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A college professor looking for acceptance and a moody ship captain searching for freedom.
When a rumor sparks a dangerous debate, can these two find love on the high seas?


Dr. Hadlee Ford is on track to be the youngest Associate Professor at the college she teaches at, despite being the only female and the obvious prejudice of her faculty board. A past mistake makes it difficult to get the funding she needs, but she eventually convinces her colleagues her final project has merit. Hadlee takes off, excited for the opportunity to prove herself once and for all. Little does she know that a vicious rumor has proceeded her to Seaside Bay, and if the town fishermen have their way, her project will never leave the shoreline.

Captain Felix Mendez is finally free. He spent most of his adult life raising his little sister after the death of their parents. Now that she's married and out of his house, he's eager to enjoy life without any ties. His plans are disrupted, however, when he's roped into driving a marine biologist around in his boat all summer. His job is to make sure she gets all the information she needs to complete her research, NOT to protect her from the town's inhabitants. Yet, no matter how much he fights it, Felix is intrigued by the beautiful scientist and soon staying close to keep her safe isn't as horrible as he'd thought.

When their plans for the future clash, can these two find enough common ground to give their attraction a chance? Or will gossip and fear send them sailing in different directions?

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2021

87 people are currently reading
69 people want to read

About the author

Laura Ann

105 books205 followers

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5 stars
146 (61%)
4 stars
69 (28%)
3 stars
20 (8%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Jessie.
1,476 reviews86 followers
July 9, 2021
Romance with a Little Intrigue

Felix and Hadlee start off on the wrong foot. He likes the pay he’ll get taking her and her research team around, but longs for his regular season of fishing charters.
I liked Hadlee, and Felix had his moments. I loved when he stood up for her. I didn’t like how grumpy he was. I wouldn’t be attracted to someone who scowls all the time.
A cute, clean romance. Can be read independently. My favorite in the series so far is Caro’s story: Her Unexpected Rival.
Profile Image for Melissa-ann Strausser.
295 reviews1 follower
March 26, 2023
#5 in the series loved the continued characters but I wasn't feeling this story. Enjoyed it overall.
Profile Image for Sharon Van Hooser Thompson.
137 reviews2 followers
August 19, 2021
Laura Ann - Her Unexpected Catch was delightful, great cast of characters as well. So far this could be my favorite out of the series. I am just beginning to read book 6 "Her Unexpected Actor" and Chapter One started off just great. I would recommend this series of books or any of the books to just about anyone for reading.
Profile Image for Shauna Jones.
714 reviews16 followers
May 27, 2021
5 stars
A story that will capture you in the first few pages.
This is a fun and engaging story of working for respect, acceptance and self-understanding mixed with just the right amount of sabotage and romance. Hadlee has worked hard for what she has got. After the death of her mother when she was ten, Hadlee took over the role of mother too help her father all while keeping up her own grades in school and then college. She is now an Assistant Professor of Marine Biology in the same department as her father. But even her father doesn’t seem to see or appreciate her and her work. One more successful research project and she can become an Associate Professor. Felix has taken care of his sister since the death of their parents, now she’s newly married and Felix can finally be free. Just as soon as he completes a contract to spend the summer, taking a professor out on his boat to research crabs. When Felix and Hadlee meet he is not pleased about the professor being a woman or about her research. Even before the research starts, problems begin with other local fishermen. But who is behind the rumors? Who is trying to stop Hadlee even if Felix and others get hurt? A great read that will engage you from the first pages. I received an early copy and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Khadejah R..
174 reviews2 followers
May 30, 2021
Favorite of the series

Felix is a chill guy, who has taken on the role of parent to his sister. He has had to be the responsible one for years, now that he no longer has the obligation he is ready to live. To do what he wants, when he wants, without anything holding him back. Life hardly works out the way we plan though.

Hadlee has some redemption work ahead of her if she has any hope of being allowed into the “Ole Boys Club” at the university. Unfortunately she is being thwarted. The locals don’t want her doing research, her colleagues find her lacking, and someone is out for her job.

Upon meeting their is instant attraction. Neither want to cross the line of professionalism. However, sometimes the heart wants what the heart wants. That is until the brain kicks in.

I like the depth and understanding within their relationship. They connect on a special level. Their stubbornness gets in the way at times but they eventually find their way. I also liked the journey of self awareness Hadlee goes through and it’s outcome.

It’s a great addition to the series.
352 reviews
June 16, 2021
The character of Hadlee portrays kindness, patience and forgiveness. In spite of being bullied she found in her heart that showing kindness and explaining her research is more effective than fighting back. Felix on the other hand feel in love with her but refuses to acknowledge it so he said hurtful words to make Hadlee back off. Hadlee's bullies went too far that Hadlee and her team almost lost their live when the bullies sabotaged their rental boat. In the end her father showed up when she was in the hospital gave her the news that she was terminated from the college and the root of all the ruckus of the bullies a jealous colleague was just scolded. In the end after Felix apologizes they got back together and she finally sued the three bullies. Happy ending? Maybe but not a satisfying feeling, what happened to Hadlee's family?
734 reviews11 followers
May 28, 2021
If you like an intelligent woman, a gruff ship’s captain, and too many fishing puns to count courtesy of our favorite postman, Benny, then you’re going to love this book.
Felix just gave his sister away at her wedding and he’s looking for some freedom, but spending the summer with Hadlee Ford just may change his plans for a single life on the water.
Hadlee is working hard to prove herself in a man’s world as a marine biologist and hopefully earn her associate professor position. Meeting the handsome captain of their boat could change everything.
The locals are against what they think Hadlee is doing, but who’s stirring up all this trouble?
Will Felix and Hadlee each be able to give something up to gain their happily ever after?
2,276 reviews26 followers
June 1, 2021
This is my favorite in this series!!! Hadlee is one precious lady and my heart hurt for her. Why do we keep trying to please and gain the approval of other people? I didn't really care for Felix in the previous books but boy do I love him now!!! His sister is married and now he feels like he is free to be with his love - the sea. Enter Hadlee. Oh the trouble that follows her and the sparks that fly between she and Felix. Loved how his friends gave him a push. There are some nail biting scenes and twists and turns. It is a romance but also a book about truly finding and loving yourself as well as realizing our plans aren't always what we truly want or need. LOVED it!!!
6,129 reviews28 followers
May 29, 2021
I really enjoyed Her Unexpected Catch.

Hadlee is doing research on a boat for the summer to move up to Associate professor. A storm a couple of years ago has tarnished her reputation.

Felix raised his sister, but now she’s getting married. He has his boat but no dependent, not even a dog. He’s not thrilled to be taking Hadlee and her team out on his boat but it’s business and the job pays twice as well. Felix thinks her research will put the crab industry out of business.

This was a well thought out match.
Recommend.




Borrowed on KU.
1,831 reviews12 followers
May 29, 2021
Another great story in this series set in a new location & on the sea. Felix is relieved his sister is married & now he can be free from being her responsibility or being responsible for any woman. Hadlee wants acceptance from her peers at the university, her father & to be successful with her research project. When the 2 work together there are many classes. This story also has intrigue. I received an early copy. I have chosen to write this review.
374 reviews
February 1, 2022
I’ve loved them all

And I’ve enjoyed reading them in order. They are just like what they’re described as - a clean romance, which is very refreshing. In addition to the romance, the bonds of friendship that are a large part of the books is fun. I’m looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
Profile Image for Carol Gil.
884 reviews3 followers
June 5, 2021
Loved it

I love this group of friends! I was excited with this story considering Felix has complained about the summer for awhile. I was not disappointed in Hadley and Felix story.
4,572 reviews31 followers
September 27, 2021
Another good addition to the series. I have enjoyed all these stories and this one of professional jealousy and small town rumors is a good one. I moved to a small town from a city several years ago and the rumor mill in them is just amazing. This was a fun story to read.
Profile Image for Kathy.
2,525 reviews18 followers
April 14, 2025
This is a wonderful story. The characters in Seaside Bay are varied and likable. Felix, a boat captain, and Hadlee, a marine biologist have a romance that is filled with twists and turns and some suspense thrown in. The townspeople get involved in this story making a fun read.
99 reviews
May 29, 2021
Full of puns, some danger, a lot of romance and you have a happily ever after story that’s Hadlee and Felix's enjoyable romance.
994 reviews
May 30, 2021
A good clean fun romance: I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it/series.
Profile Image for Sharon.
1,049 reviews2 followers
June 3, 2021
A good book. Even though I was given a copy of this book by the author, it in no way influenced my opinion and this is my honest review.
661 reviews5 followers
June 7, 2021
Great

As with the other books in this series, this one is a keeper! A wonderful romance with enough twists to keep you reading. Laura's books are always sweet and yet spicy!
369 reviews
July 13, 2021
Great story! Felix and Hadlee both are expecting someone a little different for their summer on the water and are pleasantly surprised about the other. It's a very cute story. I love this series!
Profile Image for Susan.
58 reviews
August 1, 2021
Great book

An enjoyable read. I found it a bit long winded in sections but loved the storyline and the deceptive twist in the end I hope you enjoy reading this as I have
108 reviews1 follower
Currently reading
September 23, 2021
Good read

I enjoyed the story, with plenty action. Also is that !I've will always show the way even though there are a few bumps.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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