[Ann-Maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the eighth books in this great Beach Bride series and this one is by Magdelena Scott. This is the first book of Magdelena Scott that I have read and I very much enjoyed this Hate to Love story. This is all about fate and how you need to be open to it for it to find it's way to you. I received a free copy of the book and have voluntarily written an honest review. This one didn't have the love story feel about it though out the book it felt more of a friendship story until near the end of the book. But I saying that it is a good little read to fill in a lazy weekend afternoon.
My full review can be read at www.readingfortheloveofbooks.com

[Janice Sisemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim

This one is a little different of the Beach brides. When her bottle is found with the message it is not answered. The one that found it was actually someone she knew but not close to her. Jon was the one that found it and somehow Kim got the wrong impression of him. I definitely could relate to Kim and how she felt on certain things. A very interesting book. I received an advanced copy of the book and definitely recommend it.

[Renate Deutsche Oma · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a back road traveler, I immediately identified with Magdalena Scott's Beach Bride Kim. The story was a page turner. Road trips have their unique set of problems. Then there is the anticipation of what happened to Kim's bottle. I enjoyed Scott's approach to the finding of the bottle and Kim's message. The story is a stand alone, but this unique set with its common beach and message in the bottle makes the reader wanting more. Well done Magdalena Scott.

[Lynda Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable short read. Or was it short because I enjoyed it? Without giving anything away I would have liked just a bit more detail at the end. About more info about Kim's journey before the HEA, or even was there more journey. All in all very good addition to the series. I was honoured to voluntarily review an Advanced Review Copy.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to this series. A story of circumstances putting a couple together at different times as if they are meant to be together. A story of learning to trust and be able to lean on someone. I received a complimentary copy and am reviewing voluntarily.

[Debora Wolff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a series of stories where ladies belonging to a book club write a letter to the man of their dreams and put them into a bottle. This one gets misplaced however. This love story is different from the rest. A must read and hard to put down.

[Karen Hadley · Rating 3 out of 5]

First impressions aren't always what they seem and the person is not what you think.
A road trip reveals the truth between a man and a woman. Can they get past their pre-conceived notions.

I received this book as a gift, all opinions are my own.