Reunion at Fortuny Bay: Fortuny Bay Series

by Ara Grigorian

A devastating truth brought them back together
A long-harbored secret threatens to tear them apart

Leo Moncrieff is celebrating the multi-billion-dollar sale of his Silicon Valley company when he receives word that his estranged father has passed. Now, ten years after he escaped the sleepy harbor town of Fortuny Bay, Leo must return to settle his family’s affairs.

He expects to get in, sell the house, and get back to his real life… but Leo uncovers more secrets than he bargained for lingering in his dilapidated ancestral Namely, his ex who, unbeknownst to Leo, has been an in-home nurse for his father these past few years.

Widowed mother Cat Alonzo has nothing and no one beyond her five-year-old son and a room in the Moncrieff home. Her late husband’s sudden death gave her a reputation in town that she can’t seem to shake, and when his family opens a lawsuit for custody of her son, she finds herself stuck in Fortuny Bay by court order – just in time for Leo to come back to town and tear her apart all over again.

While Leo is still the same witty, charming guy who stole her heart all those years ago, their reunion is overshadowed by swirling rumors, hazy secrets, and the wagging tongues of a small town. As much as Cat wants to hate him, she can’t, and for Leo, even dire warnings from the neighbors can’t stop his flame from burning for the beautiful woman he left behind.

Their hesitant truce and budding second chance romance is shattered when his father’s attorney invites them both to the reading of the will, and the biggest secret of all is revealed —a betrayal that neither Cat nor Leo can possibly forgive.

If you love the small town romance of Susan Mallery and the suspenseful twists of Nicolas Sparks, pick up FORTUNY BAY today to discover just how deep the roots of love and betrayal can go.

306 pages, Paperback

Published May 21, 2022

About the author

Ara Grigorian is the international award-winning author of GAME OF LOVE, his debut novel. He is a technology executive in the entertainment industry. He earned his Masters in Business Administration from University of Southern California where he specialized in marketing and entrepreneurship. True to the Hollywood life, Ara wrote for a children's television pilot that could have made him rich (but didn't) and nearly sold a video game to a major publisher (who closed shop days later). Fascinated by the human species, Ara writes about choices, relationships, and second chances. Always a sucker for a hopeful ending, he writes contemporary romance stories targeted to adult and new adult readers.

Ara is committed to helping writers tell better stories. He is the co-founder of the popular Novel Intensive seminar. Also, he is a workshop leader for the Writer's Digest Novel Writing Conference, the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, and the Southern California Writers' Conference (both Irvine, CA and San Diego, CA). Ara is an active member of the Romance Writers of America and its Los Angeles chapter.

He is represented by Stacey Donaghy of the Donaghy Literary Group.

Reviews

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leo, a tech billionaire has been called home to see his ailing father but his father passes before he arrives. When he arrives he finds that Cat the girl he left behind with a broken heart was living at his father's home. She was widowed with a five year old son. She was getting lots of grief from her in laws and they were trying to get custody of her son. This book is well written with a page turning story line. Secrets and more secrets slowly being revealed. This book will grab your attention right at the beginning and you are left with a cliffhanger since it's the first book in the series. His father's will produces a few surprises and unveils some secrets. Do they get a second chance at love? I received a free copy of this book via Bad Boy Updates and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Megann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so have been kinda putting off reading this story because Ara is a new author and I was not sure if I would like it or not. Now I wish I had read it the moment I got it. The story of Leo and Cat and all the characters that go with it are amazing. There is history between Cat and Leo but also between Leo and the town. Now he has had to return due to his father being ill and even though he basically left Cat after giving her his ring he is not sure how she is going to be around him.
He in the meantime 10 years ago walked away from his father, Cat and the town to make something of himself. Now upon coming back he is drawn into something that he does not really understand. Cat had married one of the town elite and due do a tragic accident she is being persecuted by his family. The bottom like, they want her son and she has found all sorts of ways to keep them at bay.
But know things are changing and they are upping the anti on breaking her and getting custody of the boy. Can Leo with all his riches and knowledge stop what is happening. And what of his future it is with Cat.
Finished book one and can't wait to read book two in the series.

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

[Fleur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leo finally comes home after ten years and while he is home he is too to make piece with his father, however the other person he left behind Cat is still there and after breaking her heart things didn't get better for her. I loved how drawn in you get from start and whilst I feel sad for Leo, I am team Cat all the way and totally get why she didn't tell him everything about what's going on with her and I loathed the people who were out right trying to make her life miserable.
We also get the mystery of what's happening in town and the power one family appears to have over a lot of people, mysterious ships in the night, what will become of Leo's family home, fantastic characters you will love and love to hate along with some good twists and secrets waiting to be revealed. The ending leaves your heart hurting and the hope that Leo will come through for Cat.

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

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat and Leo have a history they were sweethearts until he left her and everything behind. Cat and her young son have been living with Leo's dad and taking care of him. However, he has died, and everything is up in the air. Leo is stunned to learn everything was left to Cat. Cat is struggling to keep custody of her son. Just when Leo steps in to offer her help and it looks like things are looking up, yet another setback happens. Will they ever get the bed and breakfast up and running? What will happen with the custody of her son? Can Cat and Leo get a second chance?

This is an amazing story that will have you on the edge of your seat. This is a well written and very entertaining story. There is a cliff hanger because this is part of a series. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

I read and reviewed this book for Bad Boy Update.

[Julie Booklover · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot has happened since Leo left the small fishing village of Fortuny Bay abruptly. He has been wildly successful just three hours away. But the story is about the town and the people he left behind.

Leo is called home as his father is gravely ill. He does not make it in time. He plans a quick trip until he finds out who has been the caretaker of his father. He has one foot out the door, as rumors of his ex come to his attention.

As he starts to peel back the layers of the town he grew up in, secrets are revealed. Will he be staying in Fortuny Bay? Can Leo and Cat get a second chance?

I enjoyed the book, a new to me author is always a nice find.

Thank you to the Booksprout and the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[K. Smock · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!! There is Leo who left Fortuny Bay and never expected to return. He also left Cat and that shattered her for a long time. Leo learns that his father is very ill and decides to go back to Fortuny to see him, but he is too late. When he learns that Cat was taking care of his father for the past few years, he is dumbstruck. What he learns over the course of the next few days makes him wonder about the town he left. This is a good small town, second chance romance with well-developed characters and a story line with good twists and turns. Ends in a cliff hanger, looking forward to seeing what happens next.

I voluntarily wrote this review from reading an advanced copy of this book.

[Reva Parks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually love small-town stories but I'm really mad hot about the way Fortuny Bay has treated Kat! I was really vested in the characters and pulling for Leo to forgive his newly deceased father for his lack of any expression of approval for Leo while he was alive. But just when I think the author may bring everything to a happy ending with Leo giving $2M as backing for Katalina to build his own deceased mother's dream B&B on the property that should have been left to him, the town sends police officers with social workers to take her four-year-old son from her and I find myself holding a cliffhanger to be continued! Maybe, though no promises, I'll feel better about it after Secrets of Fortuny Bay is published in late 2022!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leo has never returned to his family home since he left town and made his billions. Now that his father has passed he returns home to sell the family's house, only to find he ex has been left everything. Cat was crushed when Leo left and ended up making her life miserable. The only good thing is her son, and caring for Leo's father as his caretaker. Now they have to deal with the house, shady lawyers and her exe's family who seems to run the town. Leo is trying to deal with what he thinks is his father's betrayal, whatever his father was investigating an not totally trusting Cat, until her exe's family come for her son and he begins to realize that not everything is as it seems. I can't wait for the next book!! I received this ARC from Bad Boy Updates.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book builds slowly, and it takes a little time to engage with the two main characters - Leo and Cat. The story is told in dual POV and gives some insight into what the characters are thinking and feeling, but there are still some things left unshared. There is more to the story than a super rich tech entrepreneur coming back to his hometown, and discovering his high school girlfriend has been taking care of his sick father.

I was a bit surprised this ends on a cliffhanger, but as the last few chapters wound down yet the storyline shifted into even more depths I knew it wasn’t going to be wrapped up.
This is the second book I’ve read by the author and I definitely want to read more of Ari’s work.

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

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this is a really good story, but I didn’t care for the ending, therefore I deducted a star. Leo left Fortuny Bay and left Cat with a broken heart. He didn’t have a great relationship with his father, after his mom died, so hits the road. When his dad’s lawyer gets in touch with him through his work, he decides to head back to Fortuny Bay. He’s too late to talk to his father, but his first love is still there, but she’s not alone. I won’t leave any spoilers, but I will say you’ll love reading about the wonderful characters in this book.

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

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book within this series, so be prepared at the end it will not be over but will be sad. Leo and Cat grew up together and were planning a happily ever after until Leo didn’t get into the school he originally wanted. He left home but now he is back after 10 years. Only to find that his dad had just passed and Cat has been taking care of him for the last few years and his dad has been taking care of her. There are so many secrets that we will eventually know the answers to. The book was written well and for me, it was a very quick read. I look forward to see Cat and Leo join forces to bring others to justice.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author.
I enjoyed learning about Leo and the town he left behind.
Leo is a likeable character, if not a tad pushy since he has money. He has loyal friends that will do whatever he needs.
Cat was Leo's first love and has been taking care of Leo's father since his illness.
She married into one of the town's richest families. There is so much more hidden in this situation. The family blames her for her husband's death and keeps her on a short leash threatening her child to keep her in line.
This book just touches the surface of Leo's family, Cat's marriage and what's really going on 8n the bay.

[_booknerd.4ever_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hooked from the very beginning. I loved the plot. It was interesting and realistic. I didn’t like Leo at first but after he came home to see his dying father, I watched him grow. Things keep happening leading to secrets that need to be exposed. I like Cat and admired her for making the best of her circumstances. Will he and Cat find their second chance at love? Will they be able to turn his mom’s dream into reality? This is a new author to me and I really enjoyed this story. It’s well written and I love his writing style. I can’t wait for book 2.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review For honest Review Leo moncrieff is back in fortuny bay because of his father and find the girl he once loved Catalina Alonzo marceil has been taking care of his father with her son Francisco's (chicho), but there is trouble brewing . this is a fantastic second chance romance with a twist and some suspense . yes the ending will have you snapping teeth and the writer . that's why there is a second book so you find out what happens next and I can't wait for it .

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful written book which will have you in tears in -laces as secrets and rumors swirl around her. He will reappear when his father dies and life is about to take a turn for him. What secrets are there? How will they deal with it all? Will she lose her son? See just what is going to happy and if there can be a happy ending.

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

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It's heart wrenching to see what cat has gone through and continues to go through for custody of her son, Leo left fortuny bay ten years ago but nows he's a billionaire come back to bury his father. Will Leo help cat the woman he once cared for or walk away? Can't wait for the next book.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining story. The characters are likeable and I found myself rooting for them. Secrets are unveiled as Cat and Leo fight for her son. This is the first book in a series that ends on a cliffhanger. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I received a free copy of this book via BookSprout and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Lisa H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start.

Leo is back after being gone a decade.
Cat, his former girlfriend, is now a mom and took care of his father. They reconnect amongst plenty of small town drama.





Received from Bad Boy Update.

[Debra McEathron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a stand alone the ending leaves you hanging as to what will happen next. Leo, Anna, lola and Cat have to work out how to get Chicho back and fight dirty. The story is a good one about a son who left everything behind and now needs to help his former girlfriend.

[Carol Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

A riveting story that pulls you in from the very beginning. I look forward to reading the next book when it comes out.

[Anne Wolters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is Fortuny Bay Series, #1. Right from the very beginning, it is intriguing, however, it soon also grabbed my heart as I continued to read.

Leo Moncrieff is an “ideas guy.” He comes up with big, crazy, unrealistic ideas that eventually turn into multi-million-dollar deals. He lives in the fast lane and has a net worth just under a billion dollars.

Leo hadn’t been back to his hometown, Fortuny Bay, a small coastal town in Northern California, for seven or eight years. His mother has passed, and he’s had a difficult relationship with his Dad, although that is where he was headed, to his former home, where his Dad lives. As he parks in front of his house, and was about to get out of the car, he noticed someone that was not his Dad looking out a window. He immediately loses the courage that enables him to make multi-million-dollar business deals and instead of getting out of the car, peeled right out of the street as fast as he could. Had his Dad sold the house that had been in the family for over one-hundred years? Would he have sold it without telling Leo?

Fast forward two years and he gets a call that his Dad doesn’t have much longer to live. His first reaction is to ignore the message, however, after consideration, he decides to head north up the California coast to see his dad. He arrives too late; however, he doesn’t expect to find his childhood friend, and high school girlfriend, Catalina along with her 5-year-old son, living in his Dad’s house. Cat has been his caretaker for the past 3 years.

This is a captivating story, as the truth of the past years unfold. There are unexpected surprises and some secrets that come to light. The characters are well-developed and so real it was easy to get immersed in their lives. This is a beautiful, heartfelt story that I’ll still be thinking of even though the last page has been turned. I am hoping for book #2 in this series soon.

[Lindarhc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leo drove down to see his old home but when he saw someone at the house that wasn’t his father he drove away. Two years later he get told his father is seriously I’ll. He goes back but arrives too late. There he meets Cat again the girl he loved but left behind. Leo and Cat start going through his fathers papers. Then at the reading of the will Cat finds out that she has been left the house and all the money. Leo got a letter from his father and then finds a box that his father had kept cutting of his business dealings. Leo realised that Cat loved the house as much as him. This story ends on a cliff hanger and I can’t wait for the next book to come out. I received an ARC for an honest review which I have given

[Lindarhc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leo drove down to see his old home but when he saw someone at the house that wasn’t his father he drove away. Two years later he get told his father is seriously I’ll. He goes back but arrives too late. There he meets Cat again the girl he loved but left behind. Leo and Cat start going through his fathers papers. Then at the reading of the will Cat finds out that she has been left the house and all the money. Leo got a letter from his father and then finds a box that his father had kept cutting of his business dealings. Leo realised that Cat loved the house as much as him. This story ends on a cliff hanger and I can’t wait for the next book to come out. I received an ARC for an honest review which I have given

[Mylene Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second chance romance will not run smoothly. This book is part 1- unknown how many more parts are to come. If you like suspense of cliff hangers then grab this book and hold on.

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