Finding Love in Forgotten Cove

Island County #1

by Karice Bolton

Tori Aickens understands more than most what it feels like to lose the ones you love, but she also understands how to survive that kind of pain by leaving it all behind and never looking back. Unfortunately, while she’s busy never looking back, she walks straight ahead to find her fiancé cheating on her with a grin on his face.

It isn’t until her father passes away, that Tori decides to return to Fireweed Island for the summer. Coming back to a place where ghosts lurk in even the happiest of memories makes her face the heartache of her past she’s done so well at leaving behind. It isn’t until Gabby introduces Mason Rhodes to her that she realizes kindness can exist in this overly brutal thing called life, and maybe not all men are meant to self-destruct, or she’s just been sniffing in too much ocean air.

Either way, spending time with Mason on Fireweed Island leaves Tori questioning if the carefully constructed life she left behind in New York is one she even wants any longer. Mason is determined to break down Tori’s barriers, but she’s not sure she’s strong enough to let go of her past and imagine a future that risks her heart getting broken again, and she wonders if there’s such a thing as the right love at the wrong time…

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Google, Chick Lit

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 28, 2015

About the author

Karice is the author of over sixty books that span several genres. She loves nothing more than spending time with her family and sneaking away to write in between with a latte in hand.

She received an MFA in Creative Writing from the U of W.

Sign up for Karice's newsletter and new release info at http://www.karicebolton.com/


Titles include:

Cloudberry Inn Series
Imagining You
Remembering You
Leaving You
Loving You

Sunshine Breakfast Club
Dash of Love
Pinch of Love

Beyond Love Series
Beyond Control (Book 1)
Beyond Doubt (Book 2)
Beyond Reason (Book 3)
Beyond Intent (Book 4)
Beyond Chance (Book 5)
Beyond Promise (Book 6)
Beyond the Mistletoe (Book 7)

Island County Series
Finding Love in Forgotten Cove (Book 1)
Love Redone in Hidden Harbor (Book 2)
Tangled Love on Pelican Point (Book 3)
Forever Love on Fireweed Island (Book 4)
Tempting Love on Holly Lane (Book 5)
Chance at Love at Mystic Bay (Book 6)
Irresistible Love at Silver Falls (Book 7)
Lucky in Love on Hound Island(Book 8)
Mistletoe Mischief (Book 9)

Silver Ridge Series
Happy Truth About Love
A Little Secret About Love
A Funny Thing About Love
A Surprising Thing About Love
Christmas at Silver Ridge

V Mafia Series
Blake
Devin
Jaxson

Luke Fletcher Series
Hidden Sins (Book 1)
Buried Sins (Book 2)
Redemption (Book 3)
Mia (Book 4)

Afterworld Serie
RecruitZ
AlibiZ
UprisingZ

The Camp

The Watchers Trilogy
Taken Novella (A Watchers prequel)
Awakening (Book 1)
Legions (Book 2)
Cataclysm(Book 3)

The Witch Avenue Series
Lonely Souls (Book 1)
Altered Souls (Book 2)
Released Souls (Book 3)
Shattered Souls (Book 4)


The Watchers Trilogy: Awakening was a Barnes & Noble January 2012 Staff Pick: Nook Books Under $5

Reviews

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mason can be a very forthcoming, “I’m not really that romantic of a guy.” He stopped himself and our eyes met. “But for the record, Tori. It’s not only the house that I want.” Mason was really sweet and cute and kind, “only when a beautiful redhead stands at the bottom of the ladder distracting the poor soul trying to do his job.” I enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to seeing what's next in this series.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I'm so glad that I read it. Yes, the main character was annoying with her I will not fall in love crap. However, by the end she finally woke up which was nice.

[Mandy Reads Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

He came in for one last kiss, and I realized that finding love wasn't what I'd planned, but it appeared to be on fate's horizon and fate's name was Mason Rhodes.

***

Tori is only on Fireweed Island for the summer. She is to teach summer school and get her family's home fixed up and ready to sell. That's it. She has no time for a summer fling. And lord knows her heart cannot handle another heartbreak. At least that is what she keeps chanting through her mind as she works alongside Mason day after day fixing the house and growing closer to him. Mercy. This is going to be one heck of a summer.

We finally get Mason!! Fans of the Beyond Love series have been waiting a long time for this book to happen. At least it feels like a long time to me. And let me tell you...it was worth the wait. The best part is knowing that Tori is Mason’s perfect person. Together they make a beautiful couple. It is just going to take some time to get Tori to realize it. As a reader you just want so badly to smack Tori and tell her to open her frickin' eyes at what is standing before her. But it is something she is going to have to learn herself.

This book has a wonderful storyline and fabulous characters: old and new. Yes, it is always a joy to see the old characters we have come to know and love from the Beyond Love series. But I am super excited for the new ones we are introduced to as well. They made the storyline pop and I look forward to seeing them once again in future books.

One more thing before I go…even if you haven’t read the Beyond Love series, don’t fret. Bolton writes a wonderful book that you are sure to love and not feel like you’re missing out on something. But I most definitely recommend you read that series too. You will love it. I promise. FINDING LOVE IN FORGOTTEN COVE is another 5 Star read for me! Way to go, Bolton! I absolutely loved it!

[Ruth Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I enjoyed reading Victoria's story but the poor girl had so much to deal with. I was so happy that she pulled herself together

[Kari Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I enjoyed this book, it definitely had it's positives and negatives. I really like the male main in this book--easy to connect with and likeable, but he still had flaws that made him easy to connect with. But the female main was really difficult for me to handle--she was definitely conflicted, but her reasoning and internal dialogue were disjointed and flaky at best. But the easy writing style, well-constructed story, and male main allowed me to give this book 4 stars.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read by Karice Bolton and it wont be my last.

It totally sucked me in from the start and made me want to read the first series as well, which I am doing.

Mason knew Tori was the one from the start but Tori had been through so much grief she couldn't see what was right in front of her.

It is a slow build but a beautiful read as the chemistry between them is smoking.

[Sharon Rudolph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

The book was a little slow in places, but I still enjoyed the characters and the storyline. Watching Tori work through her grief was the best part.

[Coco.V]

💝 FREE on Amazon today (12/31/2017)! 💝

[Giovanna Fernandes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5★
***SPOILERS***



















































It was only ok... the goodreads rating actually surprises me, because I don’t think is all that.
The book felt really rushed, the characters don’t have chemestry, and even thought they are between 21 and 36 (they never say exactly how old they are), they act a lot like teenagers.
Mason was a good guy, I didn’t really fall in love with him, but he was nice, supportive, protective, romantic and adorable, but I didn’t really like how he didn’t want to talk to her about why his brother was into underground fighting, and it was never explained why his sister was running away from a trial...
Tori... she was so annoying. Omg. An amazing teacher, her class must have been so fun. But as a person, she was so selfish. Her mother and her sister died, her dad was an alcoholic, and she was embaressed, she didn’t even try to help him, she hid that fact from everyone, and she moved away and never even sayd her TWIN SISTER’s name out loud for however many years she have died... And than she doesn’t want to date after completing things from her bucket list, but then she starts dating Mason without even mationing the list to him, until he suggests making one to moving on with her life, but then she just completes ONE of the items on her list, because MASON makes his family move locations of their annual barbecue so she can achieve something. I hated the way she pressured him to talk about his brothers fights, she didn’t want to tell him about her life, and he didn’t pressure her in any moment. I hated the way she broke up with him at the end, because she overheard some girl she barely knew talking about something that she just assumed it was about her and Mason... and then all those excuses that she can’t and bla bla bla. Terrible character.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first read by this author and I enjoyed it. This book is first in the series, but can be read as a standalone from what I can tell. No cliffhangers just a nice romance with a happy ending. This is the story of Mason and Victoria.

Victoria Aickens is back in Firewood Island after her breakup with her fiancé and her father's death. She is there for the summer to fix up their family home and sell it so she can get back to her life in New York. She is used to living a life of solitude because it is easier than dealing with the hurt of loss. Her current breakup and memories of the loss of her family is keeping her closed off to any thought of a happy future. She still has a few friends on the island determined to get her to stay. There best laid plan is to get her introduced to someone who will show her good men exist and it ok to live again.

Mason Rhodes is the resident contractor and fixer of all things broken. He has a wonderful family and is very close to them all. He has no hesitation the minute he meets Tori that she is the one for him. He shows her kindness and empathy while she works through her feelings of being back on the island. He is the most patient man and is determined to break down her walls to get her to let him into her heart.

Overall I did enjoy their story. There was a bit of angst from the past for both characters, Tori more so than Mason. Tori was a bit aggravating because she was dead set on not letting Mason in. The story was slow to build even though Mason's feelings were pretty quick to develop for Tori. Once she finally let her heart open to him it was great, but it took a bit too long to get there for me. This is a nice story with good characters if you can be patient with the buildup. ⭐⭐⭐

[Donna Feibusch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Book!!!

I absolutely loved reading Finding Love in Forgotten Cove(Island County Series Book 1)!!! All about Victoria Aickens a young women in her mid-twenties who is a history teacher to high school kids & Mason Rhoades is in his mid-twenties and is a construction builder/remodeler. Victoria has come home to Fireweed, Washington to clean out her parents house & then sell it. It’s very bittersweet because her whole immediate family is gone now, and she is all alone, except for her dad’s brother who lives & works in England. Read about Victoria & Mason and see how putting your trust in somebody who cares, makes all the difference in life! Lots of emotions, that will make you laugh out loud and want to cry your eyes out!! Definite Read!!! Can’t wait to read Book 2!!!

[Jodie Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tori has headed home. Although there aren’t very many happy memories there. After losing her dad and finding her fiancé cheating with her BFF. She’s headed back to sort the house and get away. She doesn’t quite understand how much works involved in getting the property ready for sale but she meets Mason who agrees to help so he might be the one to buy it. She doesn’t account for the warm fuzzy feelings coming back to her hometown but one things for sure, she won’t fall in love again with Mason or the town! Can she keep that promise though?

An enjoyable read but Tori was a little annoying at times

Xx

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tori grew up on Fireweed Island, and taking a summer teaching job. After one day she wonders how to get kids in like history, when it is so nice outside. The guy doing repairs on the building, definitely was a whole package she had to agree with either teachers. After one grinning fiancé with his latest fling, she had enough.Now to fix up the family home and settle the affairs. Except with seeing Mason as he helped everyday, could change that. Finding love when you didn’t expect it, cute story.

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a transparent and simple romance. It’s okay for a casual read. It struck me as less than expertly written. The structure is very loose, making it a little hard to follow at times. As a career educator, I was both amused and irritated by the ridiculously unrealistic references to teaching and the classroom. The author needs a competent editor to fix the numerous structural errors. These include pronoun-case errors, misused commas and apostrophes, and awkward sentence structures. I mostly skim-read the last half of the book.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story. I connected with Tori and everything she experienced while trying to soldier on. Connecting with Mason was an empowering experience for her, and she didn't think she had it in her to find love again after what she had just gone through, but Mason was the perfect person for her. He held her up and gave her encouragement. This is a touching story that grab my heart strings and had me cheering for Tori to get a chance for happiness!

[Crista]

I received a free copy of this book

DNF. FC moves back home to do up her old family home due to the death of her father, she takes a job at the school and has recently broken up with her fiancé. MC is the handyman who is helping her fix it up. She has past trauma she hasn’t dealt with, he is the hot single bachelor everyone wants but he has never had eyes for anyone till she came along. Slow burn, couldn’t get interested in it.

[Barbara Deeprose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Nice Romance

When Tori discovered her fiancée was cheating on her she returned to her childhood home on Fireweed Island to ready the family home for selling. Mason, the local builder, is keen to buy it and offers to do the work for her but it is not long before they are fighting their attraction to each other. No particular surprises in this book but it was an enjoyable read and a nice romance.

[Catarina Águas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fantastic book. I loved how strong Tori was, I know that she was afraid to have from life, but in the end, she gave in to what she needed and wanted in life and I was so proud. Mason was a very good hero, he had patience and was there for there, but obviously there was a point that he didn't want to be the only trying so I understood how he felt completely

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A steamy romance in a lovely setting. I though the main character was less than self-aware – but overall enjoyed the story. The romance was believable and fun, some of the plot-twists were a little confusing / didn't seem to go anywhere? But a pleasant romance, worth reading.

I received this book for free through Goodreads giveaways. My opinions are my own.

[Sheila good · Rating 5 out of 5]

CAN YOU GO BACK HOME

Tori had to go back home in an island off Seattle to fix up her childhood home to sell. She lost her mother and sister years ago and father just recently. She had no one there just bad memories. She now lived in a small town in upstate New York to get away from those memories
What a great book. I felt every emotion

[Linda Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet feel good romance! Tori & Mason find each other—she’s reluctant due to some sad/bad family memories and tries to not fall in love. But Mason is persistent & she falls—-and then she almost blows it but there is a save! I enjoyed the story of the sadness, the ability to overcome & just the sweetness of their love story.

[Alan T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tori & Mason

Summer history teacher Tori meets Mason and is having him remodel the house she inherited from her father preparetory to selling it. She intends to return to upstate New York and her teaching job.

[Carol Gil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling in love

Tori and Mason are the cutest couple. I love how they meet and just stared at each other. They were tossed together over and over again. They learned alot about each other. Mason has the greatest family.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bring Out The Tissues

Overall this was a good story. Victoria has had a lot of loss in her life and is rightly afraid of it happening again. This is a story of her processing everything in her past while trying to live in the present.

[Joy Rosales]

DNF @ 18% I received a copy of this ebook in a Goodreads giveaway.
I did not find this book very compelling. The nail in the coffin for me was when the hero said “I’m definitely a force that can’t be reckoned with, baby.”
Not for me.

[Mary Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love found on the cove

This was a beautiful contemporary romance between a young teacher coming home to sell the family home and her contractor.
This was very well written and I only needed bone tissue!

[Angel Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it's fairly good book, I find the fact that Tori refuses to talk about things like her twin's and her mother's death until it's nearly too late, her refusal to talk about her ex fiance until it's shoved in her face frustrating.

Characters need to start talking and listening...

[Diana Kay Graham Hostettler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic story. The characters were very believable. It was interesting watching how Tori fought her way through confronting and banishing her personal demons, with Mason helping her every step of the way. A very satisfying story.

[Kathy Zuercher Diveley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tori and Mason

A school teacher returns to the island where she and her family lived, to settle her fathers estate. She hires Mason to get the house back in shape to sell. But she and Mason fall for each other.

[Brittany Crouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute summer read. It had you routing for Tori to become a couple with Mason and to stay in her hometown of Fireweed to live in her newly remodeled childhood home!