Return to Magnolia Harbor is the third book in Hope Ramsey’s Moonlight Bay series. Our heroine Jessica Blackwood hopes to make a success of her architectural design firm, so she lands an amazing job. Unfortunately, the client is none other than her high school nemesis, Chrstopher “Topher” Martin. Topher has learned the error of his ways after a recent accident that left him scarred mentally and physically. Now that he’s back in Magnolia Harbor and working with Jessica, he’s hoping to make amends. But is Jessica willing to forgive him?

This was my first book by Hope Ramsey and I was intrigued by the blurb and the cover. I love a good small town romance set in a beach community, and I especially love a redemption story. This book is packed with the usual small town gossip and intrigue most romance readers expect, though I will say some of the residents of this story come off much darker than most small town romance characters. This may turn off some readers that were expecting a lighter read.

The main couple of Topher and Jessica were good on the page together, but a bit vanilla for my taste. There is a Beauty and the Beast theme that is running throughout this story, and I enjoyed that piece of the romance. However, there were also undertones of Christian morals and beliefs that I didn’t not expect. As a non-religious person, and a reader that enjoys more steam this made the story drag for me. I don’t need explicit scenes in a novel, but I do need to feel that passion and connection in a much more tangible way.

The plot is a pretty simple second chance/redemption story which is a very popular trope. I enjoyed some of the secondary characters, especially the pirate obsessed kid and his search for treasure. There were pieces of the story that really worked for me, unfortunately it was overshadowed by how clean and wholesome the story was. It felt like the equivalent of reading the script of a Hallmark channel movie. There’s very little in the way of external conflict, much of the conflict comes from the main characters themselves which can be fine in some books, but did not work for me here.

I think this book just didn’t work for me on a personal level because I’m not usually a fan of this type of book. However, fans of clean or sweet romances may still enjoy the story. The writing is definitely well executed and the storyline was adequate. I just needed the characters and the romance to be much more passionate than what we were given. This book reminded me a lot of Sheryl Woods or Debbie Macomber, so if you’re a fan of their works you’ll enjoy this novel. For me it was just only okay, so I gave it three stars.

~ Lindsey

This is book 3 in the Return to Magnolia Harbor series. It's a sweet story but a little slow in the telling and it felt like it was missing that wonderful small town southern charm that most of the other books in this series have. The writing was good and the characters of Christopher and Jessica were well developed. I wish the story had focused more on their romance rather than some of the other things going on in the town. Overall just an ok read for me.

This was such a sweet story! High school acquaintances get reunited after their return to Magnolia Harbor. Wrapped up in a little bit of mystery, these two connect over Jessica designing a house for Topher. They start off as enemies, due to circumstances of the past. They slowly work their way to understanding, then friendship, then more. I loved the slow burn aspect of this sweet romance.
There is a secondary mystery involving the small town. There is also a discussion challenging the racism of a lot of the town, and how some people acted and reacted around a friendship Jessica had with her black friend from high school, Colton. I appreciate that the old world views were challenged, and that our main characters were the ones accepting the people of color in their community.
All in all, I really enjoyed the journey of this book! I can't wait to read more in this series, as the small costal town has definitely hinted at a couple of other pairings in this book!

This is a Beauty and the Beast and also maybe an enemies to lovers trope. It was fun and easy to read. Topher's scars are visible on the outside and cause visible reactions from the people he encounters when he ventures out into the world, but Jessica doesn't seemed repulsed by him.
Jessica's scars are invisible to the eye, but are very prominent on the inside--and Jessica holds Topher responsible for the damage. Can she forgive the man in order to work for him? Could she have been wrong about him all this time?
I love Hope Ramsay's characters and these are no exception. The small town feel is welcome and expertly displayed. Love always wins in her books--yeah!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

This is the third book in the Moonlight Bay series. Another great addition to the series by hope Ramsay. I really enjoyed this book. It kind of gave off "Beauty and the Beast" vibes. I enjoyed the characters and the chemistry between Jessica and Christopher. Recommended!

In this “Beauty and the Beast” based romance, Jessica is hired to build Topher a recluse-type hideaway on an island, after having suffered a life-altering car crash.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, however, there were so many different storylines throughout this novel, that at times my head was spinning. LOL. I liked the characters, but there were a couple of times I got them mixed up and had to re-read. This book was written in multi-person POV, which at times was confusing.

I like Hope Ramsey’s books and have read several of them, but this one was a bit of an overload so I struggled at times. I will give this a 3.75 stars, but will round up to 4. I definitely don’t want to discourage anyone from reading it.

What a great story. Jessica has certainly had to put up with a lot of junk in her life. Have you ever been telling the truth, but no one would listen? She certainly handled it better than I would have. Go with her as she deals with what life throws at her and watch her grow and learn what is really important. I enjoyed getting to know Topher too. It’s amazing what we perceive people to be, but when we really get to know them, we just might be pleasantly surprised. I always thought I wanted a big family, but I might have to rethink that after meeting some of these folks. Course living in a small town, you know how gossip can flow and some of these folks had that down to a science. I hope you enjoy your visit to Magnolia Harbor as much as I did. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

Hope Ramsay brings her gift of writing to another story set in beautiful Magnolia Harbor. The characters in her story come to life and deal with real issues and the descriptions of the town are so vivid I felt like I was there. Don't miss this delightful story from the Magnolia Harbor series.

Architect Jessica Blackwood has returned to Magnolia Island where she grew up. Another person who has returned is Christopher (Topher) Martin, the man who was partially responsible for making her life hell in high school and getting her shipped off to boarding school. Topher is a wealthy businessman who was in a severe car accident resulting in his becoming disfigured. When he approaches Jessica to build him a house on an island he owns, it’s an opportunity she shouldn’t pass up. However, their past makes her have second thoughts but she eventually decides that she can’t afford to refuse the job. After a trip to the island on his gaudy yacht, she designs an equally ostentatious castle as she thinks it is what he wants. It isn’t. Topher is not the man she thinks he is, and as she spends more time with him she discovers that is it not the only misconception she has about him.
I love a small town story because usually it’s about how they all stick together and support one another. This is a story about a small town with its own ideas about how people should behave, how people should think and how people are judged if they don’t follow those rules. Jessica discovers that when she left all those years ago the rumors were worse than she knew. Topher finds that his well-meaning family has decided that he is damaged inside and out and needs protection even from himself. Both of them have to come to grips with their past and the parts they each played in it before they can look toward the future. This is not a story of instant attraction but rather a slowly building relationship between two people carrying a lot of hurt.
Adding to the story are a disapproving grandmother, a faithless old friend, and a slimy politician, all of whom played a part in Jessica’s leaving home and in her current life. A subplot involving a pirates ghost seen only by Topher’s nephew adds interest to the story. This has been a great series to read and this book continues that.

Return to Magnolia Harbor by Hope Ramsay. I loved this romance book. The book has a lot of love, a little bit of mystery about the town, a little town with a lighthouse in the story. What more could you want. Read the book you will love the story.

This was book 3 in the series, but can be read as a standalone story. As a matter of fact, with so much time between stories, I have to admit it's tough to keep any synchronization in the series.

Topher and Jessica return to their hometown, albeit for different reasons. Their view of history and the past are not as they imagined and work to rebuild the friendship according to new truths. In the process, they find themselves.

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

This was my first time reading a Hope Ramsay book and I really enjoyed her style of writing. The characters were well defined and I wanted to keep reading to see how everyone was getting along. I think both Topher and Jessica were lonely and had their own issues and needed to find each other to solve those issues. I like how they had the "bad" guy in the book that you loved to hate. Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend to a friend. Thanks for the opportunity to read it.

This book was so good. Jess was back in town building her own architural firm when she ran into Topher was also back after a horrific accident that left him scarred and with a badly injured leg. It was interesting to see these two dance around each other. Both had upbringings that were not ideal, but Jess's made her not want to connect with anyone. Small towns do love their gossip and they don't always care if it true or not. The story was captivating and I couldn't put it down. Very good characters - some good and some bad. Well written.

Jessica has been bullied all her life, first by high school boys, and an emotionally abusive family. Regardless, she is now an accomplished architect who is asked to design a home for one of the town’s returning golden boys, Topher.

Topher is going through his own issue, having been injured and disfigured in an accident. All he wants is to be alone in the house he thinks he wants, on an island.

This book is the second in the Magnolia Harbor series, but each is a stand-alone novel, characters from the first book make appearances, but not so much that it detracts from the storyline. I enjoyed both of the books, but this one a bit more than the first. I guess I just like underdog stories with HEA endings.

The book is well-edited and moves along. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review, but my opinions are my own.

I am a big fan of small town, southern romances, which is why I picked this one up. To me, it really felt a little bland - I didn't feel like I had a good picture of the town, or life there, other than the gossip. I also just didn't connect with the main characters, Jessica and Topher. The way their love story evolved despite their past history kept me interested in the story, which is why I am giving it 3 stars.

I also felt like the author left some loose ends - despite how important Colton supposedly was to Jessica, their story wasn't really resolved. He really played a minor part in the story, and I didn't find him particularly likeable. I would really have liked to see the characters developed more. Also, the house Topher plans to build is the reason he and Jessica connect, but he never really goes into what he plans to actually do with such a large house, or explain to Jessica why it is so important to him; she doesn't really seem to care, other than for her fee.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley, in exchange for an honest review.

We are back in Magnolia Harbor, a town filled with history, gossip, lies and misunderstandings.
This time the story belongs to Jessica Blackwood and Christopher/Topher Martin.
Jessica’s memories of her hometown are not good, but she’s recently left her stable job to open an architectural design firm in the town that still frowns on her. She’s a believer of always saying the truth. Sadly, those that should have protected her as a child and teenager, didn’t and send her away.
Topher, at one time the football hero, is back in town, recovering from an accident that has left him badly scarred. He’s become a recluse wishing to build a home on the island outside of town.
Jessica always believed Topher was the one that started false rumors in HS, but now that he seeks her and offers her a lucrative project , they begin to work together. Neither realized that truths would be revealed and feelings would develop.
But the obstacles and doubts are too much to overcome, or are they?
This is not only a story about family, or lack thereof, of how rumors can destroy a life, and how some scars are not only on the outside of a person. It’s also a story about having faith , hope and giving love a chance .
At times heartbreaking, this is a story that is thought provoking and one that will touch your hearts.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Return to Magnolia Harbor is a very well written romance. A story of change, forgiveness and second chances. I highly recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this story. The storyline flowed well, the pacing was just right and the characters were all well-developed. But... I was also a little bit frustrated with certain aspects of the story. Mainly my problem is with Ashley Scott, the hero Topher Martin's relative . She really annoyed me and I found myself not liking her very much even though she didn't bother me in previous books in the series. I imagine Ashley will eventually have her own story in this series and I sure hope Ms. Ramsay can redeem her in my eyes. It's going to take a lot. Otherwise Topher Martin and heroine Jessica Blackwood as a couple makes me smile. They both have baggage to deal with but eventually manage to let things go and find their Happily Ever After. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

This is the next title in the Moonlight Bay series. A typical them of once enemies, two people are brought back together and turn into lovers. Even though an often told plot, the characters have depth and Jessica Blackwood is someone you are rooting for. Of course, their is happiness at the end!

Architect Jessica Blackwood is hired to design a home for a very wealthy bachelor. That wealthy bachelor turns out to be Christopher Martin, a former classmate who used to torment her in high school. After an accident which has left him with noticeable injuries, Topher becomes a recluse and longs for a home to hide away in.

There’s quite a lot to unpack in this story from rumor mills, to abusive men, to the town’s local history and so much more. The beauty and the beast aspect of this story appealed to me most—both the romance and the “don’t judge a book by its cover” sentiment implied. There is a lot more to Topher than Jessica realizes.

But I feel like Jessica’s ability to remain a strong, rebellious woman in the face of adversity (an entire town judging her since she was a teenager) was constantly overshadowed by Topher’s development as a “town hero.”

By the end of the story, everyone knows that Topher is a good guy deep down who has never sought out praise for doing good deeds. But Jessica, who has been lied to, torn down, and gossiped about at every turn, is never truly celebrated for standing up for herself.

Important lessons on forgiveness are Christian-inspired, but still universal.

The mystery of the town’s history is definitely interesting, but I haven’t been paying enough attention to it throughout the series to understand it well.

Ramsay seems to bring out the worst of small towns in this series with hurtful gossip and irritating side characters. Will Colton and Kerri get another story? Theirs sort of blew up here. Ashley is hard to love—she doesn’t know what to make of Jackie believing in ghosts, but she’s also a big pain in the ass.