The Sweetheart Rules is the second in the Sweetheart sisters series and the follow up to THE SWEETHEART BARGAIN, which I read last year and loved. I was really excited to get back to Rescue Bay, find out what was happening with the unstoppable Greta, a senior at the retirement home and a real firecracker. She’s got a deft hand at matchmaking, and she’s also fighting against some romance of her own with neighbour Harold Twohig. The story focuses on the romance of local veterinarian, Diana, and Mike, the best friend of the hero of the previous book, and a member of the Coast Guard stationed in Alaska.

Mike’s on vacation, which consists of looking after his two small daughters – kids he hasn’t really had a relationship with up to this point. Mike’s military to his very bones: things run on schedules, orders are given and expected to be obeyed, the world’s pretty much black and white. Good luck with that, because his daughters really don’t live that sort of lifestyle and before long everyone is frustrated, resentful, and/or crying.

I don’t think it’s any accident that Mike spends this vacay in Rescue Bay, where his best buddy Luke is living. Mike also had a fling the last time he was in town – with Diana. Diana’s pretty ticked, because things heated up between them and then he was just gone, leaving nothing more than a note. Diana’s pretty stressed, too – her teenage son Jackson is really struggling, isolating himself from his friends, making some bad choices. By chapter two I learned that Diana also has her own demons to battle…wow.

At the beginning of the book I think I was as tense as Mike, trying to deal with those girls. He barked orders, one daughter threw tantrums to get her way, and the other one copped attitude and called him “dude”. But if there’s one thing Shirley ALWAYS does, it’s develop a fantastic character arc. She takes you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Characters grow, and learn, and compromise, and before long they’re watching Star Trek and bonding with their kid or finally sitting down and having an honest conversation. By the last third I found myself with tears in my eyes in several spots and let me tell you, Diana and Mike EARNED their happy ever after, and that makes for one heck of a satisfying ending.

Now, back to Greta…I’m a little worried about her. I guess I’ll just have to read the next book when it releases…

Classic Shirley Jump Beach Read. Pleasant and enjoyable.