Seaside Secrets

Seaside Summers #4

by Melissa Foster

Seaside Summers is a series of stand-alone romances that may also be enjoyed as part of the larger LOVE IN BLOOM big-family romance collection. The Seaside Summers series features a group of fun, sexy, and emotional friends who gather each summer at their Cape Cod cottages. They're funny, flawed, and will have you begging to enter their circle of friends. Follow these friends on their search for forever love in the Seaside Summers series.

IN SEASIDE SECRETS...
Tony Black is the hottest surfer on the planet. He travels the world throughout the year and spends his summers on Cape Cod with his friends, at the Seaside cottages in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. He's got his choice of women, but Amy Maples is the one he wants. Fourteen years ago she was his for an entire summer, until a devastating accident changed everything, and what they had seemed like it had never existed--at least for her.

Amy Maples is as consistent as the day is long. She's spent summers on Cape Cod forever, she always does the right thing, and she's spent years trying to reclaim the heart of Tony Black, the only man she's ever loved. She's back for a summer of fun with her friends at Seaside, only this year she's been offered the opportunity of a lifetime thousands of miles away, and she's decided to try one last time to reconnect with Tony. But having a relationship with Tony means dealing with her past--and dealing with her past may knock her to her knees.

WANT MORE SEASIDE SUMMERS? All Seaside books can be read as stand-alone novels or as part of the series:

SEASIDE SUMMERS
Seaside Dreams (Bella)
Seaside Hearts (Jenna)
Seaside Sunsets (Jamie)
Seaside Secrets (Amy)
Seaside Nights (Sky)
Seaside Embrace (Hunter)
Seaside Lovers (Grayson)
Seaside Whispers (Matt)

SEASIDE SUMMERS is part of the Love in Bloom big family romance collection. Characters from each sub-series appear in future books. Read the complete Love in Bloom series:

SNOW SISTERS
Sisters in Love
Sisters in Bloom
Sisters in White

THE BRADENS (Weston, CO)
Lovers at Heart (Treat & Max)
Destined for Love (Rex & Jade)
Friendship on Fire (Josh & Riley)
Sea of Love (Dane & Lacy)
Bursting with Love (Savannah & Jack)
Hearts at Play (Hugh & Bree)

THE BRADENS (Trusty, CO)
Taken by Love (Luke)
Fated for Love (Wes)
Romancing My Love (Pierce)
Flirting with Love (Ross)
Dreaming of Love (Emily)
Crashing into Love (Jake)
.
THE BRADEN WORLD NOVELLAS
Promise My Love (Rex & Jade's Wedding Novella)
Daring Her Love
Our New Love

THE REMINGTONS
Game of Love (Dex)
Stroke of Love (Sage)
Flames of Love (Siena)
Slope of Love (Rush)
Read, Write, Love (Kurt)
Touched by Love (Boyd)

THE BRADENS (at Peaceful Harbor)
Healed by Love (Nate)
Surrender My Love (Cole)
River of Love (Sam)
Crushing on Love (Shannon)
Whisper of Love (Tempest)
Thrill of Love (Ty)

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, Second Chance, Family, Ebooks

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 24, 2015

About the author

NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

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Melissa Foster is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 100 novels. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, always family oriented, and feature fiercely loyal heroes, smart, sassy heroines, and complex relatable issues.

Melissa also writes sweet romance under the pen name, Addison Cole here: https://addisoncole.com

Melissa loves to hear from readers! Feel free to send her an email or chat with her on social media.

Melissa welcomes the opportunity to chat with book clubs and other reading groups.

"What sets Melissa Foster apart are her compelling characters who you care about... desperately...I dare you to read the first chapter and not be hooked." International bestseller, M.J. Rose

"Melissa Foster is a wonderful connector of readers and books, a friend of authors, and a tireless advocate for women. She is the real deal"--Author Jennie Shortridge

Reviews

[Nadene (Totally Addicted to Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed all the books I have read in the Seaside Summer series, but without a doubt this is my favourite by far. I have been eagerly awaiting Tony and Amy’s story for some time now and from the moment I began reading I knew I would not be disappointed. This is a beautiful tale of love, healing, forgiveness and second chances.

It tells the story of two people who have loved and lost. They have maintained their friendship throughout the years; however the pain of the past has proven to be a hindrance to their moving on. After much agonizing they finally decided to take the steps needed to overcome this obstacle. Slowly and patiently they are able to heal and come to terms with their past, thus enabling them to cease their future.

It was easy empathizing with Tony and Amy. Experiencing a tragic loss is difficult, especially for ones so young. They were unable to deal with the pain and as a result, it led to years of unhappiness. There are a lot of things taking place in this story, but in the midst of it Tony and Amy’s story rang true. This was not a fairy tale read; it was true to life in every sense of the word. You will find yourself crying and laughing along with them through their journey of re-discovery. It was great to see them move past their pain and begin the healing process.

The story took me on an emotional ride that I may not soon recover from. It is an engrossing read which held my attention from beginning to end. I was made to feel as if I was a part of the story and I found myself rooting for Tony and Amy

If you are looking for a story that will engage your emotions in a satisfying way, then look no further. Seaside Secrets will do this and more.

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, and this story was amazing- though very different from the others for me. The whole first half of the book is just gut-wrenching... my heart could hardly take the pain, and I wondered if I'd really be able to keep going and finish!! But I was pulled in so deeply and it's so well-written that I couldn't stop reading, and of course I was rewarded many times along the way right through to the ending... Melissa is an amazing writer.

I really recommend reading the other books in the series before this one. I think the extreme emotional pull had a lot to do with getting to know Tony and Amy (and all their friends!) in all the other books before reading this one. I have to say I was really surprised by what had transpired between them in the past, and there were actually a few times that I couldn't quite believe it all... they were so drawn to one another why hadn't they come back together before 14 years had passed???! But that's exactly what makes it a great story, and one that any Melissa Foster Seaside Series fan will absolutely love. Once again, this was a very satisfying read that left me looking forward to what comes next at Seaside!!

I received an early release copy of this book, but that did not impact my opinion, which is totally and honestly mine... I know I'll read it again, as I've done with all of Melissa's books, and enjoy it even more the second (and more!) time around!

[Big Joe Rossi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony and Amy's story starts with a secret teen love affair that ends in tragic heartbreak. While they have been able to remain friends, both wish for more.

Amy has crushed on Tony since they were teens but she refuses to admit to the past to not him, not to her friends, not to herself. TO her friends she has only had a crush on Tony, no idea of their past relationship or their hurt. They will need to fight for one another and fight to bury the past in the past and move forward if there is any chance for a HEA with these two.

I waited for this couples story and I wasnt left wanting. Their love was always for each other but sometimes happenstances in the past can ruin a future, on if you fight together can you get past them.

[Chu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want you with me, Amy. Every day, every night, every f*cking minute of my life.

The moment I read a sneak peek for SEASIDE SECRETS, I just knew I needed to read this one ASAP. If the sneak peek had me teary-eyed, what more if I read the whole novel, right?

Melissa Foster laid out all the pain and hurt on the first chapter. I think I couldn't breath for a while there, until the ARC copy of this book came into my email, just in time before I got crazy! Talk about perfect timing. But the email made my day, and reading Tony & Amy (crossing my fingers, *finally*) story and finding out their secrets completed my day. THIS is my favorite in the series, read the the book and find out why.

I have watched this two close 'friends' being sweet on each other, sweet and shy Amy pinning on the hottie surfer, only to be caught off-guard of their past and what happened between the two of them. I didn't realize what they have been through - and how come it all came down to this...

Everyone has a past. I have mine, you have yours, and we have ours. No matter what it takes, I will prove to you that our past, no matter how hurtful, didn't ruin the future we could have. Only we can either make that happen or run from it. It's our decision this time, Amy. There are no outside influences that can push us one way or the other. There's only you and me and what could be.


Fourteen years ago - they were young, they were head over hills in love, and they were each other's world. What changed? What caused that heartbreak? What caused all that pain?

Amy was thinking about moving on. After all, Tony seemed to have no plans of reciprocating her love, and he seems eager to let her go. When he tells her how he really felt about her, she decided to accept the job offer that was on the table, and get out of Seaside. She needed to finally let go of her love. But letting go, might include the past, and it was something she wasn't ready to visit.

I love Amy, but she's keeping all that hurt and putting it inside a bottle. I was afraid she will burst, and destroy everything surrounding her. She had great friends, and an even greater boyfriend, I had a feeling they'd come running if she only ask for their help, more so their moral support for that time in her life when she needed it the most.

Here they are, given a second chance, starting all over. But first, they need to discuss and let go of the past. Something Amy wasn't a fan of. Would she finally let go of the past to make room for her future? Because Tony is ready, and he was willing to wait until she is.

Seaside Secrets got a heartbreaking beginning and a heartwarming ending. You can't help but get glued to every pages, absorbed in the story of Tony and Amy. Perhaps, just like me, you have been waiting for this book, and finally IT is happening, THEY are happening. It's a story about love, hope and second chances. A story of friendship: sharing, unloading burdens, honesty and trust. Melissa Foster got herself another keeper right here!

Love is like this amazing, all-consuming force that sneaks up on you and steals all those brain cells that make you think rationally and replaces them with emotions so powerful that you're impotent to change their course.

[ysar · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels like Amy has loved Tony all her life. Since that nearly perfect summer when it seemed like forever was theirs, she’s returned to Seaside every year, where they pretend they’ve never been anything more than friends. But Amy’s tired of pretending, and while she doesn’t want to face the past, she can’t imagine a future in which she doesn’t finally give in and take a chance with Tony.

The Verdict: Tony and Amy had one magic summer together years ago, but ever since then, they’ve gone back to acting like friendship is all they’ve ever had between them. Neither one of them has forgotten, certainly, but the horrible way they ended isn’t something Amy wants to deal with, and Tony’s just been playing along ever since.

While this Seaside book was every bit as wonderful as the rest of the series, Tony and Amy’s story is really very sad. Their young love story ended with a tragic accident that messed Amy’s head up and left Tony in the dark. Part of me was really mad at Amy when it was revealed how she simply shut Tony out, but then again, girls (and boys) aren’t exactly genius with their emotional reactions at that age. The fact that they’ve remained friends — and just friends at that — is pretty remarkable and speaks to the depth of their bond, but after still loving from afar for way too many years, Amy decides to put herself out there again.

When Tony rebuffed Amy’s drunken advance, it was just heartbreaking. Understandable, yes, especially since he had no way of knowing how she really felt about him, but heartbreaking nonetheless. It quickly became clear that they had some things to work through before Tony could put his heart on the line again, and Amy, despite how much she wanted to give things between them another shot, wasn’t willing to deal with the past for a long time.

I don’t normally do very well with angsty stories, simply because I’m such a big wuss, but this one had me racing through it to find them in a better place. When Amy finally came clean about everything in her mind and heart — and confessed to the girls as well — it was all worth it. The romance between Tony and Amy was sad and sweet and absolutely believable, and if anyone in the Seaside gang deserved the happily ever after they finally got, it was these two.

***FicCentral received this book from Tasty Book Tours for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional Impact!

Amy Maples has secretly loved Tony Black since she was six years old. Their families, along with several others, spent summers in a cottage neighborhood at Seaside, where the sun and surf lead to lifelong friendships and more. Along the way, Amy and Tony found each other, but life-changing secrets tore them apart. Skip ahead fourteen years, and the group is back together for a wedding. Amy and Tony still have amazing chemistry and their friends don’t understand why these two aren’t together. As the story unfolds, we learn the strengths and vulnerabilities of both Amy and Tony, and discover the amazing heat and endurance of their connection, along with their secrets!

Melissa Foster made me laugh, cry, and care about the characters in this story. Seaside Secrets is a wonderful journey! Emotional and awesome – it’s my favorite in this series.

I have read all of the Seaside books (more than once), and have now listened to most of them. B.J. Harrison is wonderful with the voices. After listening to several of his entries, I can't imagine anyone else narrating for Amy and Tony.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet book! I loved this one. I will say there were a small things that made this less than a 5 star for me but oh man was this a cute book and it wraps up the 4 best friend's stories really well. I loved it.

[Mignon Mykel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 / 5 stars!
Received an arc of the title through Tasty Book Tours in exchange for an honest review; full review can be found at original posting:
http://mnonmklreviews.blogspot.com/20...

Tony and Amy have loved one another in secret for years. They've known each other since Amy was six. They're families both vacationed at Seaside and through the years, they grew up together and became closer.

Every summer, Amy looked forward to seeing Tony -- and Tony vice versa. One summer they decided to act on their feelings and had a true summer of bliss. However, they kept their relationship a secret. Then, when it all falls apart, Amy goes away to heal on her own, and lick her wounds away from him.

Both of them are thankful that after a few years, their friendship fell back in place. And while each summer, their group of friends is finding their own loves, Tony and Amy are still 'just friends'.


He knows her scent down to every single part of it, but she is no better.

Not only does she know what cologne he uses, but during the nine months when they are apart, whenever she gets to missing him too much, she spritzes his cologne on her pillow so she can smell him. My goodness, gracious, you two... just talk to each other! Granted, who am I to talk? I'm the one who crushes on a single person for 5+ years and never says a word...

Tony is fiercely protective over Amy. He watches out for her and is always sure she makes it home ok, and that men don't grab on her. When they're group of paired up friends is together, Tony always has his arm around Amy -- and Amy always just figures it for what it 'is', a friendly gesture.

But Tony's never gotten over Amy.

He holds himself responsible for the act that tore them apart and he has yet to forgive himself for it. He figures Amy deserves so much better than he can give her. But after telling her so much, she shuts down, and we start to see Tony completely.

If there's one thing Tony doesn't want, it's to lose Amy forever.

My theme these last few weeks seems to have been friends-to-lovers, and not just friends, but old-friends. Well, that and babies. Babies has been a theme for a few of the books, too. This one was certainly cute. My biggest little gripe would simply be Tony and Amy's 'first' fight, the one where they finally start talking about that long ago summer, has moments where it felt to be dragging on... it was hot and cold; he was loud, she too timid; she touchy, and he sending all sorts of mixed signals. I would have liked it to either be shorter, or more passionate. Regardless, the fight got it's point across and the story truly began.

I'm curious about the other books in this Seaside Summer series. I absolutely love the friendships that were in this book. Not only did we see Tony and Amy's relationship, we had heavy doses of the girls' close friendship -- the laughs, the stunts, the tears... I enjoyed it, and seeing the other girls fall in love would be a treat.

[Melody May (What I'm Reading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Posted on What I'm Reading

I have to say that I have loved the Seaside Summer books. I think they are my favorite. They just seem to have the right balance of humor and emotional charge. Anyway, Seaside Secrets started off very emotional. You couldn't help feeling for Amy. She has been in love with Tony forever, and they had one perfect summer until the accident. Everything changed after that, and she tried to keep it buried never to return again. At the same time, by burying she was denying anything happen between her and Tony. She finally decided that she wanted to see if Tony had feelings for her other than friendship. However, when a guy tells everyone that he loves her like a friend, it kind of kills any hope. I felt crushed for Amy. Actually, I could totally relate to Amy's character on that whole feeling crush thing. So, she decides to pick up the pieces of her fragile little heart and decide to move on. Except stupid little hearts never fully comprehend that message.

Now Tony, has always had a soft spot for Amy, but when she basically cut him off after the accident he couldn't handle be anything more than friends. Why would he want to get run over by a train again? All he wants to do is keep the friendship the same as it has been. However, that isn't going, especially when it kills Amy to be around Tony.

The first part of the book I was a mess, and I had a broken heart. However, I love that Tony and Amy started to talk and open up about the past which led to the healing. For both of them it was rough. They were basically opening old wounds, but it had to be down in order for them to have a future. Emotionally rough, but beautifully written. I love this story they had a past to through and open up. As they did, they started to discover other things. I loved Seaside Secrets, because it's a beautiful story of second chance. One of my favorite lines from Amy sums up story wonderfully:
"If there's one thing I've learned this summer, it's that you can't fix the past. You can only accept it, maybe try to understand it as best you can, and find a way to move forward and leave it where it belongs. In the past."
Even though the story was emotionally gut-wrenching at times, there was some humor that made those emotional times manageable. It would be summer at the seaside without the antics between Bella and Theresa. That was my favorite part of the story. My second favorite part was one of the sweetest, tender moments that will melt heart of stone. Overall, Seaside Secrets is an emotional charge story that will have you in tears, but it will bring a smile to your face at the same time. I absolutely can't wait for more.

Copy provided by author via Tasty Book Tours

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Cape Cod in Seaside Secrets.
Tony Black, hot cocky surfer who enjoys traveling the world likes to settle in at Cape Cod for summers. He can pretty much do and get anything he wants, everything is at his finger tips. What he wants most though is to reclaim the one woman he won't ever forget, Amy Maples. After fourteen years of holding back his feelings for her, he's not so sure he can go another summer without confronting her or the secrets that had torn them apart from one another.

Amy enjoys her summers in Cape Cod each year just as Tony, since she was six she has been madly in love with him. This summer however she's left with a tough choice. She's been offered a job that will take her away for two years but no matter how much she looks forwards to it, there's one problem. She can't seem to get Tony out of her thoughts. Thinking of one last chance with him, Amy tries to make a go of it, but what happened all those years ago still stands between them and could very well end it all.

Seaside Secrets was a great book! Loved how things came together, really I was so surprised to start reading it . What could possibly tear two people who are so obviously in love with each other apart? What would keep them apart for so long? It was heartwarming how they found each other, held a place even after so many years. Will they be able to get everything out in the open and move on? Or will the secrets of their past break them up once and for all? Enjoyable read, surprised me on how it started and grew with each page turn. Another winner from Foster!

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy has loved Tony all of her life. The summer before college, she thought that she finally had the man of her dreams until a tragedy tore them apart. Afraid to confide in her best friends, she was forced to deal with the situation alone.

Fourteen years later, Amy’s still pining after Tony. Now a professional surfer and motivational speaker, Tony spends his time traveling the world, but still devotes his summers to the Cape. Amy doesn’t know if she can spend another summer so close to him. She now has to make a tough decision, take the job offer in Australia and put Tony in her past for good or see if he feels for her what she’s felt for him all these years.

Seaside Summers (Love in Bloom) is one of my all-time favorite series. Who doesn’t love being at the beach with your best girlfriends and finding love? Something that I especially enjoyed about this book is the way the author wrote of the tragedy that Amy and Tony dealt with many years ago. It’s something that I feel many couples are going to be able to relate to and Melissa Foster does a brilliant job making the characters emotions feel so real and raw.

Seaside Secrets is a great story, full of fun characters, that touches on a serious subject. Melissa Foster fans are going to love this book. And, if you are a first time reader of her books, this one will make you want to go out and get the rest of the books in the Love in Bloom series.

[Kathy Osborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly loved Seaside Secrets!
Amy returns to Seaside community after years of being away to attend one of her besties wedding. Tony, a famous surfer/speaker is also there to attend the wedding. Amy and Tony are no strangers as they were childhood friends and had a secret relationship during the last summer Amy spend at Seaside.

But due to a tragic accident, Amy broke off the relationship and they remain casual friends for 14 years. However, both are very much in love with each, but don't know how to get past the events of that fateful last summer.
They love wins out and they are able to move past and start a new relationship.

Get ready with tissues, because the Lighthouse scene will bring you to tears. Melissa writes a wonderful passionate, emotional story about how lost love can find it's way back even through tragedy.

I would recommend this story to anyone who loves romance and happy endings.

I was given a commentary copy of this book.

[Fee (Ebook Addicts) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is only the second book by Melissa that I have read and she fast becoming a favourite of mine.

This book is number four in the Seaside Secrets series, and the final instalment of the Love in Bloom series, and whilst I haven't read the others it is clear that you can easily read this as a stand alone. Which is great for a series! I got a glimpse of Tony and Amy from book three and I desperately wanted to know their story.

Amy has loved Tony from afar since she first met him when she was 6 years old. Fast forward to them finally hooking up one summer before college when an accident shatters their relationship and friendship.

This book is a emotional journey for Amy and Tony as they reconnect in more way than one. They have to come to terms with what happened that summer and I have to admit I cried a few times throughout this book.

I loved reading their story, and the friendship the girls all have makes me slightly jealous - in a good way.

5 marvellous stars

[Book-shelf Shelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this story had more kick than 50 Shades!! I really enjoyed this book and the story line was unlike your typical romance story's, You get to the good part the happy ever after and it ends... but with this book you got to enjoy the whole getting together and the see relationship develop. The story takes you on a journey with the characters that gives feeling and is in no way a typical love story. This book a real pleasure to read I'm hoping for a sequel.


Na

[Nate Brightman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seaside Secrets is the 4th book in the Seaside Summers series and one that I had greatly anticipated reading. This book for all intents and purposes would wrap up the stories of the four Seaside Sisters who kicked off the series, Leanna, Bella, Jenna and Amy. This was Amy and Tony’s story. I wanted to love it. But I didn’t. Liked it yes, loved it no. If you’ve read the first 3 books in the series as I have you are well acquainted with Amy Maples and Tony Black and their relationship or lack thereof. While Leanna, Bella and Jenna have all found their forever loves, Amy has pined for Tony whom she’s been in love with since she was six years old. But swoon worthy Tony has had poor Amy permanently stuck in the BFF zone for just as long. Or so we thought! Turns out Amy and Tony have a deeper history that nobody but them knew about. And the guilt both carry from their past is what has kept them from returning their relationship to more than good friends.
Sometimes Melissa Foster’s writing can be poignant like the hotel room scene where Tony rejects Amy’s attempts at seduction. I loved the scene where Tony with his emotions raw and vulnerable tells Amy how he really feels. Or when Amy with equally raw emotions tries to explain to Tony why she did what she did. At other times she does a wonderful job of making her story feel true to life, real people dealing with real emotions as when Bella can’t resist one more jibe at Amy in the pool the day after Amy’s big confession, because as much as Bella forgives her she’s still a little bit hurt by Amy’s action and just can’t keep her mouth shut. I loved how Amy explained to Tony why she had no regrets for her long period of celibacy, even if it was pretty hard to believe. I love how she painted the quiet scenes between Tony and Amy as they worked through their emotional baggage along the beaches of Cape Cod. And I love the witticism, funny antics with their pranks on Theresa and their "chunky dunking" and Jenna's O.C.D. tendencies and quips from the girls she regularly intersperses in this series.
There was so much in this story I loved, the entire first two chapters at Jamie and Jessica’s wedding. I loved protective momma bear Bella, the girl’s de-facto leader calling out Tony for how she feels she has wronged her friend and how she was so hurt to think Amy had deceived her for so many years. I loved the way Leanna and Jenna called upon their own personal strengths to support Amy.
What I didn’t get in this story (and I suspect its because I’m a guy) is much of what happens immediately after Tony finally confessed his feelings for Amy to her? I would have thought once he gave her the words she’d waited fourteen years to hear she would fall into his arms (and bed) and the happily ever after would begin. I didn’t expect all the angst with Amy worrying about whether they could make it long term as a couple because of their past? I get Tony's concern that Amy might one day toss him aside again, but not Amy's. Or whether she could give up her dream job in Australia to be with Tony? Seriously? This is the guy you’ve spent literally every day of your life wanting and now that he’s offering himself up on a platter you’re hesitating for a job? And Tony, Amy is practically raping you and you want to wait to prove you’re worthy of her before you make love to her? While Tony’s relationship with his father that fateful summer was an interesting side plot, I didn’t understand why it had an impact on his ability to move forward in his relationship with Amy, nor Amy’s with her father? Tony’s relationship with Amy that summer and with his father were separate and unrelated to each other and it's been fourteen years.
As this was the final story in the Seaside series that will focus on the four young women who introduced us to the series Ms. Foster did her best to wrap it all up in a bow and give us a happily ever after for not only Amy and Tony but also for their best friends. It’s probably just me and I know it made for a romantic finale, but I have a hard time buying the idea that Leanna, Bella and Jenna who at the point of this story had been engaged to Kurt, Caden and Pete for years would hold out for Amy (who wasn’t even in a relationship for those years) before moving forward with their own lives by marrying their fiancées? What if Amy and Tony hadn't reunited? How many more years were they willing to wait to get married and start their own families? And I don’t get why if they weren’t even inviting their immediate families to the joint beach wedding why two of Pete’s brothers along with his sister Sky were in attendance? Well I do. It’s because the series is now going to focus on Pete’s siblings beginning with Sky. Or for that matter why they thought their families would forgive them for not being invited to their real weddings and everyonee would be enthusiastic to attend more formal individual wedding re-enactments once they were already married?
Perhaps there’s nothing wrong with Seaside Secrets? Just about every other review I've read has given the book 5 stars. Maybe it was just impossible for the book to live up to my oversized expectations after loving Leanna, Bella and Jenna’s stories? It was a good story which made me laugh and cry and wish it wasn’t the end of my time with this crazy group of best friends. What else can you ask of a book? I’ll give it a solid 4 stars. I just wish I could have given it 5.

[Samantha Kauchis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knew this one was going to annoy the crap out of me and it didn't disappoint. I'm so tired of the Hero being a man whore while he's apart from the Heroine that he has supposedly always loved. Then we have the poor pining Heroine who has not slept with ANYONE the whole 14 years they were apart... Just can't win with these 2nd chance love story HEA books... They don't jive with me.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

*received for free through Goodreads First Reads

A well-written romance with characters that are interesting and believable.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

She's always loved him
He thinks he's not good enough
Because of their past

Lots of angst this time
Trust is big issue for both
Satisfying end

[K B · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** Seaside Secrets
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the steamy novel Seaside Summers book 4: Seaside Secrets: Amy and Tony by Melissa Foster and this review was given freely.
An emotion packed second chance at love story featuring relationships after miscarriage, the continued pranks of Bella, Amy facing her past and fears, Tony's learning a mystery concerning his father's death and multiple weddings. On the eve before Jamie and Jessica's wedding and tired of waiting for Tony, 32 year old Amy contemplates selling her accounting and logistics company to move to Australia.

*** Seaside Nights
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the steamy novel Seaside Summers book 5: Seaside Nights: Sky and Sawyer by Melissa Foster and this review was given freely.
A poignant story of courtship,dealing with loss and finding both a new direction and fulfillment. Set the summer after all the original Seaside crowd married, this story contains an eclectic mix of topics such as post concussion brain injury, Parkinsons, sexual orientation plus an ironic attraction at first sight romance. As Tattoo artist Sky achieves her business goals, she feels the loss of a personal life until some chance meetings and stray phrases from the P-town Poet lead her to professional boxer, rugged guitarist and songwriter Sawyer Bass. The romance is complicated by Sky's dislike for violence and Sawyers worry over his career, his health, and his father's health.

***Seaside Embrace
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the steamy novel Seaside Summers book 6: Seaside Embrace:Jana and Hunter by Melissa Foster and this review was given freely.
A frenemies, reformation of a playboy and an in-laws to more steamy romance with errotic scenes. Metal artist Hunter and Dance instructor/boxer/waitress Jana hook up despite their siblings advice. However, despite their mutual desire to remain unattached, they find themselves continually drawn to each other causing Jana to question her feelings and Hunter's purpose. Side stories include the progressive lives of the Seaside Group including their infants, a twist to the Bella and Theresa pranks, and Hunter's coworker's rocky marriage.

***Seaside Lovers
5 stars
I purchased a copy of the steamy novel Seaside Summers book 7: Seaside Lovers: by Melissa Foster and this review was given freely.
A complex steamy story of loss,family and love mixed with the loving interference and acceptance of the Seaside ladies. A year of corresponding turns to love for the third Lacroux sibling, metal artist Grayson and California actress Parker.


***Seaside Whispers
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the steamy novel Seaside Summers book 8: Seaside Whispers: Matt and Mira by Melissa Foster and this review was given freely.
A fitting conclusion to the Lacroux family Seaside romances containing a wonderful group of friends, some humor and a lot of steamy scenes. Dissatisfied Princeton professor Matt takes a sabbatical in Seaside to write a book,celebrate the triple wedding of his siblings, help try to save his father's hardware store, and to have a closer relationship with both his family and the woman he fantasizes about, his father's employee,single mother Mira.

[Tina Slotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Geheimnisse in Seaside ( Seaside Summers 4 ) von Melissa Foster

Meine Meinung:
Ich hab ja das Glück, das ich von Anfang an, in Seaside dabei bin. Sprich seit Leanna im 5. Band der Remmingtons ihren Kurt gefunden hat.
Es hat also wirklich Vorteile, wenn man einer Autorin konsequent durch ihre Bücher folgt. 😉

Für mich sind die Bücher, die in Seaside spielen, immer auch ein bisschen Urlaub. Ich fühle mich in der Clique wohl und habe sie alle ins Herz geschlossen.
Es macht Spass dabei zu sein und mitzuverfolgen wie die Gruppe wächst, neue Protagonisten hinzu kommen und die bisherigen immer noch ein Stück besser kennen zu lernen.

Melissa Foster hat einen angenehmen und modernen Schreibstil. Auch beschreibt sie die Umgebung anschaulich, so das ich fast die Wellen rauschen höre.

Die Charaktere sind allesamt lebensnah und facettenreich angelegt, so das man sich gut in sie hineinversetzen kann.

Geheimnisse in Seaside handelt von Amy und Tony.
Amy hat mir auch in den vorherigen Bänden gut gefallen, sie ist die schüchternste der Mädels und schon ihr Leben lang in Tony verliebt. Auch Tony hat ein tolles Wesen, ist sehr sympathisch und ein Profisurfer.

Die Geschichte der Beiden liest sich flüssig und hat mich wirklich überrascht, bisher ist sie die, für mich emotionalste Geschichte.
Frau Foster hat es geschafft mich mit ihren Wendungen und Geheimnissen total zu überraschen und so hat mich dieser Ausflug nach Seaside bisher am meisten gepackt und mich auf eine emotionale Achterbahnfahrt geschickt.

Ich vergebe gern eine Leseempfehlung und 5 Sterne !

Das Cover passt zu den bisherigen Bänden der Reihe und sorgt für einen gewissen Wiedererkennungswert.


Zum Inhalt:
Tony Black ist der heißeste Surfer, den die Welt je gesehen hat. Das ganze Jahr über ist er rund um den Globus unterwegs, doch den Sommer verbringt er immer mit seinen Freunden in der Seaside-Siedlung in Wellfleet am Cape Cod. Und obwohl die Frauen ihm zu Füßen liegen, ist Amy Maples die Einzige, nach der er sich sehnt. Vor vierzehn Jahren waren sie für einen Sommer ein Paar, bevor ein schlimmer Unfall alles veränderte. Seitdem scheint das, was zwischen ihnen war, nie passiert zu sein – zumindest für Amy.

Amy Maples ist durch und durch bodenständig und verlässlich. Sie verbringt jeden Sommer in Seaside, tut immer das Richtige und versucht seit Jahren, Tony Blacks Herz wieder für sich zu gewinnen. Er ist der einzige Mann, den sie je geliebt hat. Doch nun läuft ihr die Zeit davon, denn sie bekommt das Angebot ihres Lebens – das sie jedoch tausende von Meilen von Tony trennen wird. Sie beschließt, ein letztes Mal zu versuchen, ihn zurückzubekommen. Doch für eine Zukunft mit Tony muss Amy erst mit ihrer Vergangenheit abschließen – und was, wenn ihre Vergangenheit sie in die Knie zwingt?

Reihenfolge der Seaside Reihe:
Träume in Seaside
Herzen in Seaside
Hoffnung in Seaside
Geheimnisse in Seaside
Nächte in Seaside
Herzklopfen in Seaside
Sehnsucht in Seaside
Geflüster in Seaside
Sternenhimmel über Seaside

Und nicht verpassen:
In der ersten Geschichte um die Seaside-Clique, »Liebe zwischen den Zeilen« (Die Remingonts 5), findet Leanna ihr Glück am Cape Cod!

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Seaside Secrets (Love in Bloom Book #34) by Melissa Foster.
The Love in Bloom series proved to be a heartwarming journey through love, family, and personal growth. Spanning multiple interconnected series/stories, it offers a wonderful blend of romance, humor, and emotional depth that kept me reading the whole way through.
Ms. Foster crafted fully developed, relatable, and multidimensional characters who added an extra element of emotion and interest to my overall reading experience. The heroes are fiercely loyal and endearing, while the heroines are smart, empowered, and refreshingly ‘real’. Each character feels like someone you could know in real life, making their struggles and triumphs, high and lows, all the more impactful.
The stories have a perfect balance of steamy romance mixed with heartfelt moments. But that doesn’t mean that Ms. Foster shies away from exploring deeper themes like forgiveness, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships – adding dynamic layers to the storyline/s. But, despite the emotional depth, the series still maintains more of a lighthearted charm, sprinkled with humor and tender family connections.
While each novel can be read as a standalone, there is an interconnectedness with the recurring characters and overlapping storylines - which help create a sense of community that feels warm and inviting. It’s like being welcomed into a big, loving family where everyone has a worthwhile story to tell.
‘Within the Love in Bloom big-family romance collection you'll find fiercely loyal heroes and smart, empowered women on their search for true love. They're flawed, funny, and easy to relate to. Characters from each series appear in future Love in Bloom books…’
If you are a fan of contemporary romance or simply looking for a feel-good series to escape into, this series is a worthwhile binge read…
Love in Bloom is made up of the following series:
- Snow Sisters
- The Bradens (Weston, CO)
- The Remingtons
- The Bradens (Trusty, CO)
- The Bradens Novellas Collection
- The Bradens (Peaceful Harbor, MD)
- Seaside Summers
- Bayside Summers
- The Ryders
- The Steeles at Silver Island
- The Silvers at Silver Island
- Wild Boys After Dark
- Bad Boys After Dark
- The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor
- The Bradens & Montgomerys, Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls
- The Bradens at Ridgeport
- The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside
- The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch
- Romantic Comedy Series Collection
- Sugar Lake
- Harmony Pointe
- Harborside Nights
- Nice Girls After Dark
- The Steeles
- The Stones
- Blazing Summer
- The Brays

Happy Reading…

[Ellysetta_Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Herzschmerzgeschichte zum Wohlfühlen

4,5 Sterne

Inhalt siehe Klappentext.


Content Note:
Fehlgeburt, Verlust


Meinung:
Das ist der 4. Teil der Seaside-Reihe, wobei die Charaktere der Ferienhaussiedlung bereits in „Liebe zwischen den Zeilen – Kurt Remington“ ihren ersten Auftritt hatten. Die Bücher der Autorin können problemlos unabhängig voneinander bzw. in beliebiger Reihenfolge gelesen werden, da das jeweilige Pärchen im Mittelpunkt steht und die wichtigsten Informationen genannt werden.
Der bildhafte Schreibstil liest sich locker-leicht und flüssig, die Seiten fliegen nur so dahin. Das Buch ist aus der dritten Erzähl-Perspektive von Amy und Tony geschrieben, so dass man ihre Gedanken und Gefühle hautnah miterleben kann.
Die authentischen und sympathischen Charaktere sind mit ihren Stärken und Schwächen sowie Gefühlen sehr gut dargestellt und beschrieben worden, so dass ich nicht anders konnte, als mit ihnen mitzufühlen und mitzufiebern. Die Nebencharaktere sind gut bis sehr gut dargestellt worden, vor allem die Bewohner:innen von Seaside.

Amy und Tony verbindet eine Freundschaft, doch im Laufe des Buches erfahren wir, dass da noch mehr war und ist zwischen ihnen. Vor allem zu Beginn hat mich die fehlende Kommunikation der beiden so manches Mal die Haare raufen lassen, aber zum Glück entwickeln sie sich beide weiter. Neben den Gefühlen kommt auch der Humor nicht zu kurz, auch dank der humorvollen Dialoge und der Seaside-Clique. Die bildhafte Beschreibung der Umgebung sorgt auf jeden Fall für Urlaubsfeeling. Ich freue mich sehr auf das Wiedersehen mit den Seaside-Bewohner:innen.

Wer gefühlvolle Liebesromane zum Wohlfühlen und mit Gemeinschaft von Familie und Freund:innen sucht, ist hier definitiv an der richtigen Adresse. Man beendet das Buch mit einem glücklichen Seufzen und freut sich schon sehr aufs Wiedersehen mit den liebgewonnen Charakteren. Somit gibt es für wunderschöne und emotionale Lesestunden aufgrund des oben genannten, kleinen Kritikpunkts wunderbare 4,5 von 5 Sternen (bei Portalen ohne halbe Sterne aufgerundet) und eine Leseempfehlung für alle die Bücher im Stil von Marie Force, Nora Roberts und Co. lieben.

Fazit:
Eine wunderschöne, gefühlvolle Liebesgeschichte und eine Gemeinschaft zum Wohlfühlen. Eine klare Leseempfehlung für Fans von Marie Force, Nora Roberts, Sarah Morgan und Co., die eine schöne Lektüre zum Wohlfühlen suchen. Ich habe die Lesestunden wieder sehr genossen und freue mich jetzt schon sehr auf das Wiedersehen mit den Bewohner:innen von Seaside.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook after reading the book and always feel I get so much more out of the story.

Second chance romance and facing a painful shared past by bringing it out in the open. That's what this summer brings to the Cape for Tony Black and Amy Maples. Former secret lovers fourteen years ago, they shared their love and then shared a tragedy. Amy unable to deal with it, pushed Tony away and went their separate ways.

Tony went on to become the world class surfer he'd always dreamed of being and a motivational speaker, returning to Seaside each summer to see the only woman he truly loves, but only as her friend and protector.

Amy went on to build herself a successful business, always trying to do the right thing, trying to please her father and trying to get Tony to notice her as a woman and not just his friend.

With their Seaside friends, all of whom have found love, they spend the summer in Wellfleet, Massachusetts once again. Faced with an amazing business opportunity, Amy gives it one last shot with Tony. If they can't find their way this summer she's going to take the job in Australia. Tony would like nothing better than to build a future with Amy, but how can they without dealing with the past once and for all and putting it to rest?

Tony is such a great guy. His love is so deep. Forever sweet Amy was lucky to have her girlfriends to give her the strength and support she needed. The road back to each other was not an easy one, fraught with mistakes and fear. Can Tony risk Amy throwing him away again? Does Amy have the courage to deal with their tragedy? They both had family issues to deal with and realizations that only come with being an adult.

B.J. Harrison does a great job narrating and has the kind of voice that is mesmerizing at times and yet manages to pull the emotions of the characters throughout the story.

Melissa Foster manages to make you cheer this couple along although at times I did want to swat Amy upside the head. Facing your past with all its’ secrets and ghosts is never easy, but as Amy and Tony find out - it’s the only way to truly move forward.

Five Stars for Seaside Secrets!

[Tkmla · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Geheimnisse in Seaside“ ist der vierte Band der Seaside Summers Reihe von Melissa Foster.
Amy Maples ist die letzte der vier Freundinnen in Seaside, die noch Single ist. Dabei hat sie ihr Herz längst verloren, und zwar an ihren besten Freund und Nachbarn, den Profi-Surfer Tony Black. Seit Jahren schmachten sich Amy und Tony mehr oder weniger versteckt an, aber Tony widersteht allen Annäherungsversuchen von Amy und bleibt krampfhaft in der Friendzone. Nicht einmal ihre besten Freundinnen wissen, dass Amy und Tony vor vierzehn Jahren bereits ein Paar waren. Doch dann zerstörte ein schwerer Schicksalsschlag ihre große Liebe und zog einen unüberwindbaren Graben. Ein letztes Mal startet Amy einen verzweifelten Versuch, bevor sie endgültig einen Schlussstrich ziehen will.

Ich muss sagen, dass dies wohl der bisher dramatischste und emotionalste Band dieser wundervollen Reihe ist. Die Vorgeschichte von Amy und Tony hätte ich niemals erahnen können und sie ist überaus tragisch. Lange habe ich auf die Geschichte der beiden gewartet und Melissa Foster hat mich komplett überrascht.
Amy ist die Schüchterne und Zurückhaltende in der wilden Mädelsrunde und wohl jeder weiß von ihrem heftigen Crush für den attraktiven Tony. Wie tief das ganze wirklich geht und wie bewegend die Hintergründe dieser Liebe sind, will ich hier gar nicht weiter verraten. Das sollte jeder unbedingt selbst im Buch lesen.
Tony wurde bisher als erfolgreicher Surfer, Geschäftsmann und Frauenheld dargestellt. Wie es tief in seinem Inneren aussieht und mit welchen Emotionen er kämpft, war bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt komplett verborgen. Seine Geschichte mit Amy ist absolut herzzerreißend und es ist unfassbar, wie viele Jahre die beiden dadurch verloren haben.
Melissa Foster erzählt diese Second Chance Romance mit viel Gefühl und lässt ihren Protagonisten genug Zeit und Raum, um zu heilen und ihre Vergangenheit aufzuarbeiten. Die Story ist voller Herz und Hoffnung und zeigt, dass man wichtige Dinge nie aufgeben sollte.

Mein Fazit:
Von mir gibt es eine klare Leseempfehlung und ich komme jedes Mal gern wieder zurück nach Seaside.

[Nina Sollorz-Wagner]

In " Geheimnisse in Seaside (Seaside Summers 4) " ist Amy gefühlt schon ihr ganzes Leben in Tony verliebt. Beide kennen schon seit ihrer Kinderheit und sahen sich jährlich in der Ferienhaussiedlung in Seaside am Cape Cod.
Zusammen mit ihren Freunden verbrachten sie ihre Sommertage. Und selbst heute treffen sie sich alle in den Sommerwochen, um Zeit miteinander zu verbringen.
Dennoch ist Tony die ganze Zeit nur ein sehr guter Freund und alle Annäherungsversuchen von Amy prallen an dem Profisurfrer wie Wasserperlen ab. Sehr zu deren Leidwesen.
Da helfen auch keine Verkuppelversuche ihrer Seaside Freundinnen Leanne, Jenny und Bella. Und deswegen will Amy ihr Leben endlich neu ausrichten, wenn sie auch irgendwann eine liebevolle Beziehung eingehen möchte.
Dazu muss sie jedoch Tony endlich hinter sich lassen und hofft fernab der Heimat dies bewerkstelligen zu können. Denn Amy hat ein lukratives Jobangebot in Australien und ist dabei, dieses anzunehmen.
Für Tony sind seine Gefühle zu Amy zwiegespalten, denn zum einen ist sie die Eine für ihn und zum anderen ist er sich sicher, dass Amy einen besseren Mann als ihn verdient.
Doch als es aussieht, dass Amy im fernen Australien einen Neuanfang starten möchte, muss Tony sich fragen, ob er bereit ist sie für immer gehen zu lassen, oder ob er lieber um sie kämpfen möchte.
Allerdings haben beide eine geheime Vergangenheit und diese müssten sie gemeinsam verarbeiten, um eine gemeinsame Zukunft zu bekommen.
Kann Tony Amy davon überzeugen, ihr Geheimnis aufzuarbeiten und gibt es dann endlich für beide eine Chance auf eine glückliche Zukunft?
Die Story hat mich gleich wieder in den Bann der Seaside Siedlung gebracht, dabei bleibt sie spannungsgeladen sowie abwechslungsreich. Man darf mit Amy und Tony mitfiebern und die verschiedesten Emotionen erleben. Es gibt einiges zum schmunzeln bis herzhaft zu lachen, so manche mitfühlende sowie tragische Momente und das ein oder andere Tränchen zu vergießen.
Da ich erfahren wollte, ob es für beide ihr langverdientes Happy End gab, konnte ich das Buch nicht mehr aus der Hand legen,
Das Buch bekommt von mir eine Lese / Kaufempfehlung und 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sterne.

[Sabine Kupfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tony Black und Amy Maples waren vor vierzehn Jahren einen Sommer lang ein Paar. Doch ein schlimmes Ereignis entzweite die beiden. Seitdem ist Tony ein erfolgreicher Surfer und sehr beliebt bei den Frauen. Doch Amy ist noch immer die Einzige, die er begehrt. Jeden Sommer verbringt Tony bei seinen Freunden in der Seaside-Siedlung in Wellfleet am Cap Code. Dort trifft er dann auch immer auf Amy. Diese versucht seit Jahren Tonys Herz wieder zu gewinnen. Er ist der einzige Mann den sie je geliebt hat. Doch bevor sie glücklich mit Tony werden kann, muss sie erst mit der Vergangenheit abschließen...

Da die Geschichte abwechselnd aus Tonys und Amy Sicht erzählt wird, ist gleich zu Beginn der Geschichte klar, wie tief die Gefühle der beiden zueinander sind. Die beiden gehören einfach zusammen. Doch sie tragen auch ihre Verletzungen aus der Vergangenheit mit sich rum und müssen erst mit diesen fertig werden. Die Autorin hat es geschafft die Gefühlswelt und den Grund warum es zwischen den beiden damals nicht geklappt hat, sehr einfühlsam zu beschreiben.

Ich habe auf jeder Seite mit den beiden mitgefiebert, gefühlt und auch gelitten. Und konnte ihre Gedanken und Handlungen jederzeit nachvollziehen. Daher war diese Zerissenheit zwischen Sehnsucht, Liebe und Vernunft auch so tragisch und voller Emotionen. Man möchte beim Lesen einfach nur, dass die beiden endlich zusammen kommen und weiß auch das es damit noch nicht getan ist und sie viel aufzuarbeiten haben.

Aber nicht nur die beiden Hauptfiguren habe ich lieb gewonnen. Gerade die Nebenfiguren sind hier das Salz in der Suppe und machen das Lesevergnügen perfekt. Ich habe vor allem die Szenen zwischen Amy und ihren Freundinnen sehr genossen und mit ihnen mitgelacht und geweint.

Für mich war es der erste Ausflug in die Seaside-Reihe, die man wunderbar genießen kann ohne die anderen Bände zu kennen. Aber die Lust auf die Geschichten der anderen Figuren ist bei mir jetzt geweckt.

Bisher konnte mich Melissa Foster mit all ihren Büchern, die ich gelesen habe überzeugen. Und auch hier ist ihr wieder ein Roman voller Emotionen gelungen, den man allen Fans romantischer und gefühlvoller Geschichten empfehlen kann.

[Radd Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seaside Secrets brings Amy Maples and Tony Black into focus for a second-chance romance that’s rich with emotion, old wounds, and the longing of what could have been. Tony, the surfer who travels the world, still spends summers back at Cape Cod and though he has many options, it’s always been Amy he wanted. Amy, steady and loyal, has carried her love for him for years—ever since that summer fourteen years ago—while trying to live a life that does right by others, even if it means burying her own hopes. 

What struck me most about this one was how painful the memories are in the beginning. The accident that changed everything looms large over both Amy and Tony’s lives. Watching Amy wrestle with what was lost, what was assumed, and how silence and misunderstanding kept them apart was gut-wrenching. But the reunion feels earned, filled with tension, regret, and hope. The scenes where they begin to open up—share secret fears, stop pretending that time has erased things—those are powerful.

The supporting cast (the Seaside friends, the annual summers in the cottages, old friendships) adds so much texture here. There’s nostalgia, there’s regret, but there’s also a sense of community that holds Amy up when she most needs it—and Tony too. Because this isn’t just about Amy and Tony finally getting their chance; it’s about the ways in which every friend, every memory, every quiet moment by the ocean contributes to healing.

Overall, Seaside Secrets is an emotional, second-chance story that hits hard in places, sweet in others, and satisfying in its resolution. While it hurt in the first half, it rewards you with moments of forgiveness, clarity, and a love that feels like it was always there, just waiting. This one lands at 4 stars for me. I read books 1 & 2, then skipped 3 because I wanted to get to Amy and Tony’s story. I feel the buildup from the earlier Seaside Summers books made it all the more meaningful..

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only reason I keep pushing through this series is because I want to read the Ryders series and was told that the two series were connected and you know how these series are, they are advertised as standalones, but in reality they are not. I say all that to say I hate this friend group. No one in their right mind would want friends like this. Right off the bat in chapter one you have the friends get the FMC drunk and dress her in provocative clothing that she’s not comfortable wearing and is not her personality so she can seduce the MMC. Then the FMC is nervous about the plan to seduce and her friend Jenna tells her that the MMC “is not going to be able to resist you. You are drunk, sexy, and ready for action.” So they have set her up for sexual assault and they think that the MMC would be the type of man that would have sex with a woman that cannot give consent ? What is this author thinking? Where was the editing team who read this and thought yeah let’s use this as an good plot point. It’s not even used as a learning lesson where the friends learn from their mistake. Nope later the FMC tells the MMC I thought guys just like to get it how they can get it and he just says she is different and doesn’t deny drunk sex with other women.


Second reason this is a one star. He’s a manwhore during separation and used those women to pretend it was her. He didn’t want anyone else having sex with FMC, but he could do what he wanted. He stalked her on dates and after to make sure she wasn’t spending the night. While FMC lied In previous books about her sexual experiences and she has been with no one else for the past 14 YEARS!! She was a virgin when they first got together as teens. She was 18 he was 20.

[Helfantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was lange währt, wird endlich gut
Es geht jetzt schon in die vierte Runde (Band) mit den Freunden vom Cape Cod.
Habe sie alle ins Herz geschlossen und auch diese Story musste ich natürlich lesen.
Das Cover wieder sehr romantisch und passend gestaltet.

Dieses Mal geht es hier um Amy, die bodenständige und zierliche Persönlichkeit und Tony, dem Surfer Boy. Beide haben eine gemeinsame, schmerzliche Vergangenheit. Was die anderen Freunde aber nicht wissen. Dies ist nun schon 14 Jahre her. Können sie es diesen Sommer endlich aufarbeiten und zu ihren Gefühlen stehen?
Ihr ahnt sicherlich schon hier, dass die Story tiefer geht. Viel Gefühl, viele Emotionen perfekt ausgearbeitet. Man möchte Amy einfach nur umarmen und mit ihr fühlen. Ihr den Schmerz nehmen.
Die Freundinnen sind ein starkes Band. Mein Liebling ist immer noch Bella. Ja, sie und ihre Streiche, ihre „Frechheit“ und „Fröhlichkeit“ haben auch in dieser Story ihren Beitrag.
Wer die Autorin kennt, weiß es gibt ein Happ End und was für eines.
Ich liebe diese Reihe einfach und kann nur sagen: Perfekt bis zum letzten Wort. Lasst euch überraschen und auf einen Sommer in Cape Cod entführen. Es lohnt sich.

Ein Schmankerl ist der Einblick in Band 5 von Seaside Summers. Ich brauche wohl nicht zu betonen, dass ich es am liebsten sofort lesen möchte.

Fazit: Story mit sehr viel Herz und Tiefgang. Perfekt ausgearbeitet und geschrieben.
Mein Dank geht an Tina und Melissa Foster für dieses Rezensionsexemplar. Dies hat meine Meinung hier in keiner Weise beeinflusst.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seaside Secrets
Love in Bloom: Seaside Summers
By: Melissa Foster
Narrated by: B.J. Harrison

There is nothing better than escape to Cape Cod. Melissa Foster takes us there once again with Seaside Secrets. Amy is so conscientious and loyal, her life has become consistent and a little boring. She let the love of her life go years ago, and now with an opportunity to take a job in Australia has come up and she has to make a decision. The biggest problem is that love is back for the summer. Tony Black is a surfer, and he and Amy were hot an heavy. But circumstances split them apart, and they have kept their secret. Their friendship has grown, but now with Amy on the verge of a new adventure, will Tony be able to let her go? This is sweet and passionate, and I loved every minute of their story. I love both of these characters. Amy is confident in her ability, but a little insecure when it comes to men. Her heart was given away, and she can't get it back! Tony is more worldly, but when it comes to romance, this man has all the moves. He is swoony! And not only is their story a great listen, but the camaraderie of all the women and men from previous stories makes this series a fantastic ensemble piece. It really gives us a feeling of friends, family and community. Another wonderful listen!

BJ Harrison continues his narration of this series. He easily melds into his voices, keeping them all consistent throughout the books. I enjoy his story telling and look forward to more.