The Friendly Cottage

Blue Moon Bay #4

by Susan Hatler

Megan Wallace is offered the chance to pursue her dream of making a living as an artist. But will it cost her the man she's always loved? Or will the legend of Blue Moon Bay make her happily-ever-after come true no matter what?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Ebooks, Friends To Lovers, Clean Romance

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2021

About the author

SUSAN HATLER is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author, who writes humorous and emotional contemporary romance and young adult novels. Many of Susan’s books have been translated into German, Spanish, French, and Italian. A natural optimist, she believes life is amazing, people are fascinating, and imagination is endless. She loves spending time with her characters and hopes you do, too.

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Blog: susanhatler.com/category/susans-blog

Reviews

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series! Each book can stand alone, yet the characters are connected through friendships and their small coastal town. Blue Moon Bay has a charming legend that each couple takes advantage of.

In this story, we learn more about Megan, who is dreaming of becoming an artist. Life hasn't given her the chance to fulfill her dream of going to Italy and painting there, but she's determined to make it happen sooner, rather than later. In the meantime, Megan is doing whatever it takes, even going so far as entering a local art contest, which pits her against her best friend and long-time crush, Brian.

I couldn't believe the string of bad luck that Megan has. Her inner struggles to follow her heart or to follow the crowd are real. Megan does come across as very insecure, but she's not someone who takes life sitting down. Told in first person, I felt like I really got into Megan's head and understood her thoughts and actions pretty well, but I was sure dying to know what Brian was thinking, as that guy is pretty stealthy and secretive.

This is such a fun series with some really great characters. I love how each friend has a unique voice that really sets the atmosphere for each story. I love the legend and those swoony, clean kissing moments are the best! And the cover? Absolutely stunning!

Content: mild romance (mildly passionate kissing). Clean!

*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*

[C.P. Cabaniss · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this novel through Netgalley upon request. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.*

2.5 Stars

I'm sad to say that I was a little disappointed with this book. I generally really enjoy Susan Hatler's stories and characters, but this one fell a little flat for me.

Megan was very teenagerish, not at all like a grown woman. Being around the same age, I can relate to some of hef insecurities, but I found her overall inner dialogue and the way she handled life situations rather immature. And I didn't appreciate how much she judged people based on appearance.

The romance in this was also not nearly as cute as usual. I like that Megan and Brian had known each other for a long time and were friends, but I felt no spark between them. It all seemed forced.

This had some cute moments, but was not my favorite. I might have appreciated certain things more if I had read the previous books, but the fact that you don't have to read them in order is one of the things I like most.

The art aspect of the story was really nice. I would have enjoyed a little more focus on that. Megan's paintings sounded really interesting.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming clean, tell your friends about read.
An artist who hasn't made it big yet enters a contest to improve her skills and live her dream life abroad with a trip to Italy. Does that mean she'll have to leave behind her best friend and a newly discovered love? It is heartwarming to see her gain her confidence as the book progresses.
The characters were easy to connect with and the book is heartwarming. I will be reading more of this author.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/11/2020)! 🎁

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading books by Susan Hatler. She's one of my favorites because her books are so easy to settle in with. Every time I pick up one of her books, I know I'm going get romance, yes, but fun dialogue and characters full of personality as well.

This series is set in a magical place to me. I LOVE the whole legend of the bay and how it is incorporated into every book. I also love seeing people from past books making an appearance in this book. It feels like a community of friends and family continuing in each story and I never really have to say goodbye to anyone. Each book can stand alone easily though.

I liked Megan. She had dreams but also insecurities about her ability to actually fulfill those dreams. Her vulnerability helped me to connect with her and her unrequited love left me rooting for her. I loved the first kiss and I loved the second kiss almost as much. :) The ending was sweet and I think that's where I fell in love with Brian too.

Content: kissing, drinking alcohol

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Danielle's · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book can be read as a standalone. However, I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read about the other characters.

Megan and Brian have been friends for years. Megan has always had a thing for him but didn't think she stood a chance. She wants to be a professional artist and enters a competition to win her dream trip. Brian ends up on a rival team. This book is only a short story, so I don't want to give any more away, but it's a romance novel about getting what you always wanted.

3 stars out of 5. I would have liked this book to be longer and maybe the romance blossom over time. I felt like I'd already missed the starting point.

I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

May the Best Artist Win

Megan Wallace has three dreams: being an artist, going to Italy, and that her best friend Brian will think of her as more than a sister. When an art contest is announced and the prize is a year at a gallery in Italy, Megan applies. In order to win she must find a woodworker to team up with to make frames for her, and compete against an old art class nemesis (who has just snagged Brian for her partner).
Megan will need an extra dose of confidence, and some magic to make her dreams come true.
This was a sweet best friend's brother story. I loved reacquainting myself with the other characters from this series. I admired Megan, and only wish I could have seen pictures of her artwork. It sounded very intricate and magical. Brian was a great love interest: he teased Megan, supported her, and helped her to be her best self.
I can't wait to read the rest of this series.

Content: clean (some kissing)

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sweetest Kiss by Susan Hatler takes readers back to Blue Moon Bay and I do love visiting that community. I would live there if I could because I have fallen in love with each one of the characters that Ms. Hatler has introduced.

Ms. Hatler never disappoints me with her stories and Megan and Brian's story was another sweet romance with fully developed characters that I want to meet and spend more time with. Megan is finally going after her dream of becoming an artist but that doesn't stop her insecurities from popping up on a regular basis. To top it off Brian has finally begun to notice her in more than a platonic way. Although they have grown up together and been friends for years, Megan has always felt more for Brian.

A short and sweet romance that kept me reading until I closed my Kindle with a sigh because Blue Moon Bay has worked it's magic once more.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Megan has always loved her best friend's brother, Brian. They are best friends, but secretly that has never quite been enough for Megan.

The opportunity to enter an art competition and win a year painting for a gallery in Italy is a dream-come-true for Megan. She knows that leaving Brian would be the hardest thing she's ever done - especially since he has abandonment issues anyway - but not pursuing her art will also leave a big hole in her. I could feel Megan's struggle between two things that would bring her happiness, and ultimately she has to take a leap of faith and hope that everything works out.

I loved Brian, too. Abandoned by his parents and his sister, Blue Moon Bay and the inn have always grounded him and given him a place to belong. He can't do long-distance relationships, but can he really let the best thing that's ever happened to him get away?

Content: Very clean
Source: Review copy (opinion is 100% my own)

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful characters with interesting dialogue and good interaction. Heartwarming and endearing story about finding your way. Romance and drama with some twists and turns. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book four of the Blue Moon Bay series and the story focuses on the dreams of the main character Megan Wallace, as she looks to follow her wishes to become a full time artist, but has to still work in a dress shop to make ends meet. The revamping and extension of the town library brings with it an art competition that will give the winner the chance to work in an art gallery in Italy as the artist in residence, for a whole year. She had promised her Aunt Bea that she would make the trip to Italy, that her aunt never managed, and this could be her chance! The competition links an artist with a local woodworker, who will construct the frame for their artist, at each stage of the competition. Allowing local woodworkers to show off their work and gain wide exposure. Only four local artists will be allowed to take place and she needs to decide if she will put in her application, or accept a better paid job offer doing her website designs. Even her dating history is giving her problems. She has always had a thing for one of her best friend’s older brother Brian Watts, but has never had any hint that he thought anything more of her than his sister’s little friend!

Megan’s female friends usually get together frequently when they can and each of their stories gets told in one of the books in the series. Brian’s sister is Wendy and the brother and sister pair run the Blue Moon Bay Inn, which Wendy inherited and came back to help her brother run, after their grandma’s death. Brian has been running it for years, having been abandoned by Wendy when she left for college and didn’t come back until their grandma died. Brian has an issue with abandonment, after their parents dumped them at the Inn with their grandma when they were young kids and rarely if ever visited. When his last girlfriend moved just forty five miles away, he broke up with her, refusing to do any sort of long distance relationship and he would never leave the Inn. Brian loves to tell Megan of all the bad choices she has made with the men she has tried to date, including a guy that spoilt the ‘all you can eat’ pancake day, one who wanted her to pay him back for the four dollars for coffee after they broke up, another who thought his sisters would get free dresses from the shop she worked in, and one who described himself as a pilot, but only flew small remote control planes! But Brian has never given her a sign that he is the ideal man for her, no matter how much he tears apart all the men she has dated with.

Megan’s application is accepted, but she has lost out on Brian as her frame creator, when her arch rival, rich and over privileged local artist Chelsea Chambers and stole him from under her, on the night the competition was first announced, before she could even mention anything to him! Chelsea was her rival in art class, but had a trust fund behind her to be able to continue learning her craft, not that she had any special natural talent and heart for painting like Megan does. Luckily one of her friend’s Janine Wilson, knew of another keen woodworker called Jackson, who was staying with her boyfriend Cody until he found a place. Janine had moved to town and works as an assistant to Olivia Lane in her event planner business, but is hoping to get her own top position and more responsibility. The last member of their tight knit posse is Charlie Rockwell, an actress with her first Hollywood movie coming out soon, and mostly working away. She can’t discuss her feelings for Brian to the group, as Wendy is a part of their posse.

Megan decides to follow her dreams and hope she can fulfil her Aunt Bea’s last wishes, but everyday life makes matters much more difficult to cope with. Brian is the only one that can calm her down when she gets nervous and not being able to work with him and her feelings getting more erratic when he is around, make the situation more stressful. When she tries to stay away, he finally comes looking for her and they share a kiss on the beach, by the famous Blue Moon sign about two lovers who were forced apart, but always loved each other. She finally mentions it to Janine and then Olivia, who end up blurting the news out to Wendy! Brian finally asks her out for a date, but should she start a relationship with him, when she might be moving away to Italy for a year, and she knows he won’t do a long distance relationship? Hard decisions need to be made with her love life and she even second guesses her art skills and tries to be exactly the same as her arch rival. Matters are about to come to a head and may not bring the result that either she or Brian actually wanted. Megan must decide whether she will follow her heart and her dreams, or play safe and basically sabotage her only chance to win the competition and live the life she should. Brian may not be willing to take a chance, but she has to follow her own dreams if she is ever going to be happy. Definitely not a straight forward love story, but a realistic and bumpy one showing how difficult the road to true love can be and the hurdles you may have to overcome to reach your final destination. Another character in Blue Moon Bay has their story covered and I can’t wait to read about some more. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Glenda Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review today is on the Romance, The Sweetest Kiss. This is the fourth book in the Kissed by the Bay Series. I really enjoy Susan's books; they a always lighthearted and humorous. This book is an excellent example of her work. The story is well written, humorous, and just plain delightful. I know you are going to love it.

Megan Wallace had just broke up with another weird boy friend. She's to attend the unveiling of the newly restored Blue Moon Bay Library. She had replied to the RSVP with a guest so she was to meet her friend there. He was her best friend's brother but her dear friend also. She had always had a crush on the man but he is off limits. As they are mingling one of her friends calls her over and tells her of an art contest they would announce this evening. The winner will win a trip to Italy to an art studio for a year. She had always wanted to go there and promised her aunt on her death bed she would. This could be the way. The frame would be a part of the contest. Brian is an excellent woodcarver. They could actually win this thing.

Brian Watts works at the family business. His sister had been the one to inherit the Blue Moon Bay Inn. He ran the inn as she was into her reality business. He went to the event with Megan. They had best friends for ever. He had been asked to help Megan's rival, Chelsea with his custom frames but when he found out Megan was going to enter he wanted to help her but Megan refused to allow him to leave Chelsea. She came up with a good looking cowboy to do her frames. He didn't like that at all.

This is a fun journey to win the contest and prove to themselves they are talented. While trying to deny their mutual attraction. God has a plan for these two a good plan and not for evil. God has a plan for you in this time of fear and torment. Give Him your heart and watch Him bless you.

[Chan · Rating 3 out of 5]

THANK YOU NETGALLEY AND SUSAN HATLER for a copy of The Sweetest Kiss

It was okay


FYI…this is the first book in this series that I have read.

Writing: The writing was fine, but Susan was extremely repetitive. I found myself rolling my eyes and saying aloud several times “Okay we get it!” For instance, we heard the whole Boboli gardens story so many times…We all know you promised your Aunt Bea, blah blah blah. 1st Person Narration. 1 POV.

Characters: The MCs are Megan and Brian. Megan is supposedly a klutz, however this personality trait was underdeveloped. Susan should have played this up a little more or brought more attention to the mishaps instead of brushing over them. Brian is suffering from abandonment issues. I didn’t really like his character that much. He wasn’t a strong enough character for Megan’s personality. The other characters made it obvious that I should have read the first 3 books in the series.

Storyline: Megan promised her Aunt Bea on her dying bed that she would visit the Boboli Garden in Italy. Something came up and she had to empty her savings account, but then an opportunity came along where she could win a trip and also pursue her passion - Painting. The competition spans the rest of the book. During the competition, Megan and Brian who have been best friends for a long time decides to finally follow their hearts and date each other.

This is a frilly, lighthearted read. I found a lot of it corny and it was extremely predictable. Also, Megan and Brian didn’t interact enough with each other for the readers to believe the chemistry. I did like the premise of the competition, not just the art competition but also for Brian’s attention. I thought adding two competitions was great. However, it was illustrated in such simple terms. With Megan being a Klutz and artsy…there was so much promise here.

Nevertheless, the book had its witty moments. I smiled a few times and laughed too. Susan also did a fantastic job describing Megan’s paintings. I actually felt like I could see them. The descriptions were so beautiful that I would love to see something like that in real life. Even how Susan describe the details of the wooden frames that went along with it. Oh and the dough scene for Jackson to show his visions...very creative Susan!

Intimacy Scenes: A book does not have to contain sex for a reader to feel the chemistry. This book did not have sex, but it also lacked romance, chemistry and intimacy. This section was a dud. The only kiss that I thought was passionate was the very first one by the legend plaque.

Overall, the book was okay. I was bummed that I could figure out the rest of this story after the 2nd chapter. I even knew how the ending was going to be…of course not the intricate details, but the garden, with Brian, etc.

[Tina Layner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love every book that I have had the opportunity to read by Susan Hatler. The sweetest kiss is the fourth book in The kissed by the bay series. The books can be read as stand alone or in order.
Megan is an artist trying to get herself known by other artist. She enter a competition with three other people. The winner gets to go to Italy for a year to paint her pictures for galleries.
Brian runs an Inn that was left to him and his sister. He had just broken up with his girlfriend because he does not believe in long distance relationships. He has been in love with Megan for a long time.
Will Megan win the competition and move to Italy? Will her and Brian fall in love and make it work? Time will tell.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wysteria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an amazing book!

I love the best friend trope because even though Brian was technically Maddie's best friend's brother he also became her best friend and Susan did such a great job with the trope!

I loved Maddie and Brian they were such a cute couple and I just loved the chemistry and how much they knew about each other.

Brian is definitely my new book boyfriend!

I love that this series has these women going after their dreams and their dream men.

I also just love Blue Moon Bay! I don't know what it is but I just love reading about the place.

Content: Kisses

I received a free copy and am leaving an honest review.

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this romance. I thought that he storyline was fun and the characters were likable. You really had to feel for Megan. This girl obviously broke a mirror or something because luck was sure not on her side. Add in her unrequited feelings for Brian and yeah, my heart hurt for her. Brian seemed like a really good guy and I thought together that they made a very sweet couple. This is my independant, impartial review.

[Tracy Fritts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sweetest Kiss is the fourth book in the Kissed by the Bay series. This is a sweet,funny and easy to read. The characters Megan and Brain have good chemistry. I truly enjoyed reading this story.

I read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.

[Michele Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Megan and Brian and the honesty and feelings in their relationship. I laughed, cried and screamed reading their story. These two have been friends their entire lives and when they start a relationship it is so pure and honest. I loved this book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Wallace has dreamed of being a painter ever since her Aunt Bea taught her to paint. Megan works in a local dress shop and designs websites on the side. Aunt Bea made Megan promise that she would go to Italy one day. Megan is good friends with Wendy’s brother, Brian Watts. He runs the inn in Blue Moon Bay. Megan has been in love with him for years but feels like he only sees her as a friend. She’s afraid to ask him how he feels. Megan has the chance to enter a painting contest. The prize is a year in Italy painting. I enjoyed this story but I felt that Megan was her own worst enemy. She seemed afraid to take chances. Murphy’s Law seemed to be involved in the storyline. I loved her interactions with Brian, Wendy, Olivia, Charlie and Janine. I would get frustrated with Megan at times, but overall I enjoyed this book. I highly recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kimberly Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of this series. Susan Hatler does an awesome job of pulling you in and feeling like the characters are part of your life. Brian was left by his parents and Megan is friends with his sister. They are best friends turned lovers. Megan gets the chance of a lifetime but it requires leaving Brian behind. I found myself tearing up at parts of this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn't have Megan's courage to take a chance and give up secure employment in the hopes of winning a painting contest to live in Italy for a year. She's a bit accident prone and has some bad luck with dating terrible men and losing jobs. She also has some self esteem issues wondering if Brian who she's been crushing on for years really wants to be with her. Her friends made me laugh out loud with their antics, but they were very supportive and encouraging. Megan should have opened up to them sooner about her troubles. Her paintings sound wonderful with their magical elements and so doesn't Italy.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! After I read the first book, I just knew I had to read the next book. I can’t wait to read more from this author! I definitely recommend it!

[Nicole Maclennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. Somewhat predictable but not so much that I didn’t want to see how the characters ended up. Easy to get invested in the story and root for love.

[Anna M_82 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this book! I loved the characters of Brian and Megan. They first know each other through Brian’s sister but then develop a really close friendship of their own. When they end up on competing teams during an art competition, their deeper feelings start to come to light. The problem is that the winner will go to Italy for a year and Brian doesn’t do long distance relationships. I loved this couple together so much! Their love and support of each other is what a friendship and good relationship should consist of. The ending of this book is perfection and I loved it!!

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janet Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oil Paintings and Love in Blue Moon Bay
This is a sweet and clean romance that is part of the Blue Moon Bay series. These books can be read in any order, but are best read in sequence. All of the books share the same characters and take place in a small coastal California town. This story has a friends to lovers plot and is centered around an art competition. I think that the reader knows from the onset how this will end which makes the angsty parts less believable. But, it is a fun and clean story that will make your heart happy. I think all of us would love to spend a vacation at Blue Moon Bay. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, small-town romance. This book has a cast of characters that you want to be your new best friends. I love these types of clean, easy going, charming stories. I’m a Susan Hatler fan and this Blue Moon series has quickly become one of my favorites. If you want a fun afternoon of reading pick up any of her books! Gotta go, I’m on to the next book…

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[T.I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great as always. This is an easy to read, interesting story with great characters that draw you in. You feel like your right there with them. Loved the ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[romancejunkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet and charming story. I really liked Megan and loved her relationship with Brian. The way they got their happy ending was cute and tender.

[Lisa A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kissed by the Bay Series...
Megan, an aspiring artist has been in love with her best friends brother Brian for years. She’s afraid to tell him and ruin their friendship but it’s getting harder to keep the secret. I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun series. Each book can be read as a standalone but I have read them in order so the characters continue to develop with each new book.
Megan has always wanted to be able to earn a living as an artist. Will she take a chance at her dream or continue to play it safe?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.