Lizzie is a stressed out ER doctor who made a mistake that still haunts her. Actually two mistakes, and one of them caused her boss to send her away. Lizzie flees to Jewell Cove, where her friend, also a doctor, lives. Lizzie’s friend is about to have a baby and she asks Lizzie to fill in for her at the clinic where she works. At first reluctant, Lizzie eventually agrees.
Josh is the other doctor at the clinic. He is a widower, recently retired from the military and is nursing his own broken heart. At first Josh and Lizzie are as incompatible as two people can be but soon they become coworkers, then friends, and ultimately much more. Josh’s broken heart is not from the loss of his wife. It is much deeper than that.
Everyone in Jewell Cove is either family or close friends. Unable to find the space and anonymity to recover and obtain the peace both Lizzie and Josh need in such a small town a decision must be made whether to remain in Jewell Cove or move away.
I am a huge fan of Donna Alward. This book fits right in the niche carved into my bookshelf for favorite stories by favorite authors. Well written and enjoyable.

SUMMER ON LOVERS' ISLAND - Donna Alward

SMALL TOWN ROMANCE - 4 stars

Plot - 4 stars - Lizzie is a high-powered ER doctor who has been asked to take a leave of absence because of a legal action, so she comes Jewell Cove to fill in for her best friend Charlie, in the local medical practice. It's unclear what the problem is until later in the book, but it's certainly clear right from the beginning that she is burnt out and needs to learn to relax. But she's not exactly small-town material, so she has trouble fitting in. Josh, a handsome doctor not to mention her temporary boss, and she are feeling some chemistry, but it's difficult to start a relationship without the whole town knowing about it.

Writing - 4 stars - Alward is very good at creating a small-town feel-good story. Her characters are warm and loving, even if they can get annoying involved in everyone else's lives. Their caring attitude shines through and builds a solid foundation for a nice love story.

Characters - 3.5 stars - The characters are nicely built, with strong back stories and personalities. Although Lizzie is pretty snobby when she arrives, it soon becomes clear that she's just burnt out and is basically a good person who always puts someone else first. Josh is a typical romantic hero--good looking, charming, and professional. As we get to know him better, we realize that he has a lot of leftover baggage from his first marriage. And it was nice to revisit with people from previous books in this series.

Title - 4 stars - Self-explanatory. The story is set in the summer, of course, but it also refers, I suppose, to the temporary nature of Lizzie's expected stay and the potential (or lack thereof) of a serious relationship.

Cover - 4.5 stars - This is a beautiful cover. The colors, the scene, all make a lovely picture that puts the reader in the mood for a warm and romantic story.

Overview - 4 stars - This story is full of warmth and caring. I was rooting for the characters throughout, not just the main characters but everyone in this attractive small town. Alward is able to create a secure environment that makes the reader feel comfortable, but without losing interest. Jewell Cove is definitely a place I'd love to visit.

I thoroughly enjoyed this contemporary romance about Lizzie Howard, a doctor who comes to Jewel Cove when her life implodes. A weekend visit leads into covering her best friend's medical practice while she is off on maternity leave. The other doctor in the practice, Josh Collins, has a poor opinion of Lizzie in the beginning, but that soon transforms into a strong attraction between the two.

I loved Lizzie and Josh and watching their relationship develop. The Jewel Cove setting and secondary characters were wonderful. The storyline kept my interest from start to finish. This was a wonderful addition to the Jewel Cove Series.

Lizzie Howard is an ER doctor who has been asked to take a leave of absence after a missed diagnosis causes the death of an infant. Her best friend, Charlie, has asked her to come to Jewell Cove to cover her maternity leave.

Lizzie is a big city gal and Jewell Cove is a small, everyone knows everyone else, kind of place. She cannot see herself staying there any longer than necessary. Or so she thinks until she meets the other doctor in the practice.

Joshua Collins is widowed and, bothered by regrets from his past, has come home to find peace. The small town and close family have helped but is it enough? When these two find themselves working together is there a possibility of anything more?

A small town and two people who need to find happiness is what this book is all about. If you like small towns, love stories and people helping people, this is a book you won’t put down until you read it cover to cover.