Hidden Cove by Meg Tilly is the least enjoyable book in the Solace Island series, and unfortunately I did not end up finishing it. I just didn't like the characters, and struggled to connect with anyone well enough to drive me to read more. Thanks so much for the opportunity to read Hidden Cove!

Darker than the first 2 books in the series! This was a well-crafter and thrilling adventure. While this can easily be read on it's own, the others introduce the "Island vibe" that I love most about this series. Plot twists and webs of deception make this quite a thrilling ride, with an ending you won't see coming!

https://openbooksociety.com/article/hidden-cove-solace-island-book-3-by-meg-tilly-book-review/

Hidden Cove is the third book in the Solace Island series by Meg Tilly. I have followed this series from the beginning and I must say, I do believe each book has gotten better and better. By far, this title in the series is my favourite. I found the character development as well as the story telling very good. I also found that this story is a tad bit heavier on the suspense part of the romantic suspense spectrum. So this may have played a part in my appreciation for the story. Take note that this book is easily read as a stand-alone, though I appreciated the fact that I did have the background of many of the characters of Solace Island.

Hidden Cove takes place in the picturesque Pacific Northwest with gallery owner Zelia Thompson. One of her best friends Alexus (a fellow gallery owner) dies of an apparent drug overdose. This sets off triggers for Zelia because as far as she knows, Alexus did not do drugs (at least anymore)! So…the wheels are turning. With the help of crime fiction writer Gabe Conaghan (who just happens to be on a quick trip to the island for his parents), they begin to investigate how this drug overdose actually happened. Gabe and Zelia even travel from Solace Island to New York following clues in an effort to find the answers that Zelia so desperately needs.

The road to the truth is filled with many twists and turns. It would be unfair of me to tell any reader these intriguing twists and turns so I shall leave that for you to discover. Suffice it to say, there are a number of storylines which kept the story moving along and added the depth that I so appreciate in romantic suspense novels. And let’s not forget, it did take me until the end to figure out who the culprit was.

Imagery sprinkled throughout the story definitely kept my interest:

“The smell of damp earth and crushed grasses rose like a gentle strand of music, keeping her company as she strode toward the towering sculptures. There was something about the dark, faceless figures that comforted her. Hooded, yet somehow peaceful as they stood patiently with their gently sloping shoulders and bowed heads.”

The romantic aspect of this story was a slow burn. Each protagonist was not really looking for romance. Zelia is still dealing with the death of her husband (I think about 7 or 8 years previously?) and Gabe is on the island only to look at a B&B his parents are considering as an investment. At times, Gabe is not always very smooth (for example – when a seemingly innocent conversation about Zelia’s last meal ended up including comments about weight – but in the end he came off sweet – at least in my mind).

“How long has it been since you’ve eaten?”

“I had a piece of toast this morning.”

“That’s it?”….

“Gabe, I know you mean well, but I can’t just waltz out the door in the middle of my workday.”

“You don’t eat lunch?”

“Not today.”

“Are you on a diet?”

….

“Are you calling me fat?”

“No. God, no. I love your body”.

“Sorry, It’s been a lousy morning and I’m taking it out on you. I know I need to lose a good forty pounds–“

“Are you nuts?” Gabe broke in. “You’re perfection just the way you are. I love your luscious curves, your silky-soft skin, the glorious texture and the creamy color that’s brushed with a hint of peach. If you lost forty pounds you’d be skin and bones.”

With less of a presence of Maggie and Eve (and their men ☺), I did feel a bit lost. I felt the synergy of the first two books in the series were lost as a result of the less involvement of the residents of Solace Island that I had come to know and appreciate.

As much as I enjoyed this final installment of the Solace Island trilogy, I am saddened by the fact that it is indeed the final installment. I will patiently be on the lookout for future writings of Ms. Tilly.

*OBS would like to thank the author for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

Ms. Tilly had my heart racing and palms sweating to see what would happen next in this installment of her SOLACE ISLAND series. (HIDDEN COVE can be read as a stand-alone story but is enriched when read as part of the series.)

HIDDEN COVE did not disappoint as we return for the third time to small town Solace Island. The small art gallery run by Zeila has some bad vibes when one of her good friends across the country, who also owns an art gallery, is found dead of a supposed drug overdose. Although the police rule it a suicide, Zeila isn’t convinced and draws her new friend, Gabe (whom she just met on the island and who writes crime fiction) into helping her uncover the truth. Could it be murder?

The story takes place in the states of Washington, Connecticut, and New York City and is fast-paced and full of surprises. The plot took twists and turns with one storyline crazier than the next. Gabe’s parents, who come to Solace Island and hope to get him married off so they can become grandparents, added often needed comic relief. There are a multitude of characters who add layers to the story.

The scenic descriptions are vivid, and the interactions between the characters feel real. There are some steamy moments as well. The story ties up nicely, though there are a few loose ends that could return us to Solace Island. At least, I hope so.

I’ve enjoyed Ms. Tilly’s SOLACE ISLAND series and look forward to reading more of her books.

Another great stroy, I really enjoyed this one. I liked the mystery suspence of it all, characters and i really like returning to this little beach side town.

Recommended Read

Hidden Cove is the third book in Meg Tilly’s Solace Island trilogy, and while it can be read as a stand-alone (which is what I did) I do think it would have been much better if the previous two books are read first. There are many characters and back stories and relationships that would have been better understood if I had known everyone’s full history prior to reading this book. With that being said, I highly recommend this book and I will be going back to read the other two.

Hidden Cove is centred on Zelia Thompson looking into the supposed drug overdose death of her good friend Alexus who knows a swanky art gallery. As she digs deeper into his death she realizes some things that could put her life in danger of “overdosing” next. Enter Gabe Conaghan, a crime fiction novelist, who would never have been in Solace Island if his parents into visiting didn’t trick him into visiting. His task is to check out a local bed and breakfast that they want to purchase. He plans to do this quickly and continue with his next novel. Zelia and Gabe soon run into each other and are instantly attracted but both a bit hesitant for different reasons. They decide to work together to help solve this recent murder.

I really enjoyed reading this story, it had the perfect mix of romance, suspense, and humor. The conversations between Zelia and Gabe were funny and quirky with the awkwardness of attraction thrown in. I also liked that even though there was instant attraction between the two main characters, there was still a slow build to a full romance due to the age of the characters as well as their past histories. It made the romance aspect of this story seem more realistic and like a journey that the readers also went on with the characters. The mystery at the core of the story kept me guessing throughout the novel, there were so many twists and turns and new revelations every time. There is definitely a dark side to this story but it is very well written and executed.

One minor dislike I had were the parents and the pressure that they put on Gabe and Zelia to get married and have babies. Some of the conversations where his parents were in the mix were painful to read, but at the same time it is realistic to how some parents are.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be going back to read more of Meg Tilly’s novels.

~ Harshita

3,5-4 STARS

“If you think about it, a love for Solace Island is probably embedded in your DNA. It’s a magical place, my son. A game changer. You’ll see.”

An interesting story with suspense and a steamy romance!I really enjoyed this atmospheric read!I loved the set up, and the characters were perfect!

The romance wasn't perfect I think I needed a little bit more I couldn't connected and invest on it 100% but I find it hot at some points!

The writing was great and you feel hooked from the beginning!

Romance with more than a hint of deadly intrigue…

I couldn’t wait to get back to the beautiful island of Solace! This time out, art gallery owner Zelia was facing her age, the loss of a dear friend and soon, maybe an answer to all her woes… Gabe was on a trek for his family and did not expect anything more than an inconvenient trip at just the wrong time. Like Zelia, though, what he found was so much more…

This was a slow burn story, with set up and intrigue percolating along with it. It was middle-age angst (hit early), deadly mystery, friendship, family and love, shaken and stirred in a delightful way. The author blended it well with a writing style that felt comfortable and deceptively simple.

There was a different feel to this story than the first books in this series. It was a good feel – lots of mystery and even more deadly intent. I wish it had more of the ‘island’ I love so much. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed the story. A LOT! I loved the warmth and family feel to it. I just can’t say I didn’t miss that stronger Solace Island vibe… Maybe the very creepy protagonist didn’t help either lol.

I hope there will be many more stories to come though as I’m definitely hooked on Solace!

3.5 Stars

Solace Island is an idyllic place where art gallery owner Zelia Thompson has made her home and found her livelihood. She was widowed at a young age and that has left her in a relationship funk for a long time. Zelia loves her work and the colleagues she has met though the art world. When her good friend, Alexus Feinstein, who is also an art dealer is found dead of an apparent overdose, Zelia knows something is terribly wrong because Alexus did not do drugs. She also had some bizarre communication from Alexus shortly before her death.

Gabe Conaghan writes crime novels that have made him quite famous. Once on the island at the behest of his parents, Gabe feels an immediate connection to Zelia as she is a ghost from his past though she had never actually met him. With assistance from all of Gabe’s learned detective and criminal skills, he and Zelia delve into the mystery trying to figure out what happened to Alexus and why. Gabe, albeit reluctantly, decides to help because he knows Zelia may well be putting herself in danger.

This story is the third in Ms. Tilly’s Solace Island series but can be read as a standalone. There is a slight connection to characters from the previous stories. This blend of romantic suspense with some rom com thrown in courtesy of Gabe’s parents will please fans who are enjoying the series and interest first time readers in the prior books. Ms. Tilly’s writing has a warmth to it with a bit of whimsy that makes for a pleasant read as well as a tasty one with the recipe included at the end.

Hidden Cove is the third book in the Solace Island series but could definitely be read as a stand-alone as there is very little overlap with the others outside of the location and a couple quick cameo appearances from characters in the other books. I enjoyed the first two books in the series but this one was a miss for me.

Zelia is the owner of an art gallery on Solace Island. She gets some unusual texts from her friend Alexus at a gallery in NYC - and when she tries to respond, learns that Alexus has died. Police have ruled it an accidental drug overdose - but Zelia thinks there is more to it. She enlists the help of Gabe, a crime writer who is visiting the island. Together they start doing research to learn if there’s more to Alexus’s death.

What I liked: I really enjoyed Gabe and his family - especially his well-meaning always meddling dad. I loved the glimpses of Eve and Maggie from the earlier books. I liked some of the twists and reveals as they investigated what happened to Alexus.

What didn’t work for me: the romance between Gabe and Alexus didn’t work for me at all from the insta-love to the reasoning behind them getting together to the awkwardly written romantic scenes. I also didn’t like the way the ultimate resolution of the suspense element was handled and the way things ended with Mary.

Thank you very much to Berkley and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

Author Meg Tilly returns to her Solace Island Trilogy with the final book, Hidden Cove. Tilly includes that dark drama she’s drawn to write as the main focus of the story. Someone is killing art curators and Zelia Thompson is next in line, but she doesn’t know it. There is a love story here, but it isn’t the focus of the book. Rather, it’s a support system to drive the investigation of what happened to Zelia ’s friend Alexus Feinstein after police have ruled her death a suicide. Will Conaghan, Zelia’s love interest, is conveniently a famous crime novelist with lots of contacts in law enforcement and has studied the methods of criminals to make his books authentic. That comes in very handy when you’re investigating a crime that the police don’t believe is a crime.

Will’s parents are peripheral characters which are a little too single-minded. It makes them more one dimensional than they deserve to be. There is one other character introduced, Mary, Zeila’s undocumented assistant. She’s present to drive the antagonist’s plotline, not to a be a full-fledged part of the story. Unfortunately, she becomes one anyway and we’re left wanting when her storyline is left unresolved. That’s What I’m Talking About checked with the publisher and this is definitely the end of the trilogy. To me, however, it doesn’t feel like a series end. Mary’s flight from the story is a significant loose end which could be another book or possibly the start of a new series in a new location.

The first two books focused on the Harris sisters, but the only connections Hidden Cove has to them is loose. Besides the location of Solace Island, Zelia is the owner and curator of a prominent art gallery. She becomes enamored with Eve Harris’ work while in the Intrepid Cafe and wants to represent her. That’s it. That connection is so superficial that it feels more like a stand alone book rather than an integrated part of a series. I would love to see the series continue and possibly bring these disparate characters together in a more personal way or allow this be the bridge to a new series focusing on that big loose end.

Tilly’s writing has definitely improved. It’s more cohesive than the last book. There are some really beautiful descriptions, but the flow of the action still begs to be seen rather than imagined. Tilly should really try her hand at screenplays.

So even though the connection to the Intrepid Cafe is casual at best, Tilly does include another recipe in the back of the book, this time for lemon glazed blueberry muffins. Depending on the size and quantity of the blueberries you use, it makes roughly a dozen. It’s a pretty average recipe, but if you like baking from scratch, having a small batch recipe like this is a good one to keep on hand. They are tasty. Like the last book, a good sugar fix rolls over feelings of annoyance about non-fatal flaws. Get the book. Bake the muffins. Read the book. In that order.

My Rating: B+ Liked It A Lot

I have read each of the books in the Solace Island series, and each is better than the next. Set on a Pacific Northwest Island near Seattle, Ms Tilly makes all her characters believable and enjoyable.

Zelia Thompson is a widow, a successful art gallery owner and a resident of the island. She has a very capable assistant, more friend than employee, but Zelia counts on her. Recently a food friend, fellow gallery owner in New York has been pressuring Zelia to show some paintings done by a client of hers. She knows Alexis has wonderful tastes, but these paintings show talent, but very sinister portrayals. She refuses, and gets a somewhat testy and unusual response. This makes Zelia uncomfortable and she plans to contact Alexis by phone.

Gabriel Conaghan is a NY Times best selling writer of Crime Fiction. He ends up on Solace Island at a request from his Dad to check out some potential property for his Dad’s business. He is in a writing slump, and thinks the change of scene might help, plus he finds the island soothing despite the rainy weather. Settled in a local cafe he sees a beautiful woman, who looks familiar, He pushes his memory and realizes they were alumni of the same college, and that’s she’s even more beautiful now.
When Zelia attempts to reach Alexis she is informed that she had died of a drug overdose the night before. Zelia can’t accept this, she knew Alexis never took drugs and was frightened of them. Encouraged by her assistant she seeks Gabe out for some help with figuring it all out. Little do they know how this partnership will effect their lives. There is something/someone sinister about to enter their lives.

This book can be read as a stand-alone, but the enjoyment of the suspense, humor and romance in the first two books shouldn’t be missed. I’m hoping there is Book 4 coming soon.

✦Review & Giveaway: HIDDEN COVE (Solace Island Series) by Meg Tilly https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-bhM
Publication Date: October 1, 2019
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 4 Stars

I enjoyed this romantic suspense…and it was suspenseful! I like how the author gave just enough information that we could fill in the serial killer’s actions. I’m not a fan of graphic violence or torture, so it worked well for me. I loved Gabriel’s character. His family only added to his charm and made me smile. I liked Zella as well, but was a bit confused by her behavior during intimacy. To me it just didn’t match her backstory or her and Gabe’s actions. This romantic and tension-filled story pulled me in and held on tight. I can’t wait to see what Solace Island has in store for us.

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

Kindle $9.99 https://amzn.to/2DETJDK

Meg Tilly returns to Solace Island with the last book in the trilogy, Hidden Cove. This series is so appealing! With its down-to-earth characters, adult situations, funny dialogue and intensely sexy writing, the entire series has been a winner for me. Although I highly recommend the other books, this book can absolutely be read as a standalone.

Welcome to the beautiful and enchanting Solace Island:

"However, the grounds were lovely. Stunning, really. The gracious front lawn gave way to a private beach, where a nestled, hidden cove was flanked by towering Douglas firs, red cedars, and a sprinkling of dogwood, maple, oak, and aspen trees. The views across the smattering of smudged-purple shadowed islands were glorious and far-reaching. If one wanted an even broader horizon, the guests could take the path on the right side of the property, along the water’s edge, to the wooden bench resting on the farthest point of land."

The focus of this story is the mysterious death of Zelia Thompson's art curator friend Alexus. The police ruled Alexus's death a suicide but Zelia just doesn't believe it. Lucky for Zelia, a well-known mystery novelist named Will Monaghan arrives in town to help her solve the mystery of her friend's death. There's a fairly dark side to this book but the romantic elements are strong and the story is fact-paced and very intriguing.

I would have liked a little more of the original characters from the Intrepid Cafe but Meg Tilly's writing is so smooth that I enjoyed this book on its own. The author captures the magic of small-time life and the chemistry between Zelia and Will is fantastic. There is just a warmth and a maturity to this story that I really loved. And of course, the author includes a fabulous recipe for blueberry muffins as a lovely gift for her readers! If you love a romantic thriller that has gorgeous locations and seriously sexy times, then you will love Hidden Cove.

"You’re gonna love Solace. We sure did.”

I haven't read any books by this author so I had no idea what to expect.
I didn't connect with the characters properly, they spoke like they were older then they were. I didn't feel the romance between them and I didn't enjoy reading it. It felt forced and the only reason they got together was because their biological clock was ticking and they both wanted to have kids.
Gabe's parents were really uncomfortable to read. Their interactions were really meant to be charming but turned out being creepy and werid. I would of run for the hills if my partners parents spoke to me in that way.

I loved the whole art related killer storyline and I imagine this would of been a 5 star read if the author had cut of the romance and Gabe's parents. I enjoyed the mystery behind the killer and why he was doing things. I loved the twists and turns that the author put throughout the book.

Overall an OK read for me!

Every since I finished reading Cliff’s Edge (see my review here), I have been dying to get my hands on Hidden Cove. This book is the third in the Solace Island series (don’t fret if you didn’t read the first two, it can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend the first two books), and I couldn’t wait to see what story Meg Tilly cooked up next.

Zelia Thompson is a 30 something art gallery owner in gorgeous Solace Island, which is located in the picturesque Pacific Northwest. While she runs an incredibly successful gallery with pieces that would fund a college education, life hasn’t exactly gone to plan since she assumed that she would be running around after a herd of children by now. She knows the biological clock is ticking, but she becomes even more fixated on the fact following the tragic death of her friend Alexus who also runs a prestigious art gallery. Alexus’ death was ruled a heroin overdose, but the Alexus she knew didn’t do hardcore drugs, and as Zelia starts digging for answers, things aren’t adding up.

Gabe Conaghan is a best selling crime fiction author who was tricked into visiting Solace Island on behalf of his parents. His parents have plans to buy one of the local B&Bs, but they need someone to check it out first hand (secretly, they want their son to find a wife since that’s where they met). Gabe doesn’t have time for this nonsense. He plans to get in, get all the information his parents need, then get back to writing his manuscript…that is until he meets Zelia. He’s instantly attracted to her, but he can’t help the feeling that she looks strangely familiar. Gabe didn’t have the intention to stay, but a beautiful woman needs help and he’s just being chivalrous, right?!

I loved watching Zelia and Gabe dance around their immediate but awkward attraction towards one another. While I don’t normally enjoy the instant chemistry trope, there’s so much baggage that both Zelia and Gabe bring to the table that it was never distasteful or forced. For example, Zelia is still grieving from the death of first husband, which was eight years prior.

Gabe’s parents were definitely interesting side characters. I understand that parents pressure their children to get married and have grandchildren, but there were definitely moments that it was cringe-worthy. I just wanted to shout at Gabe’s dad, so that Zelia and Gabe could figure out things for themselves without all of the external pressure. I will say that I appreciate the writing of this since I think so many people (including myself) have felt this type of pressure from families before.

The mystery aspect of this story was really interesting and kept me guessing. The pacing was perfect because we’d get more insight into Alexus’ death with romantic moments between Zelia and Gabe mixed in. I was guessing up until the very end about the killer, and I loved all the twists and turns that were sprinkled throughout.

Overall, Meg Tilly brilliantly executed yet another wonderful romantic suspense that delivers a heart-pumping crime thriller in concert with a steamy romance.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the eARC. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I loved the first two books in this trilogy but was sadly disappointed in this one! I felt like this book rambled on and on about unimportant things instead of being concise and getting on with the actual story. I kept reading thinking it would get better but it didn't. I would not recommend reading this book if you enjoyed the first two. 😞😩

An artful story involving a crime author, an art gallery owner, and a murderer.

The story without the romance was intriguing enough, but the romance made this story for me. Gabe, the lonely author ended up reminding me a lot of my husband. Zelia, our gallery widow reminded me of myself.

Zelia's vulnerability and fear to open up to Gabe felt real and realistic to me. I had personally felt the things she was feeling. Gabe was a lonely soul who had only felt deeply for Zelia, and for the life that he felt when he was with her.

The only fault in this one for me was how instantaneous the attraction was. I needed a little more lead up. But they did question things, and spend some time apart during all of it. It felt like a healthy relationship by the end.

It is definitely worth checking out if you like a murder mystery with your romance!

Hidden Cove by Meg Tilly is the 3rd book in her Solace Island series. Zelia Thompson, our heroine, is a successful gallery owner on Solace Island. She receives a painting from a friend in another state, who is also a gallery owner, but Zelia is appalled how dark and scary the painting is. She turns down the request to show the painting, and a short time later her gallery friend dies from a drug overdose.

Gabe Conaghan, our hero, is a successful author, who is vacationing on Solace Island, and when he sees Zelia in the coffee shop, he is immediately attracted to her. Zelia is always busy and doesn’t notice Gabe, which will change soon enough, but before that she realizes that her friend could not have overdosed as she never took drugs’. Gabe will begin to help Zelia investigate the circumstances of her friend’s death, and soon their friendship will escalate into a steamy romance. When Zelia’s employee goes missing, they do not think anything of it, as she occasionally goes away for a few days. But once Gabe finds somethings, they realize that perhaps her employee friend was kidnapped.

We also get the POV of the murderer, and see clearly his insanity, and the desperation of the woman he kidnapped. We have no idea who he is, until much later in the book. Gabe is determined to stay near Zelia to protect her, and she also hires the other gallery friend’sowners assistant to help her

What follows is an exciting, intense, suspenseful adventure as Zelia’s life is in danger, and Gabe must find a way to save her. The romance between Gabe and Zelia was sweet, as we watched them both slowly falling deeper in love. Their romance heats up, and the danger escalates for Zelia, as we race to an exciting and suspenseful climax. I do not want to give spoilers, as you will need to read this book to discover who the culprit was.

Hidden Cove was a fun, enjoyable and captivating read, as well as having a great couple, excellent secondary characters, with a sweet romance and mystery. This reads very well as a standalone. Meg Tilly once again gives us another great romance suspense to enjoy. I wholly recommend you read the Solace Island series.

I enjoyed this story immensely. It was the right mixture of mystery, suspense, romance and fun. The author paints a great picture that made it so easy to imagine the story as if it were a movie while reading.

Gabe is a fabulous hero and I had such a crush on him when reading this one. Zelia is a heroine that I would love to know in real life. The two together make a great team.

The story moves fast and has a good amount of twists and turns. I really couldn't put it down once I started it.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.