Member Reviews
A sweet second chance story that took its time building a connection between hometown girl Leah and returning rocker Zach. While earnestly written, the detailed history of Cloud Bay and its residents kept me, for a long time, from really enjoying the slow lowkey simmer between Leah and Zach. For the first few chapters, more time was spent on Zach's history with his estranged sisters (Faith and Mina from earlier books), reminiscing about his famous musician father or friends, and ruminating about his music career rather than his tepid reunion with Leah. That lack of initial spark threw me for quite a loop and the story never quite caught up.
But as a sweet romance, this is a gentle and enjoyable read for those who enjoy the lulling journey of two people circling each other and their hometown as they find each other again. It was not quite as dramatic or passionate as Will and Mina's story in A Season of You but then again, their story dealt with far more serious topics.
As this is the second Cloud Bay book I've read, I think I'm not quite feeling the Cloud Bay magic. I usually love small town stories but this one never quite grabbed my imagination or heartstrings. I really couldn't figure out why, as this is a quite detailed story where the place plays almost as big a role as the people.
I'm afraid this book was just not for me, i liked the idea but the style of writing made it hard to develop any feelings for the characters
After reading this I found out this is the 3rd in the series. Although I didn’t need to read the others to really enjoy this book. But now I’m going to go read the others just because I enjoyed this one so much.!
A well written story and the third in the Cloud Bay series. Zach Harper has at long last returned to Cloud Bay and Leah Santelli. Zach has spent his life trying to be a successful musician in his own right out of the shadow of his iconic father, but this has made him singleminded and ruthless and has damaged his relationship with his family. Leah has been spinning her wheels on the island for years, she longs to be a successful music producer but something has been holding her back. When they meet again will they realise what's truly important or will blind ambition ruin what might have been?
This was really well written, but I'm afraid I didn't like it as much as the others in the series. I felt that Leah made too little impression on me, and Zach too much! Leah, all things considered, lets Zack walk all over her! Zach on the other had is selfish and self absorbed. Although the characters begin to grow during the story I couldn't shake how infuriating they were and this definitely affected my enjoyment.
A Season of You by Emma Douglas is set in the small island town of Cloud Bay during the Christmas holiday season. The characters in A Season of You appealed to me. The novel features bar owner Will Fraser and widow Mina Harper.
Will has been attracted to Mina for years. He has not acted on his feelings because he understands that Mina is still grieving for her late husband. Mina keeps busy with her family, job and her dog. Will finds an unconscious Mina by the side of the road and takes her and her dog to the local clinic. He offers to drive Mina home and stay the night. The couple begins a tentative friendship when Mina brings Will thank you cookies and discovers that her dog chewed the leather seats in Will’s car while she was in the clinic.
A talented artist, Mina has been obsessed with painting the ocean since her husband died. Mina’s work reflects her solitary nature and her deep emotional feelings about her husband’s death. The paintings depict crashing waves and stormy seas. Loved the symbolism used in the novel as there are no paintings with calm seas or people in the studio. The author crafted a perfect “AH HA” moment for Mina and a turning point in the novel when she asks Will if she can paint him.
Enjoyed the pace of the story, although there was chemistry between the couple, the romance between them developed slowly. Will let Mina set the tone and tempo of their relationship. He truly cared for Mina and did not want to rush her or make her feel uncomfortable. Emma Douglas crafted this important piece of the couple’s journey perfectly. I loved their first date- painting plywood Christmas trees and candy canes for the town’s holiday celebration. The conversations between Mina, her sister Faith and her step mother Lou were fabulously written. Am hoping the author has a story for Lou planned.
The conclusion to the novel caught me by surprise! There were several unexpected plot developments which were woven in the last few chapters. I am looking forward to seeing them resolved in the next Cloud Bay book.
I enjoyed A Season of You very much. It’s the perfect blend of romance, family, friendship and new beginnings.
This book has an interesting storyline and is the third book in A Cloud Bay series. Although, I really liked the plot, I didn’t like the main characters, Zach and Leah, especially Leah. I thought they both were very selfish and only focused on their own needs and wants rather than care about anyone else. It especially put me off Leah from the beginning of the book. It was enjoyable to meet the older characters that I really enjoyed from this series. The chemistry between Zach and Leah is pretty good but I felt as if something was missing in between the two of them.
* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*
“No Place Like You” is book three of the Cloud Bay series and I think is the sexiest.
It features rock musician Zach Harper, who’s come home to Lansing to record a solo album. He also needs to make amends with sisters Faith (“Need You Now”) and Mina (“A Season of You”). On the professional-side, Zach needs to find a producer for his music and, while his friend Eli agrees to assist on a couple songs, Zach is surprised Leah Santelli wants to work with him on the rest.
Leah is Faith’s best friend and has had a crush on Zach for a long time. When she was eighteen, knowing he was going to leave the island, she propositioned him. Now with Zach back, she wants to up her status in the music industry yet keep her heart to herself because she knows he’ll only leave again.
The chemistry between these two sizzles and the story shines. Though there is a story arc about the father Grey Harper that continues from the first two books, Ms. Douglas doesn’t make the reader feel left out if they haven’t read the others (though you’ll want to!).
“No Place Like You” has a surprise twist at the end, giving the assumption there are more Cloud Bay books to come. This reader hopes there are.
Since that night with Zach Harper, Leah Santelli has lived a lifetime of experiences, marriage, divorce and a budding career as a music producer. Now he has come home, a successful rockstar looking to break out on his own. All he needs is a producer, but even as he rebuffs the idea of using unknown Leah for a big name in the business, they begin a friends with benefits relationship that may end in heartbreak for a career that may never get off the ground and the another chance lost with Zach.
NO PLACE LIKE YOUby Emma Douglas is a second chance type romance that sometimes had me shaking my head. Two people, both seeking the same goals, one desperately trying to convince the other how well they work together, because in their small island town, they do, while the other is more consumed with his career, completely missing the forest for the trees. When things don’t go his way for his big breakout plans, his selfishness could cost him more than he ever bargained for.
This contemporary romance is good, I haven’t read the others in the series, but I don’t feel I missed any major background. That said, while the plot flowed along, it just didn’t scream, OMG at me with that I have to keep reading vibe! For those who like an easy read with some higher levels of angst, I think you’ll enjoy the small town feel where everybody knows your name and whose shadow you live in.
I received an ARC edition from St. Martin's Paperbacks in exchange for my voluntary review.
Series: Cloud Bay - Book 3
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (December 5, 2017)
Publication Date: December 5, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Leah Santelli grew up with a crush on Zach Harper but he was the son of a rock legend and her best friend's older brother. Worst of all, he was leaving their island home for a music career. Before he left and on her eighteenth birthday, they got together for a sexual encounter. Time passed but now Zach is back home in Cloud Bay and Leah is finding that her feelings for Zach never really went away.
Zach is home to begin his own solo musical career after the lead singer of the band he was with decided that he wanted to take a year off. Leah, meanwhile, has become a sound engineer and wants to be a producer. At first Zach turns her down because he has feelers out to better known producers. But after being turned down by one and not liking the way the other arranged his music, he and Leah begin working together to produce Zach's solo album.
The two of them find it hard to work together because of the mutual sexual tension. Leah proposes that she and Zach have a no-strings affair while he is on the island. She doesn't want to risk her heart on a man who will be leaving. Zch first turns her down and then accepts and they begin their secret affair and collaboration on his album. Everything is going well but Leah is finding it harder and harder to remember that their affair has an expiration date.
This was an entertaining romance and is the third book in the Cloud Bay novels. The first two tell about Zach's sister's romances. The sisters, especially Faith, are strong side characters in this story. I want to read about their romances too. The final few lines of this romance set up the next book in the series.
Fans of a nice, not too graphic, romance will enjoy this series.
I'm really enjoying this music-based series on a small island, it just keeps getting better and better.
This time the elusive rock star Zach returns home to face the music with his sister Faith, as he cancelled out of the music festival she organises, Cloudfest, at the last minute last year. This year everything has changed because the lead singer from the group he is in has decided to 'have a break' and so the band is in limbo, with no-one knowing if they will get back together, so Zach is branching out on his own and returns to Cloud Island to work on his debut album.
Leah runs the recording studio on Cloud Bay and has always held a torch for Zach. They had a one-night stand on her 18th birthday when she propositioned him and he accepted. Since then Zach left the island to pursue his music career, Leah got married, then divorced, and now they are both back on the island with no ties but a lot of heat still between them.
Zach is looking for a producer for his new album and, eventually, starts working with Leah who is now producing and trying to make a name for herself. Of course nothing ever goes to plan and Zach makes a mistake, but remedies it before it is too late.
I did expect a certain person from books 1 & 2 to be in this book with a surprise for everyone, but she wasn't in it at all! So I obviously either got that wrong, or she'll be in a later book, very intriguing. I think these books really need to be read in order to get the whole story, but especially this one as there is another bombshell right at the very end with a new person arriving. So now we have to wait until the next book to read about this person. Can't wait! Very enjoyable series.
Oh I love this series, it just keeps getting better and better. Zach & Leah were so sexy & strong & vulnerable it was beautiful. Both were looking for something that would put them on the course of their dreams. Zach's return wasn't expected but it would start to mend fences with his sisters, especially his sister Faith who he'd seriously let down. Leah was looking for the chance to make a name for herself in the music world as a producer but never thought that her chance might come from Zach. What she also didn't expect was for her feelings to still be so strong for him. Zach also can't believe what seeing Leah again does to him. They begin both a professional & private relationship with an ending date that neither of them wants to come but both know it will. When Zach's plans for his future are derailed by someone close it also changes his relationship with Leah & sets a path of heartache for both of them. This story was well worth the read & a definite recommend.
First book for me by this author.
Even though I haven't read any other books in this series I had no trouble reading this as a standalone. I liked the small town feel and the music side of the story along with the characters. It was an easy read but I feel it just lacked a little something special.
I have reviewed "No Place Like You" By Emma Douglas for ReaderToReader.com where it will remain on site indefinitely. If there are any questions or concerns please contact Vickie Denney at: Vickie@ReaderToReader.com.
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Contemporary Fiction -- Release Date: December 5, 2017
We return to Cloud Bay, California where Leah Santelli has spent her whole life. She's recovering from a failed marriage, but when her best friend, Faith mentions her brother, Zach Harper, a rock star, is due home Leah can't help but remember the night of her eighteenth birthday. Leah always had a crush on Zach but that night she lost her virginity after asking him to be her first. Even though she later married another, she still carried a soft spot in her heart for Zach.
Now he's back to right some wrongs and to cut a solo album. Leah, a record producer hopes Zach will hire her. She decides to put her feelings aside for the sake of her career, and she and Zach spend long evenings in the studio. Soon her desire for him rekindles hitting her full force. She takes a chance and suggests a fling, understanding he will be there for only a short time.
They decide to keep their affair private, but living on a small island makes it almost impossible. Leah, hoping to get Zach out of her systems, falls for him harder.
Zach mends fences with his family after being away so long, and Leah now owns his heart. But what about his career? Leah does not want to leave her home, which causes a dilemma because he feels he must go.
Zack departs with hardly a "good-bye" leaving Leah heartbroken for the second time. Emotions play a big role in every life and "No Place Like You" expounds on many as well as giving insight into the recording business making this a delightful read.
This is the last novel in the Cloud Bay series. Full disclosure: It’s the only one I’ve read, but it works perfectly as a standalone. Leah Santelli has always had feelings for Zach, a rock musician, so when he comes home to record some songs, she’s all-too-anxious to be his producer. She chides herself, saying this could be her big break in the music business. And then lots of monkey business ensues after hours. So when Zach leaves town suddenly, she’s devastated. Does he come back for her or not? I’ll let you read this romance novel to find out. The story flows smoothly and quickly. Well-drawn characters and a vibrant setting make this a strong and very readable novel. I highly recommend it to all romance readers.
This is the third book in the Cloud Bay series but it can very easily be read as a stand-alone novel. Having read the other books in the series, I was expecting Zach to be a complete jerk. While he did have his moments, overall he was a rather likeable guy. Leah has always had a crush on Zach so when he comes home for a short stay, she proposes a no-strings fling for whatever time he is home for. But what always happens during these flings happens, and suddenly Leah wants more. While initially, I thought this was a great way to wrap up this series, it seems from the ending that we just might have more Cloud Bay stories in the future. A fact that I for one am looking forward to!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest and independent review.
This is the second book in the series that I have read and I enjoyed this one too.
An easy read which was well written with likeable characters. The relationship between Leah and Zach was inevitable but the build up was fun and made me smile.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
3.5 ***
A really great romantic read that is full of love, hope, second changes, and family. I recommend this book for anyone who loves a good romance novel
Requested and received an ARC from NetGalley
So this is a new to me author and although it is book 3 in the series there was no problem just jumping into the series except for some issues between Zach and one of his sisters that was never explained to my satisfaction, but it may be that there were actual answers in her book. So going into this book I was sort of expecting a fairly dirty rockstar 2nd chance romance. This is NOT that book. This would be a good book for those who want a "clean" version of a rockstar romance. As tired as I got of Leah constantly thinking about jumping Zach prior to them getting down and (not so) dirty when the actual sex happened I was stymied. It had to have been one of the least descriptive sex acts I've read on page since I was about 10 and used to swipe my grandmother's Harlequin romances. It was actually better when she started just having it off page or fading to black because it was just odd. Made worse by the fact that they couldn't keep their hands off each other so a whole lot of nothing was going on a LOT. I also didn't like that there would be a scene change paragraph to paragraph without any kind of break or Chapter change and I have to go back to figure out what was going on. Hopefully that will be corrected prior to release. For the most part Leah and Zach were a couple you could root for....until the end. Zach pulled something so stupid and mean but it was so close to the end that I had no time to forgive him or understand why Leah ever would. I debated dropping the rating because I was so disappointed by the end but for the most part the book was an enjoyable. I do think this book would fare better with those people who want the rockstar romance without all the dirty sex and pesky drinking/drugs and partying.
Zach Harper constantly feels like he is living in the shadow of his famous father, and it's a daily struggle for him to break free of the shadow and earn a reputation in the music world on his own merit. He thought leaving Cloud Bay behind, and going out on his own would help him find the stardom he craved, but things didn't quite pan out like he thought, and now he finds himself returning home to face all that he left behind. Namely, Leah, a beautiful woman he spent one night with, and then walked away from without so much as a goodbye...
Leah Santelli has harbored a serious crush on Zach Harper for as long as she can remember, and the one night that they shared years ago, still lingers with her everyday. She so desperately wanted to explore the feelings their one night brought about, but Zach had other things on his mind, a music career that would bring him the stardom he craved. So, she reluctantly moved on, married another, but things didn't turn out like they were supposed to, and now she is a divorced woman trying to find her way in the music world. When she hears that Zach is returning home she is filled with reservations about seeing him again after all these years, but he could also be the one person who can help her break into the music world... problem is the moody musician has no interest in what she has to offer.
No Place Like You is a touching read that is filled with moments that will push your emotional buttons, and moments that will have your heart singing. This is my second visit to the series and I have to say I enjoyed this trip just as much as the first, these wonderful characters pulled me into their world, made me feel right at home, and their journey to finding forever left my heart happy. The story line was well crafted, it was poignant, rich with emotion, and kept me captivated from start to finish! Highly recommend you make a visit to Cloud Bay, the folks there will pull you into their world and have you never wanting to leave!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.
Read both books back to back and could not put diathermy one down..