Need You Now

Pelican Bay #2

by Maria K. Alexander

Can two lost souls reunite in time to save her shop and their hearts?

Abby O’Connell returned to Pelican Bay to start a new chapter of her life. With the revitalization of the hurricane-ravaged beach town, it’s a perfect time to open the bath and body product shop she’s always dreamed of. But with her place looking more like a construction zone, the risk of not being ready for opening day is high. Just when she thinks things can’t get worse, she takes a fall on the beach, only to be rescued by her sexy surfer ex.

Connor Maguire was always the party guy. In recovery from a substance abuse disorder, he’s gotten his act together and now is a partner in a home improvement business and co-host of a reality TV show. Surfing has always been a way to escape his worries while becoming one with the waves. When he witnesses a woman fall on the beach, the last person he expects is the girl whose heart he broke ten years ago.

With a week until the grand opening of her shop, can he use his renovation skills to bring her shop and their hearts to life without risking his hard-earned recovery?

Genres: Romance

143 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2024

About the author

A romantic at heart, Maria K. Alexander spent hours as a young girl getting lost in and wishing to be one of the heroines in the stories she read. Books gave her the ability to go to another world where she loved meeting new characters, learning about their problems, and watching them fall in love.

Maria is an award-winning author of Contemporary Romance. When not writing, Maria loves to read, bake, downhill ski, visit the beach, and watch romantic comedies. Maria lives in New Jersey with her husband and children, and writes in her “spare” time between juggling a full-time job and her kids’ busy schedules.

You can keep in touch with her at: http://mariakalexander.com.

Reviews

[jess.kett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. A great second chance romance all about the opening of Abby's soap shop on the boardwalk and her relationship with her ex Connor. I really loved that the author gave the "villain" of the first book her own romance storyline and redemption arc.

There is also some town drama happening which Alexander does well in building up, so I'm excited to see how that pans out in the other books.

Another great beach read by MKA and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read but I really felt like I got to know the characters on a deeper level than some much longer books. Who doesn't love a beach read, hot surfer included? I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lynn_G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abby has returned to her hometown to open a bath and body boutique. Connor is a successful contractor who is well known as one half of a duo of brothers who tackle home renovations on television. Abby and Connor also happen to have been in love in high school before college and Connor’s drug use split them apart.

Unable to avoid each other due to the beach town’s small size, it isn’t very long before Abby and Connor resume their intimate relationship.

External issues and pressures threaten their reunion. Can they keep from allowing past hurts to interfere in their present and future life with each other?

This was a quick, steamy second chance novella.

I received an advance reader copy from the author and booksirens, and I’m sharing my honest thoughts.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Maria K. Alexander book to read and I absolutely love it! I wanted “Need You Now” to never end. She does an amazing job describing the characters and allowing the readers to see their struggles and emotions throughout the book. I am adding book 1 to my TBR list today and cannot wait to learn about Emma and Jason’s story. If you love a good romance but don’t have a lot of time to read, I would highly recommend this book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Laura Slabach · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super cute. I have not read any other books from this series but was able to connect easily with the characters and had a lot of fun reading this novella. I would be interested in reading other books from this series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need You Now is a second chance small town romance and is the second book in the Pelican Bay Series. Abby and Connor both have a past and both of them have had to overcome their past to be able to move forward. I adored their chemistry and the interactions and banter of their family and friends. This was a quick and easy read being a novella and I cannot wait for the next instalment in the Pelican Bay Series. I received a complementary copy from Book Sirens.

[meena · Rating 3 out of 5]

~Connor & Abby~

⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

~ Novella
~ Second chance
~ Sleepy beach down setting
~ *Mental health/sobriety rep

Connor and Abby have both returned to their beach hometown to focus on their own businesses (construction for him, soap shop for her). Abby is hoping to avoid Connor at all costs, especially after their relationship ended poorly when Connor initially moved away. Unfortunately for Abby, Connor comes to her result after a little accident. Connor decides to use this as his opening to win his girl back.

I was able to binge this in a single afternoon! Second chance is one of my favorite tropes and this definitely confirmed that. While this book mentions some heavier topics (see spoiler/trigger warning below if you want to know), I did like that the story still felt light hearted.

One of my favorite things of second chance romances is references or flashbacks to their first relationship. While I understand that’s tricky to do in a novella (but it’s also one of the best tropes to write in a novella), I was a little disappointed that we didn’t get any big flashbacks.

This novella was written in a third person POV which is something I personally struggle with reading, but it wasn’t too difficult since this was a quick read.

*Spoiler/trigger warning: This book mentions previous/off page miscarriage and substance abuse. Please read with caution 🫶

Major thanks to BookSirens for the advanced copy ◡̈

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

So excited to be back in Pelican Bay! I was anxiously awaiting this story.

You could feel the chemistry between Connor and Abby right through the pages of the story. I enjoyed that even though these two had a history and somethings to work through it was never overly angsty.

I cannot wait to get into the next book!

[Shannon Goewey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need You Now is a cute, spicy, quick novella by Maria K. Alexander about second chances. 13 years ago, Connor and Abby met when Abby moved to the small, seaside town of Pelican Bay, New Jersey. 10 years ago, they split up and haven't seen each other since. That all changes when Connor moves back to Pelican Bay with his brother, opening a branch of their home renovation company and restoring the historic family fun pier that was damaged in a hurricane years earlier with the hope of bringing tourism back to the small town.

The history between Abby and Connor is obvious from their first encounter. For such a quick read, there is so much depth given to the two main characters. Their history is explained, and you understand why they broke up, how they've both changed, and why they're once again drawn to each other. Both Abby and Connor struggle with different things, but they both support each other, and it never got overly angsty between them. You wanted to root for them and see them both win. The speed in which they returned to each other was a little fast for me, but understandable given the novella format of the story.

This was my first Pelican Bay story, but it made me want to read the first book, and I cannot wait to return to Jersey. My only complaint is there may have been too many characters for such a short book. It took me a moment to straighten all the relationships out in my head. That said, I appreciate the addition of these characters, as I'm sure their stories are to come, and I enjoyed the banter and fun when all of them interacted.

If you're looking for a fast, sweet, spicy story I definitely recommend visiting Pelican Bay.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Hailey Brzoska · Rating 3 out of 5]

🩼🩼🩼.5/5

I really wanted to like this book, but sadly it fell short in a lot of ways for me.

It was supposed to be a second chance romance where they found each other again a decade letter. But from the very first chapter they were already back together for real after years apart. I didn’t feel like there was any growth or really any deeper communication between them. And I definitely did not like how instant the love was, considering Abby supposedly “hated” him after he ghosted her years ago.

There was no progression to their relationship in my opinion, because it ended the same way it started in this book. And this story was very much predicated on the fact that you already read the first book in the series. This book finished a plot point that begun in book one and it was rushed through and not even explained. And honestly the mystery probably would’ve been my favorite part, if only there was the suspense and an actual mystery to be solved rather than something happening one chapter and the answer following in the next.

I did however, enjoy the silly little romance regardless. But mostly because I’m a sucker for love. So there was something redeeming about the story that kept me reading. But overall, I’d suggest only reading this book if you started the first story in the Pelican Bay series and just wanted to know a tiny bit more about two of the main characters that appeared.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this drama, mystery romance book as I did the first one. This book is about Connor and Abby and their working together and seeing each other after years apart.

Both have grown up considerably since their last time together. Connor has been through drug rehab and attends AA regularly. He also puts a lot of time into his McGuire Brothers house flipping business with brother Jason. Abby is living on top of her new store she and her sister, Natalie, are working frantically on to open and be filled with their homemade soaps, lotions, sprays etc. The Soap Sisters have both grown up a lot from their don't give a care and free attitudes and trouble they'd caused for their mom during their teenage years.

The rough ride Abby and Connor took to see how their lives together would turn out along with dealing with their businesses, Liam-a nephew of Abby's with new friends who constantly are in trouble and have been seen doing wrong actions along with every day strifes and troubles made for a captivating and interesting read.

This story provided plenty of mystery and intrigue throughout and the romance and seeing the lives of their friends take off since the first book in this series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to really like this and based on the blurb it should have been right up my alley but there were a few hitches. The blurb bills this as a second chance romance and it sort of is while also being instalove with an incredibly brief enemies to lovers appearance and of all the tropes instalove is my least favorite. I went in blind to this and while it isn't necessary to have read the first book in the series I think it would have been helpful as this is a continuation of a previous storyline and also for familiarity with other characters. The ending was okay and also kind of bothersome as it felt half finished with the female main character being the focus of the epilogue and some unresolved issues related to the male main character that hopefully will be finished in the next book. The spicy parts were fine, it was the brevity of a backstory with both mains that made it hard to be invested in the story.

A copy was provided via a giveaway in exchange for an honest review.

[Tiffany Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great way to end the summer with.

Abby and Connor Maguire were high school sweethearts. And after school ended for them, Abby got pregnant. And after she lost the baby she and Connor broke up when he left town. Connor got in with the wrong crowd and became a drug addict.
Fast forward 13 years or so and Abby returns to Pelican Bay to open a store selling homemade soaps, candles and other items. And who does she run into her first morning there?
Yup. Connor Maguire. When he rescues Abby from a near ankle break she’s embarrassed and feels at home in his arms.
The more Connor hangs around Abby’s store, helping set it up and offering great advice and manpower, the more Abby gets more attached to the man she envisioned a future with many years ago.
Will the two of them be able to get over past hurts and wrongs? Or will they sink in the sand as quickly as quicksand??

And who is destroying the Maguire Brothers properties?
Read to find out answers to these questions and more…

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Need you Now" is a novella set in the world of Pelican Bay. Abby and Connor spent their teenage years in Pelican Bay together before a terrible storm forced Connor's family to move away. Now both are back in Pelican Bay - Abby as one of the new store owner trying to revitalize the Boardwalk area and Connor has a home improvement business with his brother. Things did not end so well the first time around and now they have a second chance to see if they can make it work.

These characters had some pretty heavy issues that needed to be talked about and resolved but I felt like it all got wrapped up a little too quickly. I liked that some of the incidents that happened in the first book were talked about and were resolved in this novella - so while you don't have to read the first book, it definitely gives you some background information. I felt like there were a lot more characters in this book to keep track of whom I am hoping with have stories in the books that come next in the series.

Over all it was a good quick read and definitely checks the boxes for small town, second chance, lovers to enemies to lovers.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[SplkdancerReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spicy, beach-side second chance romance with two high school lovers who reunite after going their separate ways and getting their lives back on track. Lots of family baggage and a lot of old friends (all of whom appear to be sleeping with each other) frame this construction worker / store owner love story. Hero is in recovery for past drug abuse and the author lays it on a little thick how upright a gentleman he has become. Rather abrupt with the reunion and reconnecting, with some back story that snowballs as it gets revealed along the way, though some of the heavy topics are brushed aside easily.

Second in the series but can definitely be read out of order.
High spice, with several graphic scenes

Trigger warnings for: substance abuse, drug use, recovery and past miscarriage
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5* - Rounded up to 5...

Abby and Connor have both returned to their High School Home Town, but after the way things ended 10 years ago, they wonder if they can leave their history in the past. As they connect, and learn about how their lives have changed over the last 10 years, they realise that their love for each other is still there...

I really enjoyed this Novella... The pace was done really well, and even with the shorter length of the story we got to know the characters and their history well... I appreciated the view we got of how each of the characters had grown over their time apart, and how their maturity allowed them to deal with current/recent events in a way that drew them back together.

A really great read, and I'm looking forward to more!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Katherine Gisleson · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVES:
- The flashbacks/memories gave some good insight
- The way all the ladies (and men too) jump into help with her store is so cool
- I didn’t read the first book, but I can tell a lot of the past details mentioned are from that book, and it’s well done in a way that fills me in, but still makes me interested in reading it
- Despite jumping back in to dating, they talk openly about taking things one step at a time and building a solid relationship

CRITIQUES:
- Guilt about carbs, ugh
- They get serious again very quickly, but that’s the blissful magic of a novella 🙃

This was a cute and surprisingly serious-at times-read. It had some fun spice 🌶️ and a good group of friends that make you want to keep reading about these characters.

Thanks to @booksirens for the eARC.

[Carly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A spicy-ish novella about Abby reuniting with her first love, Connor, in a small NJ beach that is rebuilding after a devastating hurricane.

For a short book, the characters are given plenty of depth and enough back story to feel like you know them. They two main characters were likable and had me rooting for their second chance together.

The ending felt a bit rushed, but I feel that way about most novellas I've read. Being from NJ originally, I enjoyed the boardwalk/beach setting. This is the first book I've read by this author, but am looking forward to reading more in this series!

I am leaving this review voluntarily, thanks to booksirens for the free ARC.

[Vilma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connor Maguire and Abby O’Connell parted ways years ago when Connor’s mother moved him and his brother from their small NJ shore town to Florida. Connor and his brother returned to Pelican Bay, NJ and have a flourish construction business. While Abby knows he has returned, she has pretty much kept her business, instead focusing on her recent return to the town along with the small business she is trying to open along with her sister.

When Abby unexpected hurts herself while watching Connor surf, it’s the start of their rekindled relationship. While a misdemeanor vandalism act almost destroys their newfound romance, Abby and Connor see their way past the obstacles.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐ARC Review⭐

3.5⭐

This was a fast paced spicy read that had a lot of backstory and information upfront, it was well told and written in an easy way to read. I wish I had read the first book in this series to have more backstory but it can be read as a standalone. The characters were fun and the drama was interesting but I wish things had been wrapped up a little better with some side character drama (or this may be a great set up for a future book for Natalie!)

[Helen Lohman · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd Chances

Conner and Abby’s story is a great second chance story. While there past has some serious hiccups and unresolved issues, they both still love each other. Watching them work through their past issues and current happenings in town is emotional the way Alexander writes it. Their story is short and sweet. Ready for the next story.

[Kailee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Won this novella in a Goodreads giveaway. Cute little short read about a second chance romance. The intimate scenes were romantic and all but unsanitary! In the water? With food? After surfing? It's a wonder she didn't end up with an infection!

[Johnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet (and also spicy)

Couldn’t put it down, had it read over a weekend . Love learning more about this coastal town and its members . This novella had just as much emotional weight as book one , which really helps to form attachments to the characters . Great read .

[Eliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fluffy and swoony, i liked that.

[booksshesloved · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute!

[Brenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a giveaway read. Thanks!

I really wanted to like it more. The writing style and I just didn’t jive.

[Roni Denholtz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very much enjoying this series set at the Jersey shore! This novella was hot, and Maria K. Alexander vividly brings her characters to life.

[Kathy Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this Kindle edition book in a Goodreads Giveaway
Thank you to everyone involved. A really good romance

[Rick Molitor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

This is the second book in the series. It picks up with the familiar characters and adds some new ones. The store holds your attention and flows well. A good read.

[Amanda Fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8 - this book redeemed the series for me and make me excited to read book #3. Short but sweet romance with some spice. Enjoyed it!