Half Moon Whim: Half Moon Bay Book 5

Half Moon Bay #5

by Erin Brockus

Sara and Jack… Will her searing flame scorch him to the bone?

Sara Collins never wanted to put down roots. When her sister offers her a job at the sunny Caribbean scuba diving resort she owns, Sara jumps at the chance to manage her own spa. Even if it means interacting with the divemaster who humiliated her.

Jack Powell is finding his dream life more challenging than expected. Especially after his boss’s sister moves to town—they don’t exactly get along. He tries to avoid the situation, which is difficult when he can’t stop thinking about her.

Throw in a handsome, successful developer who offers Sara everything she ever dreamed of, and she finds St. Croix might be exactly what she’s always wanted. But which man holds the key to her heart and her greatest dream?

Half Moon Whim is a standalone, sensual beach romance. This curvy girl, enemies-to-lovers novel is Book 5 of the Half Moon Bay series, and is the springboard into the next phase of this captivating series. Dive in today!

Genres: Contemporary, Enemies To Lovers

334 pages, ebook

Published September 30, 2022

About the author

Erin Brockus writes steamy small-town romance with a tropical twist. Her tight-knit island communities have all the charm and heat of your favorite small town, plus an ocean right outside the door. Her characters are smart, grounded women and the irresistible men who can't stay away from them—the kind of people you actually want to grab a drink with.

What sets Erin apart? Her stories go underwater. Drawing on her real-life passion for scuba diving and international travel, she builds worlds that feel like a vacation you never want to end. Her stories are full of salt air, adventure, and steamy tension that finally ignites.

She lives in Washington wine country with her husband, who is also a scuba instructor. When she's not sending her characters on island adventures, she's running, mountain biking, or enjoying a good book with a cup of coffee.

Erin Brockus—where passion meets paradise.

Reviews

[Jackie Wright]

I first want to say, Erin Brockus really paints pictures with her words and every book in this series has left me dreaming of St Croix. I have been left feeling like I have just experienced a holiday in the Caribbean and I always want more !!!!
Sara is managing the spa at the Half Moon Resort and from the moment she meets Jack, the dive master sparks fly and not in a good way. Realising they are neighbors only adds more tension and their is plenty of miss communications between them. But as they learn to work and live together romance blossoms but will this couple who have built walls to protect their hearts give love a chance…. One click this gem to find out
This was a fantastic read that took me back to holidays n the Caribbean, I love everything about this series and as I finish one read I’m excited for the next. Wonderful series that I highly recommend.

[Julie Booklover]

3.5 stars

Another good book in the series, I enjoy the author’s vivid descriptions of location. But this is not my favorite book in the series. I had a hard time getting started, and I could not connect with Jack, although he was not a new character to me. I loved the first four books, so I am calling this a one-off. I hope others will enjoy the book, and I will continue to read this author.

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

[Erin Lewis]

5 star Review of Half Moon Whim (Half Moon Bay #5) by Erin Brockus
 
Having read and loved the previous books in the Half Moon Bay series, I could not wait to dive in to Half Moon Whim which is Sara (Hope’s sister) and Jack’s story.

It was well written and such is the descriptive writing I could easily envisage myself on a beach or exploring the reefs in St Croix. There was drama, a little suspense and romance and I was fully invested in the story from the first chapter.

Sara has finally moved to the Half Moon Bay Resort and is managing their spa. Initially the parks flew between her and dive master Jack but not in a good way. Finding out that they are neighbors add an element of tension to their already strained relationship. However as the walls between them come down will Sara and Jack be prepared to open their hearts to the possibility of love?

As miss communication occurs I was frustrated by their lack of trust in one another and in themselves. However as the story unfolded it was heart warming to see the growth in both Sara and Jack.

Half Moon Whim was a great addition to the series and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

[Tesh]

Spa attendant Sara goes to work at her sisters resort when she runs into five master Jack who she had history with.
This is dramatic and very well written with amazing characters that grab on and you don't want to let go even when the book is done.
Sara and Jack had the chemistry but it took a while for the ill feelings to move out of the way and let the romance in. It was very well done.
This was a great book and I'll probably revisit it again sometime. I enjoyed it that much. Great story!!
This was an ARC and this is my honest review.

[John Belcher]

The situations Sara finds herself in are so real its difficult to believe they are not real people. Errin touches the readers heart and brings to life real life and heartache. When Wayne shows back up it keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what evil he is up to or will he hurt Sara. Jack truly loves her and wins her heart over even at cost to their love. I received my book today at 9AM and I just finished it at 11:30PM. I could hardly put it down. Errin is AWESOME again

[Caley Brennan]

[I was given a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for a review through BookFunnel]

Another excellent sequel in the Half-Moon Bay series! I loved getting to see more of Sara and Jack after getting to know them in the previous books and they both get some great character development. The belligerent sexual tension that develops between them is highly entertaining to witness and I kept reading to find out if they would get together and sort out their issues. The plot’s full of interpersonal drama and the return of an old foe definitely ramps up the suspense further. Brokus’s vivid descriptions of her book’s tropical and underwater settings are deeply (sorry for the pun) enjoyable as always and I really liked the coral reef restoration side plot. I loved this book and I’m looking forward to reading the next entry in this pure escapist travel romance series!

[Patty Baumeister]

Book Review
Half Moon Whim
A Novel Written By Erin Brockus
Fiction - Romance
Published 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is Book 5 in the author’s Half Moon Bay Series. The books in the series take place at the Half Moon Bay Resort in the tropical paradise of St. Croix. The Half Moon Bay Resort is owned and operated by Hope and Alex. Both of them have been featured in the previous four books in the series. Hope and Alex’s wedding takes place at the beginning of this story. Hope offers her sister, Sara, the manager position at the resort’s new spa. Sara decides to accept the offer and relocates to St. Croix. Jack is a divorced dive master who has also recently relocated to St. Croix. Sara and Jack do not hit it off right away. Sparks eventually do fly between the two.

I did like the character Jack. Sara took a little to warm up to. She does not often think before she speaks. Both of them are reluctant to share their feelings with each other as their relationship progresses.

The author’s description of this tropical paradise makes we want to take a vacation there.

I’m looking forward to reading the sixth book in the series that focuses on two minor characters from this book.

“Just because love isn’t easy doesn’t mean it’s not worth it.”

[Lindsy]

First book I have read in this series and by this author.
This could be read as a standalone since the author informs you about Alex and Hope’s relationship/past. Sara is unhappy at her current job while her sister is in St. Croix running a resort with her new husband. Sara decides that her boss has pushed her too far and wants a fresh start. She ends up moving to St. Croix and running the small spa that is connected to the resort. She enjoys it but wants something bigger and better. Jack is a dive instructor who can’t seem to do anything right the first couple times he sees her. She does not like him in the beginning but finds out that she is his new neighbor. They eventually start hitting it off and becoming closer.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about Sara at times. She seemed a little over dramatic or took things out of proportion more than necessary. I liked Jack and learning about the coral nursery. I felt bad for him at times when Sara would just get upset with him at small things.
Also Sara had a pretty good new life but kept complaining about how small the spa was etc etc. I honestly couldn’t feel bad for her because her sister pretty much gave her whatever she wanted plus a large amount of money that just sat in the bank.

[Ashley]

It was a little hard to get into the book at first. I think it’s because Sara’s character was hot and then cold for me. This was meant to be an enemies to lovers but her rationale for not liking Jack seemed a bit immature. After they began to get along, I enjoyed the book more. There is a lot of story and I don’t think the romance is necessarily central to the developing plot; each main character has their own story and it doesn’t necessarily have to coincide with the other one.

*Spoiler*

The only other thing I didn’t care for was the way Sara acted toward the end after she and Jack broke up for a while. It honestly came across like she didn’t really care. She never thought about him or really swelled on what happened and she never thought about trying to fix anything. Instead she just found her new routine without him and tried to avoid him.

I received an arc for my review.

[Cindy]

Jack is a divemaster splitting time between the Half Moon Bay resort and another place on St. Croix. He’s not looking for a relationship, but if he was it wouldn’t be casual. He’s not that way. Sara is Hope’s sister and Hope owns the Half Moon Bay resort. Sara is the new Spa manager at the resort. Can Jack live up to Sara’s vision of the perfect guy for her? She is very comfortable with him, but is that enough? Can Jack and Sara be 2nd fiddle to Hope and Alex? They have so much. I really enjoyed the previous Half Moon Bay books. Hope and Alex have a wonderful story, and living up to that would be difficult for any couple. I like Jack and Sara. Their story shows their strengths and their vulnerabilities. And the location is great!

[Cheryl]

Loved reading Sara and Jack’s story! Beautiful setting, enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers trope and how they both personally grew throughout the telling! Sara’s joy in learning to dive - and her despair over breaking some of the coral farm - was palpable. It was also fun to see her tell off her old boss who truly was taking her for granted. It takes a lot to uproot oneself and start over but Sara does it with determination and lots of expectation but she nails it.

Thank you to Erin Brockus for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Now I need to get the other books in the series and enjoy meeting those characters as well!

[Didi Ps]

Sara quits job to go work for sister on island, despite knowing how she’ll have to work closely with a divemaster who just seemed to go out of his way to annoy her.

Jack is trying to settle in his new life & job, but tires to avoid Sara (his boss’s sister) since they don’t get along, but he can’t seem to stop thinking about her.

They end up getting over their first few interactions, then go out a few times. This is how the story begins.

There’s also a side story about a competing business owner, which is a bit predictable, but I enjoyed reading a book where the main characters do some diving. It brought back some good travel memories for me.

This was a cute, well written story.

[Corinne Dewey]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily

I enjoyed reading this book a lovely story

Again we fall prey to miscommunication why do we feel so fearful of sharing and cause pain and hurt

And why do we pay attention to smooth talking we’ve all been there refreshing how this was dealt with I think we could all do with an honourable navy seal tucked away

I was interested in how they were repairing the coral reef what painstaking work yet so vital

A refreshing read including many different aspects of life

[Rhea Morrigan]

Half Moon Whim is a captivating addition to the Half Moon Bay series, expertly blending steamy romance, heartfelt character growth, and a touch of suspense. Erin Brockus’s vivid descriptions of the Caribbean setting make you feel like you’re right there on the beach or exploring the reefs. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Sara and Jack is full of tension and emotional depth, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. Sara can be quite childish, sometimes. Though I'm not thrilled with her behavior, it works, as it's her unique personality.

With relatable characters and a richly developed story, this book is a must-read for fans of tropical romance and the series alike.

[Judy]

In this 4th book in the series we get Sara, Hope's sister, and Jack, one of the divemasters. While the first 3 have to be read in order to get the story, this can be read as a standalone. Honestly, I didn't much like Sara, but she did get better by the end. And isn't a good author suppose to make you have feelings for the characters? It has a good story line, with a little drama. I received an advance readers copy for free and I am leaving the review voluntarily.

[Sharon S]

Great addition to this fun series.
Sara is at her sister’s resort. She’s responsible for Hope owning the resort but that’s another story.
Jack is the new dive master who always seems to be doing the wrong thing around Sara.
What they don’t know is they are both artists. Will that be what brings them together?
*Adult situations.

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

[Anita Salonger]

Well, I have read the entire series.... really enjoyed each volume. At first I was not looking forward to read about these different characters, but Erin did a fabulous job of interlacing the old with the new. This series as been a pleasure to read. Each one is a most relaxing way to spend your time. This should be a definite read. Looking forward to the next one.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoights and opinions are my own.

[Danette Fowlie]

Sarah and Jack's story is heartwarming and so romantic. They have a rocky start with a lot of ups and downs but end up with a wonderful relationship out of it. Half Moon Bay is becoming quite the resort for Romance and each book gets more exciting as they come.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cecly Ann]

I have read the entire series and was reluctant to move away from 'main' characters Alex and Hope, but this novel about Sarah and Jack was enjoyable and filled with the same expressive narrative that pulled me into this series.
Granted it took me a while to fall into this novel, but the read was worth it.

[Maureen]

I received an advance review copy of Half Moon Whim from Booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a fun enemies-to-lovers romance. I loved the setting of Half Moon Bay. I think it would have helped had I read the previous books in the series but it was easy to figure out who was who pretty quickly.

Quick, sweet romance with a bit of intrigue.

[Lisa CC]

What a beautiful love story......

I was hooked from page one. The story was full of love, drama and sex. I loved the second chance at love storyline. I could clearly see each character and their dream destination. A very enjoyable read...I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Kelly Willcoxbrackeen]

I’d give this book a solid 3.5 stars. If you like books that combine descriptions of diving along with heavy romance, this is the book for you. I just finished with an epic fantasy and needed a lighter bunch of books before the next epic. This hit the spot perfectly but I did not enjoy the massive pages of sex scenes or the usual grammar mistakes (do NOT use two of the word “had” together please). The characters irritated me at times, especially Sara, but the descriptions of the dives were fun. Happy reading my fellow bookworms.

[Rach3l]

This was a good read. It was a great standalone. I didn’t feel like I was ever missing anything important from the first few books. It only made me think that I would enjoy reading Hope and Alex’s story as well.

Side note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review

[Kathy]

Enjoyable Read!

I enjoyed reading this book. The characters are engaging and amazing the connection is undeniable throughout the pages. The storyline flowed easily throughout the pages. A must read!

[Christina Bowling]

Overall, it was a pretty good book. I liked Sara and Jack and enjoyed reading about them. My only complaint is that the ending wasn't exactly what I'd hoped for.

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

[Kayla Ek]

Good Beach Read

I enjoyed this book. Sara grew in her confidence, and was relatable. There were parts of the story that may have been easier to understand if you read the previous books, but o really it was easy to follow without.

[D.]

I liked this book starting off with the setting down in the Caribbean. Sara is inspiring with following her dreams and Jack brings a great twist into her plans. A great book with great characters.

[CMegow]

Half Moon Whim WOW!!

Another great story. It has everything you want in a story. The characters you will love. Can’t wait to read the next story.

[Marcia]

Loved the story. Might have been helpful to have read the previous books in the series, but not necessary.

[Bev]

Good book

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is the only one in this series that I have read. I will probably try to read more. It was free in fill up your kindle books. Started me with a new author.