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New Americana #2
Refuge Cove
Refuge Cove, Alaska, stays true to its name when a woman who has lost hope and a man in need of healing come to each other’s rescue . . .
She came to Alaska on the promise of marriage, only to find herself on the run from her would-be husband. Lost and alone in the wilderness, Emily Hunter nearly weeps with relief at the sight of a small plane in the distance—until the rugged bush pilot makes his way through the brush to help her. Can she trust this stranger any more than the menacing predator on her trail? But there’s something in John Wolf’s dark eyes that wills her to believe in him, something about his gentle nature that allows her to accept his offer of protection . . .
He’d let her into his life because he knew she was in trouble. The last thing John Wolf expects is to feel so much so quickly for the vulnerable woman in his care. For sharing his lonely wilderness home with Emily means allowing her to see his sorrow—the son he longs to reconnect with, the loss of the family he once dreamed possible. Sharing his heart with Emily means being willing to risk everything to keep her safe . . .
She came to Alaska on the promise of marriage, only to find herself on the run from her would-be husband. Lost and alone in the wilderness, Emily Hunter nearly weeps with relief at the sight of a small plane in the distance—until the rugged bush pilot makes his way through the brush to help her. Can she trust this stranger any more than the menacing predator on her trail? But there’s something in John Wolf’s dark eyes that wills her to believe in him, something about his gentle nature that allows her to accept his offer of protection . . .
He’d let her into his life because he knew she was in trouble. The last thing John Wolf expects is to feel so much so quickly for the vulnerable woman in his care. For sharing his lonely wilderness home with Emily means allowing her to see his sorrow—the son he longs to reconnect with, the loss of the family he once dreamed possible. Sharing his heart with Emily means being willing to risk everything to keep her safe . . .
301 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2017
1469 people are currently reading
1185 people want to read
About the author
Janet Dailey
397 books1,845 followersJanet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
November 27, 2023
One and a half stars.
The premise of this story sounded so good. Emma Hunter is on the run, fleeing for safety from her husband Boone. She ends up losing her way and alone in the wilderness . A pilot of a small plane, comes to her rescue. Can she trust this stranger? After all, look at what happened with Boone. After a whirlwind courtship she came with a hopeful heart to Alaska to marry Boone, only to find out how wrong about him she was. He is a cruel manipulative man and why she needs to get far away before Boone catches up with her, or she will be forced to pay dearly for it. So she really has no choice but to trust this stranger. And there is something about John Wolf that convinces her he can be trusted. He takes her to his cabin. For the time being she is safe from Boone and his two dogs, but for how long?
Despite an interesting premise and a great setting, this book left me cold, too many stupid decisions made just to move the plot along. And I didn’t find the characters believable, although I did like recovering alcoholic John and David, his teenage son, from who he is estranged.
This book is part of a New Americana series but I won’t be reading any more of it. Not even sure why I persisted with this book. A disappointing read. This author is very popular and has written a number of books, so others may like it better than I did.
The premise of this story sounded so good. Emma Hunter is on the run, fleeing for safety from her husband Boone. She ends up losing her way and alone in the wilderness . A pilot of a small plane, comes to her rescue. Can she trust this stranger? After all, look at what happened with Boone. After a whirlwind courtship she came with a hopeful heart to Alaska to marry Boone, only to find out how wrong about him she was. He is a cruel manipulative man and why she needs to get far away before Boone catches up with her, or she will be forced to pay dearly for it. So she really has no choice but to trust this stranger. And there is something about John Wolf that convinces her he can be trusted. He takes her to his cabin. For the time being she is safe from Boone and his two dogs, but for how long?
Despite an interesting premise and a great setting, this book left me cold, too many stupid decisions made just to move the plot along. And I didn’t find the characters believable, although I did like recovering alcoholic John and David, his teenage son, from who he is estranged.
This book is part of a New Americana series but I won’t be reading any more of it. Not even sure why I persisted with this book. A disappointing read. This author is very popular and has written a number of books, so others may like it better than I did.
January 9, 2018
A classic Janet Dailey book, where romance is at the forefront, with a background of suspense and desperation. The story is thus, Emma leaves her life to marry Boone all the way in Alaska, and when she reaches there, she sees Boone to be what he really is, a conman sociopath. And she runs....
She is saved by John, who has his own history with Boone. But the story does not end here. Boone wants Emma back and plays a cat and mouse game with her. John and Emma try to remain a step ahead of him. Will they succeed???
Of course, they will. This is a Janet Dailey book, where love always succeeds and bad men always are arrested. I am reading Janet Dailey after nearly a decade. And her writing is still the same, clean and precise. I wouldn't say this is the book of today's times, as things have changed in the literary world. But Janet's books are still a pleasure to read.
The story reads fast, I took 3 hours from start to finish. Janet maintains the same pace throughout. Love happens quickly, without being too mushy. There are a lot of characters, as this book is based in a small town Ketchikan, in Alaska. I liked the two main characters and I didn't like Boone, as the author wanted. The rest of the characters popped in and out throughout the book. They just go on to bring about a background story for John.
There are many stories within this story, and they all pertain to John and his life. Emma, has no such story, other than being a teacher and getting fooled. If the book was set in the 1980s before smartphone and internet, this story would work. But it is set in modern times, so a teacher giving up her job and marrying a stranger all the way in Alaska, is a little far-out and then giving this 'husband' all her life savings. I wouldn't do that even if I knew my man.
The book is a classic romantic suspense, written by an elegant author, to be read in moments of nostalgia.
BTW, there is a redneck mother-in-law, there is mentally ill brother-in-law, there is a ex-wife, there is a son, there is a chopper accident, there are storms, marshes, chase by dogs, there is a skinned bear carcass hung from the tree, there is a dead woman buried with a deer deep in the woods, a burnt trailer, and a fake preacher... All this and more in Janet Dailey's Refuge Cove.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Kensington Books, and this is my honest and unbiased opinion
She is saved by John, who has his own history with Boone. But the story does not end here. Boone wants Emma back and plays a cat and mouse game with her. John and Emma try to remain a step ahead of him. Will they succeed???
Of course, they will. This is a Janet Dailey book, where love always succeeds and bad men always are arrested. I am reading Janet Dailey after nearly a decade. And her writing is still the same, clean and precise. I wouldn't say this is the book of today's times, as things have changed in the literary world. But Janet's books are still a pleasure to read.
The story reads fast, I took 3 hours from start to finish. Janet maintains the same pace throughout. Love happens quickly, without being too mushy. There are a lot of characters, as this book is based in a small town Ketchikan, in Alaska. I liked the two main characters and I didn't like Boone, as the author wanted. The rest of the characters popped in and out throughout the book. They just go on to bring about a background story for John.
There are many stories within this story, and they all pertain to John and his life. Emma, has no such story, other than being a teacher and getting fooled. If the book was set in the 1980s before smartphone and internet, this story would work. But it is set in modern times, so a teacher giving up her job and marrying a stranger all the way in Alaska, is a little far-out and then giving this 'husband' all her life savings. I wouldn't do that even if I knew my man.
The book is a classic romantic suspense, written by an elegant author, to be read in moments of nostalgia.
BTW, there is a redneck mother-in-law, there is mentally ill brother-in-law, there is a ex-wife, there is a son, there is a chopper accident, there are storms, marshes, chase by dogs, there is a skinned bear carcass hung from the tree, there is a dead woman buried with a deer deep in the woods, a burnt trailer, and a fake preacher... All this and more in Janet Dailey's Refuge Cove.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Kensington Books, and this is my honest and unbiased opinion
July 25, 2021
I hate when you read a blurb for a book and it sounds really great and then it ends up being a complete dud. That was 100% this book. Fantastic storyline with so much potential, but the execution was very lackluster. Emma's character was just stereotypical heroine in distress. And her reason for even running in the beginning was a little lacking. Plus, one of my biggest pet peeves in romances is insta-love and this one was super guilty of it. The "I love yous" were being said within a couple days of meeting. Just incredibly unrealistic. Oh well, at least it was a short book 🤷♀️
May 3, 2018
I should have loved this. Alaskan wilderness and a float plane. But the plot was bizarre. In this day and age, how could 2 women be stupid enough to marry a man they didn't even know and give him their life's savings?
May 16, 2020
2.5 rounded up
If you like stories by Janet Dailey, then you will probably like this one. The set up is good except the classic dummying down of the h. Plus the insta-love was way too quick. They were saying I love you within a few days.
If you like stories by Janet Dailey, then you will probably like this one. The set up is good except the classic dummying down of the h. Plus the insta-love was way too quick. They were saying I love you within a few days.
August 25, 2021
This book was okay...
January 15, 2018
A suspenseful read, this book tests the different kinds of love through some major family drama.
Central characters Emma and John are thrown together when he rescues her from the man who turn mean as soon as she said I do. She's escaped with Boone and his hounds at her heels in the cold Alaska brush. John sees her from his plane, makes a tough landing and is shot at while rescuing her.
Emm may be embarrassed at her naiveté and terrified on Boone, but she's determined he'll face justice for his deception and actions, and to make sure he doesn't have a chance to lure another victim to his run down trailer.
Throw in an ex-wife Marlena -- who's kept John's kid from him for a decade and told david what and awful alcoholic he is, and is also sister to Boone, married to John's former boss, who is the brother of Emma's new temporary boss/coworker -- and David starting work at the restaurant alongside Emma, and you've got quite the web of drama. Past wrongs and hurts have to be dealt with while Emma and John grow closer as they try to remain safe and put the authorities on Boone's trail.
Refuge Cove was interesting interwoven tale. I did feel like the two main characters got attached a bit fast, but given the danger of the situation, still plausible.
I would have liked more on Emma's background. I felt like the details of how Boone was able to sweep in and sweep Emma up in his lies, her life before that were glossed over. Where were her friends, the married ones with babies, when she was being conned by Boone? Her coworkers?
Typically, you don't just skip out of a teaching job, especially with elementary kids after the semester is underway. What about her contract?
So where did John live after his grandfather died when he was 16? He just stayed at his house? Why didn't John and Marlena just live there instead of with her crazy family?
Loved the full family circle at the end.
* ARC received from Kensington Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Central characters Emma and John are thrown together when he rescues her from the man who turn mean as soon as she said I do. She's escaped with Boone and his hounds at her heels in the cold Alaska brush. John sees her from his plane, makes a tough landing and is shot at while rescuing her.
Emm may be embarrassed at her naiveté and terrified on Boone, but she's determined he'll face justice for his deception and actions, and to make sure he doesn't have a chance to lure another victim to his run down trailer.
Throw in an ex-wife Marlena -- who's kept John's kid from him for a decade and told david what and awful alcoholic he is, and is also sister to Boone, married to John's former boss, who is the brother of Emma's new temporary boss/coworker -- and David starting work at the restaurant alongside Emma, and you've got quite the web of drama. Past wrongs and hurts have to be dealt with while Emma and John grow closer as they try to remain safe and put the authorities on Boone's trail.
Refuge Cove was interesting interwoven tale. I did feel like the two main characters got attached a bit fast, but given the danger of the situation, still plausible.
I would have liked more on Emma's background. I felt like the details of how Boone was able to sweep in and sweep Emma up in his lies, her life before that were glossed over. Where were her friends, the married ones with babies, when she was being conned by Boone? Her coworkers?
Typically, you don't just skip out of a teaching job, especially with elementary kids after the semester is underway. What about her contract?
So where did John live after his grandfather died when he was 16? He just stayed at his house? Why didn't John and Marlena just live there instead of with her crazy family?
Loved the full family circle at the end.
* ARC received from Kensington Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2020
Free to read with KU, Refuge Cove is the second book in Dailey’s New Americana series. (all standalone) The book features Emma, a lonely teacher, who finds herself in a desperate situation in Alaska. And John Wolf, a recovered alcoholic, bush pilot, who rescues her.
I was interested by the blurb, and thought the plot had potential; a desperate woman trying to escape the evil psycho who tricked her into marriage and stole her money... but it fell flat. The scenario might seem exciting, but the delivery was pretty boring. Emma’s reasons for running for her life in the Alaskan wilderness are because Boone: puts her cash in his pocket; lives in a junky trailer (instead of a beautiful log cabin) that she thinks smells like meth; and tells her to strip. I still don’t understand why she wouldn’t have just taken the truck.
After she’s rescued by John nothing really happens. She has a warm place to stay, townspeople to help her, she even gets a job that provides room and board. Her and John’s relationship crawls at a snail’s pace, there’s no sexytime, and really no suspense or action until the end of the book. I think the bones of the plot could have made a great dark twisty thriller, but this is not dark or thrilling.
Bottom line- It was too tame for my taste, but if you enjoy the author…you’ll probably like it.
I was interested by the blurb, and thought the plot had potential; a desperate woman trying to escape the evil psycho who tricked her into marriage and stole her money... but it fell flat. The scenario might seem exciting, but the delivery was pretty boring. Emma’s reasons for running for her life in the Alaskan wilderness are because Boone: puts her cash in his pocket; lives in a junky trailer (instead of a beautiful log cabin) that she thinks smells like meth; and tells her to strip. I still don’t understand why she wouldn’t have just taken the truck.
After she’s rescued by John nothing really happens. She has a warm place to stay, townspeople to help her, she even gets a job that provides room and board. Her and John’s relationship crawls at a snail’s pace, there’s no sexytime, and really no suspense or action until the end of the book. I think the bones of the plot could have made a great dark twisty thriller, but this is not dark or thrilling.
Bottom line- It was too tame for my taste, but if you enjoy the author…you’ll probably like it.
January 30, 2018
I love that each Dailey book is different. The suspenseful twist I wasn't expecting made me nervous and jumpy. Emma is being stalked by a cruel man with a psychopath personality. A very scared Emma was saved by John, a pilot with very loose ties to the stalker. Immediately he's protective of Emma and putting his life on the line for her. The characters were intense with back story and emotions. The scenery described makes me want to travel to Alaska. I can appreciate the details given for each character, location, and history. Another great read from Dailey. I received my copy from Netgalley and wrote my review voluntarily.
March 8, 2018
Why are women in danger stupid? That is the recurring storyline here, as it is in so many modern books. Emma is likable enough for her innocence and starry-eyed optimism. The hero, John, is everything a hero should be - good-looking, tortured, brave, and compassionate. Together they make a good combo, but the rest of the story just is not believable. Overall, a fun read, but it will be forgotten within a week.
.
.
January 14, 2018
Better than I expected it to be, I was equally surprised (pleasantly) by Dailey's creation of a new character from a different background. Stereotypes aside, this is a compelling, slightly thrilling, engaging read. This new series begins with John Wolf; however, the series could follow the path of his son David or the life he is beginning with Emma. It will be interesting to see.
July 26, 2018
Dreadful, amateurish, silly, predictable. Read 100 pages and skipped to last chapter. How did this even get published.
October 13, 2020
The main character is supposed to be in her 30's but she is so naïve you would think she was a teenager.......didn't care for the book at all.
September 22, 2022
Chick lit all the way through. This story on the surface had all the elements that I would usually find interesting but the delivery didn't hold my interest. I love stories that take place in Alaska and have some intrigue but the main thrust of this story was there was a cute little babe that was so tiny and cute, oh, and helpless, oh did I mention pretty too? But, but, oh, my, oh, dear, she couldn't live her life without the assistance of big strong gorgeous males to keep her safe and well and um shall we say, comfortable.
April 14, 2021
Devo confessare che mi sono innamorata della copertina, poi ho visto che era ambientato in Alaska, uno dei posti in cima alla mia lista dei luoghi da visitare, e non ho potuto fare a meno di leggerlo. Bella storia, con una certa dose di suspense; l'unica pecca è che avrei voluto un finale un po' più "consistente": si capisce che tutte le questioni irrisolte vengono risolte, ma non come (non so se mi sono spiegata, ma non volevo fare spoiler).
July 5, 2019
A sweet little read on vacation. Dailey always makes a class act story and I love the back drop of Alaska in this story.
February 12, 2018
Refuge Cove is a 291 page romance. This gentle suspense love story is for adults and young adults.
Emma, lonely schoolteacher, has been tricked into leaving her home and career, travelling to Alaska, and entering a sham of a marriage by a con artist named Boone. When his evil intentions become clear, Emma sets his trailer on fire and flees for her life. John Wolf sees her crawling across the bog and rescues her starting a complicated and suspenseful chain of events involving his estranged, strange, family.
Although the story evolves slowly there are enough foreboding incidents to alert the reader to upcoming drama and danger. Janet Dailey connects a complicated and highly dysfunctional family in surprising ways leading some to reconciliation and some to punishment. It is a satisfying conclusion. Love and heroism save the day and readers who crave a happy ending will smile as they close the last page.
Emma, lonely schoolteacher, has been tricked into leaving her home and career, travelling to Alaska, and entering a sham of a marriage by a con artist named Boone. When his evil intentions become clear, Emma sets his trailer on fire and flees for her life. John Wolf sees her crawling across the bog and rescues her starting a complicated and suspenseful chain of events involving his estranged, strange, family.
Although the story evolves slowly there are enough foreboding incidents to alert the reader to upcoming drama and danger. Janet Dailey connects a complicated and highly dysfunctional family in surprising ways leading some to reconciliation and some to punishment. It is a satisfying conclusion. Love and heroism save the day and readers who crave a happy ending will smile as they close the last page.
June 13, 2019
The second of the New Americana series, Refuge Cove is a thrilling drama filled with romance and suspense. Dailey has a talent for creating realistic, genuine, and engaging characters. Emma believes she has found a chance at love - but when a whirlwind courtship turns into a nightmare, she finds herself running for her life in the middle of a remote Alaska wilderness. Saved by the handsome John Wolf, a pilot and a man with a dark past and painful secrets, she struggles to find a way to bring justice to the man who took almost everything from her. John can't keep himself from helping the stubborn and good-hearted woman who has dropped into his life, but will he be able to move beyond his past to save them both? The growing attraction between John and Emma is as thrilling as the suspenseful plot, and you will find yourself empathizing with and rooting for the couple. Their flaws make them even more convincing. I can't wait to read the next one of the series!
April 11, 2021
Terrible
OMG this book was so terrible. The h was incredibly stupid, not just naive but down right stupid. The custody situation would have only been allowed in the 50’s or 60’s but certainly not in todays court. Alcoholism is a disease and is treated as such in the courts. Full custody does NOT translate to the mother gets to keep the father away and alcoholism aside when a parent constantly derides the other parent to the child that is an actionable offense. The kid turned 16 and got his license then a few weeks later he is almost 18? I seriously would think this was a book from the 70’s but we didn’t have cell phones and internet then so maybe it has just been updated or something. I usually really like this author but this was deplorable.
OMG this book was so terrible. The h was incredibly stupid, not just naive but down right stupid. The custody situation would have only been allowed in the 50’s or 60’s but certainly not in todays court. Alcoholism is a disease and is treated as such in the courts. Full custody does NOT translate to the mother gets to keep the father away and alcoholism aside when a parent constantly derides the other parent to the child that is an actionable offense. The kid turned 16 and got his license then a few weeks later he is almost 18? I seriously would think this was a book from the 70’s but we didn’t have cell phones and internet then so maybe it has just been updated or something. I usually really like this author but this was deplorable.
May 12, 2018
This book read too quickly, and as someone who is somewhat of a critical reader, I realized I wasn't supposed to be analyzing it quite as much as I did. Some things just didn't add up to me. It was so-so.
January 5, 2018
Romantic suspense featuring the normal girl in peril, hero, and psycho bad guy. Enough side story thrown in to keep the reader's I retest.
March 4, 2019
Refuge Cove: New Americana Series Book 1 is by Janet Dailey. Janet takes us to the wilds of Alaska in this moving novel. There is action from the first page to the last that keeps the reader interested in the book. Alcoholism, murder, kidnapping, and wildlife all combine to make this a fast-action novel.
Emma Hunter has made a major mistake in her life. She married Boone Swenson and moved to Alaska. That morning, she had flown into Ketchikan where she was met by Boone. A marriage ceremony with a background of totem poles wearing her Mother’s wedding gown, and she was married. It wasn’t until they drove up to the dilapidated trailer that she figured out she had been duped. The presence of meth making materials in the trailer was the last straw. She managed to set a fire on the stove and get out of the trailer and ran. However, she didn’t have any idea if she could reach the road or not; but she wasn’t going to let Boone catch her. When she ran into an open bog, Muskeg, she knew she was going to be caught. She could barely move through the bog and the baying of the dogs was getting closer. She knew she was doomed.
John Wolf was on his way home from a mail run in his airplane when he saw something unusual below him. Something was caught in a Muskeg. At first, he thought it was an animal but quickly saw it was a woman out in the middle of nowhere. He managed to land his float plane nearby and hustled through the woods to save her. By the time he got there, she was almost through it and he helped her out just as a shot rang out and narrowly missed both of them. He quickly got her out, fired a shot back in the direction of where it came from, and carried her through the woods to his plane. He had no idea of the trouble he had just gotten himself into.
From here, the story takes off and the reader was already caught deep in the book. Will the police believe Emma when she tells them what happened? Is there anything they can do?
Emma Hunter has made a major mistake in her life. She married Boone Swenson and moved to Alaska. That morning, she had flown into Ketchikan where she was met by Boone. A marriage ceremony with a background of totem poles wearing her Mother’s wedding gown, and she was married. It wasn’t until they drove up to the dilapidated trailer that she figured out she had been duped. The presence of meth making materials in the trailer was the last straw. She managed to set a fire on the stove and get out of the trailer and ran. However, she didn’t have any idea if she could reach the road or not; but she wasn’t going to let Boone catch her. When she ran into an open bog, Muskeg, she knew she was going to be caught. She could barely move through the bog and the baying of the dogs was getting closer. She knew she was doomed.
John Wolf was on his way home from a mail run in his airplane when he saw something unusual below him. Something was caught in a Muskeg. At first, he thought it was an animal but quickly saw it was a woman out in the middle of nowhere. He managed to land his float plane nearby and hustled through the woods to save her. By the time he got there, she was almost through it and he helped her out just as a shot rang out and narrowly missed both of them. He quickly got her out, fired a shot back in the direction of where it came from, and carried her through the woods to his plane. He had no idea of the trouble he had just gotten himself into.
From here, the story takes off and the reader was already caught deep in the book. Will the police believe Emma when she tells them what happened? Is there anything they can do?
May 7, 2021
Refuge Cove
Steamy factor 2.5, on scale of 1 to 5, 1 being wholesome and 5 being hot
Still looking for my purple unicorn - a good contemporary romance with a middle age heroine in a story that is smart. Thought I'd give this a try and it was a nice change.
The story is a damsel-in-distress and saved by the loner with a back story of his own. Its a predictable but there is something reassuring about it. There is suspense and the story moves along, and Dailey provides good detail and lets you experience Alaska along with Emma, the heroine. The cast of characters are well filled out and provide a good support to the story without taking over.
John has an alcoholic past he has mostly reconciled with, and while I think there was a missed opportunity to explore his demons, the story carries his redemption to a surprising place when he spends time with his son. Emma, disappointingly, comes across as truly naive and its hard to rally for her; she's young heroine who has zero sense about the world.
The writing is sharp and the story progresses without any detours, although there are a couple of times where the tension is resolved unseen by the reader, and I felt cheated.
Overall, its interesting enough to keep you engaged, but I wouldn't call it page-turner. John and the setting kept me going. Emma, not so much.
Steamy factor 2.5, on scale of 1 to 5, 1 being wholesome and 5 being hot
Still looking for my purple unicorn - a good contemporary romance with a middle age heroine in a story that is smart. Thought I'd give this a try and it was a nice change.
The story is a damsel-in-distress and saved by the loner with a back story of his own. Its a predictable but there is something reassuring about it. There is suspense and the story moves along, and Dailey provides good detail and lets you experience Alaska along with Emma, the heroine. The cast of characters are well filled out and provide a good support to the story without taking over.
John has an alcoholic past he has mostly reconciled with, and while I think there was a missed opportunity to explore his demons, the story carries his redemption to a surprising place when he spends time with his son. Emma, disappointingly, comes across as truly naive and its hard to rally for her; she's young heroine who has zero sense about the world.
The writing is sharp and the story progresses without any detours, although there are a couple of times where the tension is resolved unseen by the reader, and I felt cheated.
Overall, its interesting enough to keep you engaged, but I wouldn't call it page-turner. John and the setting kept me going. Emma, not so much.
January 21, 2018
This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.
I love that the setting is in Alaska and there is so much details of Ketchikan. I love romantic suspense books and this one was full of the intrigue along with a bit of romance.
While I enjoyed the drama (the book has quite a bit going on - Emma's fake marriage and Boone's con, John and his estranged son, and their search to find something to bring Boone to justice, there were parts that made me cringe.
It felt like Emma was too desperate to find a husband and didn't question anything that Boone told her - no banks in Alaska??! Who carries $17,000 in cash around? Just when it seems like Emma is a damsel in distress type, she decides to stick around so that Boone can't to the same con on another woman which is what a strong woman would do. But, then she rides her bike away from town when a psychopath is looking for her??
When Pearl tells Emma to not mention that his son is working with her to John, she obediently obeys so John is blindsided when he comes to visit her. But the part that really got me was when Boone tells Emma that it was his brother, Ezra, who killed the previous woman he conned, and she reported that to the police - after all the conning and lies, she believes him!
In spite of the annoying parts, I did enjoy the overall story as they tried to figure out what Boone had been doing and how to stop him. Nice wrap up at the end as John resolves his issues with his son and he and Emma have their HEA.
I love that the setting is in Alaska and there is so much details of Ketchikan. I love romantic suspense books and this one was full of the intrigue along with a bit of romance.
While I enjoyed the drama (the book has quite a bit going on - Emma's fake marriage and Boone's con, John and his estranged son, and their search to find something to bring Boone to justice, there were parts that made me cringe.
It felt like Emma was too desperate to find a husband and didn't question anything that Boone told her - no banks in Alaska??! Who carries $17,000 in cash around? Just when it seems like Emma is a damsel in distress type, she decides to stick around so that Boone can't to the same con on another woman which is what a strong woman would do. But, then she rides her bike away from town when a psychopath is looking for her??
When Pearl tells Emma to not mention that his son is working with her to John, she obediently obeys so John is blindsided when he comes to visit her. But the part that really got me was when Boone tells Emma that it was his brother, Ezra, who killed the previous woman he conned, and she reported that to the police - after all the conning and lies, she believes him!
In spite of the annoying parts, I did enjoy the overall story as they tried to figure out what Boone had been doing and how to stop him. Nice wrap up at the end as John resolves his issues with his son and he and Emma have their HEA.
September 16, 2021
enjoyable
I liked all the characters and the story. However, something in the book disappointed me. So this is for the author and those who may feel the same. There was a passage in the book about a man in the restaurant with a Trump hat and jacket on and think the character was considered a lowlife. I’m really tired of authors taking enjoyment away from the book from those who obviously don’t have their political viewpoint.
I have a Trump hat but seldom wear it for fear of retribution. On one occasion after working in the yard and had "hat hair", I wore it to get a few groceries. When leaving the store pushing a full basket, a pickup truck with windows down started yelling insults at me. It sped up and knocked myself and cart over. Someone got their license and the manager and others ran over to help me. I’m fine, but after the guys were caught, I was informed they were Democrats harassing me. They even said they had the right to do that as I didn’t deserve to be on the street. Also they didn’t think they should be arrested and charged but thankfully, that rhetoric doesn’t work In my little town.
So trying to frame every Trump supporter as a low life, I’m here to say my family of bimolecular chemical engineers, airline pilots and accountants are quite happy as Republicans. Quit trying to put everyone in a box. Let us enjoy what was a pretty good story.
I liked all the characters and the story. However, something in the book disappointed me. So this is for the author and those who may feel the same. There was a passage in the book about a man in the restaurant with a Trump hat and jacket on and think the character was considered a lowlife. I’m really tired of authors taking enjoyment away from the book from those who obviously don’t have their political viewpoint.
I have a Trump hat but seldom wear it for fear of retribution. On one occasion after working in the yard and had "hat hair", I wore it to get a few groceries. When leaving the store pushing a full basket, a pickup truck with windows down started yelling insults at me. It sped up and knocked myself and cart over. Someone got their license and the manager and others ran over to help me. I’m fine, but after the guys were caught, I was informed they were Democrats harassing me. They even said they had the right to do that as I didn’t deserve to be on the street. Also they didn’t think they should be arrested and charged but thankfully, that rhetoric doesn’t work In my little town.
So trying to frame every Trump supporter as a low life, I’m here to say my family of bimolecular chemical engineers, airline pilots and accountants are quite happy as Republicans. Quit trying to put everyone in a box. Let us enjoy what was a pretty good story.
February 1, 2018
Janet Dailey is a name that has become a staple to the romance genre. She continues to write intriguing books with Refuge Cove being an example of this. This Alaskan romance filled with more than a little heart stopping suspense is a gripping read. Emma is a seemingly naïve person, but I liked the woman had a backbone when she found herself in dire straits. John Wolf is more complicated being a man of few words. These two together were memorable.
There is a feeling of desperation that conveys itself to the reader as Emma makes what looks like will become a fatal mistake in coming to Alaska. The opening scene is heart racing, with her safety always in question. So from the beginning I found this to be a page turner. It is also a quick read being a short novel less than 200 pages.
I enjoyed Refuge Cove from beginning to end but found that it had an 80’s feel to it at times. That was not a bad thing.
4.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley.
There is a feeling of desperation that conveys itself to the reader as Emma makes what looks like will become a fatal mistake in coming to Alaska. The opening scene is heart racing, with her safety always in question. So from the beginning I found this to be a page turner. It is also a quick read being a short novel less than 200 pages.
I enjoyed Refuge Cove from beginning to end but found that it had an 80’s feel to it at times. That was not a bad thing.
4.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley.
May 4, 2018
I won a copy of Janet Dailey’s “Refuge Cove” from Goodreads
Reading the information on the back cover, it sounded like it would be a good read, however, I found it stretched your credibility to think in this day and age a person who is a school teacher, no less, therefore would have a few years of College or University under they belt, could be so stupid as withdraw her life savings – in cash and hand it over to some sleeze.
In this day with the internet so easily accessible, how difficult would it be to actually research the area she is going to re-locate to so she would know what stores and financial institutes might be available rather than believing the story the sleeze gives here about no banks available so hand over all her savings in cash for him to take care of. If she has saved $17,000 a logical approach would be to ask her bank for suggestions to access her money without withdrawing it all.
I read the entire book, hoping it would get better, but it just seemed too far-fetched.
Reading the information on the back cover, it sounded like it would be a good read, however, I found it stretched your credibility to think in this day and age a person who is a school teacher, no less, therefore would have a few years of College or University under they belt, could be so stupid as withdraw her life savings – in cash and hand it over to some sleeze.
In this day with the internet so easily accessible, how difficult would it be to actually research the area she is going to re-locate to so she would know what stores and financial institutes might be available rather than believing the story the sleeze gives here about no banks available so hand over all her savings in cash for him to take care of. If she has saved $17,000 a logical approach would be to ask her bank for suggestions to access her money without withdrawing it all.
I read the entire book, hoping it would get better, but it just seemed too far-fetched.
April 1, 2018
This novel started out to be a 5 star read but soon fell down in appeal. As others have noted, reading stories set in Alaska draws me in and the initial suspense in opening chapters held my interest BUT after we know the cute, pretty, tiny, sweet little Emma will not die in the first chapter, it's down hill from there. Emma's only merit seems to be that she is tiny and pretty. As a woman that really bothers me and then to boot, I kept getting distracted asking myself why a teacher would quit in mid term to go marry a stranger she knows nothing about? This just kept intruding throughout the story.
John her newly found lover is the more interesting character being native American with a troubled past. There is intrigue in the middle of the book but overall this novel left me so lacking. A couple of paragraphs here and there to ramp up the value of Emma as an intelligent person would have helped.
The whole story could have worked with just a bit more effort here and there.
John her newly found lover is the more interesting character being native American with a troubled past. There is intrigue in the middle of the book but overall this novel left me so lacking. A couple of paragraphs here and there to ramp up the value of Emma as an intelligent person would have helped.
The whole story could have worked with just a bit more effort here and there.
June 16, 2018
I wanted to love this book. It had all the ingredients on the description that I like. Alaska, damsel in distress, bush pilot who rescues her, this book should have worked for me. Except....
the entire story gets weighed down by the drama with the relationship and deadbeat bad parenting of the bush pilot. It was difficult for me feel anything for bush pilot John Wolf. He was an alcoholic, deadbeat dad and husband who didn't take care of his family. His ex wife had to raise their son alone. She remarries a great guy who turns out to be a good dad to her son, too. John, now, 17 years later, wants us to believe he is ready to be a dad and that he loves his son.
Sorry, Janet Dailey. I have no affection for deadbeat dads. A man cannot make up for 17 years of bad, abandoning behavior.
John Wolf's past behavior ruined any romance that happened in this story. Any woman should run from a man like this.
the entire story gets weighed down by the drama with the relationship and deadbeat bad parenting of the bush pilot. It was difficult for me feel anything for bush pilot John Wolf. He was an alcoholic, deadbeat dad and husband who didn't take care of his family. His ex wife had to raise their son alone. She remarries a great guy who turns out to be a good dad to her son, too. John, now, 17 years later, wants us to believe he is ready to be a dad and that he loves his son.
Sorry, Janet Dailey. I have no affection for deadbeat dads. A man cannot make up for 17 years of bad, abandoning behavior.
John Wolf's past behavior ruined any romance that happened in this story. Any woman should run from a man like this.
December 24, 2018
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.
Emma was literally running for her life. Never having live and support, she followed a man who promised just that, unfortunately, that is not what she got. Instead, she got a monster. How she escaped him was good. Her savior came in the form of John, a bush pilot who sees he stuck and helps her.
John is a strong man, but has had some heart break and doesn't want to go through it again. He offers his place for the night only, but once he finds out who she is tangled up with he can't walk away.
Can Emma trust him once she knows who he is? Can he open his heart again? What about his regret that he carries? Intrigue, not only on the relationship front, but also in what is the regret he carries and can he work through it and just what is the story behind her 'husband'? My only complaints are the declarations seem to come way too fast and we don't know what happens to her money.
Great book.
Emma was literally running for her life. Never having live and support, she followed a man who promised just that, unfortunately, that is not what she got. Instead, she got a monster. How she escaped him was good. Her savior came in the form of John, a bush pilot who sees he stuck and helps her.
John is a strong man, but has had some heart break and doesn't want to go through it again. He offers his place for the night only, but once he finds out who she is tangled up with he can't walk away.
Can Emma trust him once she knows who he is? Can he open his heart again? What about his regret that he carries? Intrigue, not only on the relationship front, but also in what is the regret he carries and can he work through it and just what is the story behind her 'husband'? My only complaints are the declarations seem to come way too fast and we don't know what happens to her money.
Great book.
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