Serenades

Whispering Cove #9

by Nikki Duncan

Aimee Smith found a home and friends in Whispering Cove. During the Fall Festival she found no-strings fun in the arms of her favorite country singer. Then her fling left town—and she discovered how much of himself he left behind.

Josh Bryan loved life on the road—until one Whispering Cove waitress ruined it. Not that he’s complaining. Before her, there were willing women at every stop, but none stayed in his mind, under his skin, or left him wanting a second taste. Not like her.

Almost fourteen months later, with Christmas festivities in full swing, Aimee’s days at the bar are long and her nights walking the floor are longer. Yet she’s never been happier, at least until Josh walks into the bar in a swirl of snow.

The truth could send him running, have him accusing her of setting a trap…or be her one chance to prove she wants him for more than just his money and fame. That is, if he’s willing to take a chance there’s something between them deeper than passion.

Genres: Romance

81 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 26, 2013

About the author

Meet Nikki Duncan, Author of Small-Town Romance and Second Chance Love

Looking for emotional healing romance with strong female leads and second chance love stories? Nikki Duncan writes small-town romance novels and romantic women’s fiction about healing that go deeper than the surface. Her books explore the kind of love that repairs what’s broken, fuels self-discovery, and lingers long after the last page.

Nikki’s journey started in secret, writing her first story while devouring Harlequins. That quiet beginning led to a career of more than twenty novels and a fan-favorite debut, Sounds to Die By. The book began as a challenge to create a blind hero without drowning him in angst. It became a contemporary romance series readers still return to.

Over the years, Nikki’s work has appeared alongside romance icons like Shayla Black, Jaci Burton, Sylvia Day, and Cathryn Fox. Her stories blend emotion, resilience, and unexpected twists. Whether it’s laughter or heartbreak, Nikki’s characters push through life’s messes and find connection on the other side.

Off the page, she’s touched nearly every part of the book world. She’s designed covers, built websites, written for romance magazines, and hosted reader parties. One even featured a surprise cameo by EL James. After years of creative burnout, Nikki took a step back to care for her family and rekindle her spark.

Now, she writes from her restored farmhouse in Texas Horse Country. Her home, once dubbed “Dump to Dream,” inspires the kind of hope she weaves into every book. Whether it’s a reclusive star in Healing His Heart or a grieving sister in Her Twelve Miracles of Christmas, Nikki’s stories are layered with meaning.

When she’s not writing, she’s sipping tea, reworking her website (again), or dreaming up the next love story that just might change a life.

Reviews

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

Review copy provided for an honest review

4.5 STARS

I’ve never been a fan of secret baby plots so I wasn’t sure how well I’d like Serenades going in even though I love author Nikki Duncan’s work. She managed to make it work without making the heroine look like a martyr and the hero a scumbag. In addition she managed to convey how much these reunited lovers still felt their connection even being separated for 14 months without contact. It was easy to feel the pull between these two, the need, and even the love though neither one was quite sure what it was at first. This is absolutely one of those holiday stories that will melt your heart as well as your silky holiday panties!

You have to love Aimee Smith the fun loving waitress who enjoys renaming the drinks she serves in Hauk’s Whispering Cove bar to suit the season. Who wouldn’t want to try a Dick the Halls or a Pina Cock-a-lada? Aimee and her sister, Carmen, haven’t lived in town long but the minute they landed they were adopted in as residents and even when Aimee found herself unmarried and pregnant, they wrapped their arms around her and supported her throughout her pregnancy and delivery.

Aimee never imagined being a single parent yet she had no issues with raising her baby, she only wishes her father felt the same way.
Singer and songwriter Josh Bryan can’t wait to get back to Whispering Cove. Since he was last in town, his life hasn’t seemed right. He’s come back for a special Christmas concert but he’s also come back to see the woman he can’t get off his mind. Filled with regret for not contacting her sooner, Josh is back and hopes to rekindle what they started; he just doesn’t realize how much things have changed in the last 14 months.

I admire Aimee’s strength and dedication to her daughter and they way she’s handled everything that was thrown at her when she least expected it. She’s a strong woman but she also has a great support system to help her and she’s so thankful for them all. Josh is one of those men that women adore but because he’s an artist, he’s a little flighty and a lot self centered, however I like the fact that he admits right off the bat that he regretted the way they left things before. I also love that once he knows about his child, he makes no bones about how important both Aimee and they baby are to him. He doesn’t question, he doesn’t make accusations, he simply accepts and that bought him some major points in my book.

I really loved this story; the hope, the joy, the reunion, and of course the new life that changes them both for the better. Serenades is sure to warm your heart and fill it with the holiday spirit we all enjoy!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The great thing about the Whispering Cover series is that every book can be read as a stand alone novel. Sure you touch base with some characters from other books but if you haven't read the previous books, their just your typical background filler. However, for those of us who have read all or some of the previous books, we get to see some of our favorite characters brought back to life. The only time you get a sense that you're reading a series is the prologue and epilogue when the old men of Whispering Cove are plotting their next matchmaking set up. Otherwise, it's like a brand new series every time.

This is a great read for the holidays. Whispering Cove is having their holiday festival with special musical guest, Josh Byran. The same Josh Byran who came through Whispering Cove a year ago and had a fling with Aimee who wound up getting knocked up in the process. He's extremely excited to be back in Whispering Cove where he can catch up with Aimee. He's thought about her ever since they met and is looking to pick up where they left off but plans quickly change when he realizes that he has a daughter. A daughter that was kept from him.

I liked that the author wrote the "surprise you're a father!" in a way that didn't make either parent look like a total jerk. Aimee tried getting in touch with him but was turned away every time, and it wasn't Josh who was doing it. Which means that someone on his team kept him from experiencing the first 5 months of his daughters life. Since neither parent was at fault, I didn't find myself disliking either of them like I normally do when these situations come up in novels. Instead I felt really bad for both of them.

The story is short, sweet and perfect for the holidays. What could be more perfect than curling up on the couch in front of the fireplace with a mug of hot cocoa while you read a story about a family finding each other for the holidays.


Favorite part...
"In Kendall's room, with her wiggling in his arms, he was reduced again to a man. His status as a singer, songwriter and entertainer shrank away, because the infant he held only cared about three things. None of which she could take care of for herself.
Could he comfort her, change her, feed her?"

[Chrystina Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serenades by Nikki Duncan is a lovely and heart-warming romance, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Serenades might be book #9 in the Whispering Cove series, but don't let that stop you from reading it if you haven't read any of the previous books, because I hadn't read any of the previous books and it didn't take any of the enjoyment out of this super-sweet romance.

Serenades is about single mom Aimee and her past fling Josh reuniting after fourteen months apart. Josh returns to Whispering Cove only to find that Aimee has been left raising their baby on her own when he left town after playing at the Fall Festival and she can't contact him. I really enjoyed their romance, and although the secret baby thing has been done plenty of times before, this story didn't make it feel like all of the others that I've read.

Aimee is a strong and independent woman who does her best despite her situation, and she doesn't really hold anything against Josh for not responding when she tried to contact him because they'd agreed to a casual fling beforehand. Instead of wallowing in pity, Aimee has decided that she is going love their daughter enough for the both of them. I loved her positive attitude and her absolute devotion to her baby and what was best for her.

Josh is used to being in the limelight and having everyone constantly wanting something from him, but his short time with Aimee has lingered in his mind during their whole time apart. So when a gig takes him back to the lovely town of Whispering Cove he decides he wants to figure out why he can't seem to forget her.

Their story was very sweet and gave me all the warm and fuzzy feelings at the end that I associate with a real romance story. The story being set around the holidays was just an extra plus for me since I love reading them this time of year to get me in the holiday mood. Bottom line is, if you're looking for a heart-warming romance with a holiday theme, you should definitely check it out. It was a quick read but it didn't feel rushed at all. So whether you're a fan of the series or just want to check it out, you should definitely give it a try.

***Review copy provided by the author in exchange of my honest review***

[Christi Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review:
This is book #9 in this series, but this is my first time reading any of the books from the series and it completely works as a stand-alone. I picked it up because it sounded like a fun Christmas novella and it definitely was that. The story line isn't new, but there were a few little mystical twists that I loved. I loved Josh's connection to Aimee and the baby. Describing his physical issues while he was on tour at the same time she had the baby was awesome. It made it so much easier to believe in the connection between these two people although he hasn't tried to contact her in over a year.

And that really is the heart of the story...these two are connected, even though they only had one moment in time. For Josh, he's tried really hard to ignore that connection, not wanting to get tied down when his career is on an upswing. He spends ten months a year on tour...that's not exactly ideal for a relationship. But as soon as he sees Aimee again, he's a goner and that's even before he meets his daughter Kendall. I loved the way that Nikki wrote the scenes between Josh and his baby...you can literally feel their connection. This is a guy who connects soul-deep and those connections jump beautifully off the page in this book. I enjoyed it. It was definitely a fun romantic read for the holidays.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really enjoyable series, it always reminds me of the Harlequins I read in my youth. The only difference is these books are all sexed up, no closed bedroom doors here! They are generally formula romances but that does not make them any less entertaining.

This go around we have the Music star, Josh, and the fling, Aimee, that leads to a secret baby. I loved Aimee's spunky and attitude, I would have been annoyed if she were a moper. It is a testament to Ms Duncan's skills that Josh does not come off as a total jerk. He is a typical musician type but owns up to his mistakes. I adore the mixed POV and loved the back and forth scenes when hey were apart. It really helped move he story along. That alone made the whole romance more believable and the connection real.

This series has been an absolute delight and I hope we see more of Whispering Cove! These are really quick, fun and delightful Cotton Candy reads. Not every romance has to be drawn out and overly deep, sometimes you just want a yummy sweet treat instead of a six course dinner.

*Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.*

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serenades (Whispering Cove 9) by Nikki Duncan
This is 9th in the series and I've yet to read any of the prior ones.
I didn't feel too much out in the dark, felt right at home with the storyline. Aimee lives with her sister Carmen over the bar.
Aimee waitresses at the bar and care for her infant daughter. Others who know of the child have told her she needed to tell the father. Well she did try, several times but couldn't get through to him.
Josh is back in town for a special appearance with his band at the bar. It's Christmas and after she does tell him there are hot passionate love scenes but he has one stipulation about Christmas. When he
leaves to tend to some business Carmen thinks he's run out on her. Will he return or is Aimee going to have to carry the burden?
Love the group of musicians and think the rest have their own story in the other books in the series. Interesting the things that come into play in this book.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Serenades (Whispering Cove)" by Nikki Duncan - I really enjoyed this book. It's the story of Josh and Aimee. Josh, a music star, loves his career. Aimee, a single mom that is a waitress, is content with her life but would love to love and be loved by Josh. Despite being a big celebrity, I like how Josh is down to earth and recognizes what's important in life. Aimee is sweet and strong at the same time. She doesn't want to "trap" him but wants him to be a dad to their daughter. If you want a quick read that involves two people falling in love and coming to terms with that love, then this should work for you. This is a fairly fast read but I thought that enough of the background of the two characters is shared that you get to know them. This is Book 9 of the Whispering Cove series but the first that I read. I don't think that took away from the story - at the beginning, there were many characters that I obviously didn't know but it didn't take away from Josh and Aimee's story. Fun, sweet Christmas story!

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Whispering Cove and I'm gonna move there someday and have the granddads hook me up!
While I'm not normally a fan of "secret baby" stories this one is the exception that proves the rule. It's fun and hot and there's not an ounce of "poor me" or "you set me up". Aimee is a strong intelligent self sufficient beautiful woman and Josh is just plain HOTT and I was at the end wanting more of them before I knew it.