I felt really out of the loop on this one so I had a hard time connecting to the story or the characters. Also, the thing with Maura was left really open and was kind of a lingering annoying detail. But, that being said, once I finally got going with the story, I enjoyed this along with the other Harmony Harbor books. It probably won't make my favorite of the series but it's an enjoyable read.

After reading Christmas with an Angel, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Michael and Shay's book. And now that I finally finished Driftwood Cove, I can say that while it wasn't my favorite book in the Harmony Harbor series, I still flipping loved it. At times it felt like there was too much going on and that distracted me from some of the romance. However the moments I adored far outnumbered the moments I didn't. I loved Shay and Michael as a couple. They're both strong, hard-headed individuals and they of course butted heads at times, which I tend to love in most of my romances. Makes for fabulous banter. I also loved how they put the other person's needs in front of their own

The element I loved the most in Driftwood Cove was how it introduced the Gallagher cousins. Up until this point, the series mainly focused on the Gallagher brothers and now it's time for their cousins to step up to the plate to help save the manor.

Overall, Driftwood Cove was a fun addition to Mason's Harmony Harbor. While it felt as if there was too much going on at times, I still loved following Michael and Shay's romance. The suspense elements kept me guessing, while the romance made me swoon.

I liked this story but it was just a little dark for my taste. It is book 5 in the Harmony Harbor series and can be read alone without the previous stories. Shay is an ex-con who was framed by a wealthy family returns to her home town to discover her uncle is missing and herself in danger. Michael the local FBI agent who once loved her is still in town and anxious to help her find the uncle and convince her to fall back in love. There is a bonus story called A Fairytale bride that takes place in a bookstore with lots of meddling shop owners willing to watch over the young new owner. I received this ARC from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.

Really liked this book. Interesting characters and good story flow. Michael and Shay are great characters to follow. Their interaction and bantering is fun reading. Hard to put down. Like the intrigue and the way it makes you wonder what is going to happen. Good read. Would recommend.

Driftwood Cove by Debbie Mason was everything I was looking for in a story plus more! From the first few pages, I was sucked in with the suspense and characterization. Shay Angel was an incredible heroine that captured my heart with her kick-ass personality and hard shell that covered a big heart deep down. From the beginning, I fell in love with Shay's badass exterior, how strong she was and her sarcastic personality. I also just adored her partner in crime Cherry Blossom! Cherry is an ex stripper who carries around her double Ds and her hilarious attitude. Reading Shay and Cherry together had me laugh out loud so many times that I couldn't even count! One of the reasons it took me a little while to put this review up was because I kept re-reading scenes over and over because of the humor, romance and suspense! Throughout the whole story, I was rooting for Michael and Shay to have a HEA! The relationship between the once lovers was so deep and you could really see the intensity, love and pain that they had between them. The characterization in this story was first class. I loved all the quirky characters and became intensely invested in them. I could relate to Shay also in so many ways. I may not be a badass anymore because of "the mom life" but loved seeing how Shay reinvented herself. From losing her sisters to the "system" to becoming a career con at an early age, you were able to see her as a strong woman who fought ever part of her being to be a better person. Even though she was scared to form attachments because of her past Shay always did whatever it took for the ones she loved regardless of the costs. I know as a broken child that I too went through a hard time as a teenager and young adult to make ends meet. You feel that you are meant to live the life of hard knocks and you end up doing the undesirable and illegal to make it by but like with Shay's story, it's what we do with our mistakes and pain that defines us.
I would category this story more as a romantic suspense filled with humor but was also surprised that there were bits of paranormal elements in this novel as well. This was a story filled with action, suspense, love, laughs, heart wrenching moments and sexy moments! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good suspense or a second chance romance! This is the 5th novel in the Harmony Harbor book series but each of the novels feature different characters so they can easily be read on a standalone basis. After reading Driftwood Cove, I am anxiously hoping I get a chance to read the previous books in this series! I didn't even realize it was part of a series when reading this novel because the character's backgrounds were descriptive enough and I didn't feel like I was missing out while reading through the plot. I don't think a year can come by soon enough when the next in this series comes out! Hands down, this is one of the best stories that I have read in awhile. This book is Dani-approved!
This novel also includes A Fairytale Bride Novella by Hope Ramsay. I would have to give this novella a 5 Star/Kitty rating. This was a super sweet story that drug me into the premise by involving a flame that kindles at a used bookstore. I loved Melissa and Jeff's characterization. The romance between them was super cute and this was the perfect novella to go along with Driftwood Cove. I absolutely LOVED both stories and would recommend them to all! Thanks so much to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views expressed are my own.

Received in exchange for a honest review

Have been anxiously awaiting Michael’s story. He is more complex than I thought. He also grew into the man he was meant to be and seems more at peace with himself than in the past. Michael is now a FBI agent and he is just as smart and savvy as ever. He is also very kind and gentle...we see this with his interaction with his dog..His world collides with Shay’s when her uncle is in trouble. Only Shay is being stubborn and isn’t talking to him.

Shay is stubborn, loyal feisty smart and fiercely independent. She trusts no one and Michael is at the top of the list. No matter what he says or does she still has a chip on her shoulder towards him. Now she is trying to start her future and is in trouble. Her past mistakes are coming back to haunt her..She is a good person overall just doesn’t let anyone in..It is with Michael’s help she gets out of her mess but she is now on a collision course with him in Harmony Harbor because of her uncle.

When they first see each other it doesn’t go well and we are highly entertained. From there on, Shay doesn’t let Michael in but is always one step ahead of him when looking for her uncle. This does frustrate him but also has him proud and admiring her cunning and her tenacity. Only it does get her in trouble again and puts Michael in a tough spot. The danger only increases as does the tension and attraction between these two. When it comes to a head, we get a explosive moment that sizzles the kindle. But she still doesn’t trust him..and it costs them both when it comes to matters of the heart for them.

The story is filled with snarky feisty and fun banter, finding forgiveness in love and learning to trust. It has family ties seen everywhere and we see the strength of family and loyalty as well. There are some fun characters, some ones you loathe and Jasper who surprises us..Michael’s mom is trying to keep them apart still but there is more to her story and it has you wonder what is going on. Wrongs are righted and love wins out as Michael and Shay find their way to each other while navigating the danger that surrounds trying to find her uncle and their hearts.

Wonderfully written, action packed and filled with character and emotional driven scenes that have you root Michael on in getting his one true love back in his arms while trying to help her not fall into a situation that could cost her her freedom and her uncle’s as well.

Two novellas by a popular author made me want to read this book. I was imagining a very different type of book based on the cover, but it was a fun FBI type read.

As is the rest of the series, this is also a very good story. It is a heartfelt romance with very imperfect lead characters. The only issue I had with the book was that Michael ( the male lead) seemed too perfect. I kept waiting for him to be more human? Maybe just to mess up a little? I don't really know - he just seemed to need to be more real. Shay (the female lead) felt more true. Although she seemed like she needed to be Gibb slapped upside the head a few times.

I stilled really liked revisiting Harmony Harbor and meeting up with previous characters. Although the leads were to me, a hard match, they did mesh. I really enjoy this series and will continue to read it.
Receive as an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Driftwood Cove by Debbie Mason is the fifth installment in the contemporary romance Harmony Harbor series. Each book in the series features a different couple so they can easily be read and understood as standalones but for those that follow the series there will be glimpses of previous characters in each new book.

Now I’m fairly new to Debbie Mason’s books myself but what I have found is she is an author that infuses her stories with a lot of action along with the building relationships. This story was actually a lot more suspenseful than I was expecting it to be but from the first moments of the action I was completely hooked on the story.

The characters in Driftwood Cove have actually already been introduced in one of the author’s previous works, Christmas with An Angel which was a short story in the same series. I hadn’t read this story myself but it was never noticeable to me that there was a past missing from a previous book as the author did a great job updating the characters in this particular story so nothing felt missing.

It didn’t take long at all to become invested in Shay and Michael’s story and the action they found themselves involved in but along with likable main characters the side characters are also well fleshed out and stand out themselves to further enhance the plot. With everything coming together so nicely in this installment I have definitely added Debbie Mason to my authors to catch up on list.

Also, this book is a special two for one deal including A Fairytale Bride by Hope Ramsay as a special bonus novella. I’d actually already read that novella myself but it was definitely a two thumbs up read that I’d also encourage romance fans to check out and pairing these two authors together seemed a perfect combination.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

3.5 Stars

This felt like such a different story than I am used to from Debbie Mason. (I mean, aside from her writing a male character that at some point doesn’t stand up for his lady love when he REALLY, REALLY should have.) It was very fast-paced and action-packed and I can’t lie, at times I found it hard to keep up with. This story almost felt more like romantic suspense with a comedic twist? It’s hard to categorize it honestly.

My biggest complaint with this book is that I wish that there had been more focus on the current relationship between Michael and Shay. Their romance was heavily based on their past relationship and feelings that never really went away, but I wanted to see more of them building their relationship in the present, minus all of the secrets and danger.

As usual, Ms. Mason’s writing was fantastic and her characters were well-developed but this book just had a different overall feel than the rest of the series and therefore isn’t one of my favorites.

Driftwood Cove is gripping from the very beginning. I was so excited to read more of Shay and Michael's story after getting a taste of their romance in the novella Christmas with an Angel. They apparently have a complicated and heartbreaking past but their feelings are still very much present. Driftwood Cove has the same wit, heart, and humor I have come to love in Debbie Mason's writing. Although I think it had more action and suspense than the previous novels, which I absolutely loved! Plus what can you expect with a stubborn kick-butt heroine like Shay. Shay is definitely a fun character with her angst, mistrust, loyalty, and crazy fun best friend by her side. I definitely was laughing out loud at some of their antics. Cherry is so hilarious! Even she knows that Shay and Michael belong together and is so cute and funny when she's trying to make sure they end up together. Michael is strong, smart, and totally in love with Shay. Making him 100% swoon worthy. The mess they all find themselves in makes for lots of tension and puts even more barriers between the two lovebirds. I was so happy with the way things worked out in the end though. Shay absolutely deserves to be happy and I think the ending was perfect. I truly loved Driftwood Cove and I highly recommend it to all romance fans!

I really enjoyed Driftwood Cove by Debbie Mason! The last book in the Harmony Harbor kind of fell flat for me so I was hesitant picking this one up. But there was no reason to be. I loved every minute of this book and devoured it in almost one sitting (I fell asleep with two chapters left….granted it was 3am). For those of you new to the series, each book follows a different couple and is told in dual POV. It can be read as a standalone, but just know that other characters from previous books do show up in each one.

Driftwood Cove follows the story of Shay Angel and Michael Gallagher who have their own novella earlier in the series called Christmas with an Angel. I was so excited to return to their story. Shay is an ex-con who went to jail after stealing her boyfriend’s car. She served her time and now she’s out. Michael was her boyfriend and if truth be told he’s never gotten over Shay.

I like Shay. Her character is very believable as someone who has had a hard life. She struggles to trust, but she is fiercely loyal to those she does. She keeps everything close to the chest, never revealing much about herself to anyone. It endeared her to me as I read. When she’s narrating you realize just how much she hides her true feelings and thoughts from the world. It’s heart-breaking.

Michael is the golden boy who was groomed to be governor like his dad before him, but it isn’t the life he wants. Instead he leaves his job as a DA for the FBI. He is outgoing, loyal to a fault, and very kind. I love his relationship with his dog Atticus. And he endears himself to me in his pursuit of Shay. It’s swoon worthy material for sure 😉

Now for the plot which is where I was a little underwhelmed. Shay’s uncle is a reformed convict (thought I’m not sure if he’s ever actually been convicted) and the owner of a local pirate-themed bar. He goes missing in connection to a murder case Michael is working. Now this wouldn’t cause confusion except it pits Shay and Michael on opposite sides of the law. Shay feels she has to work to find her uncle without Michael’s help because as an ex-con she knows how these people think. Michael just wants to show Shay she can trust him. I hated this back and forth between the two.

Overall I enjoyed this book but I didn’t love it. It isn’t the typical, small town romance I’ve come to expect from Debbie Mason. However it still had it’s good spots, like the two main characters and Atticus 😀 I highly recommend this book for those that enjoy contemporary romance set in small towns.

I love reading stories by Debbie Mason! Whenever her books are coming out I bouncing at the edge of my seat until I can read it. I always know that they will be funny, heartbreaking and so romantic.

I was just that excited about Driftwood Cove! I wasn't really sure what would happen between Shay and Michael. A lot of their past baggage involved themselves and family. It's easy to get over your own past issues, but family...

We all know that family isn't so easy. Which you'll see when you read Driftwood Cove. The story deals a lot with their past and family. What Shay did in the past was horrible (not really nice) to Michael and I can understand why he didn't stick up for her more then with his family but now...

I wasn't really happy with how he let his mother speak to her. He keeps saying he loves Shay, but can't seem to stand up to his mother for the woman he loves. To be honest I never really saw him really do it so it bugged me.

Don't worry that's about all the really bugged me about the story.

You'll love the widows club and their interaction with the mob. I want to say more but it's better if you read it for yourself. I laughed my way through it. I also love the ending with GG's ring. Another moment I can mention but not really tell you about. Believe me when I say it was funny & romantic!

As a whole this is a wonderful story that I was happy to read. It had many of the past characters of the series in it, just maybe not as many. It also gave you a taste of what should be coming next. I will say that Jasper was in it a lot and we really focused on him. I need to know more about the man.

To really enjoy this series start in the beginning. There is a main story theme that runs throughout the series that will be more enjoyable if you read them in order. This is the perfect series to curl up on the couch while it's snowing outside.

Another great installment following Colleen and her wayward family. Michael is coming home, and his past is catching up with him. Plenty of action as we all find out what second chances and coming home mean.