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Magnolia Island #1
Oceans of Mercy
Marine biologist and aptly nicknamed “Shark Girl,” Allie Jameson has always been the peacemaker of her five siblings, preferring to fly under the radar and only making waves when it comes to her questionable dating choices.
Boat captain and Allie’s long-time best friend Knox Parker is struggling with his feelings for the girl who has been there for him through the good and the hard. He knows he has feelings for her, but can he risk their friendship to tell her?
Knox has been a strong and steady presence in Allie’s life for as long as she can remember, their friendship spanning the test of time and multiple tragedies for them both. Still, as Allie begins to grow as a person and in her faith, she realizes she’s let those around her fight her battles for her for far too long. It’s time for her to step up and stand up for herself, but old habits die hard for Knox who has been her protector since childhood.
Just as Allie and Knox navigate the growing pains of their changing friendship and feelings for one another, a routine dive reopens a long closed missing person case that has deeply personal ties to Allie’s family. At the same time, an unexpected career opportunity for Allie thrusts her into the spotlight and stretches their friendship to the point where they must either bend or break.
Oceans of Mercy is a friends-to-lovers story of faith, romance, family, and the unique gifts God gives those who love Him. It is the first in a five book series, with each individual book following one of the Jameson siblings in their lives and loves. There is an overarching plot line that will span the whole series, but each individual book will have its own happy and satisfying ending.
Boat captain and Allie’s long-time best friend Knox Parker is struggling with his feelings for the girl who has been there for him through the good and the hard. He knows he has feelings for her, but can he risk their friendship to tell her?
Knox has been a strong and steady presence in Allie’s life for as long as she can remember, their friendship spanning the test of time and multiple tragedies for them both. Still, as Allie begins to grow as a person and in her faith, she realizes she’s let those around her fight her battles for her for far too long. It’s time for her to step up and stand up for herself, but old habits die hard for Knox who has been her protector since childhood.
Just as Allie and Knox navigate the growing pains of their changing friendship and feelings for one another, a routine dive reopens a long closed missing person case that has deeply personal ties to Allie’s family. At the same time, an unexpected career opportunity for Allie thrusts her into the spotlight and stretches their friendship to the point where they must either bend or break.
Oceans of Mercy is a friends-to-lovers story of faith, romance, family, and the unique gifts God gives those who love Him. It is the first in a five book series, with each individual book following one of the Jameson siblings in their lives and loves. There is an overarching plot line that will span the whole series, but each individual book will have its own happy and satisfying ending.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2022
355 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 10, 2024
Having read a couple other books by this author that I enjoyed, I was eager to see what this series held. Allie and Knox were so real and fun (and cute). Allie’s struggles of dealing with the problems of her choices instead of letting her siblings or friends bail her out, and of being who she is not who someone else is, was well done. I don’t think she could convince me to go swimming with the sharks though. And Knox was so great! I loved his protectiveness even if it was a little much at times.
The faith element was encouraging and the kisses were not descriptive.
There is the start of a mystery in this book, but you only get a bit of it as it seems to go throughout the series.
The faith element was encouraging and the kisses were not descriptive.
There is the start of a mystery in this book, but you only get a bit of it as it seems to go throughout the series.
February 13, 2025
This was a great start to what I think is going to be a wonderful series! I loved reading about Knox and Allie. I love the mystery thrown in with Charlotte! The family aspect is one of my favorite genres to read, I love seeing how the family progresses and how things change in each of the books
April 12, 2023
Intriguing start to a series
This first book of the series does a just introduction to the mystery of Charlie's disappearance and the development of the charactersthat we will embrace as we read.
The setting is on a warm island off the coast of South Carolina around the Charleston area. A widowed mom of five grown children and a couple of their island friends make up a holsom group of likeable characters.
The story is grounded in Christian faith which keeps the mystery clean from foul language, sexual overtones and violence. If you like brotherly love and unselfish characters, I believe you will enjoy this read.
Since I know a little of what to expect if the series, the mystery of Charlie's disappearance will be the running mystery theme of each book as the focus will be on the individual characters that were introduced in this first book.
Thank you Malory Ford for you storytelling gift.
This first book of the series does a just introduction to the mystery of Charlie's disappearance and the development of the charactersthat we will embrace as we read.
The setting is on a warm island off the coast of South Carolina around the Charleston area. A widowed mom of five grown children and a couple of their island friends make up a holsom group of likeable characters.
The story is grounded in Christian faith which keeps the mystery clean from foul language, sexual overtones and violence. If you like brotherly love and unselfish characters, I believe you will enjoy this read.
Since I know a little of what to expect if the series, the mystery of Charlie's disappearance will be the running mystery theme of each book as the focus will be on the individual characters that were introduced in this first book.
Thank you Malory Ford for you storytelling gift.
January 20, 2023
Marine biologist Allie Jameson, also known as Shark Girl, loves her job at the Magnolia Island Aquarium and Research Facility. She’s a local girl who’s at home in the ocean and wants to educate people about sharks.
Her friend, Knox Parker, runs a boat service that offers tours to vacationers who visit the island. He’s also a longtime resident who is close to Allie’s family. Though Knox has loved Allie for years, she keeps him firmly in the friend zone due to her fear of losing someone she loves.
When an old mystery and a new job opportunity appear, how will it affect their relationship?
Her friend, Knox Parker, runs a boat service that offers tours to vacationers who visit the island. He’s also a longtime resident who is close to Allie’s family. Though Knox has loved Allie for years, she keeps him firmly in the friend zone due to her fear of losing someone she loves.
When an old mystery and a new job opportunity appear, how will it affect their relationship?
February 1, 2023
Allie and Knox have been best friends for years. I love a good friends to a romantic couple storyline. Great banter and a mystery as well. The author did an amazing job of weaving the mystery in the story. A really good beginning to this series - wonderful characters that I want to see again and again. This book makes me want to read book 2.
April 5, 2023
Slow and steady, but better now than later!
Why is it that so often in relationships we don’t just sit down and communicate what we really feel? We could save ourselves a lot of pain and frustration if we would just be honest with each other! They finally did just that! Great read! Thank you!
Why is it that so often in relationships we don’t just sit down and communicate what we really feel? We could save ourselves a lot of pain and frustration if we would just be honest with each other! They finally did just that! Great read! Thank you!
June 20, 2023
Enjoyable light read. Romance, sharks and a bit of a mystery.
My favorite quote from the book; “My love, God doesn’t promise us a trip with no waves or storms. He simply promises us that He will be with us in the midst of them. He is our lighthouse when everything around us seems dark, and He knows how this will all turn out. I have peace in that.”
My favorite quote from the book; “My love, God doesn’t promise us a trip with no waves or storms. He simply promises us that He will be with us in the midst of them. He is our lighthouse when everything around us seems dark, and He knows how this will all turn out. I have peace in that.”
January 11, 2023
A sweet best friends romance
This book has me hooked. I can't wait to start the next one in the series. I love a good best friends to lovers story. This was a really sweet book with a little mystery thrown in.
This book has me hooked. I can't wait to start the next one in the series. I love a good best friends to lovers story. This was a really sweet book with a little mystery thrown in.
February 19, 2023
great book!
This is such a sweet book! I love Mallory’s writing, and the way she brings her characters to life! I always look forward to reading one of her books, and this one was no different! Can’t wait to start the next one!
This is such a sweet book! I love Mallory’s writing, and the way she brings her characters to life! I always look forward to reading one of her books, and this one was no different! Can’t wait to start the next one!
March 17, 2023
Avid reader
The story was interesting and rather sweet except for the nonending!! Also there were as some unbelievable things like a girl carrying a large unconscious man out of a boat! Maybe it needs better editing.
The story was interesting and rather sweet except for the nonending!! Also there were as some unbelievable things like a girl carrying a large unconscious man out of a boat! Maybe it needs better editing.
April 16, 2023
Oceans and sharks
This story was predictable from the beginning. It was an ok read but I really wouldn't bother with it. I never did get the mystery that was a small part of it. More an after thought than anything else.
This story was predictable from the beginning. It was an ok read but I really wouldn't bother with it. I never did get the mystery that was a small part of it. More an after thought than anything else.
May 15, 2023
This was a good read, likeably characters with enough conflict to be interesting but not annoyingly over-dramatic. Appreciated it as the first in a series that also stands alone as it's own book. Will read this author again.
July 24, 2023
I enjoyed this story. Had plenty of tension between the characters as they dealt with several difficulties. And there were lots of subplots that will have me reading the next books in the series. Loved the strong mother characters.
October 19, 2023
Oceans
This was a sweet story of love, of the of creatures in the sea and of be able to track their information. I feel anyone that lobes a sweet romance story will want to read this one.
This was a sweet story of love, of the of creatures in the sea and of be able to track their information. I feel anyone that lobes a sweet romance story will want to read this one.
March 14, 2025
Friendship to Lovers
This is a Christian romance novel about Allie and Knox who have been friends since childhood. Now they're in their late 20's and Allie is starting to see Knox in a different perspective.
This is a Christian romance novel about Allie and Knox who have been friends since childhood. Now they're in their late 20's and Allie is starting to see Knox in a different perspective.
January 6, 2023
What a great start to a new series. This is a sweet romance with a mystery to solve. It hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. I loved it and look forward to the next book in this series.
January 14, 2023
A sweet Christian story.
April 1, 2023
great
Wow, I loved this island romance about Allie and Knox finally falling in love as they navigate unsteady waters! Enjoy
Wow, I loved this island romance about Allie and Knox finally falling in love as they navigate unsteady waters! Enjoy
April 2, 2023
Beautiful!
Just finished reading this great new novel. Such a wonderful read! The story of the two families was so interesting. Wonderful reading! Jeanette S.
Just finished reading this great new novel. Such a wonderful read! The story of the two families was so interesting. Wonderful reading! Jeanette S.
April 3, 2023
Allie ❤️ Knox
A very good story about unrecognized love. Friends, yes. But love? Get to know Allie and Knox, part of the Jamison family.
A very good story about unrecognized love. Friends, yes. But love? Get to know Allie and Knox, part of the Jamison family.
April 12, 2023
Understanding Sharks
Slow and comfortable story with characters embodying a sense of family. Faith and trust in God were at the forefront where they should be.
Slow and comfortable story with characters embodying a sense of family. Faith and trust in God were at the forefront where they should be.
April 13, 2023
Easy read but keep my interest. Refreshing to read.
April 17, 2023
Good read
Good read. Clean read. Enjoyable read. Some adventure mystery. Not that I understand a lot of diving adventure. But do know about the dangers of the sea.
Good read. Clean read. Enjoyable read. Some adventure mystery. Not that I understand a lot of diving adventure. But do know about the dangers of the sea.
June 19, 2023
good story
Oceans of Mercy was a well-written and enjoyable read. The main characters were best friends and good people. Their story was interesting and kept me reading.
Oceans of Mercy was a well-written and enjoyable read. The main characters were best friends and good people. Their story was interesting and kept me reading.
August 6, 2023
Good book
I may have read the next book but I didn't have the money. I liked the family dynamics in this book
I may have read the next book but I didn't have the money. I liked the family dynamics in this book
September 1, 2023
Poorly written.
January 3, 2024
I rather enjoyed this book. It was sweet and clean with an element of mystery.
January 10, 2024
Incomplete
I felt like there were too many loose ends left in this book. Time to find a different author who can complete a story.
I felt like there were too many loose ends left in this book. Time to find a different author who can complete a story.
April 8, 2023
I was really glad to find this start to a new series. I've read a few books that didn't appeal to me lately and needed to be reassured there are still books I'll enjoy. From the moment I stepped on the island I enjoyed the atmosphere, the characters and the story. The Jameson's are a large and loving family and hold diverse positions on the island. I'm looking forward to Rob's story and more about the disappearance of Charlotte.
May 17, 2023
Oceans of Mercy by Mallory Ford is the first in the Magnolia Island series. Allie Jameson is a marine biologist living up to her nickname “Shark Girl.” Everyone in this small, island towN seems to know she and her best friend since childhood, Knox Parker, are perfect for each other - everyone except Allie. Instead, she seems to date the worthless, albeit sometimes quite wealthy, guys on Magnolia Island. Poor Knox just hangs in there in the friend zone, protecting Allie. Will he ever tell her how he feels? Will she see what’s right in front of her? Will she even feel the same way? Come on now… I’m not giving giant spoilers like that! The story also includes Allie’s large family and the way they’ve always looked out for her, her need to be more independent, a documentary about sharks she becomes part of, and a mystery involving a missing girl who happened to be her brother’s girlfriend. The story is clean, the characters are grounded in their faith, and the cast of characters are cute and quirky. Disclaimer: I do not typically read contemporary romance, Christian (like this one) or not. My mother read this and liked it a lot. I liked it, but I would have liked the mystery part to have been more developed. In all, though, it’s a nice, light beach read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews