Danica Kent, MD, has settled into her new role as a small-town doctor. She caters to her Whispering Cove patients, especially the rum-drinking, poker-playing, town grandfathers who have their hands in a bit of everything. But when one of those patients brings her face-to-face with her high school crush, the work she’s done to reinvent herself falters.
Braydon Mitchell sails around the world writing freelance magazine articles. With no desire to settle down, he’s successfully avoided his grandfather’s pleas to come home...until now. Returning out of worry for the old man’s health, Braydon finds old friends in town for their high school reunion. And something he hadn’t expected. Danica, the awkward teenage geek who’s all grown up—and filled out in all the right places.
From their first touch, erotic sparks make Braydon want everything he isn’t built for—small-town stability, a strong woman’s love, family. And Danica wonders if Braydon has dropped anchor for good…or if her lover will be gone with the next tide.
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.
This one seemed really short compared to the previous ones.
Also insta lust. OMG. He didn't even know who she was. Just saw her on the dock and was like 'yeah, I'm gonna hit that' and then insta love. Then boom happily ever after.
It just seemed crazy fast. At least the previous couples had history. Yes, there was history in the fact that they knew each other, but he didn't even realise it was her at first. And yes, she was in love with him since she was a kid... but even with that, it was uber instant all around.
There was actually less meddling from the grandfather in this one than the previous ones, which is good as the last one was down right bordering on illegal activities.
Wicked by Nikki Duncan (Book 3) This book starts out with Danica and she's returned to Whispering Cove as a doctor. She likes taking care of those in the community. She is tending to an elderly man and understands there is a family reunion and she wonders if his grandson will be attending. She had the hots for Braydon but now he's a jetsetter, taking off in his high class boat and photographing the sights. They do meet up with one another and there are very erotic sex scenes. About the author and other works are listed at the end. Other books have excerpts.
This is a cute story about high school crushes coming to life. Dani was infatuated with Braydon when they were in high school. She spied on him through her bedroom window, obsessed over him and was a total klutz whenever he approached here. Now, 10 years after graduation, Braydon is back for the reunion and she finds herself falling back into her old role. However, she knows that he's not one to stick around and unfortunately Whispering Cove is not a place she ever plans to leave. So there is no way that anything between them would work out.
I really liked the idea behind the story. The fact that Dani's had a crush on Braydon for so long and now 10 years later he shows up and is interested in her, was a pretty nice twist on the second chances theme. Braydon didn't really give the creeper girl who tripped over herself anytime he came around a second glance, but the woman that she is today has his full attention. He's not looking for anything serious but he's totally down for a little fun while he's in town. So the romance revolves around a cat and mouse game. He wants to play while he's there and Dani doesn't want to get hurt by falling for a guy who she knows is leaving.
However, I found some parts a bit too fast for me. I understand that this is a novella and under 100 pages but I felt like things moved a bit too fast in the time frame of the story. I didn't feel like the characters had enough time to fully get to know each other as adults. I also thought the story was a bit choppy at parts. It would either switch between POV's or jump forward in time with no warning. So I found myself trying to get my bearings a handful of times.
I understand that Whispering Cove is a compilation of short stories by multiple authors all taking on a short story in turn but I felt like this one could have been amazing if the author was able to turn it into a full length novel.
Regardless, this was a sweet (and at sometimes a steamy) romance story that can be read as part of a series or as a stand alone. I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything by jumping in with this story. The epilogue made me believe that that is what sets the stage for the next author's short story. Otherwise, I didn't find any missing links that left me wondering what was going on. Even though I wished this was longer, I think that if I were to read the series as a whole, I may find myself dismissing my aversion towards novellas with this one.
This was an entertaining collection of short story eroticas. They did have more of a feel of contemporary romance, but I think it's the perfect summer light reading with a kick. All three stories are, in a way, about lovers reunited. Three old irish men set up to marry off their grandkids by playing on their guilt and bringing them all back to Whispering Cove, the small town they all fled like the plague ten years ago.
WICKED
We see small glimpses of Dr. Dani through the other two stories, and now we get her story. She was the geeky girl, and had a crush on Braydon Mitchell. She used to spy on him from her house (yeah, stalker much). But Braydon left town 10 years ago, to basically live on his boat, travel around, and write about sports! He is not the settling down type of guy. But it's time for him to come back to town for their 10 year high school reunion. He is excited to see his friends! But his grandpa manages to bring Danica to the dock to welcome him with the excuse of his health, and Braydon is smitten at first look. Of course it takes him a little while to realize who she was, and to remember she used to kinda stalk him. And he now plans on having all of her while he's in town.
I almost want to say these two were the hottest ones in the book. She is not so shy anymore, especially after he gives her 3 or 4 orgasms in one afternoon alone. But she can't keep seeing him or her heart will never recover. What I didn't like about this is that there's too much 'I love you's and 'Marry me's after seeing each other for a few days.
Wicked in Whispering Cove is a short story that is part of a series written by various authors. The hero and heroine of this story are Braydon and Dani. They are preparing to attend their upcoming 10th high school reunion. Braydon left town after graduation and travels all over the world writing for travel magazines. Dani became the town doctor and has no desire to leave. Dani has had a crush on Braydon for most of their lives but Braydon is clueless.
No surprise, this story has a HEA ending. The story also has a high speed love story. Also, the characters suddenly realize what they want and regularly act out of character. This, of course, describes many romance novels.
This story is very sweet and the characters are very likable. I found the use of the romance standards forgivable because the writing was good and the story had some substance. I do wish I knew more about the characters, their backgrounds and their motivations. I knew that the story would lack that sort of depth before I read it. It is a short story and therefore it must be a lightweight story.
I will absolutely read the other stories in the series because I want to know how the other couples work out their issues. The side characters include the town grandfathers. They are a riot. I am definitely looking forward to reading about the shenanigans the grandfathers will pull to get their grandchildren married. I recommend this story to anyone looking for a fun, fast read.
I really liked this book all the way up until the ending, way too soon. I would have been fine for them deciding to have a long term relationship, but marriage after a few days is too much.
Braydon is a very interesting guy and he does a complete 180 at the end of the book. Danica is sweet and clumsy. I really liked her, especially when she found her sass!
This was also very much along the lines of old Harlequins I read in my youth. Kind of formula but still entertaining.
The thing that set this apart from those sweet romances is the bedroom door is not closed!! You get to read all the naughty steamy details!! Hot dang, things are really smoking in this town!
The grandfathers are another highlight if the series, can't wait to see what they will scheme next! These stories are sweet and smexy at the same time, I can easily see myself addicted!
* Disclosure - I received a copy if this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own. *
Nikki Duncan`s novella is part of the Whispering Cove Anthology. This novella is a hot, sweet and romantic.
Danica Kent is Whispering Cove's good doctor and she is concerned her favorite patients the wily geriatric grandfathers are up to something. She tries to keep them in tip top shape and finds herself unwittingly drawn into their match making plan. The Whispering Cove High School reunion is close at hand and several of her classmates are finding their way home. Braydon Mirchell sails into town (literally) and runs into Danica as she is tending to his grandfather. Suddenly the confirmed bachelor Braydon wonders what life would be like with Dani.
Nikki Duncan has written a hot romantic story and it will have you sizzling just like the previous two novellas in the Whispering Cove Anthology.
If you haven't read this Anthology, you need to go purchase it right now;-)