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Door County #2
Small-Town Family
Reporter Dylan Smith comes to Sturgeon Falls to find his father. He has only one lead – charter boat captain Charlotte Burns.
After a rocky childhood and disastrous marriage, Charlotte is wary and guarded. The charming reporter sets off all her alarms, but she can’t resist him.
His questions point to Gus, who was like a father to Charlotte. Knowing this could destroy Gus’s marriage, Charlotte’s caught between her loyalty to Gus and her growing feelings for Dylan.
Families come in all shapes and forms. Can Dylan and Charlotte create the bonds that make a family? Or will secrets tear them apart?
After a rocky childhood and disastrous marriage, Charlotte is wary and guarded. The charming reporter sets off all her alarms, but she can’t resist him.
His questions point to Gus, who was like a father to Charlotte. Knowing this could destroy Gus’s marriage, Charlotte’s caught between her loyalty to Gus and her growing feelings for Dylan.
Families come in all shapes and forms. Can Dylan and Charlotte create the bonds that make a family? Or will secrets tear them apart?
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2007
443 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Watson
105 books130 followersUSA Today bestselling author Margaret Watson is a two-time RITA Finalist with thirty books in print for Harlequin and Silhouette and many other award-winning romantic suspense novels.
When not writing, Margaret practices veterinary medicine in the Chicago area.
When not writing, Margaret practices veterinary medicine in the Chicago area.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
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August 22, 2019Small-Town Family by Margaret Watson
Door Country #2
The question I had ata the end of book one in this series was answered in this one. What was the question? Did Dylan Smith find his biological father or not. Well, he does, but I won’t tell you who it is. Nope...you will have to read the book to find out ;)
Dylan is a reporter in town for more than one reason. He does write an article or two while there but having only a few clues to where his mother met his father he is in town to see if he can locate the man that hismother met in a cherry orchard decades ago. One of his contacts is Charlotte Burns, a charter fishing boat captain. He also wants to meet Gus Macauley because he believes the man might have insight into who his father might be.
Both Dylan and Charlotte have baggage from childhood and failed marriages and in spite of that baggage they are mightily attracted to one another. There are dates and steamy kisses and times spent with Dylan’s daughter Hayley. Add into the mix a developer wanting to get its hands on the marina, an abusive man to be dealt with, some misunderstandings to overcome and the finding of family and this proved to be a wonderful way to spend the day.
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
Door Country #2
The question I had ata the end of book one in this series was answered in this one. What was the question? Did Dylan Smith find his biological father or not. Well, he does, but I won’t tell you who it is. Nope...you will have to read the book to find out ;)
Dylan is a reporter in town for more than one reason. He does write an article or two while there but having only a few clues to where his mother met his father he is in town to see if he can locate the man that hismother met in a cherry orchard decades ago. One of his contacts is Charlotte Burns, a charter fishing boat captain. He also wants to meet Gus Macauley because he believes the man might have insight into who his father might be.
Both Dylan and Charlotte have baggage from childhood and failed marriages and in spite of that baggage they are mightily attracted to one another. There are dates and steamy kisses and times spent with Dylan’s daughter Hayley. Add into the mix a developer wanting to get its hands on the marina, an abusive man to be dealt with, some misunderstandings to overcome and the finding of family and this proved to be a wonderful way to spend the day.
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
August 16, 2019
Reporter Dylan Smith is still in Sturgeon Falls looking for clues to his father’s identity. His twelve-year old daughter Hayley is visiting with him as he continues to ask questions about the men who worked at the orchard where his mother was employed. He also wants to spend time with the very attractive Charlotte Burns, owner of a charter fishing boat. He hopes to talk to her mentor, Gus Macauley, who briefly worked at the orchard and may know the names of other men who were employed. Charlotte does not have time to get involved with Dylan, but he is persistent. Charlotte’s personal history is complicated as she and fellow skippers rebuff plans by a developer to buy the marina. Several unexplained visitors make Charlotte and Gus concerned that the developer may not be willing to take no for an answer. Conflict arises when Charlotte realizes that she may know who Dylan’s father is, but what if she is wrong and hurts those that she loves? This is a charming addition to the Door County series, full of hope, love and small-town family. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation from the author. (by paytonpuppy)
October 15, 2019
Dylan is in Sturgeon Falls to find his father. Charlotte knows a man Dylan wishes to speak with but refuses to tell Dylan where he is. The pair are both stubborn and butt heads, but it’s enjoyable watching them fall for one another.
When Charlotte realizes she knows who Dylan’s father is, she struggles between telling him or letting him know, which could cause problems for that person. She’s caught between a rock and a hard place, and I felt for her.
Both characters are introduced in the first book in the series, Small-Town Secrets. Dylan makes more of an appearance in that book than Charlotte, and the search for his father is introduced in it. This book does work as a standalone though.
This is my favorite book of the series so far. The first book had a lot going on in it, but this one focuses mainly on Dylan and the quest to find his father. Readers will feel for everyone once the truth is revealed. I recommend it for anyone who enjoys small-town romances.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy provided by the author**
When Charlotte realizes she knows who Dylan’s father is, she struggles between telling him or letting him know, which could cause problems for that person. She’s caught between a rock and a hard place, and I felt for her.
Both characters are introduced in the first book in the series, Small-Town Secrets. Dylan makes more of an appearance in that book than Charlotte, and the search for his father is introduced in it. This book does work as a standalone though.
This is my favorite book of the series so far. The first book had a lot going on in it, but this one focuses mainly on Dylan and the quest to find his father. Readers will feel for everyone once the truth is revealed. I recommend it for anyone who enjoys small-town romances.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy provided by the author**
August 25, 2019
Another delightful visit to Sturgeon Falls in Door County, Wisconsin! It’s a tale about family, those by blood and those of the heart. Sometimes family is what you make growing up or sometimes it’s what you find when you go looking, but it’s always what you’ll have when you open up your heart and share your love and learn to forgive the hurts and mistakes.
This is an engaging tale about reporter Dylan Smith looking for the story of his life and Charlotte Burns, a charter boat captain, who only wants to protect the only real family she had growing up. The two form a bond that will be sorely tested when their goals conflict. It’s a love story filled with emotions, drama, heartbreak and steamy passion. The characters are well-drawn and appealing, and the storyline will keep you entertained from start to finish. I am so looking forward to my next visit to this charming place, which can’t come soon enough!!
This is an engaging tale about reporter Dylan Smith looking for the story of his life and Charlotte Burns, a charter boat captain, who only wants to protect the only real family she had growing up. The two form a bond that will be sorely tested when their goals conflict. It’s a love story filled with emotions, drama, heartbreak and steamy passion. The characters are well-drawn and appealing, and the storyline will keep you entertained from start to finish. I am so looking forward to my next visit to this charming place, which can’t come soon enough!!
June 3, 2021
This wonderful author has done it again. Another brilliant story about Sturgeon Falls and its residents. Charlotte owns a fishing charter business and is gradually building up the business. Dylan still has secrets but is really looking for his father who he has never met. Sparks fly when Charlotte and Dylan meet. Who is Hayley and what does she have to do with Dylan and who is really Dylan’s father?
November 29, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. Though I felt it could have been a little bit better...I still loved it! Classic small town America is really on display in this book...I think it gives a a real vibe to it. I enjoyed Dylan, Charlotte not so much but I did enjoy the complexness of the charactors.
June 7, 2023
I struggled with the opening. I didn’t like any of the characters… the way they interacted with each other. It was attempting to mix a mystery with a romance. Then it moved from ‘hello’ to lust to bed to love to wanting marriage in nothing flat. Then he felt betrayed .. but, no worries, quickly resolved both major issues and everybody lived happily ever after. Scene with the sheriff over the side issue with the charter helper was best scene in the book.
March 23, 2023
A charming Read
I enjoyed this story. It's my first introduction to this author. I like that the central characters had solid, loving relationships. I enjoyed the story -- light, quick with a satisfactory happy ending. I look forward to reading other books in the series.
I enjoyed this story. It's my first introduction to this author. I like that the central characters had solid, loving relationships. I enjoyed the story -- light, quick with a satisfactory happy ending. I look forward to reading other books in the series.
July 18, 2023
Didn’t finish. I didn’t like Dylan and how he was hitting on Charlotte right when they meet. I also don’t like dual point of view, especially when it just flip flops at random. I’m not connecting with the storytelling.
June 21, 2020
I enjoyed this book. Light reading.
March 29, 2021
Great series.
Want to read
February 20, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/20/2023)! 🎁
February 22, 2023
An engaging premise and characters, but I didn't always connect with the writing.
February 25, 2023
Despite all the unneeded sex descriptions, the author somehow managed to tie the hanging threads together. The story had a lot of promise and could have been developed much more without the sex.
March 4, 2023
Decent read.
March 17, 2023
Love Story
I loved the romance between Dylan & Charlotte. The mystery about Dylan looking for his father added interest to the story. A very good read.
I loved the romance between Dylan & Charlotte. The mystery about Dylan looking for his father added interest to the story. A very good read.
April 12, 2023
Lovely.
Lovely small town feel. Characters that felt real and allowed you to invest time to read the story. Sweet HEA.
Lovely small town feel. Characters that felt real and allowed you to invest time to read the story. Sweet HEA.
May 25, 2023
interested romance
The book was very interesting with a good twist and realistic. It keep my attention and makes for a good read.
The book was very interesting with a good twist and realistic. It keep my attention and makes for a good read.
December 4, 2023
Recon- good story- some spice
March 20, 2024
Old flames never die.
A romantic read that keeps you guessing who, what and where. The variety of the characters is interesting and never boring.
A romantic read that keeps you guessing who, what and where. The variety of the characters is interesting and never boring.
March 24, 2024
Great second book in the series. A truly heart warming story. Loved the little bit of suspense and the story in general. Looking forward to the next book in the story.
January 14, 2020
As I was reading Small-Town Family, I realized, it has been a while since I have read any romance. Which is crazy since they are the books I like to read the most. I was super excited to start reading Small-Town Family.
Another reason why I was so excited to read this book was that I kept pushing it to the back burner, which I try not to do. When indie authors contact me, I try to make their book a priority. But, sometimes, life gets in the way – which is what happened here. When I rewrote my reading schedule (something I do 2-3 times a year), I made sure that all indie authors were first.
The plotline for Small-Town Family was surprisingly fast-moving. I wasn’t expecting this book to have a fast-moving plotline. I was expecting it to be slower. But, it was a pleasant surprise and fit with the storyline. There were no dropped characters or storylines, either. That made for a great read.
I thought that the main characters in Small-Town Family were well written. I liked that they weren’t “perfect.” Charlotte had issues with trust, and she had a temper. Dylan was secretive to the point that it interfered with his and Charlotte’s relationship. I liked that the author wrote those characters like that. It made for an exciting read.
The main storyline, Dylan’s search for his father, was well written. I did figure out early on in the book who Dylan’s father was. I was suspicious at first because, hey, it was too convenient. It wasn’t until Charlotte was talking to a specific character that my internal radar went “ding, ding, ding.”
The secondary storyline about the marina was exciting, but honestly, I was not too fond of it. I get why the author put it in the book. There needed to be a common ground for Charlotte and Dylan to bond over. I figured out what was going on the minute Charlotte’s boat was chartered. I wasn’t surprised when the bad guys were revealed.
The romance between Dylan and Charlotte was sweet, but man, it seemed to take forever to get there. Charlotte’s instant distrust of Dylan was a big drawback. But, once Charlotte decided to let Dylan in, my cup runneth over. I liked that Charlotte was the one who chose to let things move forward. That led to some pretty hot sex scenes.
The end of Small-Town Family was satisfying. I wasn’t sure if I liked how Dylan’s father was revealed or the anger that went along with it. I also think that what was asked of Charlotte was wrong. But it did work out in the end. Both storylines were wrapped up in a way that made me smile and do a fist pump.
Another reason why I was so excited to read this book was that I kept pushing it to the back burner, which I try not to do. When indie authors contact me, I try to make their book a priority. But, sometimes, life gets in the way – which is what happened here. When I rewrote my reading schedule (something I do 2-3 times a year), I made sure that all indie authors were first.
The plotline for Small-Town Family was surprisingly fast-moving. I wasn’t expecting this book to have a fast-moving plotline. I was expecting it to be slower. But, it was a pleasant surprise and fit with the storyline. There were no dropped characters or storylines, either. That made for a great read.
I thought that the main characters in Small-Town Family were well written. I liked that they weren’t “perfect.” Charlotte had issues with trust, and she had a temper. Dylan was secretive to the point that it interfered with his and Charlotte’s relationship. I liked that the author wrote those characters like that. It made for an exciting read.
The main storyline, Dylan’s search for his father, was well written. I did figure out early on in the book who Dylan’s father was. I was suspicious at first because, hey, it was too convenient. It wasn’t until Charlotte was talking to a specific character that my internal radar went “ding, ding, ding.”
The secondary storyline about the marina was exciting, but honestly, I was not too fond of it. I get why the author put it in the book. There needed to be a common ground for Charlotte and Dylan to bond over. I figured out what was going on the minute Charlotte’s boat was chartered. I wasn’t surprised when the bad guys were revealed.
The romance between Dylan and Charlotte was sweet, but man, it seemed to take forever to get there. Charlotte’s instant distrust of Dylan was a big drawback. But, once Charlotte decided to let Dylan in, my cup runneth over. I liked that Charlotte was the one who chose to let things move forward. That led to some pretty hot sex scenes.
The end of Small-Town Family was satisfying. I wasn’t sure if I liked how Dylan’s father was revealed or the anger that went along with it. I also think that what was asked of Charlotte was wrong. But it did work out in the end. Both storylines were wrapped up in a way that made me smile and do a fist pump.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews