Finding Love on Bainbridge Island, Washington

Washington Island Romance #2

by Annette M. Irby

Selah Contest winner 2019!Neither of them is ready for a relationship, but love may not give them an out. Jenna-Shea Brown considers herself a broken therapist. Years ago, she witnessed something that caused PTSD. She can’t let her boss or her patients know about her battle. Who would want to trust her to help them, when she can’t help herself? She’s finally able to find a fresh start in her family’s beach cabin, but the renovations aren’t complete. Her parents have hired her ex-boyfriend to finalize them, but his negligence led to her being in the wrong place at the wrong time all those years ago. 

Liam Barrett is trying to prove he’s nothing like his deadbeat dad. He’s working hard, yet still failing. Adrenaline and adventure offer him a diversion, but maybe he can’t escape his genes. He’d like to make things right with Shea, but he’s unsure if she’ll forgive him. Meanwhile, he’s challenged to forgive his father. He’s also worried about Shea and all these episodes she won’t explain. Now that they’re back in close proximity, he’s falling for her again. But can anything heal the past? 

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2018

About the author

Award-winning author Annette M. Irby loves reading, and she has enjoyed writing since her teen years. If she's not writing, she's reading for review, or editing. She is a freelance editor at AMI Editing. Her book, Finding Love on Bainbridge Island, Washington, won the Selah Award, and her book Finding Love on Whidbey Island, Washington, finaled in the Cascade Award contest. Married over thirty years, she and her husband enjoy spending time with their family at the beach. Learn more at her website: www.AnnetteMIrby.com.

Reviews

[Dawn Kinzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this contemporary romance set in Washington State, and I’ll share some of the highlights without giving away several delightful twists. To start, as someone who lives in the Seattle area and has also visited Bainbridge Island numerous times, it was fun to see familiar spots included in the story. Including them helped give a sense of reality.

Jenna-Shea Brown is a therapist who needs therapy for PTSD after experiencing a traumatic event. Now there’s a great twist I can share! The author did an impressive job of incorporating therapy techniques that helped give integrity to the story. It was also interesting—being someone who is familiar with the five love languages—to see them not only included, but also named as such.

Liam Barrett has history with Jenna, and now after years of not seeing each other, they’re thrown together again when Liam is hired to renovate her family’s beach cabin. Still attracted to each to each other, both carry scars they’re trying to heal. For instance, Liam hasn’t seen his father in thirty years, and now suddenly, he’s asking to return to Liam’s life. How does Liam deal with his abandonment issues? That’s for readers to discover.

While this story about forgiveness and second chances delves into serious topics, the author gives us a refreshing character with Liam’s Great Aunt Matilda. She wants Liam to make peace with his father and also romance the girl of his dreams, Jenna Shea. Matilda, a retired actress who still practices the accents of various characters, is a caring individual who shares wisdom and humor. She provides a lovely balance to Liam’s and Jenna’s inner struggles.

I highly recommend this novel to readers who enjoy beach settings, redemption stories, and inspirational romance.

[Angie Arndt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live on the East Coast and I’ve never been to Washington State, but I got the feeling of the cool breezes blowing along the coast, slippery rocks heading down to the frigid waters, but most importantly, the teeming marine world in the waters of Friday Harbor. Orcas, porpoise aren’t very common in my part of the country, although I have seen a few dolphins in the harbor. But ocean life and whale-watching tours are mostly in the background for the lovely Christian romance.

Dr. Mikaela Rhoades and Captain Hunter Cahill try to forget the relationship they had as teens since the success of her graduate student program and his charter business is on the line. Their personal feeling can’t get in the way, not even if everybody is playing matchmaker. But something in their past is keeping them apart and Miki is carrying a secret she can never share.

I love that Irby has created a romance, not only between Miki and Hunter, but also one between the main characters and God. There’s a push-pull or why not-why that kept me wondering if the relationships would ever be reconciled. Hunter’s mom and Miki’s grandmother provides the ground for the electricity between the main characters and extra spiciness, added by Pierce, Dr. Smythe and the whole Jace-Desiree romance, kept me guessing.

I love Irby’s descriptions of being on the water, the sights and sounds of Friday Harbor. I also loved the twists and turns of the relationship between Miki and Hunter and how they were reminded again and again of God’s love.

If you’re looking for a lovely romance set in the Pacific Northwest, you enjoy, Finding Love in Friday Harbor, Washington.

For more information, here are links an interview with Annette M. Irby and ACFW New Releases for September.

[Edward Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liam was messed up. He had carried a torch for Shea for ten years or more but did not feel he was worthy of any woman because of his past. What was his past? His father had abandoned him and his mother when he was a young boy and his mother died a few years later. His aunt became his guardian and cared for him as though he was her very own. She is still looking out for him. Shea is equally messed up, but for different reasons. One traumatic experience years earlier had resulted in her struggling for years with PTSD. What hope did either of them have of ever living a normal life since they carried so much baggage? What does Liam have to do to prove to himself that he is reliable? Can he ever forgive his father or himself? Why does he need to forgive himself? Where does Shea fit into all this? Can she find help for her PTSD before it pulls her completely under? Through all that happens in the story, I enjoyed reading all the interaction between Aunt Matilda and everyone else. This woman is definitely a unique character. I loved how she felt comfortable in her own skin, no matter what kind of wacky antics she was involved in. Maybe we all need an Aunt Matilda in our lives. Even amidst her strange ways, she had a lot of wisdom to share with those who would listen and she had an all-consuming faith in God. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shea Brown is a therapist who suffers from PTSD and, frankly, a mistrust of long-ago boyfriend, Liam Barrett. When circumstances throw them back together and they rediscover lost love, Liam distrusts his own ability to be reliable---a flaw he believes he inherited.

Shea Brown is a therapist who suffers from PTSD and a mistrust of long-ago boyfriend, Liam Barrett. When circumstances throw them back together and they rediscover lost love, Liam distrusts his own ability to be reliable---a flaw he believes he inherited.

The story is peopled with numerous characters to grab the sympathy and caring of the reader, including Auntie Mat. At one point, I found her laugh-out-loud funny. Except, Auntie Mat has a secret. While I thought Shea's mistrust of Liam's reliability (and the reason for it) wasn't as developed as it could have been, I didn't find this book to be a sappy romance. It struck a chord of reality and moved at a good pace. Forgiveness and envy are major themes.

I'm giving the story 4.5 stars for the writing, the characterization, humor, and the genuineness of the relationships. I received this book from the author. My opinions are my own.

[Melissa Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming story about people who have suffered tragedy in their past and how they are learning to live and possibly forgive themselves and others. PTSD plays a vital role in the story. The main characters are everyday people with unique situations. Each one deals with feelings in different ways. This is a great story. I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my personal honest opinion. No review was required.

[Vibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching story about forgiveness & 2nd chances

I loved this story about Liam and Shea's working thru their brokenness to begin healing - and finding a path to being together in the process. I really loved Aunt Mattie. Liam's struggle to accept & forgive seemed a little too dramatic by the end, but it was a touching story that I enjoyed reading.

Clean romance level: sweet kisses

[Linda Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Beautiful Love Story

This a beautiful love story about second chances, forgiveness and following the Lord's direction
I loved the well crafted story lines and engaging characters,especially Aunt Matilda.
This romance is recommended for those that love Inspirational romance.

[Claire Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I enjoyed Ms Irby's second book in this series. Although it is the same overall setting, there are only mentions of the characters of the first one, so I tend to it more as a stand-alone book.

I did enjoy how she turned around the situations in the book and how both main protagonists needed to change, putting them through a lot.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book mainly because of the location—Bainbridge Island—which I hope to visit during our time in Seattle later this year. It includes themes of forgiveness and restoration and won a Selah Award in 2019. I enjoyed it very much.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

review to come soon...