Ismay is enjoying a vacation on Mariners Island, at the home of her fiancé‘s summer cottage Remy
Who plans to meet her after he takes his medical boards
So why is she uncomfortable in the house? Why is his twin brother making him more uncomfortable and what’s with the duffel bag and pictures found in the room?
She seeks friendship in the caretake Bo, who is not who she thinks he is
Written is only this writer can do
A little mystery, a little romance, and a whole lot of good reading

By the cover and title you would expect this to be a nice little beach read. Not at all. Yes they’re at a cottage on the beach, but that’s as far as it goes. There is a lot of mystery and some suspense. We are slowly given clues over the course of the book. It was an engaging tale of betrayal, lies, hidden identity and a little romance. It kept my interest and curiosity flowing. A very good read. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

It was a lot of fun to be back at Mariner’s Island again after the Seaside Library. The book follows Ismay as she vacations in the summer and comes to terms with many different secrets. You should check it out!

Ismay goes to Mariners Island to wait for her fiancée to finish up his Dr exams and join her for a relaxing time before he starts his residency. Bo the caretaker looks after Ismay time and time again- especially when Remys twin brother Bastian shows up unannounced and makes everything very uncomfortable. Ismay starts to understand that something is just not right with the brothers and she happens to find a duffel bag with picture,costume jewelry and ladies underwear in it. She confides to Bo what she found and together they search to find the mystery!
The side stories about Bo and Ismay’s brother Jack continue to make this a favorite story.

Interesting spin on romance/mystery novel. Ismay is in love with Remy the lawyer and soon to be doctor all seems well. Ismay went ahead to Mariner's Island to the family compound for rest and relaxation ahead of Remy who has to study for his medical exam. First a bit storm hits the Island turning everything on its side, then Remy's twin brother Bastian arrives unexpected. As a reader you become engrossed in the novel as well as the characters wondering just how far some people will go. The twists, the turns and finally the truth. It unravels at a good pace and great characters that they reader becomes invested in and definitely could see some follow up novels tied to this story line. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity.

TOURIST SEASON
by Brenda Novak
Release date April 2, 2024

A definite WOW!! Intrigue, and mystery. Don’t let the cover fool you !
This is definitely not your quick and easy summer beach read.
Ismay has just finished law school, and her fiancé Remi is finishing up medical school. They plan to spend the summer on Mariners island resting and reconnecting with each other. They have been so busy with school that they feel they’ve drifted apart a bit.
Ismay heads to Mariners Island ahead of Remy.
On her first night there a storm hits the island, and she is left with no power. No, lights no heat. While looking for a way to light some candles she stumbles across some very suspicious paraphernalia hidden behind the wall in Remy’s bedroom. Then the caretaker Bo shows up at the door, and that scares her too. Even though she’s scared she feels she has an immediate connection to the caretaker.
Then Remy twin brother shows up unexpectedly. Ismay has never met him before. Then Jack, Ismay’s brother calls, very upset, because he is going through a divorce. Ismay encourages him to come to the island. Definitely not the quiet summer Remy and Ismay had planed.
This is definitely a book of mystery, intrigue, and who done it. I am definitely a Brenda Novak fan and I can say this is probably one of my top five books that she has written. And I have read all of her books!

I highly recommend this book !!

Wow! Tourist Season was not what I was expecting at all, just based on the title and cover photo.

This book was perfect for me because it had a mix of romance and suspense, both genres that I love. Before I read it, I thought it would be a summer beach-read romance. Not so much. I thought it had the perfect mix of romance and suspense. It kept me interested, some of the characters irritated me, and some had me cheering for them. I loved it!

My first five star read of the year! I couldn't wait to dive into this one.

The story of Ismay is one of relationships, as one ends another begins. Not only does she find her happily ever after, but she also reconnects with her brother and learns more about herself and her family. She learns that what she used to want isn't really what is important to her anymore and watching that journey is very satisfying.

Equally intriguing is the mystery that surrounds her fiancé and his family as she spends time at his families beach house. That had me guessing until the end! Also, the setting was a winner for me. I felt like I was at the beach with everyone.

All around it was a good story, and a happily ever after, all I ever want from a book!

Even after a three-year relationship there are times when doubts start popping up. And in TOURIST SEASON Brenda Novak starts right off exposing some of the doubts that Ismay Chalmers has regarding her engagement to longtime boyfriend Remy. Some things just don’t add up and there’s a sort of niggling feeling that has Ismay wondering about certain events in their time together. Now at Remy parents vacation home during a storm Ismay has time to weigh her options. She has uncovered some items that suggest some secrets about Remy.

Brenda Novak deftly introduces tidbits that add a sinister feel to TOURIST SEASON. Just enough creepiness to keep you turning pages rather quickly. Candidly from the start you are not quite sure what would be considered a happy conclusion for this book.

There is an undercurrent of angst, danger, and anticipation of something unexpected throughout much of TOURIST SEASON, just as Brenda Novak wanted. It hooks you right from the start and you can’t help flipping pages looking to see what comes next. Characters are not necessarily as they appear. Events are somewhat elusively described as if we are supposed to look more closely to get the whole picture. Geniously constructed plot.

Windsor cottage in the Mariners. Holds a lot of secrets. Quite innocently Ismay begins to uncover some, rather piece by piece. Things don’t seem to be as they seem. People all have been less than forthcoming, all leaving Ismay questioning her ability to read people. As an attorney this really bothers her. Ismay is staying at her fiancé Remy’s place on the Mariners. Having completed her schooling and passed the bar she is waiting for Remy to finish his medical school exams. The plan is that he will join her, but these plans keep getting more elusive. Unfortunately for Remy this separation gives Ismay time to examine her feelings. And Remy is falling short.

Windsor Cottage caretaker Bo becomes a life saver for Ismay. She also finds him rather appealing, which questions her feelings for Remy. Add to the equation Bastian, Remy’s brother is now also staying at the cottage. Bastian is a piece of work in too many ways to mention.

So Brenda Novak deftly crafts a crime, mystery, romance novel with some dubious characters enhanced by impressive events and secrets for fun. Seems like everyone has a secret or two they would like safely hidden. In TOURIST SEASON Brenda Novak carefully leads us through a maze of events that happened over many years and hopefully gets resolved in the end. Watch out for forks in the road. Another great read by the inimitable Brenda Novak.

I really liked this book. Brenda Novak is a great writer

Ismay just passed the bar and goes to her fiancé cottage to relax for the summer and Remy who is her fiancé will join her in a few weeks after he passes his test to be a dr. The first day she is there a storm comes in causing a blackout. Bo who is the caretaker helps her and they become close. Ismay finds something disturbing in Remy closet and her and Bo try to figure it out. A romantic and suspense novel

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
I loved this book—-Brenda Novak always writes a winner!
Ismay is going to stay at her fiancé house for the summer while he finished his finals. Suddenly a hurricane comes and she is looking for flashlight when she discovers scary items in her fiancé closet.
Bo, the caretakers cottage is ruined in the hurricane so she invites him to stay. A beautiful relationship begins as she helps him fix up the cottage. The closer they get the more her fiancés flaws stand out and when she receives a video she must make a decision. What will she decide?

Ismay has come to Mariners island for some peace and relaxation. She ends up staying in her Fiancée family beach home. On her first night an unlikely storm occurs and Bo the caretaker is sent to make sure she is okay. We the readers get the backstory of Bo and that he is not whom he say he is. Unbeknownst to Ismay she feels comforted that he has make sure she's taking care of. She being alone without her fiancee or his family in the big cottage began making her nervous. While the storm is brewing outside and Ismay is looking for candles/matches she comes across some cringeworthy items in her fiancee room and begins to look at him differently. If that was not enough one of her fiancee family member unexpectedly shows up and her life becomes change by that one change and turn. Although Ismay is the main story I like the substory of her brother Jack and the incident that change his life too.
Ms. Novak Romance Suspense is truly thought proving, intriguing, many twist and turn and truly keep on our toes. To the last end I was still speculating then to be switch around again by who done it scenario. Review on goodreads and eventually will be on amazon.

I HAVE A CONFESSION. I read the end of a book first. My OCD just cannot handle not knowing what happens. Weird, I know.

That said, the cover and title give this book a beachy vibe and it's more so a suspense novel with a hint of romance on the side. If you're expecting a quick beachy read, this isn't for you. BUT, if you're a Brenda Novak fan (and you should be), keep an open mind and read it anyway. I dare say I enjoy her suspense novels more than her romance.

While I could not stand the names of about half the characters, Brenda has a way of creating characters that feel as real as your next door neighbor - it's one of my favorite things about how she writes. A well woven story that flows quickly, you won't want to put it down.

Thank you Netgalley, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6093505797

Ismay just became a lawyer and went ahead to Marinners Island while Remy finished studying for his test. They planned to spend the summer reconnecting.. So many things happened before Remy arrived. A big hurricane on the Island. Alone in the house, Ismay discovers things in Remy's closet. Ismay is confused and scared. No electricity, she was relieved when the property’s caretaker Bo checks on her.
Bo's home is damaged, so they temporarily stay together, and Ismay is feeling very safe.. An unexpected family member shows up and Bo can't stay there. Every time Ismay needs help she turns to Bo, who makes her feel safe and alive. While the family member makes her feel unsettled. Ismay grow close to Bo but she really questions herself because she doesn't know anything about No except that he has secrets. She questions herself on how well does she know her heart.
I honestly recommend this book. Brenda Novak does a great job on keeping you guessing on the outcome of the book.

I received an advance copy of Tourist Season from NetGalley and I’m so excited I did. I could not put it down.
I thought this was going to be a beach read but was totally proven wrong. Oh, sure, there was some romance but the intrigue was spellbinding.
What started off as a vacation for Ismay leaves her embroiled in the past escapades of her fiancé and his twin brother, Bastian. The caretaker, Bo has secrets of his own while Ismay’s brother is trying to find his way after his wife Ashleigh leaves him for another woman. My only issue is that for a woman who has been studying law and just passed the bar, Ismay seems very naive, sheltered and full of self-doubt and maybe, that’s why it works. . #TouristSeason #NetGalley

The hurricane heading for Mariner’s Island isn’t the only one that Ismay Chalmers will have to face this summer! A storm of a different type is heading her way - will it leave devastation in its wake, too?

Things I loved:
✔️new beginnings
✔️hidden secrets
✔️surprises
✔️family drama
✔️mystery to solve
✔️enclosed location (shelter during the storm)
✔️learning to trust one’s heart
✔️seaside setting
✔️light on romance

Ismay Chalmers thinks she has control over her present and future until a hurricane affects Mariners Island and gives her time and opportunity to think about her future. A hidden secret and a caring individual prove to be speedbumps in the path Ismay has laid out for herself.

I could relate to Ismay and the anguish of indecision as she weighed up her choices. I’m hoping we see more of these characters and I appreciated the ‘more mystery than romance’ direction this book took. It’s always good to be reminded that things may not always be as they seem.

I was gifted this copy by Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Thank you to netgalley for giving me a copy to read. I really enjoyed this book. A bit of a thriller and a bit of romance. Ismay goes to the island and Remy is supposed to meet here there in a few weeks for a summer vacation. But before he gets there she starts discovering things about him and his family that makes her question everything.

This is a twisted read by Brenda Novak. Ismay is on a roller coaster of a ride from the moment she arrives in Mariners island. Remy her fiancé, Bastian, Remy’s identical twin brother, Bo the gardener, Jack, Ismay’s heartbroken brother. Their story is twisted and complicated. Very good read. A real page turner, must read. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I feel we will see these pivotal characters in future books. I was given an advanced reader copy of this well written book by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review.

Mystery with a small touch of romance!

I really thought that Tourist Season by Brenda Novak was a romance instead of a mystery. I enjoyed it! Great characters!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book received from Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a not quite thriller, not quite romance novel. Had some twists, but it really fell flat for me. Had a hard time connecting with the characters.