Tourist Season by Brenda Novak is an engaging romantic suspense novel set against the backdrop of a small coastal town. The story follows Mallory, a woman whose life is turned upside down when a mysterious death and a string of unsettling events disrupt the peace of her town. As she navigates the danger and intrigue surrounding her, she becomes involved with a local man, and together they uncover deeper secrets. Novak’s writing is gripping, blending mystery, romance, and suspense in a way that keeps readers hooked. Perfect for fans of atmospheric thrillers with a touch of romance.

Tourist Season by Brenda Novak is a captivating summer romance that blends suspense, family secrets, and unexpected connections. The story follows Ismay Chalmers, who arrives on Mariners Island for a peaceful getaway at her fiancé Remy’s family beachfront cottage. However, her plans take a sudden turn when a hurricane forces her to shelter alone and she makes a disturbing discovery in Remy’s childhood closet. What should have been a relaxing escape quickly spirals into something much more complicated.

Ismay's situation becomes even more unsettled when Bo, the property’s caretaker, checks in on her. After his own home is damaged, they end up taking refuge together, and Ismay finds comfort in Bo's quiet strength and presence. As the storm subsides, Ismay’s feelings for Bo begin to shift, and she starts to question the future she thought she had with Remy. With the arrival of unexpected family members and the resurfacing of old secrets, the summer begins to change in ways Ismay never anticipated.

The chemistry between Ismay and Bo is undeniable, and Novak weaves a tender, emotional story about self-discovery, love, and the complexity of relationships. As Ismay learns more about Bo’s mysterious past, she’s forced to confront her own choices and the true meaning of trust.

Tourist Season is a beautifully written novel that explores themes of personal growth, the impact of past secrets, and the unpredictability of love. With its atmospheric setting and compelling characters, this book is perfect for readers who enjoy stories with a mix of romance, mystery, and heart. Novak’s skillful storytelling keeps you hooked until the very last page.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Beware, the cover and title have nothing to do with the book; they are very misleading. Also, I didn't like the characters or the story and DNF'd.

Tourist Season by Brenda Novak is a gripping and intense romantic suspense novel that expertly weaves together mystery, intrigue, and a passionate romance. Set against the backdrop of a small town in Florida, the novel takes readers on a thrilling ride, combining elements of danger, secrets, and unexpected twists.

The story centers around Sydney Roberts, a woman running a tourist business in a quaint Florida town. Her life takes an unexpected turn when a local murder occurs, and she finds herself tangled in a web of mystery and danger. As Sydney is drawn into the investigation, she is forced to confront her own past and the dark secrets that have been hidden for years. Her journey becomes even more complicated when she finds herself in close proximity to Zach Taylor, a brooding detective with his own troubled history. As the two work together to unravel the truth, their growing attraction adds a layer of tension and emotional depth to the story.

Novak excels at creating a suspenseful atmosphere, gradually unraveling the mystery while keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The twists and turns throughout the narrative are expertly crafted, and the sense of danger is palpable. The novel is fast-paced, with the tension building steadily, and Novak keeps the stakes high as the characters are forced to face their darkest fears.

The chemistry between Sydney and Zach is electric. Both characters are well-developed, with their own personal struggles and baggage, which makes their connection feel authentic. Sydney is a strong, independent woman, while Zach is a complex and brooding figure who is struggling with his own demons. Their dynamic is compelling and adds an emotional layer to the story, making the romance both heartwarming and heartbreaking at times.

The small-town setting of Tourist Season is beautifully described, with Novak capturing the charm and the lurking darkness beneath the idyllic surface. The town’s residents are colorful and memorable, and the community plays a significant role in the story’s development. The mystery itself is intricate, with multiple layers and red herrings that keep readers guessing until the very end.

One minor downside is that the pacing can feel a bit slow at times, particularly in the middle sections, but this is balanced by the suspenseful buildup toward the climax. The payoff at the end is satisfying and ties up the various plot threads in a rewarding way.

**Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Brenda Novak writes stories that readers enjoy. That is again the case here. In Tourist Season, the story takes place in the summer which makes it a great read for August.

Ismay is visiting Mariner Island where she is awaiting the arrival of her fiancé Remy. However, events do not play out as expected. There is a hurricane and Remy cannot get there.

Alone in the house, Ismay learns some things. How will the things that she now knows impact her and (potentially) change her life? What will be the role of the estate’s caretaker? Readers will want to know.

This book will be enjoyed by those who already look forward to each new Novak title. It may also find some new fans for the author,

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Really enjoyed this read from Brenda Novak! She has an exceptional talent for keeping you intrigued page after page. Tourist Season is a must read!

I enjoy Brenda Novak's books, and this new one is a great summer read. Ismay and Bo have a lot of obstacles before getting together, but their journey is worth taking. Recommended

I love Brenda Novak's books, especially her women's fiction. Tourist Season is part women's fiction, mystery, and romance. Ismay Chalmers is planning on meeting up with her fiancé, Remy Windsor, at his family's summer home on Mariner's Island. When she arrives, she meets the caretaker/handyman Bo who lives in a small cottage on the property. Remy is supposed to join her soon, but before he arrives, a hurricane hits the island. With damage to Bo's cottage, she invites him to stay with her until repairs can be made. Unexpectedly, Remy's twin, Bastian shows up with plans to stay at the house as well. He gives Ismay the creeps and she is very uncomfortable with him being there, especially as Bo is banished back to his damaged cottage. She also finds things in the house that have her worried about Remy and something he may have done in his youth. As she spends more time with Bo, she finds that she begins to care about him, a lot. When Ismay's brother comes to the island after his marriage breaks up, the house and cottage, both begin to feel a bit too crowded. With secrets, family issues, lies and more, this story kept me interested from the first page to the last.

Tourist Season was an interesting story, especially with the secrets and the mystery. I really liked both Ismay and Bo and enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Bastian really gave me the creeps and I totally understood how uncomfortable Ismay felt around him. The mystery, that was old, dealt with a fire and death of a young woman, and I wasn't surprised by the reveal at the end. I couldn't understand how Remy allowed Ismay to stay in the house with his creepy brother either. With all the secrets finally revealed, I loved how the story ended. This was a book that had me worried, happy, frustrated, angry and finally smiling at the end. It is interesting to see how the Windsor family closed rank when called upon, but eventually Mrs. Windsor does the right thing. If you enjoy a book that has a lot of elements to it, but is also a sweet romance, then I recommend you pick up Tourist Season. One final comment, I don't understand the title of this one. It really isn't about the tourist season on the island at all, but that is a small point.

This a a page turner thriller that caught me by surprise. I have enjoyed Brenda Novak books in the past and I always check out her new titles. Ismay Chalmers is supposed to spend the summer relaxing with her boyfriend at his family's beach house. She arrives early and is caught up by a hurricane. (sort of overdone by writers but believable). When family secrets come into the light of day she is rethinking her future. Funny how money takes care of some many problems in the past. A good read.

I really enjoyed this book! Ismay and her fiance Remy are looking forward to a Summer at his family's Summer home after she passed the bar and Remy finishes his exams to become a doctor. His tests take longer, so Ismay goes ahead and goes to start her vacation. The first night, there is a terrible storm and she's without power. Bo, the family's caretaker and handyman lives in the cottage in back comes to help with the generator.

This story has a lot of suspense, mystery and several laugh out loud moments as well! I would highly recommend this book!
Bastian, Remy's twin brother shows up and makes Ismay quite uncomfortable. Other unforseen circumstances cause Ismay's brother to join her on the island before Remy can get there.

Great summer read! I enjoy all of Novak's novels. Great descriptions of the beach and laid back beach lifestyle. Just enough drama to keep you entertained!

This is a good book. The two main characters are Ismay and Bo. Ismay is finally through with law school and took her finals. Her fiancé’s family owns a cottage on an island off New England coast and has offered her use of it. Bo is an ex-con and the maintenance guy for the cottage. There is an instant attraction. Ismay finds a duffel bag with interesting items in it that hike looking for some candles while a hurricane is going on. Bo goes to the main cottage to check on Ismay. Both of them try to figure out what the items in the duffel bag means. But through it all they fall in love.

I just loved this book! Fast paced and unexpected finish. This author is a automatic buy when a new book comes out. She never disappoints!

First of all, Brenda Novak is one of my favorite authors ever. In Tourist Season, I was up all night, glued to the page until I get to the end. I absolutely loved this book!!

This novel was not quite what I expected. From the title and cover I thought it would be a light beach read, but it has some creepy characters with many dark secrets that are slowly revealed.

Tourist Season is a suspense/romance novel written by Brenda Novak.

Summary: Ismay Chalmers is ready to relax. After finishing law school, she is taking a much-needed break before she opens her new law practice.

As soon as her fiancé Remy finishes up medical school, he will join her at his parents’ beach house, and they will spend a few blissful weeks together before facing the real world outside of school.

But when Ismay discovers something disturbing hidden in the house, she’s forced to re-consider everything she knows about her future husband.

How well does she know him after all?

My Thoughts: OK, I have very mixed feelings about this book.

On the one hand, this book is very well-written, with lots of plot twists, and suspense as thick as a knife. I spent the entire book just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Crazy.

But on the other hand, the subject matter was a little too intense for me, and there were two sex scenes (fortunately brief) that didn’t need to be there.

The suspense was great enough that I just had to know what happened, so I kept reading, but I was definitely a little squeamish in parts just because a couple of the characters were so creepy.

Overall, if you enjoy a well-written suspense and don’t mind darker material, this book has great characters, a unique storyline, and some crazy backstories.

I will leave it up to you to decide if you can handle it!

I would like to thank Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

I loved how this book is a mysterious romance with a little thriller. Keeps you guessing from the beginning!

Thank you, NetGalley, for a review copy.

Tourist Season was a great read by Brenda Novak. Ismay Chalmers is going to spend a relaxing summer reconnecting with her fiance at his families beachfront cottage. Before Remy can join her, a hurricane hits Mariners Island. Ismay is alone in the large house and makes a disturbing discovery in Remy's childhood closet. She isn't sure what to think but is relieved when Bo, the property's caretaker, checks in on her. Bo's home is damaged from the hurricane and they ended taking temporary shelter together. Unfortunately a family member arrives unannounced and Bo has to go back to his place. Ismay feels unsettled and ends up turning to Bo. She feels comfortable and safe around Bo. I enjoyed reading this book and cant wait to read more by the author.

I loved this book, but I love all of Brenda Novak’s books! This one has a little bit of everything and is not the typical book about a romance formed on an island in the summer. There is a mystery to solve and some twists to throw you off. I was quickly drawn to the characters and was sucked into their lives, thoroughly enjoying page after page. Definitely pick this one up to add to your TBR list!

#touristseason #netgalley #bookreview

Another fantastic beach read! If you like books set in Nantucket you will like this one that’s set in Mariners. The book starts out with a believable bad storm where Ismay is alone without electricity and any flashlight. She searches for a lighter to light the candles that she finds and happens upon a hole up above a shelf in a bedroom closet of the summer cottage she’s staying in. She finds a duffle bag with some mysterious items. She meets Bo the caretaker after he comes to the house to check on her. Brenda Novak keeps you guessing with lots of twists and turns. This is a different beach read by Brenda with lots of suspense, mystery and romance put together. She accomplishes it with ease! There are a lot of likable characters. Not an easy book to put down! You’ll want to rush to the end to find out what happens but you really don’t want the story to end! Brenda is one of my go to authors! I can never wait for her next book! A must read!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers in letting me read this book and allowing me to leave an honest review.