Saltwater Wishes

Marlin Shores #3

by Monique McDonell

Tony
I used to be the hometown hero until I walked away and never looked back. I’m back in town under duress, and everyone knows it. My father’s will has given me no option but to spend the year in Marlin Shores and not back in New York running my business where I belong. A year is a long time to avoid your ex in a town this size. Mary and I had something special until I threw it all away. Looks like I threw away more than I knew, because apparently, I have a daughter who wants to get to know me. I guess there’s no avoiding anything anymore, not even Mary, the woman who makes me want to yell and kiss her all at the same time.

Mary
I should have known I couldn’t keep a secret this big in a town this small. Tony’s back in town, and now he’s back in my life. He’s arrogant, sexy and infuriating and yet I can’t seem to stay away from him. I can’t let him back into our lives if he’s just planning on leaving again. My daughter deserves better and so do I. Now I just need to keep him at arm’s length and not wrap my arms around him the way I really want to. If you like high stakes small town romance with a hint of heat and a guaranteed HEA, Saltwater Wishes is for you.

This small town second chance romance about two people finding their way home to each other and to their family is the third book in the new Marlin Shores trilogy by USA Today Bestselling author Monique McDonell but can also be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel.

The Marlin Shores Trilogy:
Book #1: Saltwater Song
Book #2: Saltwater Tears
Book #3: Saltwater Wishes

172 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 17, 2021

About the author

I am an author of fun, flirty fiction that always has a happy ending. I write contemporary women's fiction including chick lit and romantic comedies. I
have released over fifteen novels including the Upper Crust and the Jewel Sisters series.

I am also an avid reader, coffee drinker and wine lover.

Reviews

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was delighted to lay my hands on this final book in the Marlin Shores trilogy, as it wraps up the inheritance heavily weighed down with conditions, received by the Montgomery brothers. From the time Tony arrives in town, it becomes obvious to everyone that there is unfinished business between him and Mary Marshall, resulting in intense animosity. When the truth resulting from past mistakes explodes in Tony's face, he discovers that taking responsibility for his actions far easier than he would have anticipated. Mary has far more anger and angst to work through, especially as she is not immune to the gossip and opinions being voiced by the residents of the small town. Through it all, the Montgomery family's nemesis is twisting the knife and inciting feelings of anger and revenge. However, when he oversteps the line, the Montgomery brothers bond together to take action and bring a resolution to the blight on their lives. I am so pleased that the series has a successful outcome, and although feelings towards their deceased father are still complicated, ghosts are finally laid to rest. I received a copy of this romance as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Becky Claxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good second chance romance. If you have read the two previous books, you will know that the brothers did not have a good relationship with their father. They were all surprised when the will stated that the three had to live in their home town before they all three inherited a share in the marina. It had to have been hard for Tony being the oldest and feeling like he had to do everything right. Then to be so in love with Mary when her parents were religious fanatics, and the only way they could see each other was when she stayed with her grandfather. I can’t imagine how Tony felt when all his plans fell through when he was hurt in college playing baseball. I hated how he handled it by standing up Mary at the courthouse when they were suppose to be marring. It never fails when someone thinks they are doing the right thing for someone else, it comes back to bite them. Tony got bit big as Mary was pregnant and had Addy, but he never answered any of her calls or texts. Now he is back home and the truth comes out about his daughter. It was so much easier now to see the mistakes he made and wished he could change what happened. That small town was always gossiping and trying to cause trouble. Plus one of their father’s enemies was trying to get them to sell the marina. I felt bad for Mary as Addy is 12 now and acting up because she was never told about her father. Let’s face it, Addy’s father is something new plus he has money. The three had a lot to get through to function as a family. I was glad that Tony’s brothers and their wife’s were there for Tony, Mary and Addy. I loved the book and strongly encourage you to read it. I was given a copy and voluntarily wrote a review.

[Tracy]

Saltwater Wishes was a lovely story. I enjoyed Mary & Tony as characters and their story back to each other. Addy, the daughter, was so much fun. I received an ARC for review.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series! All of the characters have been delightful and have rallied around each other through the tough times and celebrated the good times with a loving feeling of "family." And it appears the patriarch of the family, Clint Montgomery, knew that the terms of his will was indeed best for his sons and the town of Marlin Shores.

It truly was worth the wait for this third book where Tony, the oldest brother and multi-millionaire, finally meets the twelve year old daughter Addy he never knew existed. This unexpected meeting makes an inroad to his way back to Mary, the mother of Addy, and the woman he left at the altar so many years before. Monique did an awesome job slowly creating their path forward. Her writing is filled with interesting revelations about why each of them made the decisions that would change their course to the future. It wasn't all smooth sailing, not with a pre-teen and so many memories of poor choices. However, there was a wonderful twist near the end that I never saw coming. It really amped up the connection! I've really enjoyed all the characters in this series and am sorry it's ended. These three books are truly heartwarming and I highly recommend them!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony & Mary ❤️

🌊Promising baseball player Tony was injured and lost his college scholarship. Convinced he was doing the right thing, he stood up his young fiancé Mary at the courthouse altar.

🌊Now he’s back home in the small coastal town he and his brothers grew up in, staying the year period stipulated in their late father’s will.

🌊When 12 year old Addy comes to the house demanding answers to the rumours of Tony being her father, he realises that not communicating with Mary held untold consequences.

✏️Tony’s story is the third and final story about the three brothers who find happiness in the place they were least expecting it. Tony is the most aloof of the three, but his big heart is warmed up when faced with a surprise almost-teen daughter, and her mother that he never really got over. This is story is an easy read, and I recommend reading the stories in order.

Read on Kindle Unlimited
My rating 4/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Connect with me: http://www.instagram.com/read.athon2021

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so sorry the Montgomerys only had 3 sons, I’m not ready for this series to end. Tony, Parker and Banner were interesting to follow. Monique McDonell has kept me interested all the way through with her combination of interesting story line, realistic characters, romance, humor, intrigue, and family drama. I found this book to be very realistic in Tony’s mistaken idea that he was helping Mary by leaving her waiting at the courthouse and disappearing, Mary’s valiant attempt to handle the situation and her justifiable anger at Tony. Thank heavens Craig Montgomery wrote his will the way he did.

[Anne Blyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters in this series have been a delight to get to know. Tony and Mary's story was worth the wait. This story was very emotional with the discovery that Tony had a daughter that he didn't know about. It also becomes clear in this book that there was more to the Montgomery boys father than they ever thought possible. His will had a purpose far beyond anything they could imagine. Monique McDonnell has captured my heart with this series and I hope that in time she will revisit Marlin Shores and some of the secondary characters who need their story told.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several books written by Monique McDonell; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the third book in the Marlin Shores Series; it is a stand-alone book. Tony’s father died and in his will he is forcing Tony to stay in his hometown for a year; he took off for New York and has his own business. Mary is still in town and turns out they have a daughter.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the Marlin Shores series a well written short, small town second chance romance. This is Mary, Tony and their twelve year old daughter Addy that he does not know about until he comes back to Marlin Shores for his Father's will with it's clause. A story that was well worth reading. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wioletta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this second chance romance.
Mary and Tony, had been high school sweethearts, going to be married, but this never happened. Tony left Mary, and not only her. Now he is back to their hometown, over ten years later. Surprise to see her working in the bar. But the biggest surprise is to come.
Wonderful storyline and characters.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is not happy about his father will, he has to go back to his old home and stay for a year. She is not happy to see him again and she had never told him about their child. Will she let him in? Will he want to know? How will it all go? See how they get on

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

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a good, and enjoyable clean second chance romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.

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

[Jacki · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5☆
I enjoyed revisiting the Montgomery brothers.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Second chances
Part of a series: Marlin Shores
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

I look forward to reading more from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Booksprout.

[Cali Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a great read from beginning to end and a highly entertaining adventure. Really enjoyed this sweetly sexy, fun and action packed journey filled with engaging charters, witty dialog, heart racing twists and emotionally thrilling passion.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful second chance romance with complex and entertaining characters. Several twists with plenty of drama. Small towns add an unexpected twist to the story. Good read.

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

[Delbora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life Coming Full Circle

This story is about life coming full circle for Tony and Mary. I really enjoyed reading their story. All the brothers are married, hopefully this doesn't end the series because there are other characters I would like to see happy.

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

This was a great read that was interesting and well developed. The chemistry and interaction between the characters is outstanding. I was absolutely hooked right from the beginning to the end.

[Barbara Paull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved the whole series. Characters on a journey that ended happily. Yeah a great read.

[Jennifer Wertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saltwater Wishes is a fantastic sweet romance book. The characters are interesting and have great dynamics. The book is well written and engaging. The plot is interesting. I really enjoyed this book. It is a wonderful end to a great series.