Rogue Wave

Haven Island #1

by Isabel Jolie

Sometimes, out of nowhere, comes the rogue wave… You can ride it, or get pulled under.

At thirty-five, nothing in Adrian Tate’s life has worked out the way he thought it would. Disillusioned, he returns to Haven Island.

Luna Rey Fisher, a young college intern, offers her help with revamping his old cottage.

Crackling chemistry propels her forward as Tate struggles to maintain a safe distance. Only he’s been on his own for far too long, and what she offers is what he craves.

As the two become closer, and Tate heals, his past choices threaten to tear them apart.

The first standalone novel in the Haven Island series, Rogue Wave is a love story about two idealistic souls finding their way in a less than perfect world.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Ebooks, Contemporary Romance

280 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 13, 2021

About the author

Apple Books Contemporary Romance Bestselling Author of spicy thrillers where love always wins. Get free books + early access: https://isabeljoliebooks.com/#newsletter

Heart-pounding romance. Unforgettable heroes. Sizzling happily-ever-afters—with a side of suspense that'll keep you up way past bedtime.

I dreamed of being a writer as a kid but took the "safe" route: journalism degree, advertising career, MBA, corporate gigs at Chase and Universal. Then in 2020, I said screw it and published my first book. Twenty-five books later, I'm living the dream.

I'm also a mom to two teenage daughters who are perpetually mortified by my career choices. My husband's an entrepreneur whose latest product is Nampons (yes, it rhymes with tampons and yes, it's for nosebleeds). Between my spicy romance and his biz... we've cornered the market on parental embarrassment.

My books feature tough characters facing tougher choices, compelling suspense, and storylines that'll make you think. But no matter how dark things get, my people always choose love.

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Reviews

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a fan of Isabel Jolie's distinctive writing style and have been following her West Side series, you are going to be happy to find out she has a new series. Rogue Wave, the first book in the Haven Island series, is a heartfelt, emotional, opposites-attract romance.

Tate returns to Haven Island after more than ten years of absence. He is haunted by his past and his family issues, but cannot put them to rest until he confronts them and how and why they changed him so much. Luna is a twenty-two year old student of marine biology, who, like Tate, is in love with the sea and everything to do with this amazing habitat. There is an instant attraction, but there's also a considerable age gap between our protagonists, which explains Tate's reluctance to take a chance on a romantic relationship with Luna. On surface, Tate and Luna are complete opposites: she is an optimistic, happy person, who wants to live her life to the fullest, while Tate is a classic broody hero, who might have been burned once or twice by his past experiences. The attraction is really strong and they become friends and much more, until Tate decides to break up wiith Luna and stay away from her to protect her from his past and unresolved present, he still needs to deal with.

I liked the setting of a small island and really enjoyed the whole mystery/ suspense feel of the story. Not to say that I didn't enjoy the romance between the two protagonists, who in my opinion were just perfect for each other, and, of course, their Happily-Ever-after (in case you were wondering).

I'd recommend it to all the fans of Isabel Jolie or anyone looking for a new romance series with a few relevant to the world we are living in, serious issues.

Thank you to Giselle from Xpresso Book Tours, the publisher and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every book I’ve read by this author has hit the mark for me. I enjoy her style and voice because even when her romance journeys are also bringing light to a societal issue that is life altering important, the growth and romance between the characters always takes center stage. With Rogue Wave I liked that she wrote Tate as having the opposite regard to life and the age difference. Both those aspects matched him and the story well and provided the synergy Luna and Tate needed to make the story that much more compelling and heartfelt. It was because of their differences *but not really* that they matched so well, and I loved reading their journey because of them and it!! (I hope that makes sense lol) Add in a bit of turmoil and dramatics and you’ve got yourself a pretty good journey that unfolded well and also incorporated side characters I hope to see in future books :)

[Mar · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I honestly thought I was going to read a semi emotional but also sweet and steamy age gap romance but boy did I find something else.

The first 30% of this book had me wondering where was the chemistry between our main characters because it was hard to buy it but I have to say that after that 30/35% you can actually see their chemistry in their interactions.

I liked Luna, she was sweet and kind and albeit a bit too bubbly for my taste she was a very likable character. Now Tate... my problem with him was his family. I hated his family. The fact that they said the shittiest things and Tate be like "The fact that he could so blithely overlook others suffering or the plight of those less fortunate drove me nuts. But I’d never change him. And, like him or not, I’d always love him." REALLY?

And since we're in that area, I had a lot of issues with this book. I didn't like the "white savior complex" here or the vail racism of "it only happens in poor countries" or the tokenism of Alice being the (I think) only black character in the book; but what truly made me dislike this book was the lack of content warning. How many times I've said that trigger warnings are not spoilers and let me tell you, this book have TONS of triggering content. From racism to mentions of rape (both male and female), to an abortion scene and mentions of Slavery and human trafficking, Torture, mentions of past trauma and lost of love ones, not only for main characters but also for side characters, this book was packed with triggering content. You know what was also in this book... A joke about statutory rape. The character that made that joke... I could punch him.

I've read this author before and after reading this I've come to the realization that this author is definitely not for me.

"Thank you to the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review."

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rogue Wave is the first book in Isabel Jolie's new series Haven Island. The story is told in an alternating POV- post COVID pandemic and is filled with mystery, suspense, chemistry and hits on some real conservation issues that are in the world today.

Luna is a 22 year old grad student- working on her degree in marine biology at a conservatory on Haven Island, a small island off the coast of North Carolina. She is bubbly, outgoing and has so much faith in doing everything she can to help the world and save animals like the sea turtles. What she doesn't have time for is relationships- especially those meant to end in marriage and her popping out children. Tate has returned to Haven Island to the house he inherited from his grandmother after 10 years of being all over the world and on the sea. He left young and idealistic- but he has now seen too many things to really feel like he could ever really make a difference. When Luna drops by Tate's home to offer her help in fixing up the house, she is instantly attracted to him - while he pushes her away since he is 13 years her senior. But since Haven Island is so small they often run into each other and easily form a friendship over their mutual love of the sea and its inhabitants until they finally act on the mutual attraction. But when Tate's past comes back and into his future- he pushes Luna away, letting her go as a way to protect her- if only he could let her go in his heart.

I'm going to start off by saying that I love how this book is set post COVID and even if it is more of a future than where we actually are at the moment. This book also touches on some real issues of things that happen out on the seas- and it is truly heartbreaking to really think about. I loved Luna and the way she carried herself in life. She had her own beliefs and lifestyle but didn't judge or begrudge others for how they chose to live theirs. Tate was his own whole mess of things- exactly where he had been and what he had seen to make him go from an optimistic and happy to kind of mysterious, reclusive and walled up took a while to figure out. Plus add in the issues with his brother over the family company and money and that guy could probably use a bit of therapy himself. But I love how when push came to shove he still wanted to do good- and it was all about relearning how to be a "normal" person again. So in a sense Rogue Wave is kind of an opposites attract/age gap romantic suspense since although Tate had so many of the same ideals at heart as Luna- he was really no longer that person anymore. The story did start off a little slowly to me and it took a while before we really got any information outside of vague references for what Tate had gone through. But when the relationship between Luna and Tate took off (and it did indeed take off) the suspense of Tate's past and trouble in their future took off as well, making it so that I couldn't put it down until everything got resolved.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an image in my head of how I thought this book was going to unfold. Very little of it went in any way how I expected it would. Tate is jaded and more than a little broken. He’s seen the terrible things that man is doing to the planet and the horrifying things man does to his fellow man. The author doesn’t go into any great detail, but she doesn’t pull any punches either. With her optimism and complete faith in her ideals, Luna seems like the polar opposite of who Tate has become. Yet, she’s also very grounded and has a practical streak a mile wide, which makes her a little more like him than he wants to acknowledge. The path they take getting to happy ever after is rocky but it’s so rewarding to see them get there. And now that we’ve started to get to know some of the other residents (and regular visitors) of Haven Island, I can’t wait to see where the author takes this series next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Hidden Gems Books.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (9/23/2021)!🎁

[Claire Cronin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read by Isabel and I really enjoyed it.... the first book in a new series set on a small island, it was an emotional / age-gap / opposites / angsty type read that also dealt with some serious modern day issues. Not usually my type of read but I did enjoy this one.

Tate returns to the island after being away for over 10 years, having inherited a house there after his Grandmother died, which is in need of doing up. He is a broody, world worn character, being a marine biologist by trade and having worked for Greenpeace and seen the evils that men commit against fellow men all around the world. He has lost all his fight and his spirit, having lost touch with his family and is at odds with his brother.

Luna lives on the island and is studying marine biology and takes an instant liking to Tate, regardless of the big age gap. They have so much in common with the sea and the animals, yet they are polar opposites in their outlook. Tate is very reluctant to be anything but her friend, but Luna is determined to show him that she can be more for him. Things go great until Tate's past catches up with him and he decides to leave Luna in the hope of keeping her safe and letting her go to live the life he thinks she should have without him, all without consulting Luna.

A good, enjoyable read.... I liked the small island and the islander feel where everyone knows each other, and that the story deals with some strong issues, whilst not going into great detail it makes a certain impact. I look forward to reading the next in this series.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was introduced to Isabel Jolie through an ARC program and have read all the books in her West Side series. With the start of this new series, I did not know what to expect, but I found that the style I liked in prior books came through. These new books take place on islands off the coast of North Carolina that give the book a small-town feel.
This is the story of Luna and Tate, who meet on the on this island and there is instant attraction. Luna works for a nature reserve on the island and is working on her masters degree. Tate has returned to the island because his grandmother left him her cabin and he is taking this opportunity to decide where he is going in life. Tate has spent the last decade or so on the high seas and seeing the world. Part of that was with Greenpeace and part was seeing the some less than idealistic parts of the planet. Although they have a ten year plus age difference, they seem perfect for each other, if they would stop fighting it. At points in the book, I was sick of Tate mentioning the age thing, especially since there are times, he does not act like the mature one in the relationship. There are some twists and turns that their story takes to keep you reading until the end.
**I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving a review.***

[AND 1515 · Rating 5 out of 5]

She totally saw him in a different light.
by and1515

Adrian Tate was a man who'd pursued a dream not many people truly understood.
He'd had some extremely lofty expectations and on some level he did achieve quite a few of his goals but on others not so much.
Luna had a bright future in front of her and nope it didn't include a pack of snot nose brats.
She truly wished Tate would stop harping about the stupid age thing because there was no denying there was some major burning attraction between them.
However he was moving a the pace of a snail and honestly
Luna was tired of waiting for him to get a clue; so instead she was willing to take a chance.
She'd be totally truthful when she'd said she wasn't looking
for anything beyond sharing some mutual smexy time together.
The last thing Tate wanted or even needed was to deal with a brother who couldn't or wouldn't try and understand him and was totally hung up on all the wrong things.
However his resent actions had finally caught up with him; and the last thing he ever wanted was to put the one person he cared about in harm's way.
He had no future until he dealt with his unpleasant past once
and for all.

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

[Kari Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

After inheriting his Grandmother’s cabin Tate has come home to Haven Island to reflect on what direction he would like his future to hold. He has spent the last decade trying to help others and is conflicted as nothing he has done has seemed to make a difference.

Luna has worked hard to complete her education and wants to pursue her dreams for the future and isn’t about to be distracted by love and marriage. On the surface she and Tate appear to be complete opposites, but appearances can be deceiving. It is only a matter of time before the sparks fly but if they are to have a future together Tate must first deal with his past.

Tate is a good man who is a little weary from all the challenges that life has thrown at him so Luna’s cheery personality is exactly what he needs in his life as they find the perfect balance in each other.

[Anna M_82 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book with great characters and an interesting story. There is added suspense towards the end of the book that heightens the story and helps move the characters towards their perfect ending.

Tate is back on Haven Island after being away for 10 years with environmental groups trying to fight illegal fishing. He meets Luna, a younger woman working an internship in the illegal through its environmental group. Both have similar interests in the environment, nature and sea animals. These two start a steamy fling that could be more until Tate gets news that makes him end things with the lovely Luna. Read their story to find out what made him leave, whether he will come back, and what happens when an illegal fisher from his past comes around causing trouble.

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

[Patricia Charlton · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I’m being honest this book didn’t follow the bio for me at all.
I did like Luna & Tate as characters but what I didn’t like was the lack of warning where both men & women had been raped and also a young girl performing her own abortion.
I know the topic of human trafficking something we all are aware of but it was just in your face at one point.
I also felt very preached to on the below:
Climate change / Use products good for environment
Conservationists
Green peace activist
Didn’t like any Republicans
Pro choice / abortions
Dangers befalling our earths waters / where fish is sourced.
I see all of this in my every day life and it’s not what I want to read in a work of fiction, I want to be lost in a book to take me away from reality not push reality in my face so much.

[Margery Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling
I was completely taken in by this wonderful book that pulled me in from the very first chapter. The characters are people you’d love to have the privilege of knowing and the story is amazing. The emotional level is hot in that it includes not only love but also fear for the characters and admiration of their character. As you can tell from this review it’s a book that’s hard to describe, but if you enjoy love, empathy, generosity, and devotion in a dangerous situation you’ll LOVE it!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book and purchased a copy for my collection.

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watch out for the Rogue Wave in life

Rogue Wave is the first book in the new Haven Island series and once again Isabel Jolie has done it. This delicious older man/younger woman. opposites attract, small community and big world story about Luna and Tate is a wonderful read. It is well written, pulls you into the story quickly and makes you fall in love with these characters who appear simple on the surface but are complicated once the layers start to be peeled away, which they do with each other.

I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own.

[Will Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm giving this a 5 star rating because the author did include some nice hot spices in the bedroom and the editing is clean. The hero is a bit of a jerk in my book, but he does eventually come around and do the right thing. The heroine is perfect for this story, both in personality and description. The few negatives were more in the lack of information surrounding his past and the 'villain' that he previously became involved with. It's nice to think that law enforcement agencies would come running to your rescue the way they did, but that's a stretch from reality. At any rate, this is a good story and I enjoyed it enough to give it 5 stars.

[Peggy Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved every single book I've ever read by Isabel Jolie, and this one is right up there with the rest of them. Isabel has a way of making you feel like you're there, in the book, actually living the story.

Tate and Luna's love story was so heartfelt. I loved Tate's broodiness, mixed with Luna's quirky, happy-go-lucky personality, which made them absolutely perfect for each other.

This book is highly recommended, along with all of her other books.

I received an ARC from the author, and this is my honest review of Rogue Wave.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story thick with emotion and some hard topics. But even as these two characters seem to be on a journey to find their place there is still a love story that is all encompassing. Tate and Luna are grumpy sunshine for sure. Tate has lived a lot since the last time he was on the island. Luna is still trying to find her place. I loved Tate's moroseness mixed with Luna's quirky, enthusiastic personality really makes the whole story.
This is a story that will bring so many emotions and feelings to it. It is worth taking the time and reading this well written romance.

[Marie Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first age-gap books I’ve read and let me just say that I loved it!!! The flow of the story combined with how the Isabel Jolie describes the setting felt natural, like I was living a pet of the story along with them. Wonderful and relatable characters, along with all the feels!!! Highly recommended

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

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this storyline it was entertaining and well written with characters you wish were in your life. Tate is a strong alpha that has hit a low point in his idealistic career. Luna is a fresh young woman who is looking to help save the ocean. The characters are engaging and well developed with plenty of chemistry throughout the pages. I loved everything about this book.

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

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet

A sweet story that includes an age gap romance, an adoption, a bit of intrigue, family dynamics, small town culture, and the beach. It is well written with sweet moments. The storyline and ending is predictable, but the adoption and the experiences described were surprising and well told. I was left with some questions still regarding the communication over a decade and how the ending came about, but I enjoyed the story and plan on checking out more of this series.

[Gloria Wenman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Island beauty

Not just the Island but the character too. All so accommodating but not in a sickly boring way. It shows community spirit, big time. I found this story line so refreshing even though there are some ugly truths that come to light.

This author has certainly touched on some fire up to date things taking place around the world. Well worth a read.

The model on the front cover would get 5stars on his own.

[Rachel Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Tate and Luna are such the unexpected cute couple. The amount of true to real world information entwined with the romance story is fantastic!! All in all it’s a well written and well rounded book. I would definitely recommend it to others looking for a great beach type love story.
I was given this book as an arc from Hidden Gems for my honest opinion.

[Stephenee · Rating 2 out of 5]

* I won a copy of this ebook through the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway Program *

This was a DNF for me - I just couldn't get into it. It was slow, hard to read and left me not wanting to finish. I tried hard, I stopped and started reading it several times and just couldn't get into it. I will try this author in the future, but this one just didn't do it for me.

[MamaBee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC and this is my voluntary review. This was a unique story with many good messages. I loved the age gap and how the story was weaved. Very interested in Poppy’s story. A very intelligent read that’s also steamy!

[Kathy Mccalmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an older man younger women romance. The characters are very impressive and the storyline keeps you turning the pages

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

[Reader03 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start to this series with two complex relatable main characters and plenty of suspense, mystery but also touching on conservation issues. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alice Malary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this ebook through the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.

I was taken in by this book from the very first chapter. I really enjoyed this book. This is an older man younger women romance.
All in all it’s a well written and well rounded book.

[Chris Trottier · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too Political

The story started off strong, but took a turn towards the middle. Very political in nature which I was not expecting. And the relationship fell flat at the end for me.

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Good story, age gap romance, steamy, HEA.
A little to much politics for me.

[Itssandra.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,9/5 estrellas.
-
'Rogue Wave' es una historia muy amena y entretenida, que enganche y hace que no pueda parar de leer hasta terminar la novela.