Her Forbidden Love

Indigo Island #2

by Kaira Rouda

Stepping off the ferry onto Indigo Island for her new job at Melrose Inn, Dorsey Pittman, is excited to have a fresh start, far from heartbreak and tragedy. Signing the no romantic relationship with staff clause is easy, as Dorsey’s determined to focus on her career and not romantic entanglements, but every time the resort’s tall, handsome and oh so sexy lifeguard, Jack Means, is close, sparks fly, and Dorsey feels like she’s about to catch fire.

Twenty-seven-year old Jack Means has secrets of his own and is only lifeguarding at Melrose Inn to ensure his advancement at Top Corp, where he’s in line for a management position. But it’s hard to remember why he’s signed the no romantic relationship clause, when twenty-six-year-old Dorsey Pittman arrives on the island. For promises to stick out one more summer of life guarding before attaining his dream of a management position with Melrose Inn and Plantation. She’s beautiful, adventurous, and impossible to ignore—but dating her could get him fired. Can Jack keep it casual and walk away from love when Dorsey might be the one woman who can hold, and heal, his heart?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 2014

About the author

Kaira Rouda is a USA TODAY and #1 Amazon and Amazon Charts bestselling author of contemporary fiction exploring beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. Her suspense novels include BEST DAY EVER, THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER, ALL THE DIFFERENCE, THE NEXT WIFE, SOMEBODY'S HOME, THE WIDOW, BENEATH THE SURFACE, UNDER THE PALMS, THE SECOND MRS STROM, WHAT THE NANNY SAW and JILL IS NOT HAPPY. Her next novel, WE WERE NEVER FRIENDS, is out February 3, 2026.

She lives in Southern California with her family and is at work on her next novel. Visit her webiste, KairaRouda.com for more. Connect with her on Instagram and Pinterest: @KairaRouda; and on Facebook at Kaira Rouda Books.

If you'd like to host Kaira at your book club, please reach out through her website KairaRouda.com

Sign up to receive a monthly email from Kaira with exclusive sales news, book excerpts, sweepstakes, and giveaways at: kairarouda.com/signup/

Reviews

[Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lines in the Sand by Kaira Rouda. This is Indigo Island Romance~book #2
Return to Indigo Island with Dorsey and Jack's story.
Dorsey and Jack both work at a summer island resorts where employee relationships are not allowed. This is a major problem since the sparks fly instantly.
Dorsey is 26 and excited to have a fresh start from her heartbreak and tragedy. She signs the no romantic relationship with other staff members clause when she starts her job at Melrose Inn. She is determined to focus on her job and not any relationship. She sees the sexy lifeguard, Jack, and the attraction is instant.
Jack is 27 and in line for a management position at Top Corp. He is life-guarding at Melrose Inn to make sure he gets his promotion. He has also signed the no romantic relationship clause. He sees Dorsey, and even though he tries to keep it casual, she is impossible to ignore. She is pretty and outgoing. Dating her could get him fired.
Can Jack ignore the feelings he has for Dorsey? Can he walk away from her?
Can Dorsey be the woman who can keep his heart and allow him to heal?
This is a wonderful 2nd story in the Indigo Island Romance series. It was fun, flirty and romantic. I enjoyed it and how the sparks flew between Dorsey and Jack.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet southern romance about starting over.

On this beautiful island, things aren't always what they seem. There are a lot of secrets and hidden dangers.

Dorsey Pittman is anxious to put her tragic past behind her and start over where no one knows her or what happened back in Ohio. She loves children and is ready to start her new job Melrose Inn on Indigo Island in the Kid's Club.

Jack Means has a plan for his future at Melrose Inn. He just has to make it past this summer's lifeguard duties before his management position starts.

Their annoying and demanding boss, Steve, makes Dorsey and Jack's lives miserable especially when they start falling in love. The no employee's dating contract is held over their heads. Dorsey and Jack can't seem to stay away from each other. What happens when news gets out that they are seeing each other?

I loved the story. The plot was well written as well as the description and history of the island. The little boy, Tade, was a scene stealer. I would love to see him return in another book.

[Rosemary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorsey is trying to start a new life. She has never come to terms with her father's murder. Coming to Indigo Island will be a new start for her. Little does she know that life here will test all her strength and courage. Jack, another employee, is strongly attracted to her. He helps her learn to love again, but there is something not quite right in this paradise. Will these two find the happiness they desire? I loved this book. This South Carolina Sea Island is a beautiful and romantic setting for this tender romance. It was interesting to have a little of the Gullah culture woven into the story. Dorsey and Jack are compelling characters. They are struggling to deal with the tragedies in their life and move on. Their romance was very satisfying. Kaira Rouda does a wonderful job merging the interwoven story lines so that I understood Dorsey and Jack and how the past influenced their lives. Lines in the Sand was a great story filled with so much emotion and drama that I couldn't put the book down.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice southern romance. Dorsey is trying to start over taking a job as the Kid Club leader at a resort. Jack is once again working at the resort as a lifeguard, even though he had a contract stating he was supposed to be in management. I loved the attraction between Dorsey and Jack. Steve, the odd, demanding boss certainly does his best to throw a wrench in their budding romance. I loved all of the detail in the description of the island and its history. The secondary characters, like Tade, really added a lot to the story as well.
This is the second story in the Indigo Island series, but it can easily be read without reading the first one (although that was a good story as well).

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story but it was over too soon! There was suspense and romance, all on an Island. Dorsey is making a new start so she takes a job at Indigo Island. She meets the sexy lifeguard Jack and sparks fly between them. The manager Steve does not want any fraternizing between coworkers, which makes it hard for Jack and Dorsey. I felt this story should have been longer and gave us more of a glance into the future of Indigo Island. I wanted more!

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristy Loftis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Lines In The Sand. I couldn't seem to stop reading it. I thought it was the perfect combination of romance and a little island mystery. I also liked the connection Jack and Dorsey developed throughout the book. They both had such traumatic pasts that seemed to bring them closer together.

[Nancy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story. I enjoyed the mix of romance and mystery. Both Dorsey and Jack had a past that brings them a brighter future.

[Lucille Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Forbidden Love(Indigo Island Book 2)

Laura Gouda did it again . This is another good book to read. The ending was what I thought it should have been. There was a lot of good things happen in this book you really need to buy it and read it . You will be so glad you did. 😂

[Chris McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorsey Pittman just landed her dream job. She gets to work at a world class resort, with children, and, best of all, live far away from the memories that still haunt her every waking moment. However, from the moment she steps off the ferry onto Indigo Island she senses that something just doesn't add up. Her new boss, Steve, is brash, controlling, over familiar, and just down right disturbing. While the resort is top notch and picturesque, the rest of the island feels sad and neglected. Dorsey, just can't shake the feeling that they way things are run here aren't the way things should be.

Jack Means has worked hard most of his life to achieve the level of success that is now his...or should be his. Having already signed an employment contract to become the youngest member of management in Top Club history, Jack is disgusted to learn that Steve has pulled a fast one and is denying his admission to this hallowed club until the end of the summer season. Until then Jack must cool his heels for another summer as head lifeguard, but with a twist...the long term employee rules of "no dating staff" now apply to him. Too bad the new Children's Program Director seems just too delicious to resist. Can he resist Dorsey all summer? Or will Steve's heavy handed treatment only bring them closer together?

This story was a wonderful depiction of Post Traumatic Stress and Suppressed Memories. Lately, as the stigma has slowly been removed from PTSD, more and more examples have been popping up in popular and romantic fiction. This one is a prime example of one method used to combat PTSD, which is meeting your fear head on and acknowledging that you will always have a sensitivity to certain situations. This story allows no sugar coating or "cures", just a strong dose of truth that some events cannot ever be forgotten.

The characters are certainly memorable. Dorsey and Jack both have a backbone and a lot of guts to face down the myriad of unpleasant events that take place in the book. Steve is beyond a creep. He is one hundred percent EVIL! The supporting staff, guests, and residents of the Island all add a lot of color and excitement to the story.

Overall, this is an exciting, if sometimes violent, adventure full of mystery and determination to discover the truth and do the right thing.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

In Lines In The Sand (An Indigo Island Romance) by Kaira Rouda, Dorsey is starting fresh with a new place to live and new job. She's going to make new, happy memories and prove she can make it on he own. Dorsey gets a job at Melrose Inn on Indigo Island as the kids club leader.

Jack has big plans. He is also at Melrose Inn on Indigo Island, hoping to start his new career in management there. Jack needs this job. For the summer he's a lifeguard, but has been promised a management job at the top club after the summer.

Jack and Dorsey are both escaping their pasts, trying to move forward. When they meet, Dorey can feel the electricity between them as much as Jack can feel the immediate attraction. All the ladies want Jack, but it's Dorsey Jack wants. Despite a no dating rule between employees at Melrose Inn, Jack and Dorsey soon can't help themselves. They try to keep things between them quiet, but their boss Steve seems to see everything. He also wants to be in charge of everything and everyone. Neither Jack nor Dorsey realize just what Steve can be capable of...

With past secrets and mysteries, will Jack and Dorsey be able to keep their dream jobs and each other? Or will they have to choose?

Lines In The Sand is a unique summer read. Kaira's descriptivism of Indigo Island and the ocean will take you there! Jack and Dorsey are characters who are still maturing. Their relationship and interactions demonstrate this well, and their growth is obvious as Lines In The Sand progresses. Their story is fun and I love the setting. The sub plots added some mystery and I loved how Kaira brought in the island culture that is outside of the Inn. Kaira also draw out the mystery of Jack and Dorsey's back grounds enough to keep you very interested and draw you into their lives as they struggle to overcome their pasts. The secondary characters are really catchy and well written into Lines In The Sand. There are a few of them I really looked forward to seeing, and I was very interested to find out what Steve was up to!

With a touch of mystery and lots of romance and conflict, I'd recommend Lines In The Sand to romance readers looking for a saucy romantic read.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lines in the Sand by Kaira Rouda
AN INDIGO ISLAND ROMANCE, BOOK 2
Stepping off the ferry onto Indigo Island for her new job at Melrose Plantation, Dorsey Pittman is excited to have a fresh start, far from heartbreak and tragedy. Signing the no romantic relationship with staff clause is easy as Dorsey’s determined to focus on her career, not romantic entanglements, but every time the resort’s tall, handsome and oh so sexy life guard is close, sparks fly and Dorsey feels like she’s about to catch fire.

Twenty–seven year old Jack Means has secrets of his own and is only lifeguarding this summer to ensure his advancement at Top Corp’s Melrose Inn, where he’s in line for a dream job, a management position. It’s hard to remember why he’s signed the no romantic relationship clause when Dorsey arrives on the island. She’s beautiful, adventurous, and impossible to ignore---but dating her could get him fired. Can Jack keep it casual and walk away from love when Dorsey might be the one woman who can hold and heal his heart?
where did Dorsey and Jack meet?
What was it about Dorsey that immediately attracted Jack?
what is Jack's job?
will Dorsey and Jack be more than friends?
who is the one woman who might be able to hold and heal Jack heart?
Lines in the Sand by Kaira Rouda is a wonderful well written 4 stars book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Kaira Rouda.
WEEKEND WITH THE TYCOON

AN INDIGO ISLAND ROMANCE
book 1

LINES IN THE SAND
AN INDIGO ISLAND ROMANCE, BOOK 2


ALL THE DIFFERENCE

HERE, HOME, HOPE

In the Mirror
by Kaira Rouda


is a single title under Southern Born

[Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dorsey is running away from a tragic past, starting a new career at a resort on mysterious and untamed Indigo Island. She soon finds herself falling for Jack, another staffer with a tragic past and a playboy reputation. But Jack has never met a girl like Dorsey…she quickly becomes much more than a fling to him and they bare their souls about their heartbreaking pasts to one another. However, there’s a strict “no dating” policy for resort staff and they soon find their very overbearing supervisor, Steve, is keeping a close eye on them and he repeatedly threatens their jobs, which they both desperately need to keep. It soon becomes clear that Steve’s reasons go far beyond company policy and are very sinister. When he takes things too far, a frightened Dorsey is ready to flee the island not only to protect herself, but to protect Jack, too. However, Steve has other plans…can Jack save Dorsey before harm befalls her? I really enjoyed this storyline and learning about the history of the island. However, much of the dialogue felt unnatural and the ending felt forced, hence the 3 stars. Still, it’s a decent summer read.

[Char Sowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

To read the entire review please visit my link text
Sizzling sexual attraction comes in hot and fast in this second installment of the Indigo Island series. Again there is the theme of "Forbidden fruit" but there is also terrible histories that both the hero and heroine carry with them like haunting specters of the past.
I loved that the characters of Dorsey and Jack each brought their own emotional and psychological baggage to the table. The fact that there is also a Thriller element to this story made the story richer. Like its preceding novel in the series, the main characters are instantly drawn to each other and although they feel deterred by company policy to stay away from each other, Jack and Dorsey quickly decide that Love trumps HR. I really respected this decision, I felt that the "company policy" excuse really dragged on too long in "Weekend With the Tycoon". It seemed that this novel also sprinted to the end, just a tiny bit, but it just might be that I really liked the characters of Dorsey and Jack and wanted more.

This novel is from my personal bookshelf therefore it is a honest review.

[Paula Pugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lines in the Sand is about the lines we draw and whether is is a line the will stop you or a line that, once crossed, cannot be reversed.
Jack is anticipating a job in management at Melrose Inn, a job that will fulfill a lifelong dream to work at a place he loves and that played a role in his growing up. The job also represents the way he will finally reach his mother and bring her the happiness missing from her life since a devastating tragedy years ago. The job and all it means is his line in the sand.
Dorsey is coming on staff at Melrose Inn and hopes to heal from bad memories in her life and to start over. She is needing restoration and the job is her line in the sand. Neither Jack nor Dorsey can anticipate the feelings that draw them together knowing that if they cross their personal lines and become involved, it could mean their jobs and the future. Crossing their lines also brings a danger that neither is willing to confront until is might be too late.

[Kerry Croucier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dorsey Pittman takes a job on Indigo Island to start over. She has faced tragedy in her past, and feels that the beautiful resort is just the place to start fresh and be herself. Jack Means has worked at the resort for many years, but feels this is finally his time, he has a management position locked up, or he thought so, until he arrives and finds he has to wait until after the summer. There is a strict "no dating" rule for employees, but the instant attraction makes Jack and Dorsey take a chance at getting to know each other... they just have to keep their boss from finding out, and Steve knows everything.
The setting is gorgeous and learning about the Gullah is fun. The storyline was good and there were interesting twists, but the author's style was a little harder for me to get into. I didn't feel like I knew the characters well enough to be completely invested in them.
A cute romance that is a quick read.

[Cindy Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lines in the Sand by Kaira Rouda is book #2 in the Indigo Island Book series and is a good addition to the series! We have Dorsey Pittman arriving on Indigo Island to work at the Melrose Inn & Plantation. Dorsey wants to concentrate on her career and is not looking for romance after suffering heart-break and tragedy. Jack Means is a hot lifeguard who also works at the Melrose Inn & Plantation and has his heart set on a management position there. We also have Steve the current manager who in my opinion is on a power trip and a real jerk, who makes the employees sign a No Romance clause between the employees. Can you guess where this is going? Dorsey and Jack are attracted to each other. Read the story to find out about Dorsey and Jack's romance, you will not be disappointed. This book has romance and some mystery. A good read!!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This is book two in the Indigo Island series. Dorsey & Jack are hoping the island will become their home when they start the Memorial Day weekend as year-round employees of the resort. Two bad things about the resort are the boss and the no dating employees rule. The boss is very inappropriate and when strange events happen, he wants it to be kept from the guests to not mar the perfect image. Dorsey & Jack decide to date despite the many warnings. Both are attacked and beaten by someone they assume was their boss. Jack wants to end the relationship to save his job until he learns the real reason why a previous employee really left the island. Dorsey just wants to leave the island and turmoil behind, but will she be allowed to...

[Sydney Katt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, let's skip the part where I'm supposed to rehash the synopsis and just get to it. This was a cute story and a fun read. I can't give it full stars for a few reasons. 1. I didn't feel the chemistry between them on the page; the author just told me there was chemistry several times per chapter. 2. The ending felt rushed, forced, possibly even unbelievable. 3. There's a suspense element that resolves in the way you'd pretty much expect. When something happened on the beach (no spoilers), I got excited because I thought the suspense plot was going to fly off the rails into Awesome Town. It didn't. *sad tear* 4. The antagonist didn't have any redeeming qualities. I usually like a little complexity mingled with my evil. So, that seems like a lot against the story, but it really isn't if you want a light, fun read. 3.5 stars.

[Shelagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really struggled with this book. I found the language a bit forced and the dialogue didn't seem to flow naturally. It was as though Kaira Rouda was trying too hard with everything. It could just be that I am too old for this book. I think it would be a perfect young adult novel. It has a lot going for it in an island resort setting, handsome hero and pretty heroine, difficult backgrounds for them both and a particularly nasty boss, who also happens to be a womaniser. I just couldn't believe that either Jack or Dorsey would take what Steve was dishing up, yet they both sat back and let him walk all over them. I wanted to smack their heads and tell them to grow up and defend their rights. Anyway, as I said, probably an ideal young adult book for somebody looking for some light flirty fun.

[Shannon Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lines in the Sand (Indigo Island, #2)
By Kaira Rouda

Dorsey is starting over. Her father was murdered years ago and she had never really dealt with it. So moving to Indigo Island is her new life. Life on the island isn't just fun and relaxation. She will have her faith, courage, and strength tested.

She meets and works with Jack. Someone else who is basically starting over as well. He does help her heart to heal but will they be able to make it work? Will they both be able to overcome their pasts?

Their boss, Steve tries to make life harder for them than necessary. He's constantly holding "the no dating" policy over their heads. So what happens when they do start dating and Steve finds out about it??

Book provided by WordSmith Publicity for honest review.

[Renae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack and Dorsey meet at the plantation as they sign on for careers, instead of summer jobs. Jack was suppose to be in management, but the director was a little sneaky. While Dorsey was to run the kids club. Each had a bit of a sordid past that kept each other from letting their walls done. Dorsey is able to support Jack through rehashing his major life disaster which starts the bond for more.

When an unexpected event has Dorsey sharing bits of her well hidden secrets to Jack before she even realizes it.

This story was well written, with a nice mix of history, romance, suspense and tension. Looking forward to the next story in the series.

[Laura D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dorsey is starting over on Indigo Island as the Kid's Club Coordinator at Melrose Inn. Jack is the lifeguard at the Inn. He is thirty-seven years old and wants to work his way up the ladder and run the resort one day. When they meet they have an instant attraction they can not ignore. They both have a secret from their past that still haunts them. They have to chose between the one person who could fill that empty place in their heart or keeping the job they both need. This is the second book in the Indigo Island series. I really enjoyed it. It was a little slow going in the beginning, but once strange things started to happen I was hooked.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We return to Indigo Island with Dorsey and Jack's story, Lines in the Sand. Working at Melrose Inn is a step closer to goals for both of them...a new start for Dorsey and a management position for Jack. Despite a no dating employees rule, Jack and Dorsey are not able to ignore their attraction to each other. As their relationship develops, we see how they overcome their past. With some twists and secrets, Kaira Rouda does a wonderful job adding suspense to this sweet romance. I look forward to more Indigo Island stories.

[Phoenix · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so intense. Short but intense. The only real criticism I have is that I felt like it was a little rushed and a bit contrived. Other than that, it was on the edge of my seat exciting and romantic. I fell in love with the main characters and really felt their chemistry. There was some mystery into some attacks and I loved the ending. Both the main characters have so much weight to carry from their pasts but this book does a good job of unloading those problems and watching the characters grow.

For more reviews, go to my blog bbsbookreviews.com

[Bonnie Gonzales · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has likeable characters even Barbara with her Gullah customs I would have loved to see more of her and the little 10 year old boy Tade.
It has the island beauty and the island ugly, the bugs and the storms. It has romance, mystery and its a little bit scary, I would have probably rated it higher if it was less frightening.
I would recommend this book for a rainy day read or a hot summer day read, and if your a scaredy cat like me don't read it at night!
Maybe its a compliment to the author that I enjoyed the book even if it had some scary parts.

[Jill Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet read filled with drama, hunky life guards, mystery, intrigue, tragedy and love. Set on an Island off of South Carolina where the land is beautiful the ocean ever changing with storms of nature that can change in an instant. A story where both the hero and heroine both come to the island to start over. The author has done a good job with the descriptions of the places that storms of nature and many including history and not hiding the tragedy of slavery in this countries early history. The story is definitely worth a few hours of your time.

[Myla · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this story had it's sweet moments, I wasn't connected to these characters and found the ending too neat. It was intriguing in the beginning when Dorsey meets Jack and they discover they both have tragic pasts that color their lives now. The storyline then swerves then into weird territory when Steve the dorky manager turns into Steve the sinister. Overall I like this author but was disappointed in this story.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Off to Indigo Island we go in this novella. A story about two employees forbidden to be with one another at a high class resort we get a quick love story that tries to pack a lot into a short amount of pages. While it’s a good read it is a bit overwhelming with information and unfortunately isn’t able to delve deeply into some of the darker underlying story. That being said what is there is very well written and the style of prose is smooth and rewarding to read.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful well written story that takes place on Indigo Island. Dorsey is starting her new new job as The Kid 's Club leader at Melrose Plantation, leaving her tragic past behind her. She meets summer lifeguard, Jack. who is moving up into management after this summer. As their friendship develops into more, they need to be careful, a rule of no dating among staff. I loved the connection between these two, so much healing. A well packed read, in a short story.

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave 4 stars but I felt it was 3.5 stars but I rounded up

I thought this story to be pretty good. It was nice to escape to the romance and a bit of danger on Indigo Island. This book had romance a little heat in the sex scenes as well as a mystery going on.\

I was given an ARC to read for an honest review.