The last several years of Trevor Monroe's life have been quite a rollercoaster. He has always been the responsible and dependable one, the one friends and siblings look to for advice, or help bailing themselves out of whatever mess they’ve gotten into. He has certainly earned a month-long vacation to North Carolina's Outer Banks.
Sara Sands loves her life on the Outer Banks. Sure, the road to where she is today hasn't always been smooth, but she is the proud owner of a successful company, Sand Tours, doing what she loves, and she couldn't love her niece and nephew more if they were her own. Life is good.
Fate brings Trevor and Sara together and the chemistry between the two kindred spirits cannot be denied. Against both of their natures, they decide to just enjoy the month they have together before Trevor returns home with his family to record their next album and Sara will return to her normal routine of work and family.
Sparks fly and their bond grows overwhelmingly stronger, will they be able to part ways with their hearts intact when the month ends?
Hearts in the Sand is the second book in the JACT series. Each book has a different level of steam, and each can be read as a standalone, however it is recommended they are read in order.
Jennifer was born and raised on Long Island, in New York. She relocated to South Carolina in 2002, where she met the love of her life. They got married in 2008, and live their happily ever after just outside of Charleston with their fur-kid. When she’s not reading or writing, she works as a behavioral therapist for children with autism. She is also a graduate student, pursuing a graduate degree and certification as a behavior analyst. She enjoys amateur photography, traveling, and music…it’s a bonus when she can combine all three. Jennifer is also a breast cancer survivor, having been diagnosed in 2017 and declared cancer-free in 2018. She independently published her debut novel, Our Moon (JACT 1), in June 2015.
Let me first begin by saying that although this is book two of the JACT Series, readers will have little trouble reading this as a standalone. The author has infused enough background throughout the story to give an understanding as to the additional characters who make up JACT.
Hearts in the Sand is an incredible story about two people who have had to push aside their own desires to care for others around them. Both Trevor and Sara are strong, independent, and guarded individuals with a mind for business and hearts filled with compassion. For those who have read Our Moon --a must read if you have not, simply for the fact that it is an amazing book-- readers understand Trevor's need to look after his younger sibling following the death of their parents and the tragedy that befalls his sister. He is also the "father figure" within the band, JACT. Always worrying about others and leading the band has caused Trevor to limit the risks he is willing to take in life or with his heart. However, during the "family vacation,” Trevor runs into a woman who causes him rethink the idea of "the one." A woman who makes him think opening himself up may be worth it, even if only for a short time.
Sara is a strong-willed, independent, and a smart business woman. A woman with not only baggage from her childhood, but the added responsibility of balancing a business and caring for her niece and nephew. So when Sara finds herself immediately attracted to Trevor, she resigns herself to simply admiring from afar. However, the connection between the two proves to be more than either can resist. So when Trevor and Sara both decide to simply spend a few times together here and there, neither one can shake the feeling that there is something greater brewing. But how can Sara commit to something with Trevor when they only have a few weeks? Neither one believes a long distance relationship can work. So what happens when two people fall in love? When the one you didn't even know you were looking for suddenly turns up with a time clock counting down? It is worth the risk to gain a small amount of happiness for if it is not forever?
There are those of us that believe in serendipitous moments; who believe people are brought together at just the right moments. The story of Trevor and Sara is one such story in which two people's worlds collide at just the precise moment, whether they believe it is the best timing or not. Filled with some witty banter, live-sized conflicts, and barriers built around the heart, Trevor and Sara's story is romantic and flawed in the best of ways. It is the story of two people struggling to let go of the past and their fears of the future to find happiness in the now.
Although this was a good story, I am anxious to get my hands on Alex's story. I am sure that one will have plenty of laugh out loud moments and extreme situations. However, I would also like a glimpse into Trevor and Sara's story, as there are so many questions I have in regard to their relationship.
Another great read by Jennifer. I read Our Moon and loved it I was ecstatic when I was asked to read Hearts in the Sand. Hearts in the Sand is a second book of the JACT series but can be read as a stand alone. However, I do recommend you read New Moon too as it is fantastic.
Trevor on vacation with his family at Outer Banks for a month to relax and have family time before going back in the studio and touring. Sara the Outer Banks local who loves the beach and outdoors so much she opened a business for tourist to enjoy all that the Outer Banks has to offer. Because of a staffing shortage Sara is needed to conduct the Monroe family’s first family excursion lucky her. What happens when a fling can only be a fling? A turmoil of emotions including fear of more at the end of the month.
I immediately was pulled into the story trying to sneak in a few chapters when I could. I sweet romantic read with giggles and tears. The story moved quickly to keep me interested the whole way. The end suggested a happily ever after for everyone but it would have been nice for an epilogue but maybe JACT 3 could help us with a little bit of that.
A quick fun read but not suggested for young readers. Get your giggle on with Sara and Trevor. Jennifer great job you may have boosted tourists in the Outer Banks. I've never been but now would love to go.
In the second installment of the JACT series we meet Trevor and Sara. Trevor is the oldest sibling of twins Ally (Our Moon) and Alex. Sara is the owner/operator of Sands Tours the tour company that the group hires during their month long family vacation on the Outer Banks of NC.
When Sara and Trevor meet on the first day, sparks fly and you feel a good amount of insta-lust between the two. After spending time together they decide to get involved in a relationship to see where these feelings take them even though they both know that whatever it is, will have an expiration date. Their lives are too solidified where they each live.
This book has its fair share of drama and in all honesty it will suck you in and keep you on the hooks....until you get to the end. When you see the percentage read start to pile up, you will get into that 'uh oh, is it a cliffhanger?' feel. Its not, don't worry. It just kind of fizzles off leaving you kind of...blah.
This is my confession: Although I did feel that the ending was a bit anti-climactic, I am glad that Trevor and Sara resolved their issues - and find that all encompassing love. I will look forward to reading Alex's book (if there is one) to see what happens with Trevor and Sara and hopefully get a bit more closure with the story.
I have been dying to get my hands on more JACT books and I wasn't left disappointed. This book follows Trevor. The oldest sibling, the responsible one, the mature one, the parent figure. He's the one who you can depend on, who will always be there for you. He had no interest in finding the one. His siblings and band were his only concern. Until he saw Sara. Then he starts wondering what it would be like. Him and Sara are both stubborn and independent people. The odds were against them to start with. But the heart wants what the heart wants. This book exceeded my expectations. My only issue with it is the ending. Dam book should come with a warning ms allen. I wasn't prepared for the tears to drop. Which is probably my own fault considering her other too books both left me in tears! Must read book after Our Moon
Hearts in the Sands is book two in the JACT series. I wasn't sure whether it could be read as a standalone so I read Our Moon first. You don't have to read Our Moon first because it can be read a s a standalone. Trevor and his band have gotten pretty big. His band and family go on vacation. They are looking for privacy and book a bunch of private tours at Sands Tours. He's not looking to fall in love but when he meets the owner of Sands Tours, Sara, fate might just have a different plan for him. Sara is a strong character. She has been through a lot. She's raising her niece and nephew. She's not looking for love either. They have a lot of things to overcome but sometimes there is a reason that peoples paths cross. This one is another a great read!
oh my God! I loved this book! usually the second book in a series isn't as good as the first one but this book was just as good as Our Moon! Trevor and Sara are so perfect together! I was so happy to see Trevor think about himself for a change and Sara too! they both do so much for everyone else that they sometimes forget to do for themselves. this story will be one along with Our moon and any other by Jennifer that will read over and over! great job!
This is the second book in the JACT series and the story focuses on the oldest brother Trevor and Sara, a business owner in their vacation spot.
The first book in the series, Our Moon, whet my appetite for this group of characters, but this book really captured my interest.
I read through this book as quickly as I could to find out what happened with the couple. My only complaint, I wish the ending was a little more detailed, but that's just me being greedy, it was a satisfying ending.
I really loved this book. I fell in love with all these characters when I read the first book, Our Moon. Reading, Hearts in the Sand, really brought back all the same emotions. And I fell in love with all the new characters that were introduced. Jennifer L. Allen has a way of creating such heart warming stories that stay with you. I cant wait for the next book in this series, I'm really hoping that Alex is next! :)
I really enjoyed this story. I love when I find a series that allows me to go back and reconnect with old characters (Not just a recap or mention of) and this is one of them. I loved these characters in the first book and I fell in love with them all over again in the second one, plus the new characters were such great editions to the story. Love this series!!! <3
A sweet romantic quick read that will have you believing in love all over again. You can read the book as a standalone and do not need to read the first book to understand it. There is quite a bit of history to understand and feel that you are not missing anything. The downside to the book is the end could have been drawn out a little more and not end so quickly.
Hearts in the Sand (JACT 2) was just as terrific as Our Moon. There were funny and quirky moments as well as touching moments that bring about tears, especially if the reader is a softy.
While the Monroe's are at the Outer Banks for 30 days, Trevor gets to know the owner of Sand Tours, Sara Sands. Yes, Sands is really her last name.
Sara tries not to get hooked on Trevor and she's fighting a losing battle. Trevor has never met a woman like Sara and he is bound and determined to be with her. It will take compromising.........
The members and loved ones of the band JACT are away on vacation to a seaside area that they had visited when the parents were alive. An encounter with Sara Sands, the owner of a tourist tour and recreational equipment hire place, has Trevor's head in a spin. These are two people, each having their own commitments and who are so used to solving other people's problems, that it's hard for both of them to free time, just for themselves. It's a story about sacrificing and love, but it's also about second chances.
Hearts in the Sand is the second book in the JACT series. Both books so far feature different couples, so they can be read as a standalone. Although I do recommending reading both! This is Trevor’s book and just from reading the blurb I was pretty exciting.
Trevor is on vacation in the Outer Banks with his band/family. First, I love the Outer Banks and reading this had me reminiscing about my time spent there. On day one Trevor and Sara meet when they gang goes for a beach tour. Trevor is immediately attracted to Sara and vice versa, but both know nothing can really come from their relationship.
"Being here in his arms…it feels so right and so perfect. I never want his moment to end."
Trevor’s band has finally taken off and they are having incredible success and Sara is the guardian to her niece and nephew. I truly loved that about Sara, what can I say I love kids in books. I love how big Sara’s heart was and I loved that Trevor accepted that part of her life. That being said there is no real way these two can have anything long term, so they decide to get to know each other/date temporarily.
This story and plot drew me and was anxious to see what would happen next. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I also got a little anxious as I noticed myself getting closer and closer to the conclusion. I wasn’t sure how this one could be wrapped up so quickly. In the end, I did end up wanting more. I wanted to feel more sure of the conclusion. A happily ever after is implied, but I would have loved a more solid conclusion.
This is a sweet, romantic read that made me giggle and fall in love with the characters. I hate that in the end I felt a little let down, mainly because I feel it had the potential to really win me over.
This is the second book by Jennifer Allen I have read. I think she is a very talented writer and I am excited to see what comes next.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Teasers created by me with stock images purchased from depositphotos.
This is the second book in the JACT series. Ever since his parents dies the night of Alex and Ally’s high school graduation Trevor has taken care of his family. He has even been the glue that has held his band mates together. Family and loyalty are so important to him. But, something is missing for him. He sees what he wants mirrored in the relationships of family and friends around him. Sara took on a lot of responsibility at a young age, starting a business at 19 and then taking care of her sister’s twin babies a few years later. Her business is successful, and the twins are growing up to be happy and well-rounded children. But this success has come at a price to her heart. It was only supposed to be a summer fling, thirty days of fun. No hearts involved. They made a clean break. He went back home to his successful rock band, and she stayed to run her vacation adventures business. But fate has a funny way of bringing those meant to be together back to where they belong. Will they be able to work out a long-distance relationship? Can a little compromise on both ends make this work? I was captivated by Trevor in Our Moon, the first book in the JACT series. His sense of loyalty and family was amazing, and come on who wouldn’t want a hot rock star with a sweet and loyal heart. I was so happy to learn that he would get a chance to tell his story. I was hooked from chapter 1. This was a great summer romance book. One that would be perfect to read sitting on the beach. It was flirty and fun, not too angsty, yet not predictable at all. All of the characters that Ms. Allen has created in the JACT series are ones that I definitely want to get to know more about. As with most great novels, Hearts in the Sand left me wanting more. I would not say that Trevor and Sara got their HEA at the end of this book, but rather a happy for now. I hope that we will be seeing them and getting more of their story in future volumes of the JACT series. This could be read as a standalone novel, but I highly recommend reading Our Moon first, you will get to know the characters better that way. I give Hearts in the Sand 5 sweet, romantic stars.
Trevor Monroe has been caretaker to his siblings for years. He's selfless and will do anything for them. He, along with his siblings and bandmates, decodes they need a vacation before their next tour begins. They head to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for some much needed R&R. Sara Sands is the owner of Sand Tours. When she needs to fill in for an employee and take some tours for the day, instant sparks fly when she meets Trevor. She doesn't have time for someone in her life. Her life is full with work and caring for her twin niece and nephew. I loved both of these characters so much! They were so much alike. Both of them giving up a lot to care for their families. Trevor was so sweet and caring. He couldn't keep his distance from Sara and he really didn't want to. I loved his loyalty to his brother and sister. Even though they were grown he still felt responsibility towards them. Sara was like a kindred spirit to him. She took on the care of her niece and nephew at the age of twenty one. To her, they are like her own children. She couldn't imagine losing them. Sara was amazing with the kids, treated them as if they were her own. She and Trevor were two of a kind and so good together. When they decide to spend the month that Trevor is on vacation together, will it be too much? Can they keep their emotions in check, or will they both end up broken? I loved the was this was written and the dual point of views. I didn't read the first book but found that I really didn't need to. We were given a good amount of background on the characters and what they had gone through in their lives. My only negative is that the ending was too abrupt. I would have like something a little more solid.
A sweet, romantic love story. When two worlds collide and every option ends in heart break, what do you do? Enjoy the time you do have together or walk away to avoid the heartache? Trevor is a rock star god and Sara is a small town girl running her own business and being insta-mom. When Trevor's family decides to take a vacation in Sara's little town, sparks fly. The only problem, It's only temporary. Or is it?
I enjoyed book 1 in this series and was excited to meet more of the JACT members. In Our Moon, we meet Trever but only as a background character. If you have not read book 1, no worries, as they can all be read as standalones. This is one of those books that any romance lover would enjoy. There's angst, love, tears and joy. A few intimate scenes, however, those are tame and show the feelings the 2 main characters share; the way they truly fit together like a puzzle. The only thing that frustrated me - remember, this is my opinion and I'm sure others will be ok with it - the ending. While yes, everything I wanted to happen, happens, I would have loved to see more. After everything Trevor and Sara go through, I would have loved an epilogue. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will get to see these two again in the next book :)
This book is the second in the JACT Series but it can be read as a standalone. It focuses on Trevor who decides to go for a month long vacation to the Outer Banks in NC. This just happens to be where Sara lives and runs her company. Trevor and Sara run into each other and begin to bond over their lives and hardships. But both of them do not want to commit to forever and decide that that the one month will be all they will spend together. The problem is that neither one of them truly want that. Both of these people have put their own lives and desires on the back burner in order to help others that they love. Will they finally be able to step up and decide to grab on to something that is for them only? Trevor has been the father figure in his band and also helped to take care of his sister in book 1. Sara not only runs her own business but she takes care of her niece and nephew. Can fate be denied?
The book has enough written into it that you can understand it even without reading book 1. That being said I think it would be a better experience if you had read book 1 as well. Like book 1 the characters are still very well written and the book pulls you into the story. I remember wanting to hear Trevor's story and I was very happy with it in this book.
This book is about two separate characters than book #1 (Our Moon) it can be read as a stand-alone or better yet in order as it features Trevor Monroe (from book #1). Trevor has to be the dependable responsible one now due to an accident that took his parents, being the oldest he had to step up and be the adult to his younger siblings and put his family first which left little room for doing things for himself. Sara is also the one doing and giving for her family. So you would think that it's about time they did something for themselves like Trevor taking a much needed vacation which leads to him meeting Sara Sands, owner of Sand Tours. Right from their first day of meeting each other the chemistry and sparks are unreal that leads them to make the most of the time they have together!! This is an awesome read and I thoroughly enjoyed it it's very well written and you can even feel the author's love for these characters coming off the page. It's got plenty of drama and is like book #1 in the way it pulls you right in until the very end. Can't wait for more from this series!!!!
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
The Good This is a quick read with a fun, falling-head-over-heels romance between Trevor and Sara. There is some drama as they try to figure out how to handle their whirlwind romance, but overall they work together and fall in love (as they should!). Both are responsible people just trying to look out for those counting on them, which is part of where the drama resides. *sigh*
The Bad Neither character seemed to want to give. Relationships take compromises. They are partnerships that have a little give-and-take. There were a couple of times I just wanted to smash the two MCs' heads together because they weren't being adulty enough to figure out how they could make their relationship work.
The Review Once more, I can't wait for the next JACT novel to come out. These are really sweet rock star romance novels that show decent people having decent relationships without all the extra drama that some real-life rock stars seem to live for. Trevor and Sara are awesome!
I have a method to how I read a book so I can write my review; when I started reading this one it all just went out the window. I loved it! Seeing the growth of the author was wonderful; her way in which she writes a storyline is excellent.
You first met Trevor in the author's first book Our Moon where you will like him for being the big brother. This book you will fall in love with him.
Trevor and the entire family decide to go on vacation for some much needed rest and relaxation. While they are there on the first day activity is where you met Sara. I absolutely loved her and her strong will to take care of her niece and nephew.
Trevor and Sara's attraction to each other is almost instant and it works for them. I loved reading them fall in love while each was trying to fight it since there was so miles in between them. When something unexpected happens they are thrown back together and finally get their act together.
If you are looking for a quick read with an amazing love story then this is the one for you.
I was a big fan of Our Moon so I was completely stoked when Jennifer contacted me about Hearts in the Sand. She certainly didn't disappoint! I adore her writing style. It's very well done, clear and concise. I never have those moments of wondering what's going on or how the characters are feeling. One thing that I really love about these books is that while they feature rock stars, they're completely realistic and down to earth. They aren't the arrogant, cocky, over the top ones we so often see in books. It's absolutely refreshing.
I will say that there was quite a bit more sex and cursing than I anticipated in this one. But, overall I really enjoyed Hearts in the Sand and I can't wait to read more from her! She has a knack for storytelling in a way that draws you in and envelops you in the characters.
*I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review
First off I really enjoyed this book , I didn't read Our Moon, but no worries . Trevor and Sara was a instant-hot for you kinda at the beginning. And a lot of drama, the ups and down are one hell of a ride. But as good stories go it all gets fixed near the end. Was it the ending I wanted , I don't know . It just kinda ended and I felt like I was missing something. But it was a well written , and I did enjoy it. I just felt like it needed more.
I really loved this book. I fell in love with all these characters when I read the first book, Our Moon. Reading, Hearts in the Sand, really brought back all the same emotions. Jennifer L. Allen has a way of creating such heart warming stories that stay with you. I cant wait for the next book in this series, I'm really hoping that Alex is next! :)
I was so excited when Hearts in the Sand showed up on my kindle, after reading the first in the series I knew I wanted ore JACT. Jennifer writes a beautiful story of love and letting go. I absolutely love Trevor and Sara, their chemistry is off the charts. Both are the glue that holds their families together and are a super couple. Can't wait for the next in the series!