Finding Home: A small town, oceanside romance series

Willow Bay #2

by Laurie Ryan

Welcome to Willow Bay, the perfect place to stick a chair in the sand, your toes in the water, and get lost in the ebb and flow of life and love. When unwished-for love lands on your doorstep, do you embrace it or bolt? Taking in a runaway teen, Bernie Pedersen, who was a runaway herself, goes toe-to-toe with the handsome social worker looking for the girl. Bernie will do anything to protect the child the way her sixteen-year-old self could have used. Suffering burnout as his search for an endangered teen brings him to a small coastal town, Paul Gibson becomes embroiled in the lives of two people. One, a neatnik teenager whose home life wasn’t what he’d been told. And another, a feisty, redheaded pizza joint owner who makes him believe he could have a future in this town. He's legally bound to return the girl to her home, but when he learns things are not what they seem, Paul works with Bernie to do whatever it takes to keep the girl safe. Even if it means losing his job. This sexy, emotional story is part of the Willow Bay small town series, but can be read as a standalone. If you wish to read the books as released, here’s the Last Resort Finding Home Chances Are Tender Tide

Genres: Romance

193 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2021

About the author

Laurie Ryan writes about resilient, independent women who might stumble, but they dust themselves off and get the job done. Their men, whether commanding alpha or endearing cinnamon roll heroes, will do whatever it takes to ensure the happiness of the women they cherish.

Laurie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her “he can fix anything” hubby, but is always willing to travel to visit their children and grandchildren. Her creativity isn’t limited to writing. She also scrap books and, when she really needs to disappear, she paints rocks and shells found on the beaches she walks at the ocean—her happy place.

Laurie has always had a deep connection to nature and the outdoors, which is reflected in her writing. She is a passionate writer who brings her love for nature, animals, and creativity into her work.

An avid cruiser, Laurie has visited many places. One of her favorites was a stop in Greenland, where the strength and endurance of the people living in those beautiful but harsh surroundings became an underlying thread in her stories. Her sensual romance novels are sure to warm the hearts of readers.

Connect with Laurie on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, or her website, and join Laurie’s newsletter for up to date news and releases.

Reviews

[Lavada Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Home is the second book in the Willow Bay series which promises to be another series I will follow. Each story is a stand alone so you can read them in any order. My kind of series. The story is set on the Pacific Ocean. With the sound of surf and the ambience of a small town it is one of my favorite settings. Willow Bay is a character in itself and maybe even a hero.

The story opens with Gladys, the town's 'street' lady, coming across a ragamuffin going through the pizza place's garbage. I love this character. Every town or community should have one like her.

The main characters, Bernie, owner of the Square Peg known as 'the place' to get pizza's, Jen a teen run-a-way and Paul the Child Protective Officer sent to find Jen, are all extremely strong characters.

Bernie sees herself in the run-a-way child and vows to keep her safe until someone listens to her. It doesn't take long for Bernie to form a bond with Jen. But the growing attraction between the handsome Child Protective Officer and herself complicates an already complex situation. Especially when it's evident that Jen is in danger from her step father who has custody of her.

The plot has emotional twists and turns that had me turning pages. A great summer read. Or for that matter an any time of year read.