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Jetty Beach #7
The Path To You
He’ll protect her no matter the cost
Although I’ve achieved my dream of owning my own restaurant, something is still missing from my life. I’m the one guy I know who didn’t get the girl.
And then Sadie walks into my life.
She works for me, so I’m not supposed to want her. But she awakens something inside me I thought was dead and gone. I was numb, and she makes me feel again.
She’s running from her past, but I won’t let it catch her. I’ll protect her from whatever she left behind. She gave me a reason to care. If she’ll let me, I’ll give her a reason to trust and show her we belong together.
The Path to You was previously titled Could Be the Reason
Although I’ve achieved my dream of owning my own restaurant, something is still missing from my life. I’m the one guy I know who didn’t get the girl.
And then Sadie walks into my life.
She works for me, so I’m not supposed to want her. But she awakens something inside me I thought was dead and gone. I was numb, and she makes me feel again.
She’s running from her past, but I won’t let it catch her. I’ll protect her from whatever she left behind. She gave me a reason to care. If she’ll let me, I’ll give her a reason to trust and show her we belong together.
The Path to You was previously titled Could Be the Reason
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2017
2475 people are currently reading
1616 people want to read
About the author
Claire Kingsley
76 books12.1k followersClaire Kingsley is a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author of sexy, heartfelt contemporary romance, romantic comedies, and small-town romantic suspense. She writes sassy, quirky heroines, swoony heroes who love their women hard, romantic happily ever afters, and all the big feels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
May 9, 2017
I would say that Claire Kingsley has done it again, but, she has most definitely outdone herself on Could be the Reason!
Gabe owns his own restaurant and is lacking inspiration for new menu ideas. In walks a new waitress, in the form of Sadie, who has been hired by Clover! Gabe wants her, but she is hiding a secret. When a customer takes advantage of Sadie, Gabe is her knight in shining armour, and later that evening Sadie shares her horrific secret with him. Instead of chasing Gabe away he promises to protect her from her past. Little do they both know how much protecting she needs and thank goodness for the close friendships they have in Jetty Beach. The plot is thrilling from start to finish!
I could not put this book down and read it in one sitting!
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
Gabe owns his own restaurant and is lacking inspiration for new menu ideas. In walks a new waitress, in the form of Sadie, who has been hired by Clover! Gabe wants her, but she is hiding a secret. When a customer takes advantage of Sadie, Gabe is her knight in shining armour, and later that evening Sadie shares her horrific secret with him. Instead of chasing Gabe away he promises to protect her from her past. Little do they both know how much protecting she needs and thank goodness for the close friendships they have in Jetty Beach. The plot is thrilling from start to finish!
I could not put this book down and read it in one sitting!
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
November 18, 2019
This is the seventh and final book in Kingsley’s Jetty Beach series. In my opinion it may be the best of all. The story of Gabriel and Sadie as a romance is terrific. Gabriel has been a frequent secondary character in this series since he offered Clover a job back in the third book. Clover is a strong secondary character in this book and who doesn’t love the effervescent force of nature that is Clover? Gabe is watching all of his friends and family fall in love and start families while he’s still stuck in the same place since his divorce, devoting his life to his restaurant because he has little else to focus on.
Sadie is a new character, new to Jetty Beach trying to flee Adam, the man who raped and continues to stalk her. Adam’s presence adds a dimension of suspense and danger to this book that we didn’t find in the other stories. Even more than she needs a protector, Sadie needs someone to believe in her after her own family fails to support her when a long-time family friend does the unthinkable to her. Her family really are a bunch of losers. In Sadie the author attempts to sensitively portray what it’s like to be a survivor of rape. When we meet Sadie, she’s still struggling to get over her past, afraid of men in general and afraid that the assault has destroyed her ability to enjoy her sexuality forever.
The romance between Gabe and Sadie goes from zero to sixty in the blink of an eye. At first Gabe doesn’t know how to deal with his immediate attraction to the beautiful auburn-haired green-eyed server Clover has hired to work at his restaurant. The fact that she works for him further complicates his feelings. Sadie thinks Gabe is gorgeous and finds herself attracted to him even though he’s often short and gruff with her at work. A few encounters outside of work (with a little nudge from their friends) helps to thaw the ice. But every time Sadie starts to think Gabe might have feelings for her she gets what she thinks are mixed messages and convinces herself that he only sees her as an employee. When Gabe witnesses a customer trying to cop a feel from Sadie he sees red and rushes to her defense. This eventually leads her to reveal her past and Gabe vows to protect her and help her heal. Two things happen here that many readers (rape victims in particular) might find happen too quickly. The first is Gabe patiently but rather quickly helps Sadie get over her fear of sexual intimacy and the other is the almost immediate professions of love between the two of them. But it is a contemporary romance and the author needs to keep the story moving along. Not long after these two begin their relationship and things are going well, Sadie’s tormentor shows up and threatens both their relationship and their safety. I think I’ve already given away enough of the story so I won’t spoil the rest of it but obviously it all works out because it always does in a contemporary romance book. I mean don’t we all live for the happily ever after we know is coming? The good authors keep us on the edge of our seat worrying about how our lovers will get there just the same. And Claire Kingsley is a very good author.
Lastly, I thought Kingsley did a fantastic job of including all of the couples from the previous six books in this one. We get to see who got married already, who is pregnant, who already had kids etc. It’s a great story on its own and it also serves as a great finale to the series as we get an updated look at all of our couples happily ever afters in the epilogue.
Sadie is a new character, new to Jetty Beach trying to flee Adam, the man who raped and continues to stalk her. Adam’s presence adds a dimension of suspense and danger to this book that we didn’t find in the other stories. Even more than she needs a protector, Sadie needs someone to believe in her after her own family fails to support her when a long-time family friend does the unthinkable to her. Her family really are a bunch of losers. In Sadie the author attempts to sensitively portray what it’s like to be a survivor of rape. When we meet Sadie, she’s still struggling to get over her past, afraid of men in general and afraid that the assault has destroyed her ability to enjoy her sexuality forever.
The romance between Gabe and Sadie goes from zero to sixty in the blink of an eye. At first Gabe doesn’t know how to deal with his immediate attraction to the beautiful auburn-haired green-eyed server Clover has hired to work at his restaurant. The fact that she works for him further complicates his feelings. Sadie thinks Gabe is gorgeous and finds herself attracted to him even though he’s often short and gruff with her at work. A few encounters outside of work (with a little nudge from their friends) helps to thaw the ice. But every time Sadie starts to think Gabe might have feelings for her she gets what she thinks are mixed messages and convinces herself that he only sees her as an employee. When Gabe witnesses a customer trying to cop a feel from Sadie he sees red and rushes to her defense. This eventually leads her to reveal her past and Gabe vows to protect her and help her heal. Two things happen here that many readers (rape victims in particular) might find happen too quickly. The first is Gabe patiently but rather quickly helps Sadie get over her fear of sexual intimacy and the other is the almost immediate professions of love between the two of them. But it is a contemporary romance and the author needs to keep the story moving along. Not long after these two begin their relationship and things are going well, Sadie’s tormentor shows up and threatens both their relationship and their safety. I think I’ve already given away enough of the story so I won’t spoil the rest of it but obviously it all works out because it always does in a contemporary romance book. I mean don’t we all live for the happily ever after we know is coming? The good authors keep us on the edge of our seat worrying about how our lovers will get there just the same. And Claire Kingsley is a very good author.
Lastly, I thought Kingsley did a fantastic job of including all of the couples from the previous six books in this one. We get to see who got married already, who is pregnant, who already had kids etc. It’s a great story on its own and it also serves as a great finale to the series as we get an updated look at all of our couples happily ever afters in the epilogue.
May 10, 2017
Ah another Jetty Beach story, I love these stories and the men that come from there! This time it is Gabe's turn to get some swooing action! Having the restaurant is all he feels he got his divorce, well that and his friends in Jetty Beach, but they are all pairing off- getting married, making babies, poor Gabe starting to feel like the third wheel when he hangs out with his good friends. Well, that's about to change! Thanks to Clover and her magical skills, she hires Sadie a women down on her luck who needs a job as a waitress. Wouldn't you know.. Gabe needs a server, has for awhile... After the initial shock of Clovers newest meddling tactics wears off Gade sees how much of an "asset" Sadie is. What he does not know is how much trouble the poor girl has following her.
Sadie is about to find an insta all, or nothing man, who will take will not take no for an answer and will help her in more ways than she can imagine.
GAH- I loved it so much! Oh did I say that already? Opps sorry, I just think it bears repeating! This romantic, catch me in the feels story, was one of my favorites from Claire Kingsley! Sexy and fun, with emotionally charged scenes that brought tears to my eye, with so much alpha maleness floating through the pages it was a book I could put down! I highly recommend this book and the others in the Jetty Beach collection
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book
Sadie is about to find an insta all, or nothing man, who will take will not take no for an answer and will help her in more ways than she can imagine.
GAH- I loved it so much! Oh did I say that already? Opps sorry, I just think it bears repeating! This romantic, catch me in the feels story, was one of my favorites from Claire Kingsley! Sexy and fun, with emotionally charged scenes that brought tears to my eye, with so much alpha maleness floating through the pages it was a book I could put down! I highly recommend this book and the others in the Jetty Beach collection
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book
May 10, 2017
I must admit that every time a read a book written by Claire Kingsley I always think it's amazing. This time I want to dare and say more, it is simply marvelous. I know that the word is a synonym to the word “amazing” but the reader must believe me that this story is more than just a romance. Gabe and Sadie’s story brings up a spiny topic of our present day that is “stalking and harassing” on women. Sadie has been running from her past after being raped and stalked by her brother’s best friend. She is broken inside but when fate takes her to Gabe’s restaurant, it will be the perfect occasion to restart her life. The entire book gave me so much strength and hope because their love was so strong that Sadie overcame her fears towards a man that had tormented her for so long. Gabe on the other hand is the epitome of the perfect man. Besides being stunning, he is also generous , strong and loving. Lastly let's not leave out their friends, already come across in Claire’s previous books, who will help them give justice to the couple. With any doubt I highly recommend this book.
July 27, 2022
I really loved how Clover was in the right place at the right time to help Sadie and give her a new job. You knew Gabe would be upset about it, but there is something about Clover that you just end up doing her bidding. It didn't take long before Gabe saw Clover's wisdom of hiring Sadie, of course it didn't hurt he was attracted to her. I didn't think Gabe would do anything about his attraction, but was glad when he did, happier still when Sadie welcomed Gabe's attention. I liked that Sadie was upfront with Gabe about her past, it allowed him to slow down things to her pace and gave him a clue when things started to go wrong. I was glad that Gabe later clued in all of their friends on what was going on and that they rallied to help and make sure that Sadie was safe once and for all.
The ending to this one was great, a great way to wrap up this series and catching up with all the couples, still living happy lives.
The ending to this one was great, a great way to wrap up this series and catching up with all the couples, still living happy lives.
April 17, 2020
Book 7 of the Jetty Beach series is about Gabe (finally) and Sadie and can be read as a stand alone. It is written in 1st person with dual POV. Readers will gain maximum benefit by reading the series in order as many characters recur throughout the series. This book! If I could give it 10 stars I would.
I have been looking forward to Gabe's story. He is a perfect hero. He is protective, gentle, kind, creative, funny, and hot. Sadie is running away from a violent past. Readers should be aware that her history my contain triggers for some. I love how Gabe is immediately drawn to Sadie. I loved Sadie's strength in escaping her past and trying to move forward. I really appreciated how Sadie felt safe with Gabe from the beginning, yet still had moments of panic that they had to overcome together. I felt that this was very realistic. I really loved how Gabe helped her realize that the violence had not stolen her ability to enjoy intimacy forever through patience, caring, and love. His gentleness with Sadie melted my heart, brought tears to my eyes, and will something that stays with me for a very long time. This was a love story I will not forget.
I have been looking forward to Gabe's story. He is a perfect hero. He is protective, gentle, kind, creative, funny, and hot. Sadie is running away from a violent past. Readers should be aware that her history my contain triggers for some. I love how Gabe is immediately drawn to Sadie. I loved Sadie's strength in escaping her past and trying to move forward. I really appreciated how Sadie felt safe with Gabe from the beginning, yet still had moments of panic that they had to overcome together. I felt that this was very realistic. I really loved how Gabe helped her realize that the violence had not stolen her ability to enjoy intimacy forever through patience, caring, and love. His gentleness with Sadie melted my heart, brought tears to my eyes, and will something that stays with me for a very long time. This was a love story I will not forget.
January 12, 2020
Loved this series
Finally finished the Jetty Beach series and sure did enjoy it. I enjoyed getting to know each couple on their journeys.
Finally finished the Jetty Beach series and sure did enjoy it. I enjoyed getting to know each couple on their journeys.
January 20, 2020
Perfect ending to the series.
I’ve loved Gabe since he was introduced a few books ago. His story was the perfect way to end this series.
I’ve loved Gabe since he was introduced a few books ago. His story was the perfect way to end this series.
September 25, 2025
3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐
3 / 5 🌶️
Spicy chapters: 15, 17, 19
First Person, Dual POV 👏🏻
Gabriel (MMC) and Sadie (MMC)
Pros:
The chemistry between the MC's was palpable, and Gabriel was mostly (when he wasn't being grumpy) a sweetheart who believes, protects, and supports Sadie from day 1 💕.
Cons:
How come the FMC didn't have anyone that believed that she'd been s*xually assaulted back in her hometown? Didn't she have even 1 close friend in her entire life? 🤨🤦🏼♀️
I really despise it when the FMC in a book is alone in the world 😩, it's such an easy way to make the FMC feel pitiful and lonely in the world. Also, to me, it makes Sadie feel two-dimensional, and like her entire personality is being a victim / survivor.
To me, it felt like the MC's fall in love in the blink of an eye, without much details about their dates, desperate conversations, etc.
Final thoughts:
This novel was well written because the author doesn't know how to write a bad book. However, it was also a depressing story and a rather pessimistic way to finish the series, imo. Obviously, things worked out in the end for the MC's, but if you are thinking of picking up this novel, please check the trigger warnings ⚠️ .
Happy reading! 📚
3 / 5 🌶️
Spicy chapters: 15, 17, 19
First Person, Dual POV 👏🏻
Gabriel (MMC) and Sadie (MMC)
Pros:
The chemistry between the MC's was palpable, and Gabriel was mostly (when he wasn't being grumpy) a sweetheart who believes, protects, and supports Sadie from day 1 💕.
Cons:
How come the FMC didn't have anyone that believed that she'd been s*xually assaulted back in her hometown? Didn't she have even 1 close friend in her entire life? 🤨🤦🏼♀️
I really despise it when the FMC in a book is alone in the world 😩, it's such an easy way to make the FMC feel pitiful and lonely in the world. Also, to me, it makes Sadie feel two-dimensional, and like her entire personality is being a victim / survivor.
To me, it felt like the MC's fall in love in the blink of an eye, without much details about their dates, desperate conversations, etc.
Final thoughts:
This novel was well written because the author doesn't know how to write a bad book. However, it was also a depressing story and a rather pessimistic way to finish the series, imo. Obviously, things worked out in the end for the MC's, but if you are thinking of picking up this novel, please check the trigger warnings ⚠️ .
Happy reading! 📚
February 9, 2020
It was cute and sweet and no angst.
June 26, 2021
Wonderful Story!
This one was unique as it was more suspenseful than the rest but it made a good storyline and story to tell.
They met, they clicked, they found their paths forward.
Sadie’s ex is a massive piece of shinola. Just wow.
I really enjoyed this and the epilogue made me smile so big. All the JB characters at one party! That would be so much fun to be at!
I don’t want this series to be over lol
This one was unique as it was more suspenseful than the rest but it made a good storyline and story to tell.
They met, they clicked, they found their paths forward.
Sadie’s ex is a massive piece of shinola. Just wow.
I really enjoyed this and the epilogue made me smile so big. All the JB characters at one party! That would be so much fun to be at!
I don’t want this series to be over lol
October 29, 2021
Trigger warning:
Beyond that, this is an okay read. There's a fair amount of angst in this, but it's not between the hero and heroine, it's things they face together, and that made a nice change from the typical misunderstandings force us apart plots. Plus, I was impressed with how sensitively the hero dealt with the heroine's fears. Again, made for a nice change. Good characters and engaging plot, if you're not triggered by the other stuff (which happens in chapter 14, about the halfway point).
Beyond that, this is an okay read. There's a fair amount of angst in this, but it's not between the hero and heroine, it's things they face together, and that made a nice change from the typical misunderstandings force us apart plots. Plus, I was impressed with how sensitively the hero dealt with the heroine's fears. Again, made for a nice change. Good characters and engaging plot, if you're not triggered by the other stuff (which happens in chapter 14, about the halfway point).
February 11, 2021
Amazing finish to a great series!
Sadie was new to town and really needed her waitress job at the Porthole Inn. But, when a creepy guy grabs her wrist after leering and making suggestive her whole shift she's had enough and plants one to his nose. Instead of taking her side from being assaulted she 8s fired from hitting a customer. Evidently, being sued is more important than the safety of the workers. Clover and Cody saw the exchange and Clover got one of her tingling feelings on the spot since they needed at server at the restaurant she worked at.
Gabe is the chef and restaurant owner of Ocean's Mark the finestrestauranton the coast. He is surprised when he looks up and sees a new server. A server he didn't hire. Then Clover proceeds to tell him how it was fate that she hired her. When Clover asks isn't she cute he responds 'why would it matter that a server who worked for him was cute?' Clover responds 'so we agree?'. 'What?' 'That she works for you.' How can you argue with Clover's logic?
When gourmet magazine wants to do a full feature on his restaurant Gabe is not thrilled as focus too much on his private life and single status. Little does he know it could also be dangerous.
This is the final book in the Jetty Beach series and Gabe and Sadie are an amazing finish to such a wonderful story. I love Sadie's strength and am so sad for what she has suffered. Gabe may be a gorgeous sexy grump, but he is very protective of those he loves. The emotions fly off these pages....terror, fear, lust, love. I loved this book and series and it will definitely be read again!
Sadie was new to town and really needed her waitress job at the Porthole Inn. But, when a creepy guy grabs her wrist after leering and making suggestive her whole shift she's had enough and plants one to his nose. Instead of taking her side from being assaulted she 8s fired from hitting a customer. Evidently, being sued is more important than the safety of the workers. Clover and Cody saw the exchange and Clover got one of her tingling feelings on the spot since they needed at server at the restaurant she worked at.
Gabe is the chef and restaurant owner of Ocean's Mark the finestrestauranton the coast. He is surprised when he looks up and sees a new server. A server he didn't hire. Then Clover proceeds to tell him how it was fate that she hired her. When Clover asks isn't she cute he responds 'why would it matter that a server who worked for him was cute?' Clover responds 'so we agree?'. 'What?' 'That she works for you.' How can you argue with Clover's logic?
When gourmet magazine wants to do a full feature on his restaurant Gabe is not thrilled as focus too much on his private life and single status. Little does he know it could also be dangerous.
This is the final book in the Jetty Beach series and Gabe and Sadie are an amazing finish to such a wonderful story. I love Sadie's strength and am so sad for what she has suffered. Gabe may be a gorgeous sexy grump, but he is very protective of those he loves. The emotions fly off these pages....terror, fear, lust, love. I loved this book and series and it will definitely be read again!
July 17, 2017
Gabe and Sadie
I know we have all wanted Gabriel's book for awhile and this was well worth the wait! I love this author! She is one of the few out there who can write family/friends into a story and you love reading about the supporting characters as much as the main characters.
Gabe is a head chef at his own restaurant. His passion is cooking. He is divorced and seems to be just existing when it comes to his personal life. Sadie is a new resident to Jetty Beach. She had something devastating happen to her and she decided to leave home for a fresh start. She eventually finds herself a friend in Clove and a new job at Gabe's restaurant.
Gabe was so patient with Sadie while they first became friends and even more patient when they both wanted more. But he also wouldn't let her push him away no matter how hard she tried. Gabe knew she was his happy ever after and he was determined to fight for her.
This was a beautiful sexy story about second chances, love, friendship, and finding strength in yourself.
"He showed me that I can trust again. That I'm capable of love, and being loved."
It was also a blissful ending as we see all our Jetty Beach heroes and heroines married with lots of babies running around. They prove you don't have to share blood to be family.
I know we have all wanted Gabriel's book for awhile and this was well worth the wait! I love this author! She is one of the few out there who can write family/friends into a story and you love reading about the supporting characters as much as the main characters.
Gabe is a head chef at his own restaurant. His passion is cooking. He is divorced and seems to be just existing when it comes to his personal life. Sadie is a new resident to Jetty Beach. She had something devastating happen to her and she decided to leave home for a fresh start. She eventually finds herself a friend in Clove and a new job at Gabe's restaurant.
Gabe was so patient with Sadie while they first became friends and even more patient when they both wanted more. But he also wouldn't let her push him away no matter how hard she tried. Gabe knew she was his happy ever after and he was determined to fight for her.
This was a beautiful sexy story about second chances, love, friendship, and finding strength in yourself.
"He showed me that I can trust again. That I'm capable of love, and being loved."
It was also a blissful ending as we see all our Jetty Beach heroes and heroines married with lots of babies running around. They prove you don't have to share blood to be family.
April 26, 2021
To sum this book up in one word - Amazing. This is a great series, but I think fans and readers have been waiting for Gabe's story and this book is well worth the wait. Gabe and Sadie's story is perfect and you will once again fall in love with Jetty Beach. What I love about Claire Kingley's writing is that she creates strong, independent women and pairs them with me who love and respect them for who they are. Readers are taken on an emotional journey as we are reminded of the power love has to heal. This story is filled with love, fate (courtesy of my favorite heroine Clover) and an incredible journey that is filled with so many poignant moments. The love scenes are steamy (as we would not expect anything less from a Claire Kingsley book) but also tender, sweet and healing. I am a huge fan of this author and series and for me it is hard to pick just one, but if push came to shove I think this would be my absolute favorite. The story and characters have stuck with me even after I turned the last page.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the author.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the author.
June 20, 2017
Gabe is feeling a little off-center lately, watching all his friends pair up while he struggles to regain his passion for his work. Convinced he's doomed to singlehood, he doesn't know what to think when he meets Sadie, a woman with so much hurt in her past that she's all but unable to ever trust a man again. Gabe is the perfect match for her, though, as he needs to move slowly for his own heart's sake and Sadie needs to feel safe before she can ever feel loved. I loved how his protective streak surprised even himself, but that didn't stop him from moving heaven and earth to make sure Sadie would never be hurt again. This story is about a love so strong that neither Gabe nor Sadie could deny its all-encompassing power in their lives. Claire Kingsley is a terrific author, bringing so much heart and soul to her characters and an amazing emotional depth to her stories.
May 10, 2017
“I’m drawn to her; she pulls at me like gravity.”
Sadie is a woman in hiding. The way she reacts to certain situations hints at something pretty disturbing in her past. However, she seems to land on her feet when fate and circumstance has her working at Gabriel’s restaurant. From the moment he sees Sadie, she affects him. He’s completely drawn to her beauty and, as he gets to know her, to her personality. After years of being a virtual workaholic, he finds himself preoccupied with thoughts of Sadie and what she’s running from, and, for the first time in a long time, he’s finding himself connecting with someone and feeling protective of her.
“I’m caught in a haze of conflicting emotions. Fear. Longing. Doubt. Tenderness. Hope.”
Gabriel longs for what his friends have – love, companionship, and a family. He’s also lost his creativity. He feels like he’s stagnating. Sadie seems to give him new purpose, new life, and reignites his passion for his work. I loved how much he cared for her and put her first. Sadie’s trepidation and fear wills him to be patient and go softly, especially when he realises that he wants everything with her. I loved that Sadie wanted to push against her fears to be with him; that she wanted to move forward with him, as he’s sparked a desire in her that’s always been missing. When Sadie’s past explodes back into their life, Gabe is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe because he knows that his life is nothing without her.
“In me, she found a reason to trust again. In her, I found a reason to care.”
This was a sweet, sexy, tentative story with a touch of brutality. I really liked the characters – Gabe is a solid guy – a real sweetheart. His care of Sadie made my heart melt. Sadie is tougher than she thinks. I loved how she was willing to walk away from the best thing in her life, towards a lonely future, to keep him safe. They really belonged with each other.
Sadie is a woman in hiding. The way she reacts to certain situations hints at something pretty disturbing in her past. However, she seems to land on her feet when fate and circumstance has her working at Gabriel’s restaurant. From the moment he sees Sadie, she affects him. He’s completely drawn to her beauty and, as he gets to know her, to her personality. After years of being a virtual workaholic, he finds himself preoccupied with thoughts of Sadie and what she’s running from, and, for the first time in a long time, he’s finding himself connecting with someone and feeling protective of her.
“I’m caught in a haze of conflicting emotions. Fear. Longing. Doubt. Tenderness. Hope.”
Gabriel longs for what his friends have – love, companionship, and a family. He’s also lost his creativity. He feels like he’s stagnating. Sadie seems to give him new purpose, new life, and reignites his passion for his work. I loved how much he cared for her and put her first. Sadie’s trepidation and fear wills him to be patient and go softly, especially when he realises that he wants everything with her. I loved that Sadie wanted to push against her fears to be with him; that she wanted to move forward with him, as he’s sparked a desire in her that’s always been missing. When Sadie’s past explodes back into their life, Gabe is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe because he knows that his life is nothing without her.
“In me, she found a reason to trust again. In her, I found a reason to care.”
This was a sweet, sexy, tentative story with a touch of brutality. I really liked the characters – Gabe is a solid guy – a real sweetheart. His care of Sadie made my heart melt. Sadie is tougher than she thinks. I loved how she was willing to walk away from the best thing in her life, towards a lonely future, to keep him safe. They really belonged with each other.
May 10, 2017
At long last, Gabe gets his HEA in Could Be The Reason! We've met Gabe before as a secondary character in many of the Jetty Beach and Return To Jetty Beach books, and now he's finally gotten his own love story!
The chef and owner of Ocean's Mark is a workaholic, married to his career ever since his marriage blew up in smoke... because of his dedication to his career. Since then, Gabe has seen all of his friends pair up and marry off, and starting families, while he spends his nights alone with his kitchen tools, frustrated with his life and lacking inspiration as a chef. But then Clover hires a sweet redhead named Sadie as a server at the restaurant, and Gabe FEELS for the first time in ages. He feels protective of a woman he barely knows, he feels like he wants to spend more and more time with her, he feels a spark of inspiration to cook again.
But Sadie is running from a dark past. She's been hurt not only physically, but shunned from her family as a result of what happened. As a result, she has some trust issues and as attracted as she is to Gabriel, she's afraid to get too close. After some amusing misunderstandings and miscommunications, Gabe and Sadie finally get on the same page, realizing that the other does indeed like them more than just as boss/employee.
Their first time together is so tender and sweet -- wow, does Gabe really give up control to her there! Slowly, he's able to break down Sadie's walls, but when her past catches up to her present, can Sadie trust Gabriel enough to be her protector?
Readers should be aware that Sadie is a rape victim, so there are possible triggers in this story. Could Be The Reason is a wonderful story of overcoming strength, learning to trust again, and finding a reason to want to live life to the fullest once again. I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
The chef and owner of Ocean's Mark is a workaholic, married to his career ever since his marriage blew up in smoke... because of his dedication to his career. Since then, Gabe has seen all of his friends pair up and marry off, and starting families, while he spends his nights alone with his kitchen tools, frustrated with his life and lacking inspiration as a chef. But then Clover hires a sweet redhead named Sadie as a server at the restaurant, and Gabe FEELS for the first time in ages. He feels protective of a woman he barely knows, he feels like he wants to spend more and more time with her, he feels a spark of inspiration to cook again.
But Sadie is running from a dark past. She's been hurt not only physically, but shunned from her family as a result of what happened. As a result, she has some trust issues and as attracted as she is to Gabriel, she's afraid to get too close. After some amusing misunderstandings and miscommunications, Gabe and Sadie finally get on the same page, realizing that the other does indeed like them more than just as boss/employee.
Their first time together is so tender and sweet -- wow, does Gabe really give up control to her there! Slowly, he's able to break down Sadie's walls, but when her past catches up to her present, can Sadie trust Gabriel enough to be her protector?
Readers should be aware that Sadie is a rape victim, so there are possible triggers in this story. Could Be The Reason is a wonderful story of overcoming strength, learning to trust again, and finding a reason to want to live life to the fullest once again. I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
June 19, 2024
Gabriel is probably the sweetest hero I've read. Ever. There are no games, no immaturity, no doubt. Once he SEES Sadie, he's all in. I loved that. I loved his confidence and strength. I was (impatiently) waiting for Gabe's HEA and hoped CK would give him the heroine he deserved, and she did, Sadie is his perfect match.
If you've read the series, you probably just on-clicked like I did. There's really no question that CK will produce a quality novel you'll fall in love with. If you haven't read this series and you've stumbled upon this book and you're trying to decide if you should borrow or buy, here's the basics. Though, again, you should start from the beginning. Not that you need to. You'll just be missing out on some fantastic writing if you don't.
1.) Cheating? Not even a tiny bit!
2.) Cliffhanger? Thank god, no.
If you've read the series, you probably just on-clicked like I did. There's really no question that CK will produce a quality novel you'll fall in love with. If you haven't read this series and you've stumbled upon this book and you're trying to decide if you should borrow or buy, here's the basics. Though, again, you should start from the beginning. Not that you need to. You'll just be missing out on some fantastic writing if you don't.
1.) Cheating? Not even a tiny bit!
2.) Cliffhanger? Thank god, no.
November 30, 2021
Diese Geschichte war mal so ganz anders als die anderen, sie beinhaltet zu Anfang eine kleine Triggerwarung. Damit habe ich gar nicht gerechnet.
Sadie hat eine bewegte Vergangenheit, aber auch in der Gegenwart ist sie vor Übergriffen nicht verschont.
Gabe ist für mich der erste Charakter, der eine Familie und alles haben möchte, sonst wurden die anderen Charaktere eher so dargestellt das sie für immer Junggeselle sein möchten. Aber bei Gabe ist es schon anders.
Durch Sadie nimmt die Geschichte diesmal einen etwas anderen Verlauf und bekommt sogar einen Spannungsbogen.
Das Anbandeln zwischen den beiden hatte einen angenehmen Verlauf.
Gabe und Sadie waren wie schon die anderen sympathisch. Und das hier mal was anders ausprobiert wurde, hat mir sehr gefallen.
Sadie hat eine bewegte Vergangenheit, aber auch in der Gegenwart ist sie vor Übergriffen nicht verschont.
Gabe ist für mich der erste Charakter, der eine Familie und alles haben möchte, sonst wurden die anderen Charaktere eher so dargestellt das sie für immer Junggeselle sein möchten. Aber bei Gabe ist es schon anders.
Durch Sadie nimmt die Geschichte diesmal einen etwas anderen Verlauf und bekommt sogar einen Spannungsbogen.
Das Anbandeln zwischen den beiden hatte einen angenehmen Verlauf.
Gabe und Sadie waren wie schon die anderen sympathisch. Und das hier mal was anders ausprobiert wurde, hat mir sehr gefallen.
May 4, 2022
The Jetty Beach books were all easy, pleasant reads, but this one was something extra. Claire Kingsley has beautifully portrayed someone who has experienced s3xual assault in a caring and believable way. Gabe is heavenly—if only all men were like him!
July 5, 2021
Enjoyable and a good plot.
June 26, 2022
I have absolutely loved the Jetty Beach books, and The Path to You was a perfect ending to the series! Gabe and Sadie's story will keep you hooked from start to finish. It's got the sexiness and steam that Claire Kingsley nails every time, but this one also had a bit of suspense in it too. Sadie's got a bit of a mysterious past that's threatening to derail the budding relationship she's started with Gabe, but little does she know that Gabe isn't like the previous man in her life - and he will do anything to protect her. Vanessa Edwin always does an amazing job with her narrations, and I loved her as Sadie. And Lee Samuels - this was my first narration of his, but he knocked it out of the park as Gabe and I can't wait to listen to more books with him in it.
If you've listened to all the rest of the Jetty Beach books, I know you'll love this one. Even if you haven't listened to any of them, this is a fantastic audio and I highly recommend it!
If you've listened to all the rest of the Jetty Beach books, I know you'll love this one. Even if you haven't listened to any of them, this is a fantastic audio and I highly recommend it!
September 24, 2019
Sadie is on the run and hiding, and ends up in Jetty Beach. She becomes a waitress at Gabe's restaurant. Gabe, who had been feeling down and left out because all of his friends and family were getting paired off and married, suddenly perks up and falls in love with Sadie. The feeling is mutual. But Sadie's photo is accidentally posted on the web. Will she be found by the man she's hiding from? There's suspense to this Jetty Beach installment. The epilogue ties up the series.
September 25, 2019
3.5 Sweet Stars. Cute, easy to read series. Unrealistic HEA, but light hearted for when you just want to smile.
July 8, 2021
Oh Sweet Gabe. I love that Gabe got his mojo back. My heart hurt for both of these characters in completely different ways. Sadie had to be so strong to leave everything behind. Stronger than she thought she was. Gabe wanted more, but was afraid to try again. They matched each other splendidly. He was sweet, caring, and protective.
May 15, 2017
I honestly loved it. It had a few surprises that I wasn't expecting from this author, which is always a good thing! Claire really knows how to wind great detail and description into a story that you feel like you know these characters as real people. I'm impressed, as usual.
There are a few typos with missed words, but easy to overlook with everything else going on in this story. I was drawn in from the beginning.
Overall, good book!
Spoiler: Favorite part near the ending where there are babies galore for this whole series. I found myself smiling from ear to ear in knowing the series is ended and love has won me over again and again and again!
There are a few typos with missed words, but easy to overlook with everything else going on in this story. I was drawn in from the beginning.
Overall, good book!
Spoiler: Favorite part near the ending where there are babies galore for this whole series. I found myself smiling from ear to ear in knowing the series is ended and love has won me over again and again and again!
April 29, 2020
Surprisingly, this was the first dark romance I've read by Claire Kingsley. Some authors have rape and abuse and a lot of drama in all of their books. It was an interesting change from the others in the series. I guess she maybe wanted to wrap it all up by having everyone come together for Sadie? I don't know. By the end, I was struggling to remember who all of the couples and kids were. Seven is too many!
January 7, 2022
love Gabe and Sadie
Gabe looks up and sees Sadie who is a new server at his restaurant thanks to Clover. There is an instant chemistry between them. Sadie is running from something. Great characters and storyline Highly recommended Amazing Book. This book grabbed me and didn’t let go read it in 8 hours I absolutely love these characters and town. All the feels. The perfect ending.
Gabe looks up and sees Sadie who is a new server at his restaurant thanks to Clover. There is an instant chemistry between them. Sadie is running from something. Great characters and storyline Highly recommended Amazing Book. This book grabbed me and didn’t let go read it in 8 hours I absolutely love these characters and town. All the feels. The perfect ending.
June 11, 2019
2.5 stars. I like this whole series, and I was super excited for Gabe’s story. This book just didn’t pull me in like the others did. I think maybe there was too much “epic” and not enough development for me? The relationship skipped too many steps for it to be believable.
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