Celeste always thinks she's found the one but then....Most recently, her police officer boyfriend cheated on her and that was the end of that! Going to spend the summer with her sister Jenna in Moonlight Harbor is the perfect idea. Jenna's been through her own troubles but she's come out on the other side and has a good life (and some interesting relationships). She's determined to help Celeste find love. You know that's going to happen - don't you? The question is who it will be and there are a couple of candidates (I know who I rooted for!) Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Nice characters (really nice), a good setting, and a positive plot make this a perfect read for the beach.

The Summer Retreat is the third installment by USA TODAY bestselling author Sheila Roberts in her seaside escape, beach-ready Moonlight Harbor series. It was my first read from this author and, obviously also my first read from this series.

There is some sizzle, some sweet romance, some strange and wonderful characters, and it's set seaside - sand and water and a lovable misbehaved pup. All important elements. It did take it's time meandering along the way (enough already - follow your heart!) and at first, I felt a little lost so perhaps reading the first two installments might be helpful (it could have just been me - I did fight with a parking pay machine for quite some time the other day before I realised the arm was up and they did not, in fact, want my money.) I'm giving it a 3-star rating - which is "it was good" in my review hierarchy - it just wasn't jaw-dropping, stick with me forever intense. It was exactly what you expect from a summer paperback - easy to toss in your beach bag and read for a quick escape.

Full Review available on my blog 4-12-19 at https://lifelovelaughterlinds.home.blog/?p=705

I was provided with a copy of this title via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

This review will also be posted on the New York Journal of Books site the night before the release date.

The Summer Retreat by Sheila Roberts
MIRA
April 23, 2019
10-0778369404
978-0778369400
384 pages
Contemporary Women's Fiction

Publicity Contact: justine.sha@harpercollins.com

Reviewed by: Nancy Carty Lepri

Every woman wants the perfect man, and Celeste Jones believes she has this with Emerson Willis. Not only is he handsome, but he's a cop, so his standards must be high, right? With him for more than a year, she's anxiously waiting for him to pop the question. She thinks he's taking his time because he's been divorced and maybe he's cautious. But, Celeste envisions a house with a yard, kids, and a dog, of course, a dog. At thirty-six her biological clock is ticking, and loudly.

She leaves her job as a school teacher and picks up a pizza, salad fixings, and his favorite brew for their dinner. As she gets into her car, Emerson phones to cancel their date telling her he is sick. She is disappointed, but sorry he's ill, so she decides to whip up some chicken soup to cure his flu.

Celeste arrives at his apartment overhearing music. Could it be the TV, she wonders.

"She was about to knock again when the door opened. There stood Emerson in swimming trunks, chest bared, muscles on display. Why? . . . What? . . . Was he taking a swim to cool his fevered brow?

"'Is that the pizza delivery?' called a female voice.

"Pizza delivery? Emerson had a fever going, all right, but it wasn't from the flu.

"'I thought you were sick.' You big, rotten lizard. . . .

"'. . . Aren't you going to introduce us?' Celeste demanded."

When Celeste learns Emerson has been dating this other woman for three months, she is incensed as well as deeply hurt, asking herself why she always picks the wrong guys.

With the school year over, Celeste needs to get away. She calls her sister, Jenna who runs the Driftwood Inn in Moonlight Harbor, Washington. Once owned by their great-aunt Edie, Jenna now runs the business since her divorce, and she and her teenage daughter, Sabrina live in the Victorian house adjacent to the inn with Edie. Celeste and Jenna enjoyed many summers at the ocean and what better place to heal one's wounds. Jenna is happy for Celeste offers to clean rooms with the extra work keeping Celeste's mind off her woes.

Moonlight Harbor is just as Celeste remembers it for she hasn't been back in a while. The sandy beach, the small, quaint shops, and the friendly residents are a perfect salve for her soul. To make matters better, one day while walking along the shore, she is met by a scraggly pooch that follows her home. She immediately bonds with the canine, though tries not to, believing he belongs to someone. But when no one claims him, she names him Nemo, telling him she knows he'll be loyal.

Jenna and Celeste go to church services with Jenna's ulterior motive being introducing Celeste to the young pastor, Paul Welch. The two begin dating with Celeste consoling herself that because he's a man of God, he's more than honorable and would never cheat on her. However, there are things about Paul that makes her think. Most of all, he's not into dogs, and Celeste loves Nemo and won't give him up for any man. Also, he's a bit straight-laced and doesn't drink or dance, two of the things Celeste enjoys doing.

Then while cleaning a room, she meets a guest staying for the whole summer. His name is Henry Gilbert, and upon first entering his room, Celeste snoops and reads a list on the bed about where and how to commit a murder. Shocked, she makes Jenna call the police, but it turns out Henry is writing a book. The two hit it off like oil and vinegar, but as time passes, Celeste finds an attraction to him she does not have with Paul. But isn't Paul the better choice?

Paul proposes with Celeste accepting though she doesn't feel she will make the perfect pastor's wife. Then more incidents prove this to her, but they go ahead with the wedding only to have a female church member stand up during the ceremony and "speak her peace." Celeste now realizes playing a safe bet does not guarantee happiness.

Book number 3 in the Moonlight Harbor series, is a fast summer read, offers a charming description of a small beach town with diverse lovable characters, a few easy to hate, and a goofy canine is thrown in for good measure. Though this stands alone, one could not help but want to read prior issues.

When Celeste Jones finds out her year-long boyfriend is a liar and a cheat, she packs up her swimsuit and heads to Moonlight Harbor to spend some time with her sister, Jenna.

There were some interesting characters in this one. It was a bit to rambling for me and I kept having to go back and see who was who.

This was my first Sheila Roberts read and she didn’t disappoint. This story is the perfect beach read! The whole time I was reading this I was picturing a cute little hotel in a small town. Sheila Roberts paints the perfect picture of the Driftwood Inn. I would love to stay there and cozy up by the fire that always seems to be going! This is the 3rd book in the Moonlight Harbor series but they don’t need to be read consecutively. I was able to read this one like it was a stand alone. From the first chapter I was hooked and rooting for Celeste after finding out the man she thought she would spend forever with was cheating on her. Celeste finally ends up meeting the perfect man, well on paper at least. She thinks they are opposites though so she just can’t imagine them together. She also meets the man in room 12 who seems to make her pulse race! So do you go with the man who seems perfect or the one who makes you feel things? You’ll have to read this one to find out! Although I felt this story was a tad predictable it was still an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the sister relationship between Celeste and Jenna. I would really like to read more of Jenna’s story.

Many thanks to #NetGalley and Harlequin/Mira for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Summer Retreat by Sheila Roberts is the third book in a series set at Moonlight Harbor. I have not read any of the other books in the series but didn’t find that much of a drawback. The book truly fits the definition of a beach read given the locale is near a beach and various things happen on the beach. I found it a quick easy read and a nice change from some of the World War 2 books that I’ve been reading of late.

The main character in the book is Celeste, who after catching her boyfriend cheating with another woman decides she needs to head to Moonlight Harbor to spend time with her sister Jenna at the Driftwood Inn and get away from any reminders of her unfaithful ex. Celeste has a history of not picking the right sort of men and paying the price with a broken heart. She would love to find Mr. Right and settle down and have a family but she doesn’t totally trust her own judgement. When she meets the dreamy local pastor she thinks surely he must be a man who can be trusted to love her and treat her kindly, but then there is the man in room 12 at her sister’s inn who writes mysteries about serial killers…

I didn’t totally identify with Celeste as my own experiences in no way mirror hers’ but I felt I could understand what some of her fears were. How does a woman truly know who to give her heart too? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

Along the way you will meet other locals from Moonlight Harbor. Will Jenna (Celeste’s sister) choose Brady or Seth to give her heart to? Will Hyacinth have her love reciprocated? Clearly their will be more novels in the series and it would be easy to get caught up in the small town love.

The Summer Retreat is the perfect book to cozy up with on the beach!

This was my first read by Sheila Roberts and can definitely see why she has so many fans!

The Summer Retreat focuses on Celeste who has a pattern of falling for too many wrong men. Emerson her current boyfriend is a cop and he just doesn't wan't to commit to her fully. Sadly, Celeste finds Emerson cheating on her with another woman and she's had it!

Celeste finds herself back in the Driftwood Inn with her sister Jenna. Celeste soon begins a journey of her own dating different men with her sister Jenna trying to support her in finding the "right" man.

What I loved about this one? Sheila does a wonderful job with the characters... all so relatable and I really enjoyed Celeste!

I found the story to be a tad predictable but nonetheless it was a quick and fun beach read.

Overall, 3.5 stars :)

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin/Mira for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date: 4/23/19
Published to Goodreads: 4/9/19

Shelia Roberts has made me a huge fan after reading The Summer Retreat! I now know what books/series need to be on my TBR this summer! I am thrilled to have found a new author to love through this book. It was everything I was hoping it would be- a perfect escape, a cast of relatable and likable characters, and a wonderful plot! This book belongs in everyone's beach bag this summer.

After finding her boyfriend cheating on her Celeste decides she needs some time away, to reflect on her past decisions
What better place then the Driftwood Inn a place where life is simple and there is always a good time.
This is the third book in the series, but the first I read and I wasn’t lost at all.
Loved this town and the people and I look forward to revisiting time and time again.

This is the third book in the Moonlight Harbor series. I'm really enjoying what I've read of the series, so far. I had read the first buy somehow missed the second one. I really liked Celeste's story and the town. It was a quick and engaging read. Recommended!

Celeste is a fun-loving and passionate woman who keeps falling for the wrong man. Determined to protect herself from the type of choices she has made in the past, Celeste ignores the undeniable sparks every time she spends even a moment with the nerdy novelist spending the summer at her family's inn at the beach, choosing instead to focus her efforts on the safer love offered by the local pastor. Even as she gets closer and closer to marching down the aisle, Celeste keeps questioning the wisdom of her choice. Fortunately, a rival for the pastor's attention finds her own voice and forces Celeste to take a hard look at life and be sure her decisions are right for her as well as many others with a stake in the impending wedding.

The Summer Retreat (Hardcover) by Sheila Roberts This is the 3rd book in the MOONLIGHT HARBOR series and since it was my first I had a little catching up to do. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the first two books. Thanks to the publisher and #Netgalley for letting me preview this book. This was Celeste and Henry's story... there were a lot of other stories mixed in ... This is a lot of angst, laughs, tears, and missteps getting to their HEA.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Unpredictable Romantic Entertaining Happily Ever After

This is a new author and book series for me.
Even tho I hadn’t read the first two in the series I didn’t have any problems getting into the book. I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more in the series! Perfect beach read!!
Thanks for the early copy!

This is pure escapism, with good characters, plenty of turns as our heroine finds their HEA. Will definitely read more from this author

The Summer Retreat is a fun read to start thinking summer. The characters will intrigue you. You'll be playing matchmaker with them. Seeing how they find their love and develop along the path to marriage.

I think Ms Roberts can surely write a book that is both entertaining and engaging.
This is escapism at highest level and I loved this book.
I fell in love with the setting and rooted for the characters.
I look forward to read other books in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to HARLEQUIN - MIRA and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I love this series. It picks up with Celeste's story. She has been unlucky in love and decides to play it safe and have a relationship with the town pastor, when she knows there's no spark between them. There is chemistry with the writer in room twelve, but she chooses to ignore it. Celeste manages to get herself into some tight situations that are cringe worthy: beach and wedding scenes. Jenna still waivers between Brody and Seth. How long until she makes up,her mind? I read this in one sitting, couldn't put it down. Love the cover.

Celeste has been burned by love one too many times. She retreats to Moonlight Harbor for the summer to get away after a break up and help her sister at her hotel. Celeste has decided to play it safe with the town pastor. The Perfect Man. But is he perfect for her. Thoughts of the guest in room 12 keep turning up.

This was a good romance read. I liked the characters, including a parrot named Jolly Roger. I read this book in one sitting. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

This is a great "escape" title and I wish I could take a Summer Retreat too! I love Celeste and her will to keep going despite the odds. Having never had a sister, I'm intrigued by the interplay between the characters and enjoyed the flow of the story. A great read I can't wait to recommend for summer reading!

I enjoyed this book very much. It was a quick read with a good subject. I really enjoy this author and am not surprised to enjoy another of her books