What do you think?
Rate this book
Summer Island #2
The Giving Heart
Spend a white Christmas on Summer Island, where the fires are warm and the romance is hotterLila Sloan wonders why she ever thought house-sitting for her sister Meg on the remote Summer Island was a good idea. And to make matters worse, local real estate developer Beck Grainger is trying to cut down the beautiful trees that line the property. Lila can’t let this happen; Meg will never forgive her.Beck can understand Lila’s anger—sort of. The trees are actually on the neighboring property, and the land was zoned for development months ago, so his plans were no secret. But he dislikes being at odds with his friend’s sister, especially because Lila is appealing in every loyal, quick-witted and completely stunning. Lila hates that she’s so attracted to Beck, who seems like a genuinely good man, despite his tree-murdering tendencies. And their chemistry is off the charts. She just wishes he’d let this development go. As Summer Island counts down to a snowy Christmas, Lila and Beck will have to strike a compromise that seems impossible for them both—or risk losing the best thing either of them has ever had.
384 pages, Unknown Binding
First published October 29, 2019
37 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
Toni Blake
45 books1,160 followersToni Blake's love of writing began when she won an essay contest in the fifth grade. Soon after, she penned her first novel, nineteen notebook-pages long, and announced to her mother over breakfast one day that she was going to be a writer when she grew up. Since then, Toni has become the author of more than a dozen contemporary romance novels. Her work has been excerpted in Cosmo, she's been a recipient of the Kentucky Women Writers Fellowship and a nominee for the prestigious Pushcart Prize, and she's also had more than forty short stories and articles published. Toni lives in the Midwest and enjoys traveling, genealogy, crafts, and snow skiing.
Toni has also written under the name Toni Blair.
Photo: Cassandra Stella
Toni has also written under the name Toni Blair.
Photo: Cassandra Stella
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
November 1, 2019
This is an honest review to combat all the fake BS reviews written..!
SPOILER WARNING!!!!
First of, the blurb is misleading. This is NOT about Lila & Beck - but Beck, Suzette (OW) and Lila (to some small degree)! Confused? Yep, that's how I was going in. I expected to read a story about two folks as the blurb stated and about their "angst". What I was not expecting is a triangle of some form in which leaves the reader confused as to who the actual heroine is in this story!
In the most part, the OW (Suzette) plays a major role here because Hero has been attracted & pursuing her for over a year before heroine (Lila) comes into the picture and up until 95-96%, she is still in the picture. In fact, we have more POV's of hers about her feelings for the Hero (and his for the OW) then we do for the two leads that we are supposed to be reading about!
Now some may like triangles and that is fine but there are many of us who don't and when an author sets out to mislead a reader, this when I have a problem with it!
---------------------
Now about the story - So after all that if you are wondering where the romance & feels are, here are some things to know going in... (SPOILER WARNING AGAIN!)
Story is broken into 3 parts.
Part 1) Hero is still lusting & pursuing OW. For whatever reason which is never explained, both he & OW seem to have strong feelings for one another and they like & respect each other. Both in different POV's state that they would be happy with each other.
Now if you are like me, you would have to question how that is possible when they barely know each other & are acquaintances at best. Never having dated and all that to feel like they "know" each other or are meant to be? Yeah..No. *shrugs*
Heroine (Lila) & Hero in Part 1 all they do is fight. As a reader, I couldn't find one moment where I felt they were attracted or "in" to each other - and believe me I tried! In fact, this bickering between them pretty much goes back & forth throughout the story up until the end.
So after heroine learns that Hero has been crushing on OW for over a year, she asks for her help with saving the trees in back of her sister's inn and pushes OW to use whatever possible to get him to change his mind. We also have OW's BFF, who tells her to go after the Hero because he is such a HOT & nice guy. (FYI - this got annoying quite quickly as the BFF pushed OW over & over again towards Hero throughout the story!). So she tells Hero that she has a crush on him and wants to go out on a date - in the very near future which he is thrilled about! (Yippee!)
He & heroine then have sex and she kicks him out after the deed is done.
Part 2 is pretty much the same with heroine constantly kicking Hero out after sex and OW realizing that she may be losing hero to Lila so she continues to pursue him and we even have this lovely POV from Hero:
He’d been drawn to Suzanne from the start, an attraction at first sight when Dahlia had dragged him up to her on the café’s back deck one sunny day late last spring. The truth was, if they’d been dating before he’d met Lila, he probably never would have even looked at Meg’s sister in a romantic or sexual light. He wouldn’t have let himself. Or maybe he’d be so attached to Suzanne by now that he wouldn’t even have noticed how damn cute Lila was, period. He’d always been a one-woman man. Not because he tried to be—but because that’s just how it worked for him. When he was in a relationship with a woman, she had all of him.
(FYI - Hero & OW never actually go on a date so there is that at least and Hero is slightly oblivious to her attempting to move things forward with them...)
Part 3 is more of the same with Hero now no longer willing to sleep with heroine because she keeps kicking him out and won't meet him halfway. But we also have the added plot for the OW to finally get her big panties on and go after Hero (even though she knew he had something going on with heroine). She goes to his house in a major snowstorm and tells him that she is in love with him! What???!!! How is that possible when they barely even said hi to each other and know nothing about each other?
And if this wasn’t enough to want to stick a fork or two - or give the finger to what this author believes is "romantic" or anything entertaining, we have this at the end:
“I appreciate you coming. I appreciate you caring enough to come.”
Of course, he felt like he’d opened his front door and been hit by a Mack truck. And he felt awful—awful that she’d been so brave, put herself out there so boldly, and that he didn’t know what to say to it. He knew what he wanted to say. What it probably made sense to say.
Suzanne, I feel the same way. I’m glad you’re ready to move on. I’ve been attracted to you and intrigued by you literally since the moment we met. You’re a beautiful woman. You have a soft heart I’m drawn to. Yes, let’s use these cold December days to spend time together, start a relationship. Let’s be what I’ve hoped we could since the spring.
After all, he cared for her. True, they didn’t know each other well, but he still cared. And pure logic made this easy. Suzanne was a sure bet. A lovely bet. She was a sweet, funny woman he could very possibly have an extremely happy existence with here.
And the idea of moving forward with Suzanne, while it sounded simple and pleasant and suddenly like the path of least resistance, brought him an entirely different kind of clarity than she’d intended to give him by coming here.
Taking a shot at love with Suzanne made all the sense in the world—except for one thing that he could no longer deny.Lila, who would leave as soon as the ice melted, had his heart.
He’d been trying to move around that, push it down, stop feeling it, but she had his heart—that simple. And even if he had no future with Lila, and even if he hated this, he knew he had to, as gently as possible, break Suzanne’s.
She’d been sitting quietly, waiting for him to respond, and now he stood up, stepped around the coffee table, and sat down on it to bring them closer, where he could take her hand in his. It was soft, delicate, and a part of him deeply regretted what he was about to do—because if Lila had never stood in front of that bulldozer, he’d be giving Suzanne an entirely different answer right now.
Damn, but God did work in mysterious ways.
He squeezed her hand in his and tried to find the right, honest words. “I care for you, too, Suzanne, but...it wouldn’t be right, or fair to you, to move forward. There’s...somebody else.” He knew those words stung, more than stung. Who hadn’t, at some point in their life, been given that same heartbreaking news from someone they wanted to be with? But the words had needed to be said. Now he was the one who had to be clear. He didn’t want to lead her on. He worried he had already—without meaning to.
He shook his head, lowered his gaze, swallowed back the awkwardness. “I don’t even have a chance with her, but it wouldn’t be right to start seeing you while my heart is in another place.” He gathered the courage to look at her then—but her eyes were closed.
He sighed, and went on. “And I hate that. Because you’re amazing. You’re beautiful, and funny, and warm, and smart, and...bold as hell. You’re a woman of your own. You follow your heart wherever it leads you. And what more could a man want in a woman? I wish... I wish...hell, I don’t know what I wish exactly because this is all pretty damn confusing. But, if it makes any sense, I wish like hell I wasn’t telling you no.”
“Me, too,” she whispered, the softest of sounds.
And his heart broke a little—for both of them.
Suffice it to say, I will never again read anything from this author again and if this is her idea of romance, all power to her….
PS: One star is for the Hero & the cute kid next door scenes only.
He’d harbored an attraction to Suzanne, the flower shop owner in town, since the day he’d met her last spring—but it had gone pointedly unrequited. As in she’d completely shot him down, eventually taking an it’s-not-you-it’s-me approach that had dulled the sting only a little but had at least left them being able to say hi if they passed on the street.
Not that it looked promising at this point. Thirty-nine, divorced, living on a quiet, isolated island with low population, and he couldn’t get Suzanne Quinlan to look at him. He was pretty sure Lila Sloan wasn’t going to be beating his door down for a date anytime soon, either.
Might be a good day to try making some peace with Lila Sloan—and his new buddy, Cade, had given him an idea of how to at least take a stab at it, one that would lead him to see Suzanne in the bargain. He probably should have completely given up on Suzanne Quinlan by now, but for some reason he still held out a little hope. She was pretty, wry, forthright, feminine, and even if she had shot him down from the start, she’d slowly started being nicer to him since summer. Maybe something good would happen between them yet. Christmas was a time of miracles, after all. One more ground-in belief he hadn’t quite surrendered.
“Because I think maybe I finally have a crush on you. Or maybe I have had all along and was too confused to know it. Because I like you.”
“Because I like you, too,” he went on. “But I think you already know that.”
“Still”? Suzette asked.
“Still,” he said. “I mean, if you...wanted to get together, I’d love to take you to dinner. Sometimes holding your breath and being patient pays off. After all, if I’m lucky, I might get you to go out with me next spring.”
And maybe he was crazy to be pursuing Lila given that she’d be leaving soon, and that they had this big issue between them. After all, Suzanne wasn’t going anywhere. And Suzanne wasn’t mad at him. And Suzanne didn’t have a family business he was potentially damaging, however unwittingly. Things with Suzanne—despite her baggage—suddenly seemed a hell of a lot simpler. She was a beautiful woman. He wasn’t sure she realized it, but she was. Dark natural curls framed petite, feminine features, honest eyes, and an infectious smile. He suspected she had a big heart. And he knew that heart had been broken. And now, here she was, finally trying to open it, to him.
He found himself weighing things. Women. Her. Suzanne. He wasn’t necessarily looking to have his world rocked right now—he just wanted to find a nice lady to date. But like it or not, the two women in question both made him feel things.
SPOILER WARNING!!!!
First of, the blurb is misleading. This is NOT about Lila & Beck - but Beck, Suzette (OW) and Lila (to some small degree)! Confused? Yep, that's how I was going in. I expected to read a story about two folks as the blurb stated and about their "angst". What I was not expecting is a triangle of some form in which leaves the reader confused as to who the actual heroine is in this story!
In the most part, the OW (Suzette) plays a major role here because Hero has been attracted & pursuing her for over a year before heroine (Lila) comes into the picture and up until 95-96%, she is still in the picture. In fact, we have more POV's of hers about her feelings for the Hero (and his for the OW) then we do for the two leads that we are supposed to be reading about!
Now some may like triangles and that is fine but there are many of us who don't and when an author sets out to mislead a reader, this when I have a problem with it!
---------------------
Now about the story - So after all that if you are wondering where the romance & feels are, here are some things to know going in... (SPOILER WARNING AGAIN!)
Story is broken into 3 parts.
Part 1) Hero is still lusting & pursuing OW. For whatever reason which is never explained, both he & OW seem to have strong feelings for one another and they like & respect each other. Both in different POV's state that they would be happy with each other.
Now if you are like me, you would have to question how that is possible when they barely know each other & are acquaintances at best. Never having dated and all that to feel like they "know" each other or are meant to be? Yeah..No. *shrugs*
Heroine (Lila) & Hero in Part 1 all they do is fight. As a reader, I couldn't find one moment where I felt they were attracted or "in" to each other - and believe me I tried! In fact, this bickering between them pretty much goes back & forth throughout the story up until the end.
So after heroine learns that Hero has been crushing on OW for over a year, she asks for her help with saving the trees in back of her sister's inn and pushes OW to use whatever possible to get him to change his mind. We also have OW's BFF, who tells her to go after the Hero because he is such a HOT & nice guy. (FYI - this got annoying quite quickly as the BFF pushed OW over & over again towards Hero throughout the story!). So she tells Hero that she has a crush on him and wants to go out on a date - in the very near future which he is thrilled about! (Yippee!)
He & heroine then have sex and she kicks him out after the deed is done.
Part 2 is pretty much the same with heroine constantly kicking Hero out after sex and OW realizing that she may be losing hero to Lila so she continues to pursue him and we even have this lovely POV from Hero:
He’d been drawn to Suzanne from the start, an attraction at first sight when Dahlia had dragged him up to her on the café’s back deck one sunny day late last spring. The truth was, if they’d been dating before he’d met Lila, he probably never would have even looked at Meg’s sister in a romantic or sexual light. He wouldn’t have let himself. Or maybe he’d be so attached to Suzanne by now that he wouldn’t even have noticed how damn cute Lila was, period. He’d always been a one-woman man. Not because he tried to be—but because that’s just how it worked for him. When he was in a relationship with a woman, she had all of him.
(FYI - Hero & OW never actually go on a date so there is that at least and Hero is slightly oblivious to her attempting to move things forward with them...)
Part 3 is more of the same with Hero now no longer willing to sleep with heroine because she keeps kicking him out and won't meet him halfway. But we also have the added plot for the OW to finally get her big panties on and go after Hero (even though she knew he had something going on with heroine). She goes to his house in a major snowstorm and tells him that she is in love with him! What???!!! How is that possible when they barely even said hi to each other and know nothing about each other?
And if this wasn’t enough to want to stick a fork or two - or give the finger to what this author believes is "romantic" or anything entertaining, we have this at the end:
“I appreciate you coming. I appreciate you caring enough to come.”
Of course, he felt like he’d opened his front door and been hit by a Mack truck. And he felt awful—awful that she’d been so brave, put herself out there so boldly, and that he didn’t know what to say to it. He knew what he wanted to say. What it probably made sense to say.
Suzanne, I feel the same way. I’m glad you’re ready to move on. I’ve been attracted to you and intrigued by you literally since the moment we met. You’re a beautiful woman. You have a soft heart I’m drawn to. Yes, let’s use these cold December days to spend time together, start a relationship. Let’s be what I’ve hoped we could since the spring.
After all, he cared for her. True, they didn’t know each other well, but he still cared. And pure logic made this easy. Suzanne was a sure bet. A lovely bet. She was a sweet, funny woman he could very possibly have an extremely happy existence with here.
And the idea of moving forward with Suzanne, while it sounded simple and pleasant and suddenly like the path of least resistance, brought him an entirely different kind of clarity than she’d intended to give him by coming here.
Taking a shot at love with Suzanne made all the sense in the world—except for one thing that he could no longer deny.Lila, who would leave as soon as the ice melted, had his heart.
He’d been trying to move around that, push it down, stop feeling it, but she had his heart—that simple. And even if he had no future with Lila, and even if he hated this, he knew he had to, as gently as possible, break Suzanne’s.
She’d been sitting quietly, waiting for him to respond, and now he stood up, stepped around the coffee table, and sat down on it to bring them closer, where he could take her hand in his. It was soft, delicate, and a part of him deeply regretted what he was about to do—because if Lila had never stood in front of that bulldozer, he’d be giving Suzanne an entirely different answer right now.
Damn, but God did work in mysterious ways.
He squeezed her hand in his and tried to find the right, honest words. “I care for you, too, Suzanne, but...it wouldn’t be right, or fair to you, to move forward. There’s...somebody else.” He knew those words stung, more than stung. Who hadn’t, at some point in their life, been given that same heartbreaking news from someone they wanted to be with? But the words had needed to be said. Now he was the one who had to be clear. He didn’t want to lead her on. He worried he had already—without meaning to.
He shook his head, lowered his gaze, swallowed back the awkwardness. “I don’t even have a chance with her, but it wouldn’t be right to start seeing you while my heart is in another place.” He gathered the courage to look at her then—but her eyes were closed.
He sighed, and went on. “And I hate that. Because you’re amazing. You’re beautiful, and funny, and warm, and smart, and...bold as hell. You’re a woman of your own. You follow your heart wherever it leads you. And what more could a man want in a woman? I wish... I wish...hell, I don’t know what I wish exactly because this is all pretty damn confusing. But, if it makes any sense, I wish like hell I wasn’t telling you no.”
“Me, too,” she whispered, the softest of sounds.
And his heart broke a little—for both of them.
Suffice it to say, I will never again read anything from this author again and if this is her idea of romance, all power to her….
PS: One star is for the Hero & the cute kid next door scenes only.
He’d harbored an attraction to Suzanne, the flower shop owner in town, since the day he’d met her last spring—but it had gone pointedly unrequited. As in she’d completely shot him down, eventually taking an it’s-not-you-it’s-me approach that had dulled the sting only a little but had at least left them being able to say hi if they passed on the street.
Not that it looked promising at this point. Thirty-nine, divorced, living on a quiet, isolated island with low population, and he couldn’t get Suzanne Quinlan to look at him. He was pretty sure Lila Sloan wasn’t going to be beating his door down for a date anytime soon, either.
Might be a good day to try making some peace with Lila Sloan—and his new buddy, Cade, had given him an idea of how to at least take a stab at it, one that would lead him to see Suzanne in the bargain. He probably should have completely given up on Suzanne Quinlan by now, but for some reason he still held out a little hope. She was pretty, wry, forthright, feminine, and even if she had shot him down from the start, she’d slowly started being nicer to him since summer. Maybe something good would happen between them yet. Christmas was a time of miracles, after all. One more ground-in belief he hadn’t quite surrendered.
“Because I think maybe I finally have a crush on you. Or maybe I have had all along and was too confused to know it. Because I like you.”
“Because I like you, too,” he went on. “But I think you already know that.”
“Still”? Suzette asked.
“Still,” he said. “I mean, if you...wanted to get together, I’d love to take you to dinner. Sometimes holding your breath and being patient pays off. After all, if I’m lucky, I might get you to go out with me next spring.”
And maybe he was crazy to be pursuing Lila given that she’d be leaving soon, and that they had this big issue between them. After all, Suzanne wasn’t going anywhere. And Suzanne wasn’t mad at him. And Suzanne didn’t have a family business he was potentially damaging, however unwittingly. Things with Suzanne—despite her baggage—suddenly seemed a hell of a lot simpler. She was a beautiful woman. He wasn’t sure she realized it, but she was. Dark natural curls framed petite, feminine features, honest eyes, and an infectious smile. He suspected she had a big heart. And he knew that heart had been broken. And now, here she was, finally trying to open it, to him.
He found himself weighing things. Women. Her. Suzanne. He wasn’t necessarily looking to have his world rocked right now—he just wanted to find a nice lady to date. But like it or not, the two women in question both made him feel things.
December 30, 2019
This was a cheesy but very warmhearted read for the holiday season. If you are in the mood for a cheesy romance, look no further and pick this one up. Yes, there was indeed substance to the story as well but it was one of those stories that could easily be seen being adapted into a perfect Hallmark Christmas movie. If that happens, I know I would watch it for sure.
I did eventually become frustrated with the 'back-and-forth' nature of the two main characters getting together then deciding it was a bad idea but that is kind of status quo when it comes to novels with this storyline and it was still enjoyable.
I had not read the first novel in the Summer Island series but this still read fine as a standalone. However, between the cast and the cozy setting of the island, I definitely will be looking into reading more of this series in the future.
***Thank you to the publisher for supplying me with an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
I did eventually become frustrated with the 'back-and-forth' nature of the two main characters getting together then deciding it was a bad idea but that is kind of status quo when it comes to novels with this storyline and it was still enjoyable.
I had not read the first novel in the Summer Island series but this still read fine as a standalone. However, between the cast and the cozy setting of the island, I definitely will be looking into reading more of this series in the future.
***Thank you to the publisher for supplying me with an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
December 14, 2019
When Lila Sloan arrives on Summer island to take care of her sister’s inn, she takes an instant disliking to Beck Grainger, a real estate developer determined to ruin the inn’s view in order to build. Yet, over the course of the following days, as they get to know one another while arguing about the trees, they find that perhaps, they do not need to be at odds. Still, the potential romance is complicated by Beck’s infatuation with a local, Suzanne, while Lila has her past to confront.
The second in Toni Blake’s Summer Island series, A Giving Heart delivers a snowy romance as these characters decide what they are willing to accept, risk, and give, growing into the people they need to be along the way. (There is a particularly cute kid that helps Beck with this.) It is an enjoyable holiday read, perfect for anyone looking for a quick contemporary (as long as love triangles aren’t a problem!).
This review is also posted on Hallie Reads.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
The second in Toni Blake’s Summer Island series, A Giving Heart delivers a snowy romance as these characters decide what they are willing to accept, risk, and give, growing into the people they need to be along the way. (There is a particularly cute kid that helps Beck with this.) It is an enjoyable holiday read, perfect for anyone looking for a quick contemporary (as long as love triangles aren’t a problem!).
This review is also posted on Hallie Reads.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
October 20, 2019
Good continuation of the series. It opens with a rush as Lila, who is inn-sitting for her older sister Meg, sees a bulldozer knocking down trees behind the inn. She rushes out in her pajamas and slippers determined to stop it. There she encounters Beck, real estate developer, and owner of the land. She's stunned to hear of the plans to build houses on that hill and furious over what it will mean to the inn. She's determined to stop him in his tracks. Beck, who made his first appearance in the previous book (TheOne Who Stays) has had these plans in the works for months. He's not too happy about Lila's attempts to interfere, but with the weather being bad he believes he has time to change her mind. Neither one counts on the intense attraction between them.
I liked both Lila and Beck, though Lila had her moments when she really irritated me. She came to Summer Island for two reasons. First, to give her sister Meg, who owns the inn, a chance to leave the island for a few weeks with her boyfriend. Second, she is looking for peace since losing her job when her boss took exception to her resisting his unwanted advances. Lila feels that she was a bad sister to Meg when Meg went through her medical problems years earlier and, as a result, is determined to protect the inn and the family legacy. She also struggles with the belief that she handled the situation with her boss all wrong. Though she believes herself to be a selfish person, Lila is actually a woman with a lot to give. Beck is a self-made man who is looking to find some peace of his own at the same time he brings progress to the island community. Dealing with the recent death of his father, he faces regrets over their estrangement. His way of life versus his father's drove a wedge between them that kept Beck from spending much time with his family.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Beck and Lila. The sparks were there from the moment they met. Despite the circumstances, Lila can't help but notice Beck as a sexy man. As much as her actions irritate him, Beck is intrigued and attracted to the woman in the PJs and slippers trying to stop a bulldozer. Lila is determined to stay angry at him, and Beck wants to win her over. There is a rollercoaster of emotions as their attraction pulls them together, but Lila's feelings about his plans cause her to push him away. I loved the scene with the Christmas tree, as Beck tries to soften her anger. Lila desperately tries to hang on to her anger, but Beck's kindness and persistence chips away at it. But when the passion that flares between them explodes, Lila is beset with guilt over "sleeping with the enemy" and pushes him away. Over the next couple of weeks, they are constantly drawn together. In spite of their differences in the matter of the trees, in everything else they are well-matched. I loved how they shared their problems with each other. It was heartwarming to see how Beck believed and supported Lila over her situation with her ex-boss and the difference it made to Lila's feelings about herself. Beck also shared his feelings about his father with Lila, and talking to her gave him the boost he needed to face his past. I ached for them both as their feelings for each other grew, but the issue of the trees remained between them. The ending was terrific as they both learned the value of compromise. Their big moment had a feeling of "The Gift of the Magi" about it.
There were a few subplots going on also. My favorite was Beck's friendship with the little boy who lived next door. Five-year-old Cade was adorable, and I loved the way he brought out the lighter side of Beck. The snowman building scene was sweet and fun. When a blizzard stranded everyone for Christmas, I loved how Beck made sure that Cade's holiday wasn't ruined. Beck also featured in a subplot with Suzanne. He was interested in her in the first book, but because she was still grieving her late husband, she resisted his interest. In this one she begins to soften toward him, leaving Beck caught between two women. Dahlia also has someone special in her life, but issues of her own prevent her from letting it progress past a certain point. I hope to see more of this relationship in the next book.
Part of this book also dealt with Lila and the situation with her boss. Her feelings about what happened and how she handled it are very realistic. I ached for her and her hurt over her friend's reaction, and her reluctance to tell her family what happened. I liked the effect her relationship with Beck had on her outlook and her decisions about the future. I would have liked to get a little more detail about the results of those decisions.
I liked both Lila and Beck, though Lila had her moments when she really irritated me. She came to Summer Island for two reasons. First, to give her sister Meg, who owns the inn, a chance to leave the island for a few weeks with her boyfriend. Second, she is looking for peace since losing her job when her boss took exception to her resisting his unwanted advances. Lila feels that she was a bad sister to Meg when Meg went through her medical problems years earlier and, as a result, is determined to protect the inn and the family legacy. She also struggles with the belief that she handled the situation with her boss all wrong. Though she believes herself to be a selfish person, Lila is actually a woman with a lot to give. Beck is a self-made man who is looking to find some peace of his own at the same time he brings progress to the island community. Dealing with the recent death of his father, he faces regrets over their estrangement. His way of life versus his father's drove a wedge between them that kept Beck from spending much time with his family.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Beck and Lila. The sparks were there from the moment they met. Despite the circumstances, Lila can't help but notice Beck as a sexy man. As much as her actions irritate him, Beck is intrigued and attracted to the woman in the PJs and slippers trying to stop a bulldozer. Lila is determined to stay angry at him, and Beck wants to win her over. There is a rollercoaster of emotions as their attraction pulls them together, but Lila's feelings about his plans cause her to push him away. I loved the scene with the Christmas tree, as Beck tries to soften her anger. Lila desperately tries to hang on to her anger, but Beck's kindness and persistence chips away at it. But when the passion that flares between them explodes, Lila is beset with guilt over "sleeping with the enemy" and pushes him away. Over the next couple of weeks, they are constantly drawn together. In spite of their differences in the matter of the trees, in everything else they are well-matched. I loved how they shared their problems with each other. It was heartwarming to see how Beck believed and supported Lila over her situation with her ex-boss and the difference it made to Lila's feelings about herself. Beck also shared his feelings about his father with Lila, and talking to her gave him the boost he needed to face his past. I ached for them both as their feelings for each other grew, but the issue of the trees remained between them. The ending was terrific as they both learned the value of compromise. Their big moment had a feeling of "The Gift of the Magi" about it.
There were a few subplots going on also. My favorite was Beck's friendship with the little boy who lived next door. Five-year-old Cade was adorable, and I loved the way he brought out the lighter side of Beck. The snowman building scene was sweet and fun. When a blizzard stranded everyone for Christmas, I loved how Beck made sure that Cade's holiday wasn't ruined. Beck also featured in a subplot with Suzanne. He was interested in her in the first book, but because she was still grieving her late husband, she resisted his interest. In this one she begins to soften toward him, leaving Beck caught between two women. Dahlia also has someone special in her life, but issues of her own prevent her from letting it progress past a certain point. I hope to see more of this relationship in the next book.
Part of this book also dealt with Lila and the situation with her boss. Her feelings about what happened and how she handled it are very realistic. I ached for her and her hurt over her friend's reaction, and her reluctance to tell her family what happened. I liked the effect her relationship with Beck had on her outlook and her decisions about the future. I would have liked to get a little more detail about the results of those decisions.
February 12, 2020
This is the second book in the Summer Island series, but the first I have read. I had no problem following this story and it can definitely be read as a standalone book. This book opens with a bang and kept going strong. Lila is inn-sitting for her older sister Meg, when she hears cracking sounds. Looking out the window, she sees a bulldozer knocking down the trees behind the inn. She rushes out in her pajamas and slippers determined to stop the destruction. She meets the real estate developer behind the project, Beck, and is shocked to hear that luxury homes will be built on the land that they always took for granted. Lila does not leave the scene until she had the key to the bulldozer. As the story progresses, Beck is determined to get Lila to give him back the key of her own accord.
I really liked Lila and Beck, though Lila had her moments when she annoyed me. She has come to Summer Island to hide and recover from a situation at her last job, as well as to allow her sister to take a vacation. She is determined to save the trees as she feels the Inn will be destroyed if the forest is gone. She has guilt about a something from their youth and she feels she can't let Meg down again. Beck is a self-made man who is looking to find some peace of his own on Summer Island, as well as bringing progress to the island community. Dealing with the recent death of his father, he feels bad about their estrangement, but still feels it was justified. He has a lot of baggage dealing with his memories that he needs to reconcile with. Their relationship was interesting to follow. The sparks were there from the moment they met, but there was too much between them. As much as her actions irritate him, Beck is attracted to Lila. There is a pull of attraction, then Lila's feelings about his plans cause her to push him away. Over the next few weeks, they are constantly drawn together and if it weren't for the trees, they would have been together much sooner. As they finally opened up to each other about their pain and heartbreak, I loved the way they were there for one another, both giving the other what they needed. I really enjoyed the secondary plot of young Cade. He was a little boy visiting his grandparents across the street from Beck. They became friends and he made sure that Santa found Cade on the island. The subplot that I I wasn't impressed with was the relationship between Beck and Suzanne. I am glad the way it worked out though. With a storm stranding them all on Summer Island, I enjoyed how they were able to celebrate Christmas and how their relationships were strengthened. There is also a storyline dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace, and I really liked how this played out. Of course this is a romance so they will get their HEA, but the story that takes you there is well done. I will say there is some descriptive sex scenes that are not too long, so if that is not your cup of tea, you could skim over them. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Ann Marie Gideon. I enjoyed her performance of this story and thought her expression and intonation was well done. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this audiobook upon request. The rating, opinions and ideas shared are my own.
I really liked Lila and Beck, though Lila had her moments when she annoyed me. She has come to Summer Island to hide and recover from a situation at her last job, as well as to allow her sister to take a vacation. She is determined to save the trees as she feels the Inn will be destroyed if the forest is gone. She has guilt about a something from their youth and she feels she can't let Meg down again. Beck is a self-made man who is looking to find some peace of his own on Summer Island, as well as bringing progress to the island community. Dealing with the recent death of his father, he feels bad about their estrangement, but still feels it was justified. He has a lot of baggage dealing with his memories that he needs to reconcile with. Their relationship was interesting to follow. The sparks were there from the moment they met, but there was too much between them. As much as her actions irritate him, Beck is attracted to Lila. There is a pull of attraction, then Lila's feelings about his plans cause her to push him away. Over the next few weeks, they are constantly drawn together and if it weren't for the trees, they would have been together much sooner. As they finally opened up to each other about their pain and heartbreak, I loved the way they were there for one another, both giving the other what they needed. I really enjoyed the secondary plot of young Cade. He was a little boy visiting his grandparents across the street from Beck. They became friends and he made sure that Santa found Cade on the island. The subplot that I I wasn't impressed with was the relationship between Beck and Suzanne. I am glad the way it worked out though. With a storm stranding them all on Summer Island, I enjoyed how they were able to celebrate Christmas and how their relationships were strengthened. There is also a storyline dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace, and I really liked how this played out. Of course this is a romance so they will get their HEA, but the story that takes you there is well done. I will say there is some descriptive sex scenes that are not too long, so if that is not your cup of tea, you could skim over them. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Ann Marie Gideon. I enjoyed her performance of this story and thought her expression and intonation was well done. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this audiobook upon request. The rating, opinions and ideas shared are my own.
December 6, 2019
(I’m vlogging my thoughts on my current TisTheSeasonAThon Vlog on my YT channel, @ Bree Hill) so check me out there, BUT this had all the makings of a five star read for me for the first 200ish pages. Turned a bit slow and dragged out for my liking in the end And in the ending (this is a personal preference issue) there is an added thing into the story that I’m just not always a fan of. NO, not surprise pregnancy. Get your mind out of the gutter! But something else you wouldn’t expect when the characters have only known each other for 377 pages. It’d work if they already had some sort of back history but when they don’t, I cringe a little inside.
October 31, 2019
I’m so glad that Toni Blake is going back to write these kind of Contemporaries. In a time when Contemporary Romance is very popular but the focus is usually on being humorous or sexy, I really find myself gravitating to books like Blake’s where there’s a lot of emotion and conflict. I yearn for stories that mean something and I think Toni’s books always have a purpose to them that not everyone appreciates.
I completely enjoy her slower pace writing style. I love the small town feel to the series. I love the depth and emotion that Blake’s books into her characters. You can really see that this series means a lot to her because there’s a reason for everything. I am someone that appreciates that kind of attention to detail.
THE GIVING HEART has a little bit of a wintery theme to it, which most of you already know I love. The couple kind of start off with a rough patch. Lila kind of doesn’t like Beck because of his job and in her effort to preserve Summer Island, they do have some conflicts to overcome. But I do like Blake’s type of male characters because they are never perfect but they are still admirable and alluring in their own ways.
I’m hoping Blake had continue on with this series with many books. I just love the setting and the whole vibe of the series, so if you’re looking for something with a lot of heart in it, then this is a series that you much check out.
November 3, 2019
I liked this one but was so so on the romance part. I found myself more enjoying Beck and the little boy's adventures and Lila telling everyone why she escaped to the Island. I think both Beck and Lila learned more about themselves through these things than they did their big romance.
January 14, 2020
Back in November I participated in a blog tour for this book that R&R Book Tours hosted. I had agreed to read and review this book before I realized it was the second book in the series but even though I haven't read the first book yet I don't feel like I was missing out on anything. But after finishing this one I for sure want to go back and read the first one.
This book is told from 3 different perspectives Lila, Beck and Suzanne. While Suzanne does have a significant role in the book she is more of a side character and honestly I could have done without that little side story. While I think it was handled pretty well for the most part I didn't really care for it or how a certain character went about one particular scene. Vague I know but I try to keep my reviews spoiler free.
Beck is your typical swoon worthy hero but he definitely has his flaws. Speaking of Beck the author went on and on about how handsome he was pretty much throughout the whole book which really got on my nerves. He's handsome I get it I don't need to be reminded over and over and over again.
While this is a romance it definitely deals with some heavy subject matter. I haven't had any personal experience with the subjects that were tackled in this but I feel like they were handled pretty well.
This is a pretty easy and quick read but at the same time things were progressing very slowly. Just when it felt like we were starting to get somewhere with the romance something would happen to make it slow back down. It was this constant will they want they situation and I just wanted them to be fully together already because their chemistry was literally seeping off the pages. And the thing that was holding them back wasn't really a big enough thing in my opinion to keep them from being together but they sure tried making it the biggest thing.
I know it sounds like I didn't enjoy this book because of all of the issues I had with it but overall I really did. I loved the characters even though they definitely made some mistakes. The romance was amazing and the setting was stunning. The author did an amazing job describing the setting. I could vividly picture what it would be like there.
This book is told from 3 different perspectives Lila, Beck and Suzanne. While Suzanne does have a significant role in the book she is more of a side character and honestly I could have done without that little side story. While I think it was handled pretty well for the most part I didn't really care for it or how a certain character went about one particular scene. Vague I know but I try to keep my reviews spoiler free.
Beck is your typical swoon worthy hero but he definitely has his flaws. Speaking of Beck the author went on and on about how handsome he was pretty much throughout the whole book which really got on my nerves. He's handsome I get it I don't need to be reminded over and over and over again.
While this is a romance it definitely deals with some heavy subject matter. I haven't had any personal experience with the subjects that were tackled in this but I feel like they were handled pretty well.
This is a pretty easy and quick read but at the same time things were progressing very slowly. Just when it felt like we were starting to get somewhere with the romance something would happen to make it slow back down. It was this constant will they want they situation and I just wanted them to be fully together already because their chemistry was literally seeping off the pages. And the thing that was holding them back wasn't really a big enough thing in my opinion to keep them from being together but they sure tried making it the biggest thing.
I know it sounds like I didn't enjoy this book because of all of the issues I had with it but overall I really did. I loved the characters even though they definitely made some mistakes. The romance was amazing and the setting was stunning. The author did an amazing job describing the setting. I could vividly picture what it would be like there.
October 30, 2019
4.5 stars
I am really enjoying the Summer Island series. Toni Blake has a way of bringing a story full circle and this one was no different but it also came with a beautiful message. Giving. Lila was running away, again. She knows she has done this her whole life and knows that it has to stop. It’s time she becomes the responsible person everyone could rely on. Step One … help out the sister she wasn’t there for when she needed her the most. Step Two … well, she’ll get to that when she figures it out. But, step one is really getting the best of her. She can’t let Meg down and somehow, without even trying, she is. And, at the same time, she’s falling in love with Summer Island enemy Number One.
Beck is the newcomer to Summer Island. His agenda hasn’t been hidden yet everyone seems surprised when he starts bulldozing the trees. Especially that little spitfire that is called Meg. How does he say no to her? He has no choice but will try to make peace with her. He values his friendship with Meg too much to not try to smooth things over with Lila. Now, his next problem. How does he keep his hands off of the beautiful Lila? And, how does he let Suzanne know that he’s no longer interested?
I was intrigued with the little twists in this story. I found both Beck and Lila’s back-stories very interesting and really made the story make sense. You understood the “giving” in The Giving Heart. Lila was an enigma in the beginning. Then, when her story came out, you understood. She was a little hard on herself and honestly felt that she didn’t deserve to be happy. Her guilt was what kept her fighting. That and a knitting loom. Beck was just trying to live his life to the best of his ability. But, in the end, found that he was doing so much more than living … he found the true meaning of giving and love.
Toni Blake wrote a heart-warming and loving Christmas story. I am looking forward to where she is going to bring Suzanne and Dahlia. And, I look forward to more from Meg and Seth and now Lila and Beck.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
I am really enjoying the Summer Island series. Toni Blake has a way of bringing a story full circle and this one was no different but it also came with a beautiful message. Giving. Lila was running away, again. She knows she has done this her whole life and knows that it has to stop. It’s time she becomes the responsible person everyone could rely on. Step One … help out the sister she wasn’t there for when she needed her the most. Step Two … well, she’ll get to that when she figures it out. But, step one is really getting the best of her. She can’t let Meg down and somehow, without even trying, she is. And, at the same time, she’s falling in love with Summer Island enemy Number One.
Beck is the newcomer to Summer Island. His agenda hasn’t been hidden yet everyone seems surprised when he starts bulldozing the trees. Especially that little spitfire that is called Meg. How does he say no to her? He has no choice but will try to make peace with her. He values his friendship with Meg too much to not try to smooth things over with Lila. Now, his next problem. How does he keep his hands off of the beautiful Lila? And, how does he let Suzanne know that he’s no longer interested?
I was intrigued with the little twists in this story. I found both Beck and Lila’s back-stories very interesting and really made the story make sense. You understood the “giving” in The Giving Heart. Lila was an enigma in the beginning. Then, when her story came out, you understood. She was a little hard on herself and honestly felt that she didn’t deserve to be happy. Her guilt was what kept her fighting. That and a knitting loom. Beck was just trying to live his life to the best of his ability. But, in the end, found that he was doing so much more than living … he found the true meaning of giving and love.
Toni Blake wrote a heart-warming and loving Christmas story. I am looking forward to where she is going to bring Suzanne and Dahlia. And, I look forward to more from Meg and Seth and now Lila and Beck.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
November 14, 2019
Lila Sloan is house sitting for her sister’s, Meg, bed and breakfast. The home was the grandparent’s inn, on Summer Island, a remote island only accessible by boats. She’s always felt like she failed her sister because she was not emotionally there for her while she battled cancer. So, she is stepping up to the plate and house sitting so her sister can get away for a much-needed vacation.
Lila is woke up by the sound of a large machine tearing up the picturesque hillside behind the inn, where she throws herself in its way to stop the construction that neither her sister or the rest of the close knit towns folk knew where happening. Lila is convinced she failed her sister when she had cancer, she isn’t going to let some rich builder destroy her family legacy and her sister’s dream. Beck, the rich builder, understands Lila’s anger but he won’t let her feelings effect his newest venture. Everyone has liked and spoke well of Beck, so why is he trying to destroy this pristine woodland?
Sparks fly, chemistry ignites, and emotions explode as Lila and Beck discover what it truly means to love. But can frenemies really work it out?
I really enjoyed Lila’s and Beck’s story. Both are emotionally scarred and facing tough life circumstances caused by personal choices. Toni Blake gives us a heartfelt tale of family, community and love.
I received this copy of The Giving Heart from HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada) - Hqn. This is my honest and voluntary review.
My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Toni Aleo
Series: Summer Island (Book 2)
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: HQN; Original edition (October 29, 2019)
ISBN-10: 1335505059
ISBN-13: 978-1335505057
Genre: Holiday Romance
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Giving-Heart-S...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...
Lila is woke up by the sound of a large machine tearing up the picturesque hillside behind the inn, where she throws herself in its way to stop the construction that neither her sister or the rest of the close knit towns folk knew where happening. Lila is convinced she failed her sister when she had cancer, she isn’t going to let some rich builder destroy her family legacy and her sister’s dream. Beck, the rich builder, understands Lila’s anger but he won’t let her feelings effect his newest venture. Everyone has liked and spoke well of Beck, so why is he trying to destroy this pristine woodland?
Sparks fly, chemistry ignites, and emotions explode as Lila and Beck discover what it truly means to love. But can frenemies really work it out?
I really enjoyed Lila’s and Beck’s story. Both are emotionally scarred and facing tough life circumstances caused by personal choices. Toni Blake gives us a heartfelt tale of family, community and love.
I received this copy of The Giving Heart from HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada) - Hqn. This is my honest and voluntary review.
My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Toni Aleo
Series: Summer Island (Book 2)
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: HQN; Original edition (October 29, 2019)
ISBN-10: 1335505059
ISBN-13: 978-1335505057
Genre: Holiday Romance
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Giving-Heart-S...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...
December 9, 2019
I thought this was a charming holiday read. The romance between Beck and Lila was fine. Yes, there were sparks but I was not feeling them as strongly as I would have liked to. For one; It took me a while to warm up to Lila. Yet, when it came to Beck, I had no issues. This has to do a lot with the fact that he warmed me heart with how kind and good he is with Cade. Little children are a guaranteed winner.
In fact, Cade may have stole some of the spotlighting this story. I would not get enough of him. Every time that he appeared in the story, I was smiling. Back to Lila and Beck. They kind of had an hot/cold relationship for a good portion of the story. Which did not help with me feeling the love between them.
The other characters in this story helped. They were engaging and people that I would want to hang out with. This book may be part of the Summer Island series but it has all the vibes of a nice holiday read.
In fact, Cade may have stole some of the spotlighting this story. I would not get enough of him. Every time that he appeared in the story, I was smiling. Back to Lila and Beck. They kind of had an hot/cold relationship for a good portion of the story. Which did not help with me feeling the love between them.
The other characters in this story helped. They were engaging and people that I would want to hang out with. This book may be part of the Summer Island series but it has all the vibes of a nice holiday read.
October 29, 2019
4☆ A Warm and Cosy Romance
The Giving Heart is a cosy warm romance.
I wasn't aware that this was part of a series although this can be read as a standalone i did feel i missed out on a little character development.
Lila is looking after her sister Megs Inn whilst she's away.
But what she didn't know, was that a developer has set his sights on the land and wants to bulldoze down the trees in the area.
Beck the developer is very Handsome and Lila doesn't bank on having an attraction towards him.
She's determined to stay focused and save her sisters inn, even though she can't help melting a lil bit more each time she sees him.
Beck's is torn between his business and his heart as Lila is definitely getting under his skin.
The Giving Heart is a heart warming and Cosy, Feel Good Romance, it has plenty of Wit, a lil dash of flirty banter, its a story about compromising, doing the right thing, family, second chances, finding oneself and Finding Love when you least expect it!
The Characters are Endearing and well written.
The plot is compelling and the setting is beautifully Festive.
Overall The Giving Heart is a wonderful read, I look forward to reading more of the series.
Thank you to Shannon from R&R Blog Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/1...
The Giving Heart is a cosy warm romance.
I wasn't aware that this was part of a series although this can be read as a standalone i did feel i missed out on a little character development.
Lila is looking after her sister Megs Inn whilst she's away.
But what she didn't know, was that a developer has set his sights on the land and wants to bulldoze down the trees in the area.
Beck the developer is very Handsome and Lila doesn't bank on having an attraction towards him.
She's determined to stay focused and save her sisters inn, even though she can't help melting a lil bit more each time she sees him.
Beck's is torn between his business and his heart as Lila is definitely getting under his skin.
The Giving Heart is a heart warming and Cosy, Feel Good Romance, it has plenty of Wit, a lil dash of flirty banter, its a story about compromising, doing the right thing, family, second chances, finding oneself and Finding Love when you least expect it!
The Characters are Endearing and well written.
The plot is compelling and the setting is beautifully Festive.
Overall The Giving Heart is a wonderful read, I look forward to reading more of the series.
Thank you to Shannon from R&R Blog Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/1...
October 29, 2019
Lila and Beck were not what I was expecting from either the blurb or the cover of this book. Lila is very immature and kind of scattered. I didn’t feel as much chemistry as I would have liked or expected. Beck seems like a decent guy, but I didn’t really warm to him, either. And don’t get me started on Suzanne.
I’ll try another Toni Blake book in the future, but Summer Island doesn’t feel like the series for me. 2.5 stars
I’ll try another Toni Blake book in the future, but Summer Island doesn’t feel like the series for me. 2.5 stars
October 19, 2019
This book was ok. It seemed a little juvenile to me. I liked the hero but the heroine was a bit annoying. Even he gave up on her after a while. It felt a little odd to just shoehorn the #metoo stuff. I felt more time could have been spent on that stuff than on Suzanne. She just seems sad at this point. I enjoyed the authors previous series, but this one not so much.
December 1, 2019
Nope. I don't like triangles and I especially do not like an indecisive Hero who can't make up his mind. If he is attracted to anyone other then the heroine, then it is not a romance for me.
October 29, 2019
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I’m so glad that Toni Blake is going back to write these kind of Contemporaries. In a time when Contemporary Romance is very popular but the focus is usually on being humorous or sexy, I really find myself gravitating to books like Blake’s where there’s a lot of emotion and conflict. I yearn for stories that mean something and I think Toni’s books always have a purpose to them that not everyone appreciates.
I completely enjoy her slower pace writing style. I love the small town feel to the series. I love the depth and emotion that Blake’s books into her characters. You can really see that this series means a lot to her because there’s a reason for everything. I am someone that appreciates that kind of attention to detail.
THE GIVING HEART has a little bit of a wintery theme to it, which most of you already know I love. The couple kind of start off with a rough patch. Lila kind of doesn’t like Beck because of his job and in her effort to preserve Summer Island, they do have some conflicts to overcome. But I do like Blake’s type of male characters because they are never perfect but they are still admirable and alluring in their own ways.
I’m hoping Blake had continue on with this series with many books. I just love the setting and the whole vibe of the series, so if you’re looking for something with a lot of heart in it, then this is a series that you much check out.
*ARC provided by publisher
Reviewed by Annie❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤
December 15, 2019
Readers are transported back to Summer Island just in time for a White Christmas sprinkled with romance.
Lila is inn-sitting for her sister Meg. While she believes she has everything under control, she is startled that there are plans to tear down the trees and build houses. She bumps heads with the developer who also happens to be a friend of her sister. She is willing to do whatever to derail his plans to destroy the land.
Beck finds himself at odds as he tries to reason with Lila. He is not willing to go down without a fight but the weather did put a halt in his plans for now. While they brave snowstorms and cold conditions, Beck uses the time to try to persuade Lila to stop running interference with his job. The more time he spends around her, the more he likes her.
The story itself is fine on its own. I think I am a little more invested in the town than the characters at this point. Lila is okay as a heroine but she did drag her feet when it came to compromising with Beck. I almost wanted him to throw in the towel but when they came together it was cute.
What really saved the story is the Christmas theme throughout. I love how they went tree shopping and the winter presence was strong. Beck really did put the best effort forward for Lila.
I’m not sure where the author is going with some of the side characters. There is one in particular whose story is more serious than I like. There are a lot of adult issues to be tackled in these books for sure. I guess that is why I don’t read them as traditional romances but maybe more of women’s fiction.
Overall, a cozy read to get readers into the holiday spirit.
ARC provided in exchange for honest review.
Lila is inn-sitting for her sister Meg. While she believes she has everything under control, she is startled that there are plans to tear down the trees and build houses. She bumps heads with the developer who also happens to be a friend of her sister. She is willing to do whatever to derail his plans to destroy the land.
Beck finds himself at odds as he tries to reason with Lila. He is not willing to go down without a fight but the weather did put a halt in his plans for now. While they brave snowstorms and cold conditions, Beck uses the time to try to persuade Lila to stop running interference with his job. The more time he spends around her, the more he likes her.
The story itself is fine on its own. I think I am a little more invested in the town than the characters at this point. Lila is okay as a heroine but she did drag her feet when it came to compromising with Beck. I almost wanted him to throw in the towel but when they came together it was cute.
What really saved the story is the Christmas theme throughout. I love how they went tree shopping and the winter presence was strong. Beck really did put the best effort forward for Lila.
I’m not sure where the author is going with some of the side characters. There is one in particular whose story is more serious than I like. There are a lot of adult issues to be tackled in these books for sure. I guess that is why I don’t read them as traditional romances but maybe more of women’s fiction.
Overall, a cozy read to get readers into the holiday spirit.
ARC provided in exchange for honest review.
October 29, 2019
When a broken woman returns to her grandmother’s inn to recover and find peace, she stubbornly pushes away a chance at happiness instead. Will she be able to forgive and choose love?
Book 2 of the Summer Island series is a charming Christmas love story about Lila and Beck. Lila is desperate, tired, and has made a promise to become a more responsible person by saving the inn from Beck’s land development project. Beck is attracted to the cute and crazy Lila who stopped a bulldozer while wearing PJs and slippers in the snow.
Beck is my favorite character with his kindness and generosity to everyone. His idea to help 5-year-old Cade have a merrier Christmas is so sweet and he has the patience of a saint when dealing with Lila.
It was an interesting plotline to have Beck torn between two woman at the beginning and I hope to see all these characters in Book 3.
Overall, the story tells us not to be too hard on ourselves for what we have or haven’t done in the past.
With the beautiful holiday setting and wonderful sense of community, The Giving Heart is definitely a page turner. I hope to read more of this series soon. Recommend highly!
Thank you to Ms. Blake for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Book 2 of the Summer Island series is a charming Christmas love story about Lila and Beck. Lila is desperate, tired, and has made a promise to become a more responsible person by saving the inn from Beck’s land development project. Beck is attracted to the cute and crazy Lila who stopped a bulldozer while wearing PJs and slippers in the snow.
Beck is my favorite character with his kindness and generosity to everyone. His idea to help 5-year-old Cade have a merrier Christmas is so sweet and he has the patience of a saint when dealing with Lila.
It was an interesting plotline to have Beck torn between two woman at the beginning and I hope to see all these characters in Book 3.
Overall, the story tells us not to be too hard on ourselves for what we have or haven’t done in the past.
With the beautiful holiday setting and wonderful sense of community, The Giving Heart is definitely a page turner. I hope to read more of this series soon. Recommend highly!
Thank you to Ms. Blake for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectation of a positive review.
October 31, 2019
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie
Christmas stories don’t get much more heartfelt or complicated than in The Giving Heart by Toni Blake. Enemies-to-lovers goodness with a bit of a love triangle–and of course the true spirit of the season–made Summer Island the perfect place to be for Christmas this year.
Book two in Toni Blake’s Summer Island series had all the entertaining antics and emotional depth that book one did–and it even carried another love triangle theme. There was no cheating involved, though. It was just a messy situation for Lila, Beck, and Suzanne to work through. Read More
Christmas stories don’t get much more heartfelt or complicated than in The Giving Heart by Toni Blake. Enemies-to-lovers goodness with a bit of a love triangle–and of course the true spirit of the season–made Summer Island the perfect place to be for Christmas this year.
Book two in Toni Blake’s Summer Island series had all the entertaining antics and emotional depth that book one did–and it even carried another love triangle theme. There was no cheating involved, though. It was just a messy situation for Lila, Beck, and Suzanne to work through. Read More
December 28, 2019
3.5. It was a more complex book then I imagined. Two women falling for the same guy and both were good people. The past both the hero and heroine were working through. The ending was lacking though. Shouldn’t Meg have something to say about the trees? What happens when the heroine goes back to Chicago to face her former boss? The list goes on...
December 28, 2019
Cute story. Fun little romance to read around Christmas.
December 16, 2024
Such a cutie holiday read. Save the trees 🌲
November 23, 2019
This was a book where the heroine had a negative self image and this seemed to be all she could think about. This is book 2 in the Summer Island series although the series has a prequel also. Lila is house sitting for her sister Meg, and when land developer Beck starts ripping up the tree line behind the Inn Lila needs to move fast to prevent Meg's views turning into a housing development. The romance between Lila and Beck needs a Christmas miracle to survive. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review..
October 30, 2019
Readers are transported back to Summer Island just in time for a White Christmas sprinkled with romance.
Lila is inn-sitting for her sister Meg. While she believes she has everything under control, she is startled that there are plans to tear down the trees and build houses. She bumps heads with the developer who also happens to be a friend of her sister. She is willing to do whatever to derail his plans to destroy the land.
Beck finds himself at odds as he tries to reason with Lila. He is not willing to go down without a fight but the weather did put a halt in his plans for now. While they brave snowstorms and cold conditions, Beck uses the time to try to persuade Lila to stop running interference with his job. The more time he spends around her, the more he likes her.
The story itself is fine on its own. I think I am a little more invested in the town than the characters at this point. Lila is okay as a heroine but she did drag her feet when it came to compromising with Beck. I almost wanted him to throw in the towel but when they came together it was cute.
What really saved the story is the Christmas theme throughout. I love how they went tree shopping and the winter presence was strong. Beck really did put the best effort forward for Lila.
I’m not sure where the author is going with some of the side characters. There is one in particular whose story is more serious than I like. There are a lot of adult issues to be tackled in these books for sure. I guess that is why I don’t read them as traditional romances but maybe more of women’s fiction.
Overall, a cozy read to get readers into the holiday spirit.
~ Samantha
Lila is inn-sitting for her sister Meg. While she believes she has everything under control, she is startled that there are plans to tear down the trees and build houses. She bumps heads with the developer who also happens to be a friend of her sister. She is willing to do whatever to derail his plans to destroy the land.
Beck finds himself at odds as he tries to reason with Lila. He is not willing to go down without a fight but the weather did put a halt in his plans for now. While they brave snowstorms and cold conditions, Beck uses the time to try to persuade Lila to stop running interference with his job. The more time he spends around her, the more he likes her.
The story itself is fine on its own. I think I am a little more invested in the town than the characters at this point. Lila is okay as a heroine but she did drag her feet when it came to compromising with Beck. I almost wanted him to throw in the towel but when they came together it was cute.
What really saved the story is the Christmas theme throughout. I love how they went tree shopping and the winter presence was strong. Beck really did put the best effort forward for Lila.
I’m not sure where the author is going with some of the side characters. There is one in particular whose story is more serious than I like. There are a lot of adult issues to be tackled in these books for sure. I guess that is why I don’t read them as traditional romances but maybe more of women’s fiction.
Overall, a cozy read to get readers into the holiday spirit.
~ Samantha
November 3, 2019
Lila Sloan has come to Summer Island to house-sit the family run inn for her sister Meg. She's hoping for some peace and quiet and what she gets is a bulldozer knocking down trees on the hill behind the inn.
Beck Grainger is trying to make the island more accessible by building luxury homes. He never expected the impassioned resistance he gets from Lila as she places herself in front of the bulldozer. He certainly admires her tenacity and wants to ease the hurt his actions are causing. So bringing a little Christmas cheer in the form of a tree seems like a good idea. And they both get more than they expected.
This is a heartwarming story of forgiveness and choices. And bringing together a tight knit community over Christmas.
Beck Grainger is trying to make the island more accessible by building luxury homes. He never expected the impassioned resistance he gets from Lila as she places herself in front of the bulldozer. He certainly admires her tenacity and wants to ease the hurt his actions are causing. So bringing a little Christmas cheer in the form of a tree seems like a good idea. And they both get more than they expected.
This is a heartwarming story of forgiveness and choices. And bringing together a tight knit community over Christmas.
October 15, 2019
Complementary book given for honest review.
Lila and Beck have a fun chemistry that begins as Lila is Inn-sitting for her sister. This book is a lovely read for someone that loves to watch a community unfold.
Lila and Beck have a fun chemistry that begins as Lila is Inn-sitting for her sister. This book is a lovely read for someone that loves to watch a community unfold.
November 1, 2019
**Review will posted on my blog http://pastmidnight.home.blog during my blog tour spot on October 30, 2019**
3.5 Stars
Thank you to HGN Books and NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this eARC.
I didn’t read the first book in this Summer Island series but I think The Giving Heart can stand pretty good on it’s own.
Lila is inn-setting for her sister Meg on Summer Island, a place in Northern Michigan where not even vehicles are allowed there. But Lila has an ulterior motive for being there also, to escape something that happened to her in Chicago. Beck Grainger is an estate developer who is about to raze down trees on Meg’s property and Lila is not having it. What starts off as an escape for Lila has turned into a mission to protect Meg’s estate…and then some. 😉
I was all for this romance between Lila and Beck but what I didn’t anticipate is the storyline of Beck’s past interest in another Summer Island resident, Suzanne. Like I said, I didn’t read book one so if that’s where he flirted with Suzanne then I can understand it. But coming in fresh into this book, I really didn’t like Beck’s feelings for two women.
Outside of that though, Lila and Beck’s story is a fun and spicy Christmas romance with a lot of angst too, mostly because Lila is not a resident of Summer Island, so there is that to figure out between them. I love their interactions, bickering and banter. But the story isn’t only about them falling for each other. Lila is going through some tough times with what happened in Chicago and Beck has issues to deal with his past estranged relationship with his dad.
It’s one of those books that would make a great Hallmark Channel Christmas movie! It’s sweet, heartfelt, it has its hot moments and the characters have personal issues to work through as well. The setting of Summer Island sounds like a wintry, wonderland dream! Not that I would want to be stuck on an island with bad winter conditions but it makes for a great romantic setting. And the cast of characters adds to the setting as well, the people are nice and friendly, especially to nonresidents like Lila.
Like any Christmas romance novel it ends with a very happily ever after. And will Suzanne get her HEA in the next book? I hope so, because I felt awful for her!
This is definitely the kind of novel to enjoy right after spooky season is done or if you like to read holiday romance novels year round as well, more power to you! The Giving Heart will definitely give you the holiday feels. 🎄
3.5 Stars
Thank you to HGN Books and NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this eARC.
I didn’t read the first book in this Summer Island series but I think The Giving Heart can stand pretty good on it’s own.
Lila is inn-setting for her sister Meg on Summer Island, a place in Northern Michigan where not even vehicles are allowed there. But Lila has an ulterior motive for being there also, to escape something that happened to her in Chicago. Beck Grainger is an estate developer who is about to raze down trees on Meg’s property and Lila is not having it. What starts off as an escape for Lila has turned into a mission to protect Meg’s estate…and then some. 😉
I was all for this romance between Lila and Beck but what I didn’t anticipate is the storyline of Beck’s past interest in another Summer Island resident, Suzanne. Like I said, I didn’t read book one so if that’s where he flirted with Suzanne then I can understand it. But coming in fresh into this book, I really didn’t like Beck’s feelings for two women.
Outside of that though, Lila and Beck’s story is a fun and spicy Christmas romance with a lot of angst too, mostly because Lila is not a resident of Summer Island, so there is that to figure out between them. I love their interactions, bickering and banter. But the story isn’t only about them falling for each other. Lila is going through some tough times with what happened in Chicago and Beck has issues to deal with his past estranged relationship with his dad.
It’s one of those books that would make a great Hallmark Channel Christmas movie! It’s sweet, heartfelt, it has its hot moments and the characters have personal issues to work through as well. The setting of Summer Island sounds like a wintry, wonderland dream! Not that I would want to be stuck on an island with bad winter conditions but it makes for a great romantic setting. And the cast of characters adds to the setting as well, the people are nice and friendly, especially to nonresidents like Lila.
Like any Christmas romance novel it ends with a very happily ever after. And will Suzanne get her HEA in the next book? I hope so, because I felt awful for her!
This is definitely the kind of novel to enjoy right after spooky season is done or if you like to read holiday romance novels year round as well, more power to you! The Giving Heart will definitely give you the holiday feels. 🎄
March 16, 2020
I love the Summer Island series by Toni Blake! TB is one of my favorite authors because of her storylines. The characters and the stories really stay with me!
In The Giving Heart, we are back at the Summerbrook Inn on the quaint and cozy Michigan island that uses sleighs and bicycles for transportation (no cars) and the only way to the mainland is by ferry. The town center is graced by pastel colored shops lined up against a backdrop of the lake and lighthouses, the big Christmas tree at the town center. Lila Sloan, Meg’s little sister, is a staying at the Inn and helping out to give her big sister time away with her new boyfriend Seth. Lila is on her way to proving to herself and to Meg that she can be a better, more attentive sister and things are going great until Beck Grainger, local developer, starts bulldozing the trees behind the Inn. This is a major problem since the trees add to the seclusion of the Inn that guests love, and also hold sentimental value to the family. Lila tries everything to halt the destruction of the trees, and is luckily bided some time by the ice and snow.
Lila wants to dislike Beck because of what he’s going to do to her family’s property but his charm and kindness make it difficult for her to hate him, despite the tree problem, and it doesn’t hurt that he leaves her a little breathless with his good looks and is a sweet companion to an adorable little boy!
Lila is very stubborn in her resolve not to be with Beck. But, is her reasoning about MORE than just the trees and the loyalty to her sister Meg and the inn and her family?
Lila has a secret. She ran to Summer Island for more than one reason, one of them being escape. Escape from a terrible memory in which she was taken advantage of and humiliated back in Chicago by another man.
As Christmas nears, the kindness of her sister’s friends, Suzanne and Dahlia, her growing relationship with Beck, and comfort found in knitting all aid to reinforce Lila’s strength. Maybe love doesn’t have to be all or nothing. And maybe sometimes speaking the truth, even if our voice shakes, is a necessary step in the healing process.
Will Lila and Beck find a compromise so their love can continue to grow? As the snowy days pass by and Christmas gets closer, hearts get broken, miracles happen, and love finds a way. Enjoy this warm wintry story!
In The Giving Heart, we are back at the Summerbrook Inn on the quaint and cozy Michigan island that uses sleighs and bicycles for transportation (no cars) and the only way to the mainland is by ferry. The town center is graced by pastel colored shops lined up against a backdrop of the lake and lighthouses, the big Christmas tree at the town center. Lila Sloan, Meg’s little sister, is a staying at the Inn and helping out to give her big sister time away with her new boyfriend Seth. Lila is on her way to proving to herself and to Meg that she can be a better, more attentive sister and things are going great until Beck Grainger, local developer, starts bulldozing the trees behind the Inn. This is a major problem since the trees add to the seclusion of the Inn that guests love, and also hold sentimental value to the family. Lila tries everything to halt the destruction of the trees, and is luckily bided some time by the ice and snow.
Lila wants to dislike Beck because of what he’s going to do to her family’s property but his charm and kindness make it difficult for her to hate him, despite the tree problem, and it doesn’t hurt that he leaves her a little breathless with his good looks and is a sweet companion to an adorable little boy!
Lila is very stubborn in her resolve not to be with Beck. But, is her reasoning about MORE than just the trees and the loyalty to her sister Meg and the inn and her family?
Lila has a secret. She ran to Summer Island for more than one reason, one of them being escape. Escape from a terrible memory in which she was taken advantage of and humiliated back in Chicago by another man.
As Christmas nears, the kindness of her sister’s friends, Suzanne and Dahlia, her growing relationship with Beck, and comfort found in knitting all aid to reinforce Lila’s strength. Maybe love doesn’t have to be all or nothing. And maybe sometimes speaking the truth, even if our voice shakes, is a necessary step in the healing process.
Will Lila and Beck find a compromise so their love can continue to grow? As the snowy days pass by and Christmas gets closer, hearts get broken, miracles happen, and love finds a way. Enjoy this warm wintry story!
October 24, 2019
THE GIVING HEART is an absolutely charming Christmas read that I would highly recommend picking up! Similar to the first book, this one also contains a love triangle (though much less potent/more lopsided) that is done in a way that makes complete sense. Lila is watching the inn on the small Summer Island during December, while her sister Meg is away. It is off-season, and the small island is sparse and secluded.
This is perfect for Lila, who has left Chicago after a series of terrible events (which we learn about later). She is also eager to try to make things up for Meg, who she feels like she let down when she was a teen and Meg had cancer. When she finds out a developer is tearing down the trees behind Meg's Inn to put in new houses, Lila knows that the Inn's idyllic backdrop will also mean a drop in business. Wanting to make things right for her sister, Lila rushes out to stop the bulldozer.
The manager of the development, Beck, arrives to find the impasse, and also finds unexpected attraction in Lila. As they get to know each other better, their attraction only grows. Because of the struggles over the trees, their relationship is built through communication, which is really strong in the book. I really felt like I was getting to know the couple, and it was easy to fall in love with each of them, as well as the two as a couple.
The Christmas backdrop and winter setting made this just a lovely book all around. It ended up being quite the page-turner, and also dealt with some heavier issues (family problems, alienation, selfishness, sexual assault/harassment, public humiliation, #metoo, etc.). Everything was handled in such a fantastic way that while this was, at times, a heavy and emotional read, it was also beautiful.
Highly recommend for lovers of deeper romance set around the holidays. This is a great read that I fell in love with.
Please note that I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This is perfect for Lila, who has left Chicago after a series of terrible events (which we learn about later). She is also eager to try to make things up for Meg, who she feels like she let down when she was a teen and Meg had cancer. When she finds out a developer is tearing down the trees behind Meg's Inn to put in new houses, Lila knows that the Inn's idyllic backdrop will also mean a drop in business. Wanting to make things right for her sister, Lila rushes out to stop the bulldozer.
The manager of the development, Beck, arrives to find the impasse, and also finds unexpected attraction in Lila. As they get to know each other better, their attraction only grows. Because of the struggles over the trees, their relationship is built through communication, which is really strong in the book. I really felt like I was getting to know the couple, and it was easy to fall in love with each of them, as well as the two as a couple.
The Christmas backdrop and winter setting made this just a lovely book all around. It ended up being quite the page-turner, and also dealt with some heavier issues (family problems, alienation, selfishness, sexual assault/harassment, public humiliation, #metoo, etc.). Everything was handled in such a fantastic way that while this was, at times, a heavy and emotional read, it was also beautiful.
Highly recommend for lovers of deeper romance set around the holidays. This is a great read that I fell in love with.
Please note that I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews