Rated 3.5 stars on platforms that acknowledge nuance
This is a series I reach for when I need something light and fluffy. Oh, there's conflict, but the mental demand and emotional commitment are low. And I like the continuity of dipping into and out of a series, especially the deeper I get. Add in a charming setting to which I enjoy regularly returning, and this seals the deal when I need a break from heavier reading.
What I liked about Moonlight Cove:
Told from a different perspective each time - While we continue the march forward in time, nestled into the O'Brien family, the nested circles extend out further and further with each new installment. Each story is told from the primary perspective of one or two different characters each time, so even though you know them from previous encounters, they get their chance to develop as characters in the spotlight, and then continue to show up in each subsequent book. And even though they become more peripheral, their lives continue to develop in view of the reader, giving each book a comfortable familiarity.
Will - I wasn't sure I was going to like him all the much, and then I was surprised. He was a believable character, flawed but genuine, someone I would actually enjoy knowing.
What I didn't care for:
Jess isn't my favorite character - It isn't her ADHD or her flightiness. It's the whining and the excuses and the general distrustfulness of people who have always been in her corner. It gets old halfway through the first book, and an entire book with the focus on Jess made it impossible to avoid.
Frequently felt repetitive - Without giving details away, there is a common pattern and refrain that is repeated throughout the book. In fact, even by the time the plot reaches its resolution, it's still somewhat present. I may have rolled my eyes more than a couple times.
Worth noting:
Possible dealbreakers - The language is clean but there are several bedroom scenes, if that happens to be something you avoid.
Six books in, it's safe to say that I am invested in the O'Brien clan. I want to know how their stories will play out, how the family will grow and change. This isn't a life-altering read. It isn't high quality literature. But it is a gentle, satisfying series, with characters you can root for and to whom you do not mind returning when you're looking for a book that won't tax you to read.