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The Brass Anchor Inn is about to host a bicentennial celebration when its grumpy new owner arrives on the island, making the inn’s sunshiny manager wonder if it will still be a festive occasion or a farewell party.

Josie Turner loves managing the Brass Anchor Inn. And so when the inn’s owner unexpectedly passes, she keeps it running until the future of the business is resolved. Real estate agent Lane Johnson has just inherited half of the inn. His goal is to sell it to the highest buyer as soon as possible.

But when he meets the beautiful yet determined general manager, he knows this is going to be far from an easy transaction—especially when he learns that Josie has inherited the other half of the inn. When the negotiations begin, lines get blurred and hearts get tangled.

Includes a recipe for Josie’s giant chocolate chip cookies!

263 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 24, 2023

634 people are currently reading
298 people want to read

About the author

Jennifer Faye

301 books2,310 followers
Award-winning author, Jennifer Faye pens fun, heartwarming contemporary romances with rugged cowboys, sexy billionaires and enchanting royalty. With more than a million books sold, she is internationally published with books translated into more than a dozen languages. She is a two-time winner of the RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the CataRomance Reviewers' Choice Award, named a TOP PICK author, and been nominated for numerous other awards. Now living her dream, she resides with her very patient husband and two spoiled cats. When she's not plotting out her next romance, you can find her curled up with a mug of tea and a book. Jennifer loves to hear from readers—you can contact her via her website.

And be sure to follow Jennifer for the latest on sales via Bookbub.



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5 stars
443 (54%)
4 stars
245 (29%)
3 stars
105 (12%)
2 stars
17 (2%)
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9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer Shannon.
22 reviews1 follower
March 20, 2024
I liked this book but it was not a favorite. The characters were great but the story did not have much going on until the last few chapters.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
572 reviews7 followers
February 2, 2023
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Brass Anchor Inn by Jennifer Faye is a sweet romance filled with family and friends, set on the beautiful Bluestar Island.

Will Josie and Lane come to a truce?

Josie Turner
Josephine Turner, or Josie to her friends, is the general manager at the Brass Anchor Inn. Recently her close friend and owner of the inn passed away. Josie has done her best to keep the inn open and moving forward. You could say that Josie is a bit of a workaholic. She has friends and family on the island, but her main focus is on keeping the inn profitable. I can only imagine what it was like when Lane came in and told her he was the new owner of the inn.

Josie is a high-energy, positive person who enjoys what she does. She is also stubborn and doesn't want to accept help from others. I like Josie. I feel like we could be friends in real life. She has this way of making people happy and isn't afraid to tackle even the worst jobs.

Lane Johnson
Lane Johnson is a self-made businessman who lives in San Diego, California. The only family that he has ever known is his mother. His life wasn't easy, but he has become successful. The one thing he wanted as a child was family, and it was the one thing he couldn't have. Now he wants to sell the inn and get off this crazy island. However, going through his aunt's things, he realizes that some of the things he was told aren't true. Perhaps having a family isn't all that bad.

At first, I thought Lane was a jerk. Then, as Josie gets to know him, we realize that he hasn't dealt with his traumatic childhood and is just trying to protect his heart from more pain. Lane does a lot of growing throughout the story.

Five Stars
My rating for Brass Anchor Inn by Jennifer Faye is five stars. This is such a feel-good, sweet romance that I enjoyed the positive vibes from the beginning to the end. Lane and Josie fit together perfectly. Will they need to work on some things? Most definitely, but they will weather all the storms.

I recommend this book to all who are looking for a sweet romance that makes you feel like the possibilities are endless.

There is a recipe for Josie's giant chocolate chip cookies at the end of the book. I look forward to trying them.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Brass Anchor Inn by Jennifer Faye.

Until the next time,

Jen Signature for BBT


Brass Anchor Inn CRThis review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
3,555 reviews40 followers
January 27, 2023
This first story in this spinoff series, takes us back to the Bluestar Island and introduces us to the Turner siblings. The island is a place where everyone knows you and when in need, are there to support you.
Josie Turner manages the Brass Anchor Inn. A place she loves and the one where the sweet, recently deceased owner, gave her a place to grow professionally.
Lane Johnson is a well established and successful San Diego realtor. His childhood is one that has left scars and one in which he was told by his mother that her family wanted nothing to do with him or her.
Josie and Lane are shocked when they inherit the inn. While one wants to continue improving it and keeping it successful, the other one wants to sell it and never have to return to the island.
But fate and an attraction has both of them battling their feelings. Will they be able to find their “happy place” or will the past interfere?
This was a sweet, clean and at times heartbreaking story about finding happiness when they least expected it.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions are solely my opinions own.
784 reviews6 followers
April 28, 2024
An enjoyable setting on a small island with a great hometown feel. Generations have lived there and kept things local with cute stores and inviting places to eat. The Inn is 200 years old and they're getting ready to celebrate the bicentennial and dig up the time capsule. Josie is the general manager and loves her job. She grew up on the island and after getting her degree she returned and started working at the Inn. The owner of the Inn had unexpectedly passed away, Josie wonders who will be inheriting it. Lane has flown in from the mainland after his mother passed away and left him her share of the Brass Anchor Inn. He's ready to list it for sale and return to his real estate business. He can't understand the island life with no cars allowed, golf carts, bicycles and walking is how everyone gets around. Josie has learned that she inherited the other half of the Inn... the story continues.
1,642 reviews15 followers
April 4, 2025
What a sweet story! I loved all the main and secondary characters and can't wait to read more of this series.

No villains, just a story of two people wanting different things. Their journey to HEA was not smooth.

I enjoyed the small town feeling and how everyone looks after each other. You understand why the H was closed off and cold. His awakening was heartwarming and felt right in how he had a change of heart. The h is everything you want, kind, loving, caring and a hard worker.

Romance builds slowly, no cheating, no cliffhanger, clean with only kisses and a nice set up for the next story. There is an epilogue 2 months in the future. To get the extended epilogue 5 years in the future, you have to download it. Of course, by doing so, you sign up for the author's newsletter. I truly dislike having to do this, but I will say it was a good extended epilogue.

I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase. (ljb)
2,684 reviews19 followers
January 31, 2023
Josie found out she owned half of the Brass Anchor Inn after Sandra died.  Now she had learned Sandra had a twin sister who had died and Sandra's nephew, Lane owned the other half of the Inn.  One wanted to keep the Inn and the other one wanted it sold so he could return to California.  
I felt sorry for Lane and how his past made him a very cynical man, believing and trusting only himself, since everyone had always let him down.  I liked how this book held hope and how Bluestar Island might be able to heal Lane's heart.  I also enjoyed the contest the Brass Anchor Inn held to decorate some of the guest rooms.  It was quite interesting.  This is now one of my favorite books in this series.  There was something magical about the story and the characters.  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
Profile Image for Gale.
1,970 reviews22 followers
January 31, 2023
First, how can you not want to read something that offers a recipe for chocolate chip cookies??? The Brass Anchor Inn was such a sweet, heartfelt story. I know my heart went out to Lane (Johnson) right from the start. His “broken-ness” just resonates with you and I just wanted to tell him everything will be all right. When he finally meets up with Jo(sie) (Turner), well, sparks fly on both sides. But funny thing is, neither of them realizes it!

Josie and Lane meet under unusual circumstances and for Jo, they are heartbreaking. Lane is dealing with his own issues and these two butt heads over and over. It’s all good, though, and I love how they worm their way into each other’s lives. I really loved their story in the “now” and how each came to be the people they are. Loved it! And then we get to the chocolate chip cookies...
1,125 reviews5 followers
June 25, 2025
‘Brass Anchor Inn’ was touching. The plot involved a death, an inheritance for the inn’s manager, and one for the nephew of the deceased. Additionally, the plot included a bicentennial celebration, a decorating contest, hard feelings, getting to know each of the inheritors, a side bet, a major accident, the cold shoulder, announcing the winner, an epiphany, and another major announcement. Moreover, Josie and Lane, the protagonists, although they were at odds with each other, were drawn to each other and tried for an HEA. Furthermore, I appreciated the author’s writing style: engaging yet flawed characters, a fascinating coastal-beach setting, vivid descriptions, and a mostly feel-good storyline. Overall, I liked the warm and fuzzy (and, at times, a little bit prickly) narrative. And the added giant chocolate chip cookie recipe was a plus!
71 reviews1 follower
February 3, 2023
I have enjoyed all the books Jennifer Faye has written about the families on this island she created. This book tells the story of Josie and Lane. They both inherit the Brass Anchor Inn. One wants to sell and one wants to keep the Inn open. The two have their ups and downs in their dealings. Josie thinks she is changing Lane’s mind but then he starts thinking of the things he has been told about his family and pulls away. Secrets are found that change everything. This was an enjoyable book. Though not a cliffhanger clues are given about who the next book is about.
Profile Image for Cindy.
785 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2025
Nice enemies to lovers romance

This was a new author to me, and I very much enjoyed the story. Josie and Lane end up as co-owners of the Inn she manages. He wants to sell it and return to his life in California. Josie wants to keep the Inn and all the employees who are like family. Lane discovers that he really did have a family that wanted him, but his mother claimed they didn't.
Profile Image for Robyn .
469 reviews2 followers
February 1, 2023
Another sweet and heartwarming story by Jennifer Faye. The story of Lane and Josie is tense at times, but they somehow find common ground and actually get along. There were sad and happy moments, but things worked out in the end. This was an engaging story from beginning to end.
1,323 reviews23 followers
April 18, 2023
I really enjoyed the print copy of this book. Jennifer writes romance just like it was one of her children she is raising. It is so natural to her and the books are the results page turners. Jennifer hit a in the park home run with this!
Profile Image for Melonie Hill.
798 reviews14 followers
April 26, 2024
This book was so good! I want to go to Blue star Island. Such a wonderful array of characters. I love the history of the characters and couldn't turn the pages fast enough! So glad I had book two ready to go. There was no cliff hanger I just couldn't wait to read more.
112 reviews2 followers
January 16, 2025
I loved this book!!!

It grabbed me at page one. The town of Bluestar Island as described by the author, makes me want to go there. It was easy to fall in love with all the characters in the book.

1,013 reviews
April 6, 2025
The time capsule

This was a nice seaside romance between the nephew of the inns owner and the inns manager. When the inn was willed to them jointly all sorts of problems arose. A good read.
Profile Image for Laurel .
1,355 reviews5 followers
April 13, 2025
Not my favorite read this year. Although, the description does give a hint of the upcoming unhappiness. It doesn't prepare the reader for the absolute cold disregard to the aunt's prize possessions that she treasured.
Profile Image for Barbara R. Cady.
1,080 reviews4 followers
April 23, 2025
Family strife is the WORST thing!

When families fight, so much is lost that can never be regained. It's very sad. At least Lane got a bit of closure, most never do.

Jo has a heart of gold and truly cares about her community. Trying to get Lane to feel that too is a big job.
Profile Image for Dawn Cornell.
10 reviews
May 21, 2025
Heartwarming

Small town Inn celebrating a bicentennial as well a the loss of the owner. When the manager of the Inn gets notified of who is the new owner/owners according to the will, challenges occur and a contest happens.
Profile Image for Toni.
20 reviews
July 4, 2025
This was a fun little beach read and a cute little romance. It was very light romance, however, and took until almost the end of the book to get to some romance. It was good enough to pick up some of the other books, but if you want a really steamy romance, this isn’t it. I’d say it’s very “PG.”
67 reviews
June 1, 2023
beautiful novel

It just goes to show you need all the facts so you make the right decision. I totally enjoyed this read.
4,497 reviews24 followers
July 10, 2024
A well written entertaining storyline. I can't wait to read more from this author. I received this book as a Free copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.
Profile Image for Bookworm .
764 reviews5 followers
August 19, 2024
Pleasantly lovable story of two young adults' unexpected chance meeting gracefully leads them to build a life of their own after having to undergo quite challenging circumstances!
840 reviews5 followers
April 5, 2025
Good story

I enjoyed the events that were described. You could easily picture them. Jo and Lane made for an interesting couple.
506 reviews
April 5, 2025
Great, clean story. I would love to read more from this author, who understands that intimate details on sex are not what makes a good story.
301 reviews1 follower
April 17, 2025
Enemies but lovers

This was a wonderful book how about an inn going to be sold but how Josie the inn manager came up with another ideal to keep it going, A great read,
Profile Image for Marie Blower.
10 reviews
May 3, 2025
Brass Anchor inn

I really enjoyed this book, my first time ,reading this author. Really liked getting to know the characters. It was a romance book, I would recommend.
2 reviews
May 31, 2025
excellent read!

Great book! Nice upbeat story line! I loved the family values and sense of community in the book. I loved the book!
1 review
June 9, 2025
warm and fuzzy

It is hard to put this book down as one wants to know what is going to happen next in this love story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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