Hoping for Love

Gansett Island #5

by Marie Force

Every change has its challenges . . .

All her life, Grace Ryan was the "fat girl." Taunted, teased, and ignored by her peers, she tried every diet ever invented to no avail. Desperate to make a change as her twenties slipped away, she decided it was time for drastic measures and had lap-band surgery. More than a year later, she's lost 130 pounds and is venturing into the dating world for the first time. But during a boat trip to Gansett Island with a new guy, Grace refuses to have sex--and finds herself abandoned without a dollar to her name at McCarthy's Gansett Island Marina . . .

Home for the summer, awaiting the launch of his debut album, music star-in-the-making Evan McCarthy is performing at the Tiki Bar when he notices Grace looking lost in a sea of happy people. Evan comes to her aid and quickly finds himself smitten. But the last thing Grace needs after all she's been through is a guy who "doesn't do relationships." Will Evan change his ways to win Grace's heart?

Gansett Island Reading Order
Maid for Love (Mac & Maddie)
Fool for Love (Joe & Janey)
Ready for Love (Luke & Sydney)
Falling for Love (Grant & Stephanie)
Hoping for Love (Evan & Grace)
Season for Love (Owen & Laura)
Longing for Love (Blaine & Tiffany)
Waiting for Love (Adam & Abby)
Time for Love (Daisy & David)
Meant for Love (Jenny & Alex)
Chance for Love, A Gansett Island Novella (Jared & Lizzie)
Gansett After Dark (Owen & Laura)
Kisses After Dark (Shane & Katie)
Love After Dark (Paul & Hope)
Celebration After Dark (Big Mac & Linda)
Desire After Dark (Slim & Erin)
Light After Dark (Mallory & Quinn)
Victoria & Shannon (Episode 1)
Kevin & Chelsea (Episode 2)
A Gansett Island Christmas Novella
Mine After Dark (Riley & Nikki)
Yours After Dark (Finn & Chloe)
Trouble After Dark (Deacon & Julia)
Rescue After Dark (Mason & Jordan)

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Ebooks, Family, Fiction

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 4, 2012

About the author

Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense and erotic romance. Her series include Gansett Island, Fatal, Treading Water, Butler Vermont and Quantum.

Her books have sold more than 12 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller more than 30 times. She is also a USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestseller, as well as a Speigel bestseller in Germany.

Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.

Join Marie’s mailing list on her website at marieforce.com for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MarieForceAuthor and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/marieforceauthor/. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com.

Reviews

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evan McCarthy, home from Nashville as he awaits the launch of his CD and the start of his tour, is performing at the tiki bar with Owen Lawry when he literally sees the proverbial damsel in distress. Grace Ryan is stranded on the island with no money or her things after having been abandoned by her creep boyfriend. When Evan offers her respite at his family's home for the night, this begins the end of his confirmed single status, unbeknownst to him.

I really liked and admired Grace who took control of her life when she resolved to tackle her obesity. She's now at (or about) her ideal size and is figuring out how to relate to men showing her attention for the first time in her life, as well as setting new goals for herself. Evan has some really low moments but redeems himself handily by the end of the story. These two seem to combust every time they're together, sometimes clouding what's lust versus emotional depth.

I'm a fan of multiple storylines so this aspect was strongly appealing. Owen and Laura McCarthy get lots of page time as their friendship evolves into something more. Tiffany Sturgil (Maddie's sister) also gets a lot of focus as her marriage reaches rock bottom. And, Big Mac and Linda face challenges in their marriage.

This was an enjoyable story, a really nice diversion from my mystery and suspense worlds. These are decent, hard-working people who embody the realities of island living. It's a joy to visit Gansett Island every month.

[Splage · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

This series has just gotten better and better for me. It sort of reminds me of Robyn Carr's Virgin River series in that even though it has a main love story there are many other side love connections revealed throughout the book that add excitement, as well as, all the characters from the previous books appear…not just token appearances either. What is great about that is they might be living their HEA from the stories already told, but they still have trials to overcome, sort of soap opera-ish, but not the outrageousness story lines of a soap opera. Both are great series (VR and McCarthy/Gansett Island), Marie Force tends to get her sexy on a little more than Robyn Carr though, a plus for me.

Marie Force is always an auto buy for me. She delivers a good, comfortable read with characters I just connect with and they provide a emotional punch that I love. They are not always 5 stars, but I have yet to be disappointed.

In Hoping for Love, we get to know Evan McCarthy, the easy going, love them and leave them, musically talented brother. He came back to the island to help at the marina after his dad, Big Mac, had a boating accident. He sings with his best friend Owen at the local bar ever night. He is getting ready to release his first CD and start touring. He loves his lifestyle and isn’t looking to change it.

Enter Grace. Evan spots Grace sitting in the bar alone not paying attention to him like all the other ladies giving him the “do me” eyes and she has tears running down her face. She has been deserted by an asswipe that she was going to give her virginity to, but she had second thoughts about his sincerity…smart move Grace! Grace used to be obese, but has since lost 130 lbs and is slowing gaining some confidence with the male race.

I loved Grace with her inappropriate timed laughs and her sweet nature. She wants the whole prince charming fairytale, but is experiencing a whole new lifestyle; developing friends, getting male attention, and enjoying her independence. Evan helps her out of her disastrous situation and they become friends with a definite sexual attraction to each other.

What I loved about the is story was that Evan was in control and confident when they first started their love affair while Grace was vulnerable and unsure, but everything changes. By the end Evan is a mess, he becomes an emotional girl. I found it hysterical with the role reversal, they were so good together.

To get the full effect of this series and characters I would recommend reading them in order.

[Sandra Hoover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed @ Cross My Heart Writings & Reviews
3.5 Stars - Another feel good, low-angst romance in this series. So nice to slip one of these books between two dark ones to lighten the mood. Grace spent most of her life obese...aka "The Whale". Finally, having enough, she turned to lap band surgery and lost 130 pounds in the year that followed. Visiting Gansett Island for the first time with a guy she planned to finally go "all the way" with, she gets a rude awakening after intercepting a text message from one of his friends asking if he'd "nailed the whale" yet. Seems there was a $500 bet on the line. Humiliated yet again, Grace finds herself abandoned with nothing but the clothes on her back on GI. Who comes riding to her rescue but the devastatingly gorgeous rising music star Evan McCarthy...a man soooo out of her league - and one that made it loud & clear that he doesn't "do relationships". Can a woman with zero experience with a man build a relationship with a sexy "ladies man"? And not get hurt in the process? Hmmm.

Watching Grace and Evan's relationship develop was fun! Grace is funny and truly beautiful inside and out as Evan soon learns. I laughed out loud at Evan a few times as he struggles to "NOT fall in love". Like some of the other McCarthy men, he fights it every step of the way causing a few bumps and bruises along the way.

An added plus are the side stories playing out between Owen & Laura and Blaine & Tiffany. Looks like a bumpy ride for all involved. Also loved spending a little time with past couples - especially Linda & Big Mac. Seems there's trouble in Paradise since Big Mac hit his head in the boating accident...something's definitely not right. All in all, another good read in the series. A Must Read!

[Nicoletta Micillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐
Sinceramente il personaggio di Evan mi ha un po' irritato.

[Anne OK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evan and Grace's book is another terrific addition to the Gansett Island series. Bravo to Marie Force for keeping this series fresh and full of new life. With each trip to the Island, not only do we get a new romance (this one a particular sizzler!) and a chance to revisit all the wonderful characters we've come to love previously, but there are lots of hints and teasers for romances in the making. It's no secret that I love anything Marie Force writes and this series is certainly no different. Her books are just fun to read and never fail to leave me happy and begging for more!

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoping for Love is Even and Grace's story and is the sweet, heartwarming, entertaining fifth book in amazing Gansett Island series. It features drama, angst, secrets and desires that kept me interested and invested.

Grace just wants to be loved but not if she is not wanted for anything other than a relationship.

This could be read as a standalone but each book features another person on the island so I would read them all in order because if not you are missing out.

Make sure this one is on your TBR. I read it a few years ago and fell in love with the characters then and rereading now makes me realise why I loved this series so much.

[Melody Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update: 03/03/19 I reread this today for the second time. The first time through I rated it three stars but the second reading, 5.5 years later, I raised it to four stars. I liked the characters but wasn't thrill with the way Evan behaved towards Grace. Of course, we know why he was such an a$$...because she turned him insided out. There's a first time for everything but the guy thought he would never get snagged by a woman. She was different from all the rest and there had been a slew of one night stands. Thank goodness we didn't have to read about any of his hook-ups! The book was comical throughout and there were times I had to stop reading to clear the tears of laughter away. I don't remember it being funny the first time through but thought it hilarious the second time.

Original Review
This was just an okay book in a great series, for me. I had a difficult time getting into Book 5 and staying with it.

I am also becoming a bit bored of the same type of kisses (ex. licking the bottom lip and more) everyone seems to give and receive in this series. Much of the sexual intimacy is repeated from couple to couple. There is too little variety, after all variety is the spice of life.

I was disappointed but not enough to stop reading the series, so yes, I would recommend this book with the understanding it does not live up to the others, in my opinion.

[Bryanna Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book! Good for light reading or a simple romance read to fill the time. One thing I love about this series is that we get to catch up with the past couples and of course the interaction between friends/family. The Gansett series really reminds me of the virgin river and eternity springs series but that's not a bad thing. In this book, we have Grace & Ethan. Grace was a pretty easygoing character with a great since of humor. While Ethan was very hesitant he eventually got over the hump in one enduring scene.

“It’s all your fault.”

Once again, she found herself choking back a laugh. “How is it my fault?”

“You’ve cast some sort of spell on me. That’s the only possible explanation.”

“For what?”

“For the fact that I can’t stop thinking about you. I think about you all the time. I don’t understand it.” He raised his head and met her gaze. “Tell me the truth—did you cast some sort of spell over me? Did you slip me some pharmacy thing that rebooted my computer?”

Great chemistry between these two. If you're a fan of the series then I recommend you read this one to get all the scoop about what's happening on Gansett Island. Believe me, there's plenty of side stories happening. Also Seamus *girly squel* sounds so hawt! He can call me love anytime.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another hit with the McCarthy’s of Gansett Island. This is one of the best series out there!

There was a lot of drama going on in this one that is only going to get wilder and ridiculously funny to read about. I feel there were more ‘mega’ plots going on in HOPING FOR LOVE than just Evan and Grace’s story. Owen and Laura got a lot closer and their story is set up for the next book. Tiffany and her marriage problems plus her attraction for the new sheriff Blaine Taylor is a story line not to be missed when it gets its turn.

We also see smaller changes and adjustments. Like Big Mac and Linda struggling to find their footing again after the marina accident. Grant and Stephanie deal with their first argument over her movie screen play while dealing with her step-father’s case finally reaching trial. The Chester women aren’t free of daddy Chester as he shows up again with more ultimatums and most importantly the lesson that life is too short not to go after the one you love.

Grace was someone that I liked and feel that a lot of people can relate too. Growing up overweight with overweight parents, Grace was the focal point of high school laughs and taunts. After years of gyms and diets Grace finally had lap band surgery. Now 130 pounds lost, she’s ready to experience life.

Which she thought she was doing with Trey, a guy she’s always had a crush on. While docked at McCarthy’s marina, Grace is prepping herself for the final step with Trey when she finds his phone with a text from his buddy wondering if he’s ‘nailed the whale’ for the bet. Rushing from both the boat and Trey, she finds it gone when she comes back from her walk.

Back to the marina, she sits alone at a table wondering what she’s going to do. And that’s how Evan McCarthy finds her. Playing gigs with Owen, he feels it’s what his father would expect and goes over to her. Learning her situation, he offers to take her to his parents for the night.

A harmless overnight stay, with some heated flirting, and a hundred dollars to help her get home, Evan sees her off on the ferry the next morning, but not before she learns of the Gold’s Pharmacy is up for sale.

Surprised isn’t quite how Evan would explain seeing Grace back the next weekend to pay him back the money. She does make quick friends with Stephanie and in turn Laura. It’s a first time for her to have girlfriends and they all click great, especially when it comes to helping Grace navigate her relationship with Evan.

Offer a fun weekend, the guys and their respective girls take a beach day and it ends with a date invitation. Hours of prepping by Stephanie and Laura result in Evan being blown away when he sees Grace.

Meanwhile her proposal to take over the Gold’s Pharmacy is accepted and her new life on the island is forming perfectly.

Of course they end up back at the hotel and Grace isn’t able to resist the McCarthy charm and they fall into bed. A wonderful night together has Evan freaking and her leaves before she wakes.

This definitely throws a wrench in their path as Steph and Laura have to tell Grace what it means, yet Stephanie isn’t so sure she should give up on Evan quite yet.

It’s really not long before Evan has to admit Grace is always on his mind. He can’t stand to see other guys flirting with her and is surprised when a domestic life doesn’t bother him when it comes to being with Grace.

When he bangs on her door, drunk one night, his mumbles of wanting only her gives Grace cautious hope. Waking with massive pain, Evan finally faces reality and admits his feeling and wanting to see where this takes them. He takes the news of her surgery well and fesses up to his part in tormenting Maddie back in high school.

With her two week return to pack her things, they use this time apart to make sure they are what each other want. When reunited, their love can no longer be denied and he helps move her in to her new life….with him.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just a feel good series. Love those McCarthy's and the rest of the characters from Gansett Island. Glad to hear there will be more bks and a new series. Still Mac and Bic Mac are my #1 crushes but Evan was a sweetheart. Thought this story would focus more on Grace but Evan was the star. Love the continuing side stories with all the characters...it’s like watching a TV show - entertainment and great romance.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved my return to Gansett Island. I often find myself wanting to move to island so I can hang out with the fun cast of characters that call Gansett Island home. While this story is Evan and Grace's, Hoping for Love has several side stories that focus on past favorites and future romances.

Hoping for Love is a great read that fans of the series will love.

[Mei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ufff... I hate it when the book remains so open in the end!!! Now I have to wait for the next one...
I'm curious like hell to know what will happend next!!!

[Megan Fall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read. I love this series!!

[E-Reader Addict · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m enjoying this series, but I mostly enjoyed this one because of all the storylines going about other characters. The male main character in this one was a big fat giant toddler - I can’t stand “heroes” who don’t want to be with the heroine until someone else shows interest in her. But I did like how the heroine dealt with it - she was hurt, but knew she deserved better and wasn’t pining away for the “hero” while he took his time pulling his head out of his ass.

[Frau G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leider viel zu viel drumherum als tatsächlich die Geschichte zwischen Grace und Evan.
Die beiden haben vielleicht 30% ausgemacht. Für Bücher einer Reihe, die unabhängig voneinander gelesen werden könnten, erwarte ich mehr von der Hauptstory.

[Kami Dodson-Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace Ryan has always been the “fat girl.” She tried diets, exercise, anything & everything to lose weight, but it just would not happen. Desperate to lose weight & maybe change her life she decided it was time for drastic measures and had lap-band surgery. Now 1 1/2 years later she's lost 130 pounds and is starting to date for the first time ever. During a boat trip to Gansett Island with Trey, a boy she has had a crush on since middle school, she finds out she is being doped. Grace refuses to have sex with him, even though it was about to happen, and finds herself stranded without money, clothes or her purse at McCarthy's Gansett Island Marina.

Even McCarthy is home home for the summer & awaiting the launch of his debut CD. Evan is performing at the Tiki Bar with his best friend Owen when he notices Grace. Grace looks lost & unhappy. Evan comes to her rescue and quickly finds himself falling fast & hard.

I relate to Grace in so many ways. Grace will probably be my favorite character in this series. This story focuses on Grace & Evan's relationship which is very sweet & funny. Funny because of Grace's laughing & sweet because of Evan's fight within himself to stay single. Even though this story is about Evan & Grace you get another glimpse of couples to come.

I have to say one thing about this book that I don't know if anyone else would have commented on.....the scene with Tiffany & Jim (ex-husband to be) was one of the best laughs I have had reading a book. Tiffany is determined to get Jim to talk to her so she gets very desperate & does something extreme. But it goes oh so wrong.......and it is hysterical. I don't want to ruin it for anyone but trust me I had tears rolling down my face & I could not catch my breath it was that funny. My husband asked what are you laughing at.....I had to read it to him. He was even laughing & did not even know what the book was about.

[Lynsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to on audio, narrated by Holly Fielding.

I'm going to have to re-listen to this one again another time. For some reason it wasn't holding my attention. I still enjoyed the bits I remember but I kept switching off and losing the thread of what was going on with Evan and Grace.

Perhaps I found their story a little boring. I kept thinking that I really want to listen to Owen/Laura and Tiffany/Blaine again.

It was great to finally see what happened when Tiffany handcuffed herself to her ex. I have no idea what she was thinking! It was very funny.

One thing I found strange was that so little was said about Charlie's release. It was disappointing in Grant/Stephanie's book that it wasn't dealt with then, but I assumed that meant it would be a part of this book. In the end it was, I assume, just a couple of paragraphs. For something so huge, it was concluded like an afterthought.

[Lady Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite story of the series... so far.

Evan was really fun to watch 'fall', and Grace was AMAZING! Her nativity, and innocence was wonderful.

Once again the writing, characters, and story.... lovely!

Can't wait to read Laura & Owen's story!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved seeing Evan loose it over Grace. Poor man really had no idea what to do! I can't wait to see what happens with Laura and Owen and Blaine and Tiffany. BTW...I'm still chuckling over the scene with Tiffany, Jim and the handcuffs! LMAO!

Another great addition to the series!

[Kara Parks · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say, I just love this series!! Can't wait for Owen and Laura's Story

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously? This series has EATEN MY BRAIN. I seem to only be capable of reading and reading and reading. Glad the hubs is around to feed and water the kids, cat and dog.

[Ela's Welt der Bücher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bissi schwächer obwohl ich die Charaktere so toll finde. 4 Sterne

[Seyma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gittikçe samimiyetsiz ve aceleci olmaya başladı bu çiftler :(

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

[Mary Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fifth book in THE McCARTHYS OF GANSETT ISLAND series, HOPING FOR LOVE reminds me why I’m so enamored with Marie Force’s books. Despite the emotional ups and downs I had with previous books (I loved some, liked others, and disliked one), HOPING FOR LOVE is, by far, my favorite for various reasons.

Grace Ryan is curvaceous and sexy but she wasn’t always like that. Growing up, she had the nickname, “The Whale,” and was teased and ostracized from her peers. Without a solid support group from friends or family, she finally took the plunge into the world of lap-band surgery. A little over a year later, she finds herself on a boat with a man she’s had a crush on for years. When Grace realizes her new boyfriend isn’t the type of man she thought he was, she finds herself stranded on an island with nothing but the clothes she’s wearing.

The island? Gansett, of course.

Lost, Grace finds herself in a bar where she sees Evan McCarthy singing with a friend. Evan’s home for the summer, relaxing and preparing for his upcoming debut fall tour. He notices Grace immediately, drawn toward her by the sad emotions playing across her face. The next thing he knows, he’s inviting her to stay at his parents’ house since there are no available rooms on the island during a holiday weekend. The attraction begins but nothing happens except actual sleep, some talking, breakfast with the parents, and a borrowed $100.

It doesn’t end there, of course, otherwise there wouldn’t be a story to love!

Grace returns to the island and the attraction that started with her failed night with the now-ex-boyfriend begins to burn slowly until it erupts in a night of passion that is handled realistically between a semi-womanizer and a virgin. The aftermath that follows is a familiar route taken in romance novels – Evan doesn’t want to settle down, Grace doesn’t want to be the doormat – but Force manages to write scenes so well that reading HOPING FOR LOVE is like a breath of fresh air. Grace isn’t going to wait around for anyone and she flirts a bit with another single man on the island though I never once felt like it was done maliciously against Evan. She finds new friendships with previous heroine, Stephanie, and Laura, who looks to be the heroine in the next book of the series. It’s interesting to see Grace’s interaction with the girls, especially because it’s shown that she never really had girlfriends in the past. And Evan seems to be getting some swift kicks in the behind from his brothers and friend, Owen, because he continues to believe he’s not falling in love when readers can tell that he actually is on that path already.

What I truly enjoy with this series is that Force revisits couples from past books while still integrating them into the current story. The problem I had with FALLING FOR LOVE (Stephanie and Grant’s story) was that the story lines that branched out from the main one seemed jarring and didn’t flow into each other as seamlessly as I’d hoped. In this latest novel, that problem went away for me and the transitions really blended the connections together. The look into past couples’ lives and the emergence of new characters and potential new romances is always fulfilling and HOPING FOR LOVE definitely gives both.

For those looking for cute romances or an escape from a busy work week, pick up HOPING FOR LOVE.

And if you haven’t read the entire series… Well, what are you waiting for?

[Anna D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this would be my favorite one but Evan turned out to be my least favorite hero in this series so far. The overall book was another winner though so I will continue on to the next book :)

Full review:
With each book I read in this series, I can’t help but compare the H/hs so that is the only reason why Evan is at the bottom of the Gansett hero list. Don’t get me wrong he’s still a great hero but just not as great in comparison to the perfect ones we’ve met before. I guess that’s not such a bad thing because they can’t ALL be perfect, right? Evan to me still seems like a young man who hasn’t quiet grown up yet. Like most people, I was disappointed with what he did to Maddie in high school..but he was young so I can forgive that. However, his running out on Grace the morning after was such a dick move. His daddy taught him better than that. He just seemed inconsistent because in the beginning he says he was raised not to ignore a crying gal (that was the reason why he approached Grace in the first place,) yet he ditched her the morning after their mind-blowing date without a note or a call or even a text! AND he knew it was Grace’s first time too! I know he has commitment issues but come on! Not good enough Evan. You are a McCarthy..the readers have higher standards for you. Then he pouted when Seamus was giving Grace attention; it almost seemed like he needed to get jealous to light a fire under his ass. All of his immature, self-centered thoughts just didn’t impress me.

Grace was a good heroine. She’s strong, independent and it took a lot of courage to take control of her life without support from her family. One thing I wish she would have done differently though was to not forgive Evan for his bonehead move as easily as she did.

The other stories in this book - Big Mac & Linda’s reconciliation, the progress with Owen & Laura’s love story, and the start of Blaine & Tiffany’s romance were actually a plus this time instead of a distraction to the main story. I’m still hooked on this series and plan to continue on to the next book.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had way too much going on. A side romance with Mom and Dad McCarthy. Laura and Owen. Tiffany (omg, Tiffany) and her divorce. Mac and Maddie. I liked most of the side stuff, but the main romance was really lacking, IMO. The POV kept jumping around too much.

Grace comes off as creepy in the beginning and way too needy. Evan did not seem as developed like the other H's of Force's. It was awkward, awkward, awkward, sexy time, awkward, BAM! Evan has done a complete 180 and he and Grace are set.

I am however very excited for Laura and Owen's full story. I am still not sure if I like Tiffany. Her take-over part in this had me laughing my head off in a horrified, please stop this madness, Jim is such a rat bastard, OMG Blaine you sexy beast kind of way lol I am hopeful that the next book has a lot less *other* going on.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started with this series last summer and have enjoyed it thus far. This is definitely a series book, and I would not recommend it without reading the other books in the series, starting with "Maid for Love". While the story centers around the main character, Grace and Evan, the cast of characters from previous books show up. This series is hard to describe. It isn't "edgy", nor is it one of the best that I have ever read. But there is something entertaining, and welcoming about this series. I like the descriptions of the island. I also like how the characters interrelate to one another. There is something relaxing about these books, and for some reason, Force writes characters that I would want to know in real life.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie Force has done it again - she has written another wonderful book!

I loved Evans and Grace's story. I would go as far as saying this is my favourite book in the series so far.

Many people have compared this series with Robyn Carr's Virgin River series which I am a huge fan of and I have to say this series is just as good, if not better because we are able to follow the lives of the other members of the McCarthy family whom we have all fallen in love with. I can't wait for Laura and Owen's story - I should never have read the sneak preview of Season for Love at the end of Hoping for Love - I want to read the rest of the book now! The release date seems so far away! The US summer (my winter can't come soon enough!

[LC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good addition to the series. I really enjoyed seeing more of Big Mac and Linda. We got to see more of them as a "couple" in this book which was nice.

Grace wasn't the most original heroine but sweet and you definitely want to root for her. I AM however, really excited to read Laura's story next. Her scenes with Owen in this book were some of the best!