Dogs & Turtles make A Line in the Sand the ultimate cute read!

Molly Prince works as a mermaid at the local aquarium. Molly is struggling after her breakup with "The Tourist" and leans on her puppy, Ursula for some emotional support. Suddenly she finds herself saving the life of marine biologist, Max Miller. Despite such a heroic save they soon finds themselves butting heads when Max takes over the aquarium and decides they don't need a mermaid on the payroll. The problem is Molly and Max are attracted to each other and their paths keep crossing.

I absolutely loved the chemistry between Molly and Max....they were so adorable! What really elevated this book for me was the closeness within the community. Turtle Beach sounds like a lovely place, especially involving the senior community so heavily within the storyline. The Charlies Angels (three elderly ladies) were hilarious and extremely entertaining. Their meddling with Molly and Max was the perfect way to push on with the story.

This book has all of the feel good tropes...enemies to lovers, fake dating and slow-burn. It is a very cute romance but not overly spicy. It is the second book in a series, however I feel as though it isn't necessary to read the first book before you read this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was really, really cute wow.

Molly and her puppy, Ursula, are trying to live their best beach lives after a break-up Molly works as a mermaid at the local aquarium. Max is the owner’s nephew, and also the new director of the slightly failing aquarium.

Things that made this the perfect fun summer read: cute dogs, an off on the wrong foot meet cute, half-hearted enemies-to-lovers, some slight fake dating, a very interesting sand sculpture, meddling old folks.

Hi! A Line in the Sand by Teri Wilson is a relative short read that’s cute and fluffy! It’s a nemisis’ to lovers trope with no explicit scenes that make it perfect for everyone 12 years and above really.

It’s not a book that you’ll cry over or that’ll make you want to scream at the characters- rather it’s a perfect read for after you read a particularly heavy or long book- it’s light and will make you feel all warm and cozy. It’s not a book I would scream at the top of my lungs to profess my love for but I do recommend it (wholeheartedly) if that makes sense!

Why you should read this book

This book is just plain adorable. Short and cute with no added drama, this is a great read for all romantic comedy lovers! I found myself smiling WIDELY a few times while reading this book- it was that wholesome.

It’s a small town romance with the oldies but goodies trope of the meddling old characters setting up the protagonists. Ursula deserves a special medal in bringing them together too. She’s a puppy and well, SHE’S ADORABLENESS PERSONIFIED (or do you say dogified? I’m really sleep deprived if you can’t tell).

That’s pretty much it! I hope you enjoy it if you decide to give it a go!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my free e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Teri Wilson and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC of A Line in the Sand. This is my personal review.
This was a quick read and one that filled a few hours for me but one that I would not keep on my shelf but pass on to a friend to read.
The book has a lot going for it with turtles, a fabulous dog, great town with a small town romance. I liked the characters but did not connect with them.

This book caught my eye with the adorable cover and title.
I found the book to be a cute short read, but it’s a book that I won’t remember reading next week. I recommend it it for a beach side read, but it won’t help you get out of a reading slump. I will read another one of her books though!

Thank you NetGalley and sourcebooks for the ARC in return for my honest opinion,

This story follows Molly and Max who, after a life saving first encounter, don't get along. (plus molly's adorable puppy, Ursula) Unfortunately for both of them, their town is so small encounters keep happening and meddling towns people are constantly trying to play match maker. Their shared goal in saving sea turtles and the towns aquarium shows them they actually don't hate each other like they both thought.

4 stars. This was an adorable, light hearted beach read. This book was sort and easy to get through and a great pallet cleanser for me after I have been binging fantasy reads. I don't think this was the most revolutionary read but it was what I needed, as a mood reader, at the time and the dog stole the show. I would recommend this book for your next pool day/beach trip!

A huge thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I can't help requesting an arc featuring a dog or a cat on the cover. I can't help loving a rom-com featuring a lovely puppy as matchmaker.
This is a story that made me laugh and root for the fleshed out characters.
I had fun and loved the story.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I am simple: give me a small coastal town romcom with a dog on the cover, and I am going to pick it up.

This story follows Molly and Max who, after a life saving first encounter, don't get along. (plus molly's adorable puppy, Ursula) Unfortunately for both of them, their town is so small encounters keep happening and meddling towns people are constantly trying to play match maker. Their shared goal in saving sea turtles and the towns aquarium shows them they actually don't hate each other like they both thought.

3.5 stars. This was an adorable, light hearted beach read. This book was sort and easy to get through and a great pallet cleanser for me after I have been binging fantasy reads. I don't think this was the most revolutionary read but it was what I needed, as a mood reader, at the time and the dog stole the show. I would recommend this book for your next pool day/beach trip!

A huge thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I really liked the concept, like I love mermaids, I love the beach and I love everything to do with sea animals, so I loved the turtle savings, the Turtle Beach and the dog, Ursula, who could sniffle turtle eggs! 🐶 Who doesn't love a book with dogs?
I liked both characters, but I think Max/Wilson was kind of annoying-ish? Like, his atitudes left too much to wish for still. Also, I wished this book had a more ACTUAL enemies/rivals to lovers situation, because it's mentioned they were rivals and they were enemies and that, but they didn't feel like it? I would've loved to see the banter grow more and more. I felt like it was rushed in some ways.
However, it was a very pleasant book, super cute and perfect for the Summer. Teri is definitely an author I will be reading more and more of!

3 Stars

One Liner: Good; Cute; Fast-paced

Molly Price is a mermaid at the Turtle Beach Aquarium. She loves her job, the laidback small town community, and her puppy, Ursula.
Max Miller, a marine biologist, is the new arrival in Turtle Beach town. He has the huge responsibility of reviving the Turtle Beach Aquarium and preventing it from shutting down.
Sparks fly with Molly and Max meet, but their relationship is more strained than happy. They are at loggerheads with each other, despite having the same goal of saving the aquarium. The community is right with them to help in any way they can.
When a chance event makes them realize that Ursula the puppy can sniff out turtle nests in the sand. Will this be enough to save the aquarium? Will Molly and Max find love in each other?

My Observations:
The book is a quick read with a fair sprinkling of well-known tropes. The cute cover with a super cute pup is a definite bonus.
The setting is lovely. The side characters are quirky, nosy, funny, and a bit annoying. This made the whole thing charming and cute.
Now, Molly and Max are the main characters. While sparks fly from their first meeting, the characters feel undeveloped.
Molly is supposed to be a sweet, naïve, capable, and sweetheart. Yet, she comes across as whiny at times and acts more like a teen.
Max is supposed to be the nerdy, serious guy who would learn to loosen up and live life. But he alters between being rude and sappy.
The romance is supposed to be a slow burn, I guess (they don’t kiss until towards the end). But it doesn’t really give the slow burn vibes or anticipation.
If the romance in a romcom is underbaked, it needs something else to keep the reader hooked. Here, it should have been the saving of the aquarium, but even that falls flat in the end.
All those ‘supposed to be’ is where my issue is. The book has all ingredients for an engaging rom-com but doesn’t fully deliver.
While I love Ursula, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, I don’t need to be reminded of the breed multiple times.
The saving grace is that the story moves at a good pace and doesn’t require any brain work.

To sum up, A Line in the Sand is a cute story if you want a familiar read. It is good but in no way great.
Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
*****

*Rant Time*
Alright. I’m pretty much used to the misappropriation of yoga by the Western world. But it is not funny to name yoga asanas with comical English versions. Renaming asanas to Murder Victim Pose, Peeking over the shoulder into the phone (whatever!) is not funny.
I get that the character wants to make yoga entertaining (and, of course, the other character finds it strange). But yoga is not entertainment. The spirituality is already lost. Please don’t mess it further. I’m sure some people will find it funny, but I didn’t. Just call it a workout session or give it a new quirky name. It is not yoga. Period.

A solidly cute romance. It’s got some of my favorite things, quirky old folks and anthropomorphized pets. The romance was sweet and predictable, with a hint of insta love but not too drastic.

This was such a sweet summer read! I loved all the small town aspect parts. Everyone is so supportive of each other and everyone is there to help. I can’t get enough of the elderly people in this series! Especially the Charlie’s Angels ladies! They are these three elderly ladies who are super meddling but truly want the best for everyone. I loved the banter between Max and Molly. I loved Molly’s job as a mermaid and all that she does for the aquarium. She’s definitely a unique heroine! I loved all the sweet moments between Max and Molly. Their first date was so adorable! The story was very interesting and had me intrigued throughout. I loved all the turtle talk and now really want to see turtles hatching! I also have to say that Violet’s cupcakes now has me craving cupcakes like crazy!

Read if you like:
3rd person dual POVs
Small town romance
Beach town
Meddling elderly ladies
Adorable dogs
Grumpy hero
Workplace romance
Enemies to lovers
Kisses only romance

This is what Hallmark movies are made of! This was such a sweet, quick read and I enjoyed the islandy, summer vibes. This will be a perfect book to throw in your beach bag or to take with you on vacation.

Molly is the easy going local who works as a mermaid at the aquarium on Turtle Island, and Max is the very serious marine biologist who comes to town to take over as the new aquarium director. When Molly saves Max from drowning on his first day on the island, Molly has no idea that he’s her new boss. Unfortunately, Max promptly fires her from the aquarium when he realizes that the aquarium is in financial trouble, and hilarity ensues when the locals band together to help Molly get her job back.

I really enjoyed this closed door, enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine romance. I loved the beach town/island setting and I thought making the MC a marine biologist was a fun, unique choice. I really liked the evolution of Max and Molly’s relationship and how all the meddling seniors kept jumping in to help them realize they were meant to be. The dogs in the story were a nice touch and I really liked Molly’s dog, Ursula. I think she stole the show for me, personally.

I loved Wilson’s writing style and I will make sure to look for other books by this author. This is the second book in the Turtle Beach series, but can be read as a standalone.

Overall I thought this was a cozy, summertime read and I am so thankful to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the early copy to read and review.

Molly might have saved Max from drowning but that doesn't stop him from firing her (and her little dog Ursula) from her job as a mermaid at the aquarium. He's a marine biologist- a serious man- and he's taking over the financially failing facility from his uncle. Turns out people in the town of Turtle Beach aren't happy with him and they let him know. And then Ursula shows an ability to locate sea turtle nests in the sand and everyone bonds over this. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. It's a pretty clean rom com with a fairly trope-y plot but it's still an entertaining read that should make you smile.

If this book was not a rom-com, I would have a lot of problems with it. This book didn't make sense at all. I didn't understand the characters' point of views, like, why they were doing that. They thought those things could solve the problems, but actually they made things got worse. But you know what, those ridiculous things made this book really fun to read and a good rom-com novel. There was another thing that I loved about this book, it was Ursula, the dog. Oh my God, she was so cute. I finished this book just because I wanted to read about her.

This book had enemies to lovers trope, and I thought the romance was kind of bland. Even after they felt attracted to each other, Max was like "I think I like her", and Molly was like "He is actually not that bad". The romance needed more sparks.

At the end, I really enjoyed it though. It was a fun and easy read. This book gave me the cozy-summer vibes. If you want to read something while you just relax, this book is a good choice.

A sweet clean romance with a lot of humor on the side. Who knew a mermaid and a scientist could make you swoon and laugh like Molly and Max do? Lets not forget sweet Ursula either, who was truly the star of the show. I loved how Molly and Max started off on the wrong foot and thanks to that they slowly had to work on their relationship from strangers, to enemies, to friends, to lovers, back to enemies, and eventually lovers again. The whole town has such a fun small town vibe, and I definitely want to go back and read Violet's story and I'm so excited for the next turtle cove book! I'm hoping its a certain book store owner.

Max was sweet, smart, honest but kind, and determined sometimes to a fault to take care of people and things even if that's not quite what they needed. His relationship with molly and Ursula was so sweet and how he integrated himself into this community.

Molly is funny, passionate, and has the kindest heart. I loved getting to know her and see how much she loves people. She has trust issues from the past she has to work through, but Max helps her along the way to learn to be confident in herself and her decisions again.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am obsessed with this book. It's a new favorite. The romance is so cute and the meddlesome seniors are so entertaining. There were many times where I found myself laughing as I was reading. My one complaint is that I wish there was more after Max's grand gesture, it felt kind of rushed and I would have like more of a conversation before she just forgave him. I also would have loved an epilogue maybe where they run the aquarium together and have a team of sea turtle nest finding dogs.

This was such a perfect summer beach read! It was so fun and sweet! I really loved the story and the beach small town backdrop! Bonus there were so many cute dog cameos! Molly is our heroine who works at the local aquarium dressed up as a mermaid! She’s super sweet and has a dog named Ursula! Max is our slightly grumpy, glasses wearing, biologist hero. He’s new to town & is dubbed the dog hater….but he’s not! He’s come to live in town to take over his uncles aquarium as the head guy! Max loves sea turtles & helps rescue them. Well Molly and Max have such a unique meet cute! Max gets caught in the tide where a mermaid saves him! Seriously so cute! I really did enjoy this story! It was so witty and heartwarming! Max and Molly have great chemistry! This is most def a grumpy/sunshine trope! I highly recommend this to all mermaid lovers & beach goers!

3 stars

This was a cute book! The cover grabbed me instantly and the meet cute between the characters in the first chapter hooked me! I love how Max is a scientist and Molly is a mermaid, and who could forget about Ursula the puppy?? The star of this show!

This book started off great, but when getting to know Max's character more and more, I just really didn't like him. He is such a judgmental character and so hard on Molly while also falling for her?? I think that's why I didn't vibe with their chemistry throughout the book, because I felt bad for Molly half of the time.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the earc in return for an honest review.

A Line in the Sand is Teri Wilson’s newest romantic comedy that will be a great beach read for fans of the Hallmark Channel. Molly Prince is a mermaid at a local aquarium on a small island, and she is always accompanied by Ursula, her rambunctious Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy. Dr. Max Miller spent childhood summers on the island visiting his Uncle Henry, who founded the aquarium. Henry summons Max to become the Aquarium Director due to financial issues.

Molly meets Max when she saves him from drowning in a rip tide. The next day at work he eliminates her position. The island residents, mainly senior citizens, plot to reinstate Molly in her job and make the couple fall in love.

Readers will enjoy the antics of Ursula and the senior citizens while learning a lot about sea turtles. The chemistry between Max and Molly is somewhat forced, in my opinion.

I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.