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Amberjack Shores #1
The Island Inn
Three generations of women. Two weeks at the beach. One decision that changes everything.
When Becca Dalton inherits part of a coastal Florida resort from the husband who abandoned her twenty-four years ago, she intends to sell her share quickly and return to her carefully constructed life as a corporate attorney. The last thing she needs is to get tangled up with the family her ex left behind.
But Amberjack Shores—with its charming beachfront cottages, historic inn, and struggling fishing business—awakens something in Becca she thought long buried. As she reluctantly works to revitalize the business, she finds herself drawn to both the stunning coastal property and the complicated family that calls it home.
Meanwhile, Becca's artistic daughter Katie finds herself swept into an unexpected romance with local photographer Jake, whose laid-back approach to life challenges everything she thought she wanted. Between crashing weddings, surfing lessons, and moonlit beach walks, Katie begins questioning the rigid path she's always followed.
As mother and daughter imagine new possibilities at Amberjack Shores, the long-buried secrets surrounding Chris Dalton's disappearance begin to surface. With her heart newly open to love and belonging, Becca must confront the mysteries of her ex-husband's past—a past that threatens to unravel the fragile new connections she's only just begun to trust.
In this captivating first novel of the Amberjack Shores series, Laura Abbott delivers an emotional beach read about second chances, family bonds, and finding where you truly belong. Perfect for fans of Hope Holloway, Cecelia Scott, and Pamela Kelley.
The Amberjack Shores
Book 1: The Island Inn
Book 2: Island Secrets
Book 3: Island Storms
Book 4: The Island Guest
Book 5: Island Dreams
Book 6: The Island Wedding
When Becca Dalton inherits part of a coastal Florida resort from the husband who abandoned her twenty-four years ago, she intends to sell her share quickly and return to her carefully constructed life as a corporate attorney. The last thing she needs is to get tangled up with the family her ex left behind.
But Amberjack Shores—with its charming beachfront cottages, historic inn, and struggling fishing business—awakens something in Becca she thought long buried. As she reluctantly works to revitalize the business, she finds herself drawn to both the stunning coastal property and the complicated family that calls it home.
Meanwhile, Becca's artistic daughter Katie finds herself swept into an unexpected romance with local photographer Jake, whose laid-back approach to life challenges everything she thought she wanted. Between crashing weddings, surfing lessons, and moonlit beach walks, Katie begins questioning the rigid path she's always followed.
As mother and daughter imagine new possibilities at Amberjack Shores, the long-buried secrets surrounding Chris Dalton's disappearance begin to surface. With her heart newly open to love and belonging, Becca must confront the mysteries of her ex-husband's past—a past that threatens to unravel the fragile new connections she's only just begun to trust.
In this captivating first novel of the Amberjack Shores series, Laura Abbott delivers an emotional beach read about second chances, family bonds, and finding where you truly belong. Perfect for fans of Hope Holloway, Cecelia Scott, and Pamela Kelley.
The Amberjack Shores
Book 1: The Island Inn
Book 2: Island Secrets
Book 3: Island Storms
Book 4: The Island Guest
Book 5: Island Dreams
Book 6: The Island Wedding
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2025
311 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 7, 2025
Such a cute light book i lovedd it
August 20, 2025
Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance
The Island Inn begins the Amberjack Shores series with an introduction to this intriguing three-generation family whose lives are about to change drastically with the death of one man.
Becca Dalton and her daughter, Katie (who is about to begin her medical rotations), travel to Florida after being tracked down by a determined attorney to inform Becca that her husband, Chris, who had abandoned her and their daughter twenty-four years ago, had died and left her an inheritance. Becca had never met Chris’s family, and perhaps in some corner of her mind, had always held some resentment that they never contacted her. But, whatever, she and Katie were enough family for her. Until now, when possibilities and new information about the man who had abandoned them come to light. Neither Becca nor Katie has any idea of how this trip will change things for them, discover an unknown family, serious secrets held close for far too long, and perhaps, budding romances that will change the direction of their lives.
I enjoyed The Island Inn by Laura Abbott very much. I’d describe it as women’s fiction with a bit of intrigue and a touch of romantic possibilities. As this is a five-book series, I’m not surprised that we aren’t given all of the Dalton family secrets immediately. I was easily swept up in the various family members’ lives, liking some, skeptical of others, but always intrigued by the bits of information revealed. It was a solid introduction to the series, giving me just enough to spike my curiosity in wanting to know more. Yes, there is the slightest cliffhanger ending… but really, it simply leads into the next book with a hook to pull you further in to this family’s situation. I’m not a fan of cliffhangers, but this one was enough to have me think “Oh, really, then bring it on” instead of being frustrated, an additional bonus of binge-reading a series where the next book is readily available. I had a good time here, and if you enjoy a well-written, beach location story with interesting characters, then you’d enjoy this one.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
The Island Inn begins the Amberjack Shores series with an introduction to this intriguing three-generation family whose lives are about to change drastically with the death of one man.
Becca Dalton and her daughter, Katie (who is about to begin her medical rotations), travel to Florida after being tracked down by a determined attorney to inform Becca that her husband, Chris, who had abandoned her and their daughter twenty-four years ago, had died and left her an inheritance. Becca had never met Chris’s family, and perhaps in some corner of her mind, had always held some resentment that they never contacted her. But, whatever, she and Katie were enough family for her. Until now, when possibilities and new information about the man who had abandoned them come to light. Neither Becca nor Katie has any idea of how this trip will change things for them, discover an unknown family, serious secrets held close for far too long, and perhaps, budding romances that will change the direction of their lives.
I enjoyed The Island Inn by Laura Abbott very much. I’d describe it as women’s fiction with a bit of intrigue and a touch of romantic possibilities. As this is a five-book series, I’m not surprised that we aren’t given all of the Dalton family secrets immediately. I was easily swept up in the various family members’ lives, liking some, skeptical of others, but always intrigued by the bits of information revealed. It was a solid introduction to the series, giving me just enough to spike my curiosity in wanting to know more. Yes, there is the slightest cliffhanger ending… but really, it simply leads into the next book with a hook to pull you further in to this family’s situation. I’m not a fan of cliffhangers, but this one was enough to have me think “Oh, really, then bring it on” instead of being frustrated, an additional bonus of binge-reading a series where the next book is readily available. I had a good time here, and if you enjoy a well-written, beach location story with interesting characters, then you’d enjoy this one.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
May 19, 2025
This book offers an easy, sentimental story—ideal for a quiet evening or when you're in the mood for something light and undemanding. The plot, centered around a mother and daughter finding love through connections to an ex's family, unfolds in a familiar way. While the characters are likable, they come across as a bit too perfect, and the storyline doesn't venture far from what you'd expect.
Although the ending adds a touch of intrigue, it wasn't quite enough to compel me to continue with the series. An ok read for those seeking a cozy escape.
Although the ending adds a touch of intrigue, it wasn't quite enough to compel me to continue with the series. An ok read for those seeking a cozy escape.
September 7, 2025
I do not know what to think about the book yet, as it actually ends with an opening to the second book. I am not too fond of such surprises, to be honest. The stage and the main actors were just set alive to be suspended by an unexpected twist.
So far, the beautiful island setting provides a promising stage to further easy-going, feel-good romance(s), but in book one there is only one that had just begun to be immediately suspended.
Maybe I’d increase the stars later, if I manage to get through the books two, three and four…
So far, the beautiful island setting provides a promising stage to further easy-going, feel-good romance(s), but in book one there is only one that had just begun to be immediately suspended.
Maybe I’d increase the stars later, if I manage to get through the books two, three and four…
January 10, 2026
I had a free copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Lawyer Becca Dalton’s estranged husband dies leaving her with his portion of the family business – Amberjack Shores an historic inn, seaside cottages and a struggling fishing business. She and her daughter go to explore the business intending to return to her job. Her daughter Katie, a medical school student falls in love with Florida and a local photographer. They extend their stay to assist with remodeling and revamping the struggling business. An captivating book about possibilities, family and relationships.
March 28, 2025
I was intrigued by the cover and title of this book and honestly, I am glad because I absolutely LOVED reading this beach themed romance book by a new author to me. So, get ready to read a fun and clean romance book in the Amberjack Shores series that is going to have you smiling with the fun characters in this book.
August 15, 2025
The Island Inn
This book was so interesting you could really see all of the activity that went on between Becca and Katie meeting the new family and how they became part of figuring out how to bring back the resort. Becca deciding to stay there. I am looking forward to the next book.
This book was so interesting you could really see all of the activity that went on between Becca and Katie meeting the new family and how they became part of figuring out how to bring back the resort. Becca deciding to stay there. I am looking forward to the next book.
October 16, 2025
playthings of the gods
The remark Twist is a potential father finding that his wife is just pregnant and leaves runs away and surfaces years later in a rather complicated will. And after a complicated marvelous ending of a family and a kind-hearted single mother what was left to the mom and the family will. Build into a marvelous success.
The remark Twist is a potential father finding that his wife is just pregnant and leaves runs away and surfaces years later in a rather complicated will. And after a complicated marvelous ending of a family and a kind-hearted single mother what was left to the mom and the family will. Build into a marvelous success.
April 8, 2025
Very sweet small town romance. It was super easy to read and listen to. Also had a great cliff hanger at the end.
April 11, 2025
I liked it. It was uncomplicated in a good way. It had island feel and self-finding. Not a fan of clif-hangers, but it will be interesting to find out how it ends.
May 7, 2025
Cliffhanger
The end certainly does make me want more, totally unexpected. This is a very light, enjoyable read, and I'm looking forward to the sequel.
The end certainly does make me want more, totally unexpected. This is a very light, enjoyable read, and I'm looking forward to the sequel.
May 17, 2025
Listened to audio book on Youtube .Love to listen to a light book doing the chores .
July 28, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Light, easy, quick, and charming.
But what was that ending???
Light, easy, quick, and charming.
But what was that ending???
September 1, 2025
Awesome
Absolutely loved this book❤️ I can’t wait to begin the next one 😊 I know the more I read the better it will get!
Absolutely loved this book❤️ I can’t wait to begin the next one 😊 I know the more I read the better it will get!
September 8, 2025
Heartwarming story. Like the locale. Already started book 2.
December 17, 2025
Good read!
Read
December 18, 2025If the author doesn’t have enough faith in her book that a hook like that needs to be added I will not bother to read any more of her books. It was a good start to a series until that I’m done.
January 16, 2026
Cute read. I liked that the book left me wanting more, now onto book 2.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews