The Love We Keep

Summer Island #3

by Toni Blake

Toni Blake returns with the most emotional, tender novel yet in her enchanting Summer Island series.Suzanne Quinlan has been through a lot lately, so nothing sounds better than a peaceful winter in her cozy cottage on Summer Island. The last thing she wants is a massive lifestyle adjustment—especially when it comes in the form of an injured Zack Sheppard, who is sullen, angry and completely dependent on her.Zack values his independence above all else. But when he falls down his icy steps, he finds himself with a serious leg injury and in need of round-the-clock care. The only person available to help is his ex’s best friend, Suzanne. It doesn’t hurt that Suzanne is far more attractive than he ever realized, but he’s never been one to settle, and he sure isn’t going to start now.As Suzanne and Zack grow closer, they both realize they’re in this thing more deeply than they ever thought, and it’s started to cause tension in their small, close-knit community, too. Will Zack be able to commit this time, and will Suzanne be able to trust him? One thing is come spring, the lives and loves of Summer Island will never be the same.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2020

About the author

Toni 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

Reviews

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Didn’t expect this story in the Summer Island series. Poignant, heart-breaking and wonderful. My favorite of the series even though I went into it wondering just how Suzanne (not one of my favorites) and Zack (definitely not my favorite) were going to work out. The story proved to be unbelievable.

Suzanne has not been the very cheeriest person throughout the first two books of this series. She always seemed to be the Debbie-downer of the group. She came into this story with a chip on her shoulder because of Beck. What did she expect would happen when she gave him the cold shoulder for so long? That he’d just keep on trying? Now, Zack? Here goes her quiet, woe-is-me winter.

Zack is still hurt that Meg walked away. She knew how he was when they started seeing each other. Then, again, what did he expect? That she would just wait for him forever? Now, Aunt Dahlia has decided to take a trip this winter instead of staying on Summer Island with him. He’s on his own for the first time in a very long time when he has the accident that incapacitates him for who knows how long. His only option, since Meg is out of the picture, seems to be Suzanne.

Zack’s surliness is on high display when he is moved into Suzanne’s house. She tries her best to please him but nothing seems to work until she finally lays things out to him as to how it’s going to go. As they finally start to talk and work together, they realize that they can get along quite well. And, as her ministrations start working and things start looking up for Zack, he realizes just what a gem Suzanne really is. He can’t help himself. He’s finally getting over Meg and it’s all because of Suzanne.

Neither one of them are sure where this “thing” is going. Suzanne doesn’t know if she could trust him to stay this time. Zack doesn’t know if he can stay off the Emily Ann and give Suzanne the love that she deserves. But, circumstances leave them reeling. Meg finds out about them and not from Suzanne. It may take a while for hearts to heal, for friends to become friends again and for life to go back to normal but, the people of Summer Island are resilient.

I was baffled at first with the way Toni Blake was taking this story. Then I was thoroughly confused with the way she took this story. Then it all made sense and I thank Toni Blake for that. The Love We Keep had a little bit of everything in it. She showed us true love, jealousy, sadness and resignation. They are all a part of life and sometimes fate has a way of forcing us to look at ourselves, our life, our past decisions and move forward with a life that will truly make us happy.

Review copy provided for a voluntary review.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a fan of Toni’s books for many years, I always have some pretty high expectations with her. I’ve noticed that her books have taken a bit of a different approach. In some of her other books, she used to have a small-town sexy vibe to them. But in the Summer Island books, it’s really more about the heart and emotions.

THE LOVE WE KEEP takes a much slower approach that burns brightly. It contains quite a lot of heartbreak and emotions, delving deep into the characters and their stories. The romance almost acts like a healing agent, sealing old wounds close and giving the characters a new chance at life. If you prefer more character-driven novels like I do, then I think you’ll absolutely love this series. Deeply rooted in emotion, THE LOVE WE KEEP will definitely give you the feels.

[Juliana Philippa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

This is book 3 in a series, and it is one of those rare romance series where I really do recommend you read them in order. Of course, one often wants to do that, because there’s character reappearances and etc., but in this case, all of the characters are repeatedly shown throughout all three books and they take place within a very short time period. Now, I didn’t take my own advice, because while I read Book 1, I skipped Book 2, but whatevs—do as I say, not as I do ;-).

For sure to understand Zack, you need to read Book 1 (which was a mind-fuck; check out my review for more details on that). Along with that, my understanding is that Suzanne is heavily featured in Book 2 (she’s in Book 1 as well), so it would probably help to read that one.

Overall, it was a lovely read. It also had me straight-out crying—as in multiple tears steadily falling for minutes. That doesn’t really happen with me and romances. Ever. But wow was I gut-punched here.

I was nervous about how things would play out with Zack’s leg, because I didn’t want the injury (which is much more serious than I realized from the book summary—his right leg is paralyzed) to be what settles him down. The big thing with Zack is that he is a Total Commitment Phobe. Big-Time. That was the problem with his relationship with Meg in Book 1 (the heroine of that book). So now he’s going to give up his boat and his sailing life, even though a few months ago, that was absolutely impossible? I knew it was going to be a hard sell, and when I realized the severity of his injury, I was SO afraid that Blake was going to make this injury be what changes his life and thus changes his priorities. And yes, it does in a way, but I’ll just say that it is clear in the end that he chooses Suzanne because he wants and needs HER, not because that’s the best he can have, given his circumstances.

Suzanne was kind of a hard nut to crack. She comes off as so alone and somewhat tragic. Apparently had a very sad and lonely childhood and doesn’t really have any family she’s close to; she had a wonderful husband, but he was killed while abroad serving in Doctors Without Borders, so for the last 6 years she’s been heartbroken from that. Leading up to this book, Suzanne has always resented and disliked Zack because Meg is her best friend, and she didn’t think he treated her right and wasn’t happy with his unwillingness to commit to Meg. So the fact that they’re now stuck together is very far from ideal.

Zack never had anything against Suzanne in particular, it’s more that he’s kind of elusive and hard to pin down with everyone. He’s a definite loner, kind of grumpy, and never lets anyone get too close. He knows Suzanne was never his biggest fan, so he isn’t excited about the situation either, though it’s more the overall horribleness of the situation that (understandably) really gets him down: that this has happened, that he is so dependent on Suzanne for everything right now, that he has no idea what the future will hold, that he will have to abandon the one thing that has brought him peace in his life, etc. Yeah, it’s a lot to deal with, and Blake portrayed it well; my heart broke for Zack and the realities he had to face.

The one thing that kind of bugged me and stopped this from getting to the 4-star rating for me was that it felt a bit too much like the circumstances really dictated them getting together. I mean this in the sense that I wasn’t sure how much Zack’s feelings towards Suzanne were mixed up with his gratitude towards her for all she was doing for him. And how much Suzanne’s feelings for Zack were tied to the fact that she started to soften to another man in her life finally and let him in. Because objectively, do they make sense as a pairing? ... I’m honestly not sure. The way everything plays out, yes, it makes sense, and it's a sweet story and I'm happy they get their HEA, but the fact that it seemed so situationally-based made me believe it a little less.

I highly recommend Book 1; it is a TRIP!

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the conclusion of the Summer Island Trilogy and I was quite impressed with how the author chose to end this series. Suzanne, is having a rough time. She turned down Beck's advances in the first book of this series and then decided that she wanted him in the second one. Unfortunately, he had moved on and was now engaged to Meg's sister Lila. Suzanne is feeling sorry for herself when she is needed to help Zack. Zack, fell down the stairs of his house and has seriously injured his back. His Aunt Dahlia has left the island to go on a trip, so there is no one to take care of him. Suzanne used to be an orthopaedic nurse, so she agrees to look after him in her home. This is a huge decision on her part as she has never liked Zack and didn't like the way he treated Meg over the years. Of course, being in close quarters over the winter, taking care of him, physically doing exercises with him, has a way of breaking through those barriers.

I loved the conclusion of this story. Suzanne has secrets surrounding her deceased husband that she has never shared, and Zack has secrets from his past that he holds close to the chest. Sharing those secrest with each other begins the healing for both of them. I liked the slow relationship building that went on and of course there is some physical attraction as well. The story of Dahlia was unexpected. I had a feeling I knew what was going on with her and I was right. Her vacation with her friend Gisele had her sharing her past which was quite enjoyable and humorous at times. This book succeeded in making me cry, actual sob, but it was a happily ever after. I definitely recommend that you read this series, in order if possible, if you enjoy contemporary romance.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Ann Marie Gideon. I really enjoyed her narration of this book. She gives voices to the various characters and I could identify who was speaking by that voice. Her expression and inflection was perfect and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. She is a narrator that I will definitely listen to again and recommend to others. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly didn't expect to like this one, especially when I realized the couple would be Suzanne and Zack. She pretty much hated him in previous books, but Zack wasn't that great to Meg, how is a person supposed to root for people with this in mind. But it worked. I think that with Zack being hurt and having to depend on Suzanne really made them get to know each other as a person and not through a filter of someone else. It also helped that they were isolated alone, forcing them to talk because there was no one else.

By the end of the book you were happy for Suzanne and Zack even as there were lots of tears. While people on the island made some odd choices, things worked out in the end.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

See the full review at HarlequinJunkie

The Love We Keep was a bittersweet novel about the unpredictability of life, love and friendship, and how good can still flourish even after heartbreaking changes have happened.

“When love finds you, keep it. Hold on to it. Cherish it. Because I fear in the end we will find that love is all there is, all that counts for anything.”

Toni Blake has done a fabulous job with this Summer Island series, creating a community and a ragtag bunch of residents who seem so real that they nearly leap off the pages. I think this particular story might be a tough one for those who have been following these flawed but lovely characters since book one. Read More

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. I will say straight off that this is one that you should read the first two books in the series before reading this book. Those two books give the backstories that you really need to understand the relationships in this one.

Zack is a fisherman on Lake Michigan. He is on the water for weeks or months at a time. He is very much a loner who gets antsy when he's been onshore for too long. In the first book, The One Who Stays, he and innkeeper Meg have been an item for several years. He comes and goes, and she is okay with that - until she isn't. She wants a commitment, and he can't - or won't - give her one, so she ends their relationship. Zack is clueless and goes into a deep funk over their breakup. He island-bound during the winter, which makes him even grumpier. The last straw is when his Aunt Dahlia abandons the island (and him) for the winter.

Suzanne is Summer Island's florist. She came to the island several years earlier, trying to escape the grief of losing her husband. She has been adamant that she had her one chance at love and wasn't interested in trying again. But in the second book, The Giving Heart, Suzanne meets a man who shows a great deal of interest in getting to know her better. But she allows her fears to push him away, and by the time she has overcome those fears, he has fallen in love with someone else. When this book starts, she too is in a funk, trying hard not to resent the other couple's happiness and not having much success at it.

Summer Island is one of those places that becomes very isolated in the winter. When the lake freezes, the ferry doesn't run until the spring thaw. The only way on or off the island is by helicopter. Dahlia is on the last ferry off the island, which creates a big problem when Zack slips on icy stairs and seriously injures himself. Meg isn't comfortable being the one to care for him, especially now that she is in a new relationship. Out of their group, that leaves Suzanne to pick up the slack. It is awkward because Suzanne has made no secret of her disapproval of Zack and the way he treated Meg. However, as a former nurse, she can't just walk away, especially when the injury leaves Zack with a paralyzed right leg.

I enjoyed seeing the development of the relationship between Suzanne and Zack. Things get off to a rough start. Zack is depressed because his injury likely means the end of his fishing career, and he has no idea what else he would do. Suzanne isn't happy about caring for the surly fisherman but feels she owes it to her friends, Meg and Dahlia. Zack is a real pain until Suzanne lays down the law to him. She understands why he's down, but she's not going to let him lay around like a lump all winter. Somehow she manages to convince him to let her work a little physical therapy on him. At the same time, being stuck together in the same house day in and day out, the antagonism between them begins to fade.

I liked seeing Zack and Suzanne get to know each other. It was fun to see them start to relax enough to tease each other over music and movies. I also enjoyed seeing how Suzanne worked to motivate Zack to give the PT a chance. There were a few rough patches, especially when Zack's fears about his future would overwhelm him, but Suzanne usually found a way to pull him out of it. What neither expected were the sparks of attraction that flared between them.

Suzanne was horrified at first. Getting involved with her best friend's ex felt utterly wrong, but she couldn't deny the way he made her feel. Zack was simply flabbergasted to discover that being around Suzanne helped ease his fears about his future. While any thoughts of settling down with Meg used to send him running for his boat, the idea of staying with Suzanne was curiously appealing. I hurt for them both when Suzanne's fears of what the future might hold made her push Zack away. It took an emotionally devastating event and advice from her friend Dahlia for her to realize that she wanted to keep their love. Zack also had a startling epiphany the first time he went back out on his boat. I loved that it was Suzanne that felt like home, not his boat. His big moment on the street of the town was sweet and romantic and entirely unlike him.

There was also a secondary story going on with Dahlia. Her departure from the island and refusal to come back when her nephew was injured was very out of character. Zack always seemed to be the center of her life, and to abandon him now felt off. It was hard for Zack, Suzanne, and Meg to understand it. The glimpses into her past gave a better understanding of her actions. There was an emotional twist in her story that I didn't see coming until just before the big reveal.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Love We Keep
Summer Island, Book 3

I Picked Up This Book Because: #14Books14Weeks Challenge

Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Netgalley/Everand
Dates Read: 6/14/25 - 6/17/25
Stars: 3.5 Stars
Narrator(s): Ann Marie Gideon

The Characters:

Suzanne Quinlan:
Zack Sheppard
Dahlia: Zack’s Aunt, Meg: Suzanne’s BFF/Zack’s Ex, other town members

The Story:

This is my first read from Ms Blake. I didn’t realize it was book 3 when I requested it but it was time to read it (for a challenge) so I rolled with it. IDK if I could live in a town that’s cut off like this for several months a year but it seems like a nice place to visit… in the summer.

Writing: Good. I thought this would be straight up romance but it turns out it had a twist.
Overall Interest: I was locked in maybe 85% of the time. It took me a long time to figure out why so much of the story was based on Dalia.
Length of Reading Time: Fine. Pretty good pacing actually.
Re-read-ability: No.

[Katie_la_geek]

**A free copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review**

The Good
* I liked the beginning of the romance. The situation the characters are forced into creates an intimacy that is sometimes hard to find in some romances. There was some great chemistry between the two.
* The characters had very human thoughts and feelings.

The Not So Bad
*Once the two main characters get together the romance loses its charm. It just gets a little bland and veers into insta-love territory.

The Ugly
* Every single character is toxic. I found them all to be terribly selfish and dull. They never think of anyone but themselves and lack any personality. There is just no layers to them.
* The flashbacks were not needed and not enjoyable to me. I ended up skipping them.

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Small Town & Rural Fiction, Contemporary Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
Summer Island (Book #3)

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just not for me and this makes me sad because I’ve loved her books in the past.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Icy steps lead to Happily Ever After - a deeply emotional and poignant finish to Toni Blake's Summer Island series.

Suzanne Quinlan is a relative newcomer to Summer Island. She hasn't experienced very many isolated winters there yet. Summer Island is a well-loved tourist location until winter turns the island into an isolated location with the ferry from the mainland unable to run back and forth. Many shop owners close their shops for the icy cold duration. Suzanne owns the florist shop, Petal Pushers and joins her fellow shop owners in this winter hiatus. This leaves Suzanne with plenty of time on her hands.

Zack Sheppard is a fisherman who is away from Summer Island most of the time from April to November. He returns for the winter and holes up in his apartment above his aunt's cafe, Dahlia's Cafe. He has spent the last six months in a funk since his breakup with Meg Sloan because he wasn't able to make a commitment.

Present day. Suzanne and Meg have had a wee bit of a falling out. Their friendship is a little shaky. Dahlia Delany, the third friend in Suzanne's circle, has just left the island to winter in the warmth of the south, somewhere with sunshine and sandy beaches. Then it happens. Zack decides to make a trip to the grocery store, hits a patch of ice on the steps from his second floor apartment and falls down the steps. Somehow he finds that he can't get up so he just lays there on the cold, snowy ground. Meg Sloan steps out of her inn and sees him so she rushes over to help. Even with her help Zack can't get up. Meg calls for help to transport him to the local doctor's office and then calls Suzanne to meet her at the doctor's office. The end result is the only place for Zack to recuperate with twenty-four hour oversight is Suzanne's home. And so it begins...

The Love We Keep by Toni Blake is the third book in her Summer Island series. This story is filled with poignacy, emotional upheaval and some difficult revelations and outcomes. Toni Blake does an excellent job of telling this story with just the right amount of humor and seriousness. The two main characters, Suzanne and Zack were introduced in the previous books in the series. Getting to know them better in this book explains much about their previous actions. I love how this author had Suzanne and Zack explore their pasts and work together to move on to a better future. This book is a compelling small-town romance that will make you laugh and cry.

[Moira · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great story to end the series. It's a story of forgiveness and redemption: of people who thought they were enemies become friends. The depth of emotion in her characters is hmbling. You can empathize with Suzanne and Meg as their friendship weathers many challenges. The honesty between Zack and Suzanne as she nurses him back after his injury is raw and honest.

Dahlia's connection and influence on all the characters ends up uniting them as they face the biggest challenge of all. Although part of a series, this can be read as a standalone novel and I highly recommend you read.

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Anne]

I enjoyed the book but had a hard time suspending disbelief about the underlying medical issue upon which everything else is based. It isn't the 1950s.

[Marcie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Love We Keep” by Toni Blake is a deeply emotional, beautifully written story. It is book 3 of the Summer Island series and features Suzanne Quinlan and Zack Sheppard.

Those who read the previous books (“The One Who Stays”, “The Giving Heart”), are familiar with Suzanne and Zack. In this book, we are taken deeper into who they are and how their past has shaped them.
You may not think Suzanne and Zack are perfect for each other, but they both have the ability to mend what seems broken in the other.

Ms. Blake pens a story about relationships—past, present, and future—and will have you reflecting on those in your own life.
I highly recommend to readers, who love books that touch their hearts, to read this book and the others in the Summer Island series.

[Gina Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Love We Keep by Toni Blake is the third book in the Summer Island series. If you enjoy cozy small towns and quaint views you will enjoy reading this series, as Summer Island is a treasure of a place that is off the beaten path and is idyllic with its charming shops, eateries, and residents.
Suzanne is a widow that moved her florist business to the island to live a quiet life in a cottage in walking distance from her shop. She has good friends, a business that makes her happy, she has the solitude she craves, and no interest in love thank you very much. But over the past year, changes come. Her best friend Meg is tied up with her new boyfriend Seth. Her interest in the man that had wanted to date her before, Beck, came too late and was a blow to her confidence that she can embrace love again. And her friend Dahlia is suddenly distant.
Just when Suzanne is starting to feel loneliness over these changes, her world is shaken as she is asked (by Dahlia, Zack’s Aunt and one of her best friends) to care for Zack Sheppard, who has become paralyzed on his right leg after a fall down icy stairs. Of all people for her to put her past nursing career to work on, Zack is Suzanne’s least favorite person on the island. He’s selfish and grumpy and he hurt her best friend with his inability to commit, but, with Dahlia’s sudden departure to vacation and Meg’s history as being Zack’s ex, Suzanne is literally the only person that can care for his injuries right now until the ice on the lake melts enough so that he can be taken to the mainland for special care.
What starts off as an icy situation between Zack and Suzanne eventually warms just like the cozy cottage hearth against a backdrop of a wintry wonderland beyond the windows. Zack makes quick progress under Suzanne’s care and day by day the two develop a romance that grows stronger each day.
To everything there is a season and despite the wonderful cocoon Zack and Suzanne have existed within, as winter leads way to Spring hearts will break, secrets will be revealed, and loss will rock their lives. This book is a page turner you won’t want to miss! Happy Reading!

[Kate Vale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another in the Summer Island series, in which a slip on an icy set of steps effects Suzanne, a nurse, Zack Sheppard, a fisherman, and his aunt Dahlia, in profound and life-changing ways.

Zack's injury moves from bruises to paralysis that frightens him to his core, particularly after the local doctor tells him he may never be able to board his boat, the Emily Ann, ever again. When Dahlia leaves town to spend the winter on a sunny beach, Suzanne feels she is stuck taking care of Zack. She never liked him when he was her best friend's lover, and now he's taking up space in her cozy cottage? She so wants to say, "No, a thousand times no!" But she doesn't. Where else can he go now that the winter weather has stopped the ferry? Certainly, Meg can't take him. After all, she's now living with Seth, who captured her heart in a previous story.

But something happens as Suzanne gets serious about helping Zack. Not just to her but also to him as he struggles to come to terms with a condition he never expected would happen to him.

Then there's Dahlia. Where is she? And who is this Giselle person that Dahlia has gone to the beach with? When she reveals herself with shocking news in the midst of a late winter blizzard, Zack and Suzanne are just as surprised as Meg and Seth. And how Dahlia's need to see these special friends forces each of them to consider and reconsider again what is most important in life.

A tale that answers many questions even as it brought tears to the eyes of this reader. Be prepared as you begin this journey with truly affecting characters.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not the quick romance that I was expecting. There is a lot more going on in this book than just a lighthearted romance. Tragedy occurs in the story and it takes on some dark concepts.
Suzanne Quinlan is the main female character in this book. She is a widow who runs a flower business. She has just had her heart crushed by the man she was interested in and now finds herself taking care of her best friend's ex-boyfriend whom she has never liked. Suzanne isn't sure how winter can get any more dreary. And then her feelings for her patient change.
Zack Sheppard is never happier than when he is out on the water making his living as a commercial fisherman. He has no family besides his Aunt Dahlia and does just fine. His last girlfriend broke up with him because he cannot commit. When Zack falls and injures himself, he has no one to turn to. His Aunt Dahlia is off the island and unable to return. Zack finds himself relying on Suzanne's help. He and Suzanne have never gotten along and yet, being forced to spend time together makes things change.
Fans of the Summer Island series will appreciate getting to know the characters in a deeper way. If you have not read the series, then there is a lot that takes getting used to as you figure out the relationships between all of the characters. As I mentioned there are darker elements that prevent this from being lighthearted.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Summer Island series and it is very insightful about love, friendships and family. Suzanne Quinlan was beginning to question why she had chosen an island that gets snowed in half the year and only a few residents stay but she had made some friends while she lived here but things were changing. Due to a slip and fall, she was asked to provide housing and therapy to someone she really did not like. Zach Sheppard had been the significant other to Suzanne’s best friend until six months ago when her friend finally realized Zach loved his fishing boat and his freedom more than he loved her. Zach’s aunt, another friend, asked her to take him in until the ice breaks and the ferry could transport him to the mainland since she had already left the island and could not return. The story is about what Zach needed to learn about himself and exactly how each of these friends faced their own past and future. This is a great read.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not finish this one. This book had potential but I instantly loathed every character in this book when they were all shocked and angry that the aunt went on vacation and “abandoned” her nephew. He is a grown ass adult. She was already gone when he fell, but that’s besides the point. Could you imagine demanding another adult (who, by the way, has no obligation to you whatsoever) cancel their trip to take care of you??? Let’s step back - she planned this trip. She looked forward to it. She PAID for it (probably thousands of dollars) and because you slipped on ice, she should just come home and make you soup?! He’s not the only one who thought so - apparently every character in this book was angry she didn’t immediately cancel and come home.

I just couldn’t get past this. They’re all ridiculous and no matter how good the story, I just hated them all.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 3 in the Summer Island series and while it can be read as a stand alone, it has some complicated relationship patterns. Suzanne is looking forward to quite and peace for the winter. The last ferry is about to run and she has no plans. Until, Zack falls down his steps and injures his back. With his Aunt traveling and his ex-girlfriend living with her new boyfriend it falls on Suzanne to nurse him back to health. Romance develops but not without some drama. I can only imagine what life must be like on an isolated island but good friends and neighbors are a must. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Nancy Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the third book in the Summer Island series and I think the best one of the series. Even though this was a stand-alone HEA parts of it were despondent (I was in tears) in the conclusion, and very revealing of deep secrets carried throughout the series keeping the characters at odds with each other. This was a well written contemporary romantic series and a little different for Toni Blake.
I purchased it at another retailer. I definitely recommend these books to be read in order, No Cliffhangers, to obtain the full meaning of the series. Thank You Toni for a great read!

[Traci Westling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d RATE THIS A 10 if possible! Absolutely beautiful gut wrenching emotional story ... the reader will become engaged so quickly that she’ll find it extremely difficult to set this aside for any given moments ! The extreme emotions that continue without will have you wanting to race to the end to find out not only how Zach & Suzanne fair through all the story but we will learn why dear Aunt Dahlia disappears & why !❤️👍🏻Tissues are mandatory & you’ll thank you for this high recommendation!!

[Amanda Siegrist · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. I was curious how the author would make me like the development of the relationship, especially since the hero is an ex-boyfriend of the heroine's friend. That can get tricky. lol You do get several points of view, not just from the hero and heroine, and I usually don't mind that. A bit too much for me from the aunt, but I kind of get why she did that. Overall, a good read.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this series in order and I must admit I was going to stop halfway through book one because the situation the characters were in didn’t really appeal to me. But I persevered and book two was better. The Love We Keep was definitely the best of all three and had such heart that I found myself tearing up in parts! Two lost souls finding each other makes for a classic romance tale. Beautiful story and well worth reading through the series for.

[pearl_fernandes27 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so wasn’t prepared for this book. I went into it thinking it would be a cute small town romance. Which it was but it was so much more. It was a emotional roller coaster which I hadn’t seen coming even though it was right in front of me. That definitely made me like the book more. Also Zach and Suz relationship was quite sweet even though I thought it was would be weird when I first started reading. Overall I loved all the characters and the book.

[sbtbkb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never much cared for the hero or heroine in previous books. She showed a bit more spine in this book at least. But be never came across as much of a catch. For such a small town it seemed odd that no one else stepped into help and that no one saw Giselle getting groceries or going onto dahlias house. This series just never hit the right tone for me

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Love We Keep!!

Well this was a tough book. It was very good but a lot of crazy things happening. For Suzanne and Zack, that was a pleasant surprise. So glad they were able to find each other. It was nice the Suzanne and Meg were able to really make up. It was pretty sad there towards the end, very hard. Great book though.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is set in the winter on a small island cut off from the mainland because of ice. The main characters are Suzanne Quinlan and Zack Sheppard. Due to a unforeseen happening they are forced into close contact. Each like their own lives but are sure about their being forced together. The book was a quick easy read.

[Juliewheatcox.Net · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT:

Huge eye roll moment when the author claimed that Zack couldn’t get medical treatment on the mainland due to inclement weather and the helicopters could not come to the island until spring!

Seriously?

Later, she said that Zack didn’t have insurance and couldn’t afford medical care. She should have lead with that.

Don’t insult your readers’ intelligence.