After five husbands and five broken hearts, Lydia feels like she’s always been chasing something. But now she’s found her purpose, and having moved to Driftwood Bay to spend more time with her daughter Meredith, she’s happier than ever.
But there’s still life in these old bones yet! With her newfound sense of identity, she’s keen to re-explore the things that made her happy as a younger person. Lydia’s passion was dancing – she used to compete in her younger years, and there’s no place she’s more at home than on the dancefloor.
So when widower and antiques restorer Martin tells her about a big dance competition, she’s ready and raring to bring more joy into her life. But while making memories with Martin, the more she realises that both of their hearts need restoring too…
If there was an award for Least Able To Function Around Cute Boys, Jess Webster would clean up. She can barely talk to a guy, let alone engage in naked things. But now that high school is over, Jess resolves to put her big-girl pants on and at last bang.. eh hem bag the longtime object of her desire, Andrew. All she needs is someone to practice on first.
Enter Benjamin Oliver. Jock hot, nerd hot (which is just greedy, really), star quarterback, and all-around pain in Jess’s ass. While Jess would rather nap on a nest of fire ants than be his girlfriend, there’s still something about him that sends a jolt through her stomach, making him her best (and only) candidate for her guy game glow-up.
With summer in full swing and not one but two cute boys on the horizon, Jess is pretty sure she’s on the winning side of the bargain. But can her deal with Benjamin stay purely business-with-pleasure? And, the question that Jess soon can’t ignore: does she want it to?
About The Author
My Review
In this engaging enemies-to-lovers romance, Jessica harbors a crush on her older brother’s best friend, Andrew. Eager to capture his attention during his summer visit, Jessica enlists the help of her friend/enemy Ben, who proposes a fake dating plan with added physical elements to make her stand out. While the premise is initially centered on questionable motivations, the story evolves as Jessica discovers more about Andrew. The plot unfolds predictably, but the characters, especially the transformation of Ben from a complex start to a sweet and genuine presence, add depth. The inclusion of safe sex discussions and consent reflects a positive aspect of the narrative. Overall, the book offers a lovely, sweet, and romantic tale with supportive friendships, making it an enjoyable read that leaves a smile on the reader’s face.
My Sanctuary 