What do you think?
Rate this book
Bayberry Island #1
Sea of Love: A Bayberry Island Novel
New York Times bestselling author Susan Donovan welcomes you to Bayberry Island, a special place between Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket where a bronze mermaid statue promises to grant true love to anyone who asks with an open heart… For years Rowan Flynn distanced herself from Bayberry Island and its infamous mermaid legend. But after her investor fiancé lost what was left of her family’s fortune, Rowan reluctantly agreed to run the Safe Haven Bed-and-Breakfast, determined never again to fall for the ridiculous fantasy of the mermaid matchmaker. Now Rowan is just biding her time until she can return to her “real” life in New York, fixing up the B and B and avoiding neighbors who are angry that the Flynns won’t sell their land to a developer set on turning the island into a glitzy vacation destination. But when a handsome stranger arrives at the B and B the night before the annual Mermaid Festival, Rowan’s life takes a turn for the interesting. Could it be the divine hand of the town’s patroness? Or is Rowan being set up for another disappointment?
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2013
57 people are currently reading
1057 people want to read
About the author
Susan Donovan
46 books935 followersSUSAN DONOVAN's novels have won accolades for being witty, sexy, and entertaining. A former newspaper reporter with journalism degrees from Northwestern University, Susan is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author whose novels have been translated into dozens of languages. Susan is a two-time RITA Award finalist, and her novel TAKE A CHANCE ON ME was named Best Contemporary Romance of 2003 by RT Book Reviews magazine. She lives in New Mexico with her family and dogs.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
February 11, 2017
This book feels like it was written under the hypothesis that stereotypes make good templates for telling stories. So if the story ever came near a stereotype, the plot, characters, and events would gravitate towards it as if it were a planetoid passing a black hole. This made me sad because I kind of liked the main characters.
I was going to get all ranty about this, but I don't think I shall. Usually when I come across a book that deeply disappoints me, I get all energized about ripping it up. This book just made me sad for the lost opportunities. Ash and Rowan started out lovely. Even the instalove (or, more accurately, instasex) didn't throw me as it was clear how well-suited they would be for each other once the emotions settled down. But then Ash dithered and Rowan swanned around in dramatic excess. And the secondary characters failed to develop beyond their initial two-dimensional presentation. And then Ash got stupid and cowardly because that's what romantic heroes do. I mean . Gah.
So yeah, I hoped Donovan wouldn't take the expected, easy path. But she totally did. This book avoids one star by having characters who were great as long as they weren't close to the plot. I liked Rowan and Ash and was rooting for them from the start. It's too bad about being tied to the stereotype tracks by Snidely Plotlash.
A note about Steamy: There are some explicit sex scenes. Three, maybe. I dunno, with the instasex and plot problems I didn't really care. Middle of my steam tolerance and kinda extraneous, really.
I was going to get all ranty about this, but I don't think I shall. Usually when I come across a book that deeply disappoints me, I get all energized about ripping it up. This book just made me sad for the lost opportunities. Ash and Rowan started out lovely. Even the instalove (or, more accurately, instasex) didn't throw me as it was clear how well-suited they would be for each other once the emotions settled down. But then Ash dithered and Rowan swanned around in dramatic excess. And the secondary characters failed to develop beyond their initial two-dimensional presentation. And then Ash got stupid and cowardly because that's what romantic heroes do. I mean . Gah.
So yeah, I hoped Donovan wouldn't take the expected, easy path. But she totally did. This book avoids one star by having characters who were great as long as they weren't close to the plot. I liked Rowan and Ash and was rooting for them from the start. It's too bad about being tied to the stereotype tracks by Snidely Plotlash.
A note about Steamy: There are some explicit sex scenes. Three, maybe. I dunno, with the instasex and plot problems I didn't really care. Middle of my steam tolerance and kinda extraneous, really.
April 23, 2015
3.5 stars
July 2, 2014
This is my first book by Susan Donovan, and I have to say I had fun with it. It’s one of those light, easy reads that makes you feel good because of all the silliness and happiness that offsets the bad times in life. Both our hero and heroine have had those bad times, so they’re due for some silliness and happiness.
Of course, there’s also some more bad times along the way, but that’s where love and romance take over.
Rowan is back at Bayberry Island after a disastrous relationship cost not only her but her family everything. All that’s left is their Safe Haven Bed and Breakfast, and Rowan is in charge there to assuage some of the guilt she’s got going on. And she’ll never, ever get caught up in the community mermaid matchmaking spirit that comes over the residents and is their bread and butter every year. That would be too much heartache for her to handle again.
Then she meets Ashton Louis Wallace III. There’s instant attraction, though he’s bedraggled from the horrendous downpour he just got caught in when trying to find a room for the night. Every place in town is full up due to the Mermaid Festival – of which Ash got sucked into by being named the festival’s Man Grab, who should now be able to find true love with a little help from the mermaid who’s immortalized in statue form in the middle of town. He offers Rowan a huge sum for any room, so she gives hers up, even though she’s suspicious of his motives. She should be suspicious, because Ash is there under false pretenses, his plan to get his hands on the property the B&B sits on so a new resort can take its place. He has a planned seduction on his mind, and that’s definitely something Rowan doesn’t need again.
In the beginning you’re not going to like Ash much, but keep in the back of your mind he is the hero. He’s going to own up to what he’s doing, and that, of course, will lead to other conflicts, but in the meantime, the scenes between Ash and Rowan as they get to know each other are cute and full of fun. The problems between Rowan’s parents is a sad situation and hopefully that will get better as the series moves along, as will the relationship with the community due to Rowan’s mother being the holdout to sell their property. I like the family feel that’s throughout the story, even with the apparent issues.
For a first-timer to Ms. Donovan’s books, I enjoyed this one and look forward to more in this series. I’d love to also pick up some of her earlier books.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
Of course, there’s also some more bad times along the way, but that’s where love and romance take over.
Rowan is back at Bayberry Island after a disastrous relationship cost not only her but her family everything. All that’s left is their Safe Haven Bed and Breakfast, and Rowan is in charge there to assuage some of the guilt she’s got going on. And she’ll never, ever get caught up in the community mermaid matchmaking spirit that comes over the residents and is their bread and butter every year. That would be too much heartache for her to handle again.
Then she meets Ashton Louis Wallace III. There’s instant attraction, though he’s bedraggled from the horrendous downpour he just got caught in when trying to find a room for the night. Every place in town is full up due to the Mermaid Festival – of which Ash got sucked into by being named the festival’s Man Grab, who should now be able to find true love with a little help from the mermaid who’s immortalized in statue form in the middle of town. He offers Rowan a huge sum for any room, so she gives hers up, even though she’s suspicious of his motives. She should be suspicious, because Ash is there under false pretenses, his plan to get his hands on the property the B&B sits on so a new resort can take its place. He has a planned seduction on his mind, and that’s definitely something Rowan doesn’t need again.
In the beginning you’re not going to like Ash much, but keep in the back of your mind he is the hero. He’s going to own up to what he’s doing, and that, of course, will lead to other conflicts, but in the meantime, the scenes between Ash and Rowan as they get to know each other are cute and full of fun. The problems between Rowan’s parents is a sad situation and hopefully that will get better as the series moves along, as will the relationship with the community due to Rowan’s mother being the holdout to sell their property. I like the family feel that’s throughout the story, even with the apparent issues.
For a first-timer to Ms. Donovan’s books, I enjoyed this one and look forward to more in this series. I’d love to also pick up some of her earlier books.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
February 3, 2015
Sea of Love is the first in the Bayberry Island trilogy. It is the story of the Flynn family and a load of wacky characters who live in derelict making ends meet, because Mona Flynn is holding out over a large company snapping up their land for a large sum of money. It'll solve their money problems but turn their quaint little island into an upmarket resort.
Rowan has had a very unfortunate love affair with a guy who divested her family of all their remaining money and now she works in the B & B because she feels guilty. She is not going to be so ready to trust again. When Ashton Wallace arrives on the island though will she be able to hold to that. I liked Ashton, he was wealthy, but had lost his parents at an early age, been brought up by his grandfather, who has been dead a while now and recently he lost his best friend Brian in an accident. So there is an aloneness to him.
My favourite character was Mona, Rowan's mum, she loved her children, was a little bit wacky and a whole lot passionate as she firmly stood against their island becoming that glitzy island for the rich. She was so dedicated that her husband and herself have separated as they stand on different sides of the fence. He wants to sell up. I am sure we will see how this all develops in the next book or so.
A small island community, many of them quirky and eccentric, and a legend that causes someone to fall in love when they kiss the mermaid statue at a certain time of the year. The warmth of family and friends and some hot sexy action all combined to make this a fun read.
Rowan has had a very unfortunate love affair with a guy who divested her family of all their remaining money and now she works in the B & B because she feels guilty. She is not going to be so ready to trust again. When Ashton Wallace arrives on the island though will she be able to hold to that. I liked Ashton, he was wealthy, but had lost his parents at an early age, been brought up by his grandfather, who has been dead a while now and recently he lost his best friend Brian in an accident. So there is an aloneness to him.
My favourite character was Mona, Rowan's mum, she loved her children, was a little bit wacky and a whole lot passionate as she firmly stood against their island becoming that glitzy island for the rich. She was so dedicated that her husband and herself have separated as they stand on different sides of the fence. He wants to sell up. I am sure we will see how this all develops in the next book or so.
A small island community, many of them quirky and eccentric, and a legend that causes someone to fall in love when they kiss the mermaid statue at a certain time of the year. The warmth of family and friends and some hot sexy action all combined to make this a fun read.
August 18, 2014
*I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Rowan has reluctantly returned to her hometown of Bayberry Island to help fun the family Bed & Breakfast, after her investor fiancé con her, and lost most of her family’s fortune. Ashton has come to Bayberry Island in the hope of getting the Flynn family to sell their property to him so that it can be developed on.
The storyline was very low on the drama, I feel that some parts were rushed, and so it didn’t really grab me, I kept reading, as I wanted to know how it was all going to pan out. I like the history of the Island and I could understand why they didn’t want to sell it. The whole mermaid aspect was entertaining. It had some fun secondary character, and I loved the small town community feel it had. Rowan and Ashton I like them, but they frustrated me at times.
Overall, it's lighthearted okay read, I wish I had liked it more. This was the first book in the series, but I don’t think I want to continue with the rest of the series right now, but I may in the future.
Rowan has reluctantly returned to her hometown of Bayberry Island to help fun the family Bed & Breakfast, after her investor fiancé con her, and lost most of her family’s fortune. Ashton has come to Bayberry Island in the hope of getting the Flynn family to sell their property to him so that it can be developed on.
The storyline was very low on the drama, I feel that some parts were rushed, and so it didn’t really grab me, I kept reading, as I wanted to know how it was all going to pan out. I like the history of the Island and I could understand why they didn’t want to sell it. The whole mermaid aspect was entertaining. It had some fun secondary character, and I loved the small town community feel it had. Rowan and Ashton I like them, but they frustrated me at times.
Overall, it's lighthearted okay read, I wish I had liked it more. This was the first book in the series, but I don’t think I want to continue with the rest of the series right now, but I may in the future.
August 25, 2019
This was a good read. Bayberry is known for their mermaid legend. When Ash shows up to try and get the Flynn's to sell he ends up being a part of the ceremony. His job was to seduce Rowan and get her to sign but by the end he really does love her. Of course the truth comes out and things get messy. However, in the end it all works out and they are happy.
May 22, 2014
This is the story of Rowan Flynn, who lives on Bayberry Island, and Ash Wallace, who has come to Bayberry Island to get the Flynns to sell their property to a developer who wants to put a resort on the island. He has studied Rowan and her family, knows that Rowan was seduced by a man who turned out to be a con who took the Flynn family money and ran, and that she has come home to the island with her heart broken. Knowing all this, he decides to use that knowledge to seduce Rowan and get her to convince the Flynn family to sell. He knows it will hurt Rowan, but after all, it is "business". No surprise, he meets Rowan, they fall for each other, and he changes is mind about this just being "business". But now that he has lied to Rowan, will she be able to love him?
Although I liked this book, there was just something about Flynn and Rowan that kept me from eagerly wanting to find out what happened to them. This book is 277 pages, and it took me over a month to read it. I usually read a book of that length in a couple of days. I think perhaps it was that Flynn was portrayed as being cold about "business", and although he changed, I had a hard time believing it. Rowan was just a tad too sorry for herself/ angry at her mother over the whole money con episode to be immediately likeable. While she also grew on me, it wasn't until the last few chapters that I really began rooting for them to find a way out of the whole mess.
This story was preceded by a short story in a Christmas anthology (that was about Rowan's friend Annie) and will be followed by, presumably, books about both of her brothers. I will be thinking long and hard about whether or not I will be reading the follow-up books.
Although I liked this book, there was just something about Flynn and Rowan that kept me from eagerly wanting to find out what happened to them. This book is 277 pages, and it took me over a month to read it. I usually read a book of that length in a couple of days. I think perhaps it was that Flynn was portrayed as being cold about "business", and although he changed, I had a hard time believing it. Rowan was just a tad too sorry for herself/ angry at her mother over the whole money con episode to be immediately likeable. While she also grew on me, it wasn't until the last few chapters that I really began rooting for them to find a way out of the whole mess.
This story was preceded by a short story in a Christmas anthology (that was about Rowan's friend Annie) and will be followed by, presumably, books about both of her brothers. I will be thinking long and hard about whether or not I will be reading the follow-up books.
August 3, 2016
**I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.**
Susan Donovan has been one of my favorite authors so I looked forward to reading Sea of Love. And because I love Susan Donovan, I really, really wanted to love this book. But...I didn't. Here's why, in a nutshell: overly used themes (how many times have we read these same scenarios?), lame dialog,too many unnecessary characters, instant attraction that leads to sex within hours of meeting (that somehow means more to them than it should), lack of character development, need I go on? Neither main character seemed interesting. Every scene seemed rushed.
I didn't want to write anything bad about this book because of my adoration of Donovan as an author, but I feel like this book was written by someone else entirely. I struggled to get into it, skipped over a lot, and ended up feeling both sad I hadn't enjoyed it more and relieved that the book was over.
I haven't given up on Donovan as an author--I still plan to read her books. I just hope the next one will be better than this.
Susan Donovan has been one of my favorite authors so I looked forward to reading Sea of Love. And because I love Susan Donovan, I really, really wanted to love this book. But...I didn't. Here's why, in a nutshell: overly used themes (how many times have we read these same scenarios?), lame dialog,too many unnecessary characters, instant attraction that leads to sex within hours of meeting (that somehow means more to them than it should), lack of character development, need I go on? Neither main character seemed interesting. Every scene seemed rushed.
I didn't want to write anything bad about this book because of my adoration of Donovan as an author, but I feel like this book was written by someone else entirely. I struggled to get into it, skipped over a lot, and ended up feeling both sad I hadn't enjoyed it more and relieved that the book was over.
I haven't given up on Donovan as an author--I still plan to read her books. I just hope the next one will be better than this.
August 23, 2015
I think I would describe this book as ok. I don't think it boded well that it took so long to read the first hundred pages. It did improve towards the end but I was never grabbed by the story. I'm not sure if I'll read the other two books in this series...
June 10, 2023
Read by accident thinking this was a book club choice, which is actually really funny because I think this romance novel might be considered smutty by the club. Is this romance then? It was a quick read, especially because there is such scanty character development that the sex scenes are pretty plastic and not engaging and skippable. You could play a game with this one, read the first chapter and predict where it'll go. Foreshadowing is probably there, and used well it shouldn't ruin the book. I did miss one prediction: that the climax of the book would involve a much better reveal of the protagonist's boyfriend's nefarious roots. Try Theory of Bastards by Audrey Shulman for an interesting female protagonist.
July 15, 2018
This was such a sweet, cute and quirky read. I loved it!! You have middle aged women running around in mermaid costumes that threaten to fall off, kids kidnapping men to kiss a mermaid statue, feuding neighbours over money, all in the midst of a love story that shouldn't be. It was hilarious at times, and I found myself laughing out loud a few times.
At first, I really didn't want to root for Ash getting Rowan, as he came to Bayberry Island with mean, deceitful intentions, but of course, with any good romance, things have a way of turning around. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book with Rowan's brother Clancy. :D
At first, I really didn't want to root for Ash getting Rowan, as he came to Bayberry Island with mean, deceitful intentions, but of course, with any good romance, things have a way of turning around. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book with Rowan's brother Clancy. :D
May 16, 2018
Did not finish after CD 1. I really disliked how the narrator read this book for recording. I get it, its a 'performance piece' to read a novel for recording. However, a little too much 'performance' for me. Over 9 hours to read a 320 page contemporary fiction?! Ugh, MOVING ON.
May 5, 2017
Adorable.
Read
July 25, 2017Wasn't sure about this book...as her other series was good but not great. Pleasantly surprised with this.
June 16, 2019
Was an ok read. I enjoyed the grand gestures and the meaningful words the most.
How far should you trust when you’ve been hurt before? Or is it all worth it for a chance at love?
How far should you trust when you’ve been hurt before? Or is it all worth it for a chance at love?
June 6, 2020
Bayberry Island #1 - Had It - Read It - 2013
December 28, 2022
I really enjoyed this book and plan on reading more by this author. It had a little bit of everything.
May 21, 2023
The story was okay but the graphic sex descriptions were too much for my taste.
June 21, 2025
2.5 stars
November 29, 2016
A quirky and fun read
December 1, 2013
A hot shot business closer swoops into town with devious plans to seduce an already vulnerable Rowan and strong arm the landowners of Bayberry Island into selling their land to a huge corporation. Ash will make a lot of money on this deal and is confident in his skills to convince the townspeople that it’s in their best interest to sell and make way for a golf course, hotel and casino; never mind the fact that this deal might be terribly bad for the island’s ecosystem.
Rowan is stuck in the family B and B. She only took the job out of guilt from a huge past mistake that cost Rowan and her family dearly. She is also gun-shy and still nursing a broken heart from being lied to and betrayed horribly. As she prepares the fully booked B and B for the tourists during the island’s annual Mermaid Festival, a soaking wet, mysteriously gorgeous man appears on her doorstep in dire straits and in need of a room.
Rowan is instantly drawn to this stranger and can’t seem to take her eyes off his. This gorgeous man gives Rowan an offer she can’t refuse; ten thousand dollars for a week at the B and B. Rowan is completely dumbfounded and instantly cautious. But she needs the money so she fixes him up in the only room available, her room. Can she keep her distance from this gorgeous man who makes her knees weak and common sense fly out the window, or will Rowan end up humiliated and heartbroken…again?
I really, really loved this book! I read the novella of Annie and Nat’s story and was instantly hooked. What had me coming back to this series is the humor. I can’t tell you how many times I laughed out loud reading the story. I loved the idea of the Bayberry Island Mermaid Society; a bunch of middle-aged ladies who support the mermaid legend and fully support love and magic, while getting drunk, of course! I love the spirit and the pride taken in this small island town and if the mermaid statue was real, you better believe I’d be taking a trip to kiss the mermaid’s hand so that I could be led to my heart-mate!
I thought Ash was a total d-bag in the beginning but glad to see him reform and try to save the town from the large, corporate shark wanting to destroy the history and land of Bayberry Island. Rowan is a tough woman carrying a burden she shouldn’t have. She was hurt badly and I was so happy to see her finally get a good man. To say that their chemistry was explosive, would be putting it mildly.
What completely broke my heart was the continued separation of Rowan’s parents, Mona and Frasier. I hope they can get back together. 35 years is a lot of time to throw away, especially when they love each other. I also enjoyed reading about Rowan’s older brothers Clancy, the Chief of Police, and Duncan, a Navy SEAL. I’m looking forward to reading about their happily ever afters!
This is a sweet, funny romance series with a magical mermaid legend and the never ending search for love. It’s true that happy endings are few and far between, but on Bayberry Island, the belief of happily ever after is not fantasy, but reality.
I HIGHLY recommend this series to anyone who needs their journey towards a happily ever after to be filled with love, laughter, magic, and middle-aged women who dress up in full mermaid regalia! A wonderful start to a promising series!
***I received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***
Rowan is stuck in the family B and B. She only took the job out of guilt from a huge past mistake that cost Rowan and her family dearly. She is also gun-shy and still nursing a broken heart from being lied to and betrayed horribly. As she prepares the fully booked B and B for the tourists during the island’s annual Mermaid Festival, a soaking wet, mysteriously gorgeous man appears on her doorstep in dire straits and in need of a room.
Rowan is instantly drawn to this stranger and can’t seem to take her eyes off his. This gorgeous man gives Rowan an offer she can’t refuse; ten thousand dollars for a week at the B and B. Rowan is completely dumbfounded and instantly cautious. But she needs the money so she fixes him up in the only room available, her room. Can she keep her distance from this gorgeous man who makes her knees weak and common sense fly out the window, or will Rowan end up humiliated and heartbroken…again?
I really, really loved this book! I read the novella of Annie and Nat’s story and was instantly hooked. What had me coming back to this series is the humor. I can’t tell you how many times I laughed out loud reading the story. I loved the idea of the Bayberry Island Mermaid Society; a bunch of middle-aged ladies who support the mermaid legend and fully support love and magic, while getting drunk, of course! I love the spirit and the pride taken in this small island town and if the mermaid statue was real, you better believe I’d be taking a trip to kiss the mermaid’s hand so that I could be led to my heart-mate!
I thought Ash was a total d-bag in the beginning but glad to see him reform and try to save the town from the large, corporate shark wanting to destroy the history and land of Bayberry Island. Rowan is a tough woman carrying a burden she shouldn’t have. She was hurt badly and I was so happy to see her finally get a good man. To say that their chemistry was explosive, would be putting it mildly.
What completely broke my heart was the continued separation of Rowan’s parents, Mona and Frasier. I hope they can get back together. 35 years is a lot of time to throw away, especially when they love each other. I also enjoyed reading about Rowan’s older brothers Clancy, the Chief of Police, and Duncan, a Navy SEAL. I’m looking forward to reading about their happily ever afters!
This is a sweet, funny romance series with a magical mermaid legend and the never ending search for love. It’s true that happy endings are few and far between, but on Bayberry Island, the belief of happily ever after is not fantasy, but reality.
I HIGHLY recommend this series to anyone who needs their journey towards a happily ever after to be filled with love, laughter, magic, and middle-aged women who dress up in full mermaid regalia! A wonderful start to a promising series!
***I received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***
December 5, 2013
Susan Donovan releases her first book in the new Bayberry Island contemporary romance series, Sea of Love. Set against the backdrop of local legend involving a bronze mermaid statue that can grant true love, Sea of Love is a captivating novel with dynamic storytelling and heartfelt emotions. Donovan's warm sense of humor and memorable characters are sure to ease their way into the hearts and minds of readers. A delightful beginning to a new series!
What I liked:
The legend of Bayberry Island mermaid was both intriguing and made of all the things good legends are made of. The people native to the island have passed down the story of the bronze statue for years and years and it has become a part of the culture of the place. It was a wonder idea for a theme and Donovan does it justice with this novel.
I liked the setting a lot as well. Donovan's descriptions of Bayberry Island make readers want to visit it's shores and stay in little bed and breakfast. A place to get away from it all and maybe even fall in love. Donovan's attention to detail in even the smallest of things makes the setting stand out and take on a life of it's own.
Ash and Rowan make the perfect couple. Not only have they both loved and lost but they have seen what there was to see and now they know what they want, it's just a matter of getting it. Rowan's family has taken a beating and even some of the locals are against them. She is facing a lot and Ash knows he needs a change. His life was going in a direction he wasn't sure he liked. Meeting each other changed their lives... isn't that how love's supposed to be?
I liked the set up for the series and thought Donovan did a great job showing some pretty complex relationships. The relationship between Rowan and Ash is only one. Her relationship with her family. Her families relationship with the other people of Bayberry Island etc. It took a bit of set up, but I'm looking forward to where the next book goes with these ideas and relationships.
What I didn't like:
There were a few parts that felt a bit rushed. Not just in the pacing but the overall idea of the novel. Yes, I think true love is possible. Yes, I think love at first sight is possible. I think instant attraction certainly happens. But building a relationship on a sexual experience that happens only a few chapters and hours into meeting someone is a bit far fetched. Usually that ends in a one night stand not a lasting romance.
Bottom Line:
I could suspend my belief in what it takes to make love work, because of all the humor and just overall good feeling this book produced in me. It's a feel good romance with some great characters and lots of local color and intrigue. A good place to start!
What I liked:
The legend of Bayberry Island mermaid was both intriguing and made of all the things good legends are made of. The people native to the island have passed down the story of the bronze statue for years and years and it has become a part of the culture of the place. It was a wonder idea for a theme and Donovan does it justice with this novel.
I liked the setting a lot as well. Donovan's descriptions of Bayberry Island make readers want to visit it's shores and stay in little bed and breakfast. A place to get away from it all and maybe even fall in love. Donovan's attention to detail in even the smallest of things makes the setting stand out and take on a life of it's own.
Ash and Rowan make the perfect couple. Not only have they both loved and lost but they have seen what there was to see and now they know what they want, it's just a matter of getting it. Rowan's family has taken a beating and even some of the locals are against them. She is facing a lot and Ash knows he needs a change. His life was going in a direction he wasn't sure he liked. Meeting each other changed their lives... isn't that how love's supposed to be?
I liked the set up for the series and thought Donovan did a great job showing some pretty complex relationships. The relationship between Rowan and Ash is only one. Her relationship with her family. Her families relationship with the other people of Bayberry Island etc. It took a bit of set up, but I'm looking forward to where the next book goes with these ideas and relationships.
What I didn't like:
There were a few parts that felt a bit rushed. Not just in the pacing but the overall idea of the novel. Yes, I think true love is possible. Yes, I think love at first sight is possible. I think instant attraction certainly happens. But building a relationship on a sexual experience that happens only a few chapters and hours into meeting someone is a bit far fetched. Usually that ends in a one night stand not a lasting romance.
Bottom Line:
I could suspend my belief in what it takes to make love work, because of all the humor and just overall good feeling this book produced in me. It's a feel good romance with some great characters and lots of local color and intrigue. A good place to start!
December 19, 2013
I have to say that I was a bit disappointed in this book. I love Susan Donovan and have read all of her full length books, but this one annoyed me just a bit. I liked the general premise, the secondary characters (fun and quirky), and I absolutely adored the setting (beautifully described), but the two main characters irked me. First the heroine . . . Rowan was ok, likeable enough, funny, but the way she acted toward her mother bothered me. It’s not the fact that she had issues with her mother, that is believable enough, but the fact that she blamed her mother for her relationship with her criminal ex really annoyed me. Although her mother was definitely meddlesome, it was no more her fault than it was Rowan’s. Plus I think once you get into your 30’s it’s time to stop blaming your parents for your own choices/mistakes anyway, but that’s just me. So to sum up, I thought the heroine was ok, but a bit immature. Now the hero was more than a little confusing to me. Again, likeable enough, but the whole mercenary angle he was trying to play never really seemed believable to me. Here’s a guy who was raised by an uber-ethical grandfather, and whose best friend was a saint, and yet he can go into a situation and manipulate, use, and deceive people without qualm or more accurately, without even realizing that he would hurt people? Seriously? Seriously! It was about halfway through the book that he had the epiphany that what he was doing would hurt the Flynn family and others. And he seemed like a nice guy! I don’t know even know how to explain it; it just made no sense to me. So the hero, confusing. At any rate I liked it enough to look for the 2nd book in the series, but definitely wouldn’t put it on my list of favorite books from this author.
November 11, 2014
It was kind of exhausting to rehash and rehash the hatred of the Great Mermaid legend of Bayberry Island. Rowan Flynn is the only girl of three children from the Flynn family. She is the last hope of her mother Mona to carry on the tradition of the Bayberry Island Mermaid Society. From the 1800s to present when the society was started, there has been a Flynn descendant in the society.
Rowan fell in love with a visitor/investor a three years ago during Festival week that stole what was left of the family fortune. After the investor was thrown in prison, Rowan came back to the island to run the family bed and breakfast, Safe Haven. She is very unhappy being on the island and would gladly go back to her life in New York.
This year, she falls in love with another stranger/visitor to the island during Festival week with hopes of happiness, but finds out that he is twisted up in the mermaid folklore.
I read the 2nd book out of sequence, and like it a lot better than this one.
Rowan fell in love with a visitor/investor a three years ago during Festival week that stole what was left of the family fortune. After the investor was thrown in prison, Rowan came back to the island to run the family bed and breakfast, Safe Haven. She is very unhappy being on the island and would gladly go back to her life in New York.
This year, she falls in love with another stranger/visitor to the island during Festival week with hopes of happiness, but finds out that he is twisted up in the mermaid folklore.
I read the 2nd book out of sequence, and like it a lot better than this one.
July 20, 2016
I've quite enjoyed other Susan Donovan books I've read in the past, so I was excited to win a copy of Sea of Love through Goodreads First Reads program.
In my opinion though this story didn't live up to what I would expect from one of her novels. The story line seemed a bit forced or overly contrived for my liking. From their actions during the blackout only minutes after having met to the blame for Rowan's previous failed relationship and the predictable conclusion, this story didn't seem to have the same charm I have come to expect. There were parts of the story I enjoyed: the quirky periphery characters stole the show, the island's complete fixation and over-the-top mermaids festival was endearing, and the scene where Ash accidentally offended the tourist on the street and then offered her the chocolates from Annabeth's shop was priceless.
All in all, I'd say it wasn't my favorite of Donovan's books, but it won't stop me from revisiting her stories in the future.
In my opinion though this story didn't live up to what I would expect from one of her novels. The story line seemed a bit forced or overly contrived for my liking. From their actions during the blackout only minutes after having met to the blame for Rowan's previous failed relationship and the predictable conclusion, this story didn't seem to have the same charm I have come to expect. There were parts of the story I enjoyed: the quirky periphery characters stole the show, the island's complete fixation and over-the-top mermaids festival was endearing, and the scene where Ash accidentally offended the tourist on the street and then offered her the chocolates from Annabeth's shop was priceless.
All in all, I'd say it wasn't my favorite of Donovan's books, but it won't stop me from revisiting her stories in the future.
January 17, 2014
I am not usually a romance reader but I did enjoy this one. It was well written with good language usage and pacing, a lot of humor and quirky, very likeable characters. Being a romance the plot was quite predictable: guy and girl, both beautiful and hot and both having romantic and other emotional baggage, one of them hiding a secret... they meet, resist attraction, end up in bed anyway, resist it some more, fall in love... the secret comes out, the other one is hurt and angry and falls out of love... eventually realizes they're Meant To Be, and the ending is Happily Ever After Tied Up With A Bow. The predictability makes me give it a 3; if it had been less so, despite my general dislike of romances, I might've given it a 4. This is the first of a trilogy; I might try the second.
April 10, 2015
In Susan Donovan's Sea of Love, the first installment of Bayberry Island, she wrote an enchanting and lovely contemporary romance novel. Rowan Flynn was the innkeeper's daughter of Safe Haven on Bayberry Island, a small island off the Cape Cod coastline. It was also famous for its legendary mermaid tale of love from her ancestry. During festival week, that's when she met Ashton "Ash" Wallace, a consultant for a company to develop land on her island. But when they met, they both had emotional baggage to deal with--for Rowan, a con artist who broke her heart and stole her family's memory. For Ash, he grieved the loss of his best friend and partner. Sparks fly between them, when he had a new plan for her island. When she found out, he would open up his heart to profess his love for her.
July 14, 2016
Truly a remarkable book with a story that will make even the non believers of true love believe! I loved that this story was about an Island that worships a Mermaid after a family legend. It is said that a man who is searching for true love and asks the mermaid with an open heart , she will grant there forever love. The Flynn family are a down to earth family that has family drama like a normal family. Mona which is Rowan's mother was my favorite character since she is bossy and dragged everyone to do what she said. Loved that Ash was a character that only cared about work and money. He was the perfect character to see develop to a man that is truly kind, loving and determined to be part of a family again. Great book, perfect for the beach.
December 26, 2013
First of all, I got to tell you that I won this book from Goodreads but I am so glad that I did. Susan Donovan has been one of my favorite authors for a while now. A lot of books now a days, all seem to have been done before so this one was quite refreshing as the book centers around an old fashioned folklore legend. This book is well rounded with lots of characters, a good plot, and some interesting conflict and zaniness. I really loved it and can not wait for the second one to come out. I also gave it to my 22 yr old daughter and her exact words were: "I loved the mermaid book and can not wait for the next one." So you get two reviews all in one.
November 18, 2013
Cold weather hit and it made me want some escape reading. Just then, this book arrived in the mail. Thank you! It hit the spot. Sure, it was heavy handed in places, especially the introduction of Ash, the love interest, and his memories of the 'sainted' Brian (don't get how they were friends, also, what man refers to his best friend, even his dead best friend as his 'dearest friend'?), predictable in the way many romance novels are and a bit cheesy at times, but the characters, including the minor characters were interesting and fun to read about and the plot played out well. Reminded me a bit of Lisa Kleypas' Friday Harbor books with the island vibe and the touch of magic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews