Pleasure Cove

by Kristina Luckey

After the death of her husband, Keely Mack walks away from the wild rush of the pro-surfing world to raise her daughter. Two years later the sea still calls out to her, but she's not the same reckless girl she once was.

Until the first man to break her heart walks back into her life.

Pro surfer Brett Garrett suffered a career-ending injury. He used his name and winnings to invest in a professional surf team, and he needs one rider for the ultimate team. The one woman he's ever loved. The one woman who has every reason to hate him. Brett is convinced Keely is the key to everything—surfing and his heart—if he can only get her back on a board.

Keely's memories, of both her husband and Brett, scream for her to stay away. Giving Brett and surfing a second chance might ignite the spark she lost, or she could lose everything she's ever loved.

Sun, surf, and second chances.

Genres: Second Chance

348 pages, Paperback

Published February 19, 2019

About the author

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Kristina writes multi-layered stories with characters that stay with readers long after the words The End. Her first work of women’s fiction A Forgiving Heart received an honorable mention for a novel excerpt in the Soul-Making Keats Literary Competition sponsored by the National League of American Pen Women. Her contemporary romance novels Pleasure Cove and Pacific Blue promise the same emotional read, stunning California settings, along with strong, sassy heroines and heroes who will steal your heart.

A California native, Kristina shares her love of the Golden State with readers through setting and culture in a series of contemporary romance novels. When she isn’t writing, she is exploring her state, traveling, looking for the best eats (she’s a major foodie), and spending time with her family.

Reviews

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keely hasn't been back on the waves since her husband passed while surfing. And it's taken all the joy out of her life aside from her beautiful daughter. And then her first love, Brett, walks back into her life, wanting a second chance. Keely is equally determined not to give him an entry into her life, just as equally determined as he is to get her back.



Pleasure Cove is a great second chance romance. I loved reading Keely and Brett's journey back to each other, and I felt so for her. She had not had it easy since her husband passed, and Brett coming back into her life just brought back all the pain of not only losing her husband, but losing Brett before, too. I am not sure, given how hurtful his betrayal was, that I would have been as strong as she was and probably wouldn't have even given him the time of day if I had been in her position. But, the character development was superb in Pleasure Cove and I could see why Keely did forgive him, because he had very obviously changed and matured from the boy he had been when she was with him first, into a good man in their present. Pleasure Cove was not only emotionally substantial, with excellent character and relationship development, but the chemistry between Brett and Keely was electric! I am looking forward to much, much more from Kristina Luckey after having read and loved Pleasure Cove.



ARC via Give Me Books Promotions for an honest review.

Full review posted here ---> Live Through Books Blog.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a unique story. I’m not one for the beach life IRL, but while reading Pleasure Cove, I felt like I was there and actually enjoying the beach/water life.

Not only was this story about surfing, but it was about a woman, Keely, and how she took back her life and honestly her strength and survival.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keely left the Pro Surf Circuit after her husband Dillon was killed in a surfing accident. She felt she needed to be safe to raise their young daughter. Brett was her first love and the man who broke her heart. Keely hasn’t heard from him in years and that is the way she wants it. Brett on the other hand realizes he screwed up and wants her back. Brett has realized the Keely really doesn’t want safe. She is longing for the rush of surfing the big waves and just doesn’t know it yet. Can he get her back in her heart while getting her back in the waves?

This was an excellent debut novel from author Kristina Luckey. She created characters that were real. I could relate to how Keely felt about staying safe so that her 4 year old daughter didn’t end up parentless. I could also feel how deeply Brett regretted hurting Keely. I also enjoyed the surf knowledge that was put into the story. Took a subject I knew nothing about and educated me just a little. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Brianna at Renee Entress's Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars!

Brett wants a second chance the moment their lives reconnect but Keely knows loss and she's not so sure she can give all that he wants a second chance again. The wave they ride together will be bumpy, twisted, and not so easy but so freaking worth it.

Kristina Luckey is brand new to me and this book is a little out of my norm (totally in a good way plus hello hot surfer dudes!) but I was feeling lucky 😉 and took a chance. I mean this year for me in my reading is about shaking my usual up a bit and Pleasure Cove was such a great way to do that.

Second chances. Taking risks. Overcoming fears. Living life. Embracing first love again. Learning to trust. Surfing. The ocean. Pleasure Cove was such a good romance and quite the up and down journey full of a ton of emotions and a beautiful, worth-every-single-moment second chance... at life, love, surfing, and the waves.

I recommend checking this out if sun, surf, and second chances are your thing.

Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog

[Carly Marino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Book!

First of all, I love beachy romances. Keely’s struggle is emotional and she’s a kick butt surfer! I was always a sucker for girl-power surfer movies! Brett was confident, hot, and a great match for Keely. The romance had the right amount of classy steam and tension—off the charts hot! I enjoyed everything about this book and am excited to read the next coastal romance!!!!!

[A.BookNerd.Bookseller&Bibliophile.Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a unique story. I’m not one for the beach life IRL, but while reading Pleasure Cove, I felt like I was there and actually enjoying the beach/water life.

Not only was this story about surfing, but it was about a woman, Keely, and how she took back her life and honestly her strength and survival.

Reviewed by: Dana D.

[Aisling Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed on Behalf of 3 Degrees of Fiction Book Blogs

This book was a great debut novel from Kristina Luckey. Kristina created characters that you can relate to, anyone that’s a parent can relate to Keely wanting to protect her 4 year old daughter so that she didn’t become parentless. You could also feel that Brett really regretted hurting Keely. I don’t know much about surfing so was grateful for the knowledge. I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author

Keely left the Surf Circuit after Dillon her husband was killed in a surfing accident and felt she needed to make sure she was alive to raise their daughter.

Brett was Keelys first love but also broke her heart. Keely hasn’t had contact with him for years but when he shows her that he regrets what he did she has to question if she wants to play it safe or does she get back out there with Brett & give him & the ocean another chance.

[Jaycee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keely's first love comes back into her and trying to do his level best to get to overcome her fears and return to the surfing circuit. It's her passion but a tragedy has her frozen. It's a shame Brett decides to keep a secret from her, but ghosts of the past that led to their breakup fuel the mistrust she still feels towards him.
This book is a great read with distinctive characters. You care about what happens to them. Keely's young daughter is adorable, Brett is a hot hunk determined to win Keely back, and you'll ride the roller coaster waves with Keely as she battles her fears and fights her feelings. I certainly recommend reading this great story.

[Julie Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I loved this book. The story is in my home state and I can relate to it. I found this story well written with characters development done well and the story very engaging. Well done for your first book Miss Luckey.

[The Endless Unread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept me on the edge of my seat. Loved reading this book. This book was full of many twists and turns and the author constantly keeps you on the edge of your toes. A beautiful storyline with action-packed scenes that will leave you wanting more.

[A Book Lover's Emporium Book Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I LOVE a good surfing story. Reading the details of catching the perfect wave, the adrenaline pumping and the natural high that comes with it. This story was no exception. It had all the details I love to read about. It didn't flow smoothly and was a bit choppy at first, but the further along I got it smoothed out.

Keely is a woman battling her grief and her ingrained pull to the water. She lost her husband. It's understandable why she's grief-stricken. I really felt for Keely and understood all her feelings and emotions but personally, I needed her grief to be more tangible, to be deeper and more visceral than it was. Brett is an amazing dude! His love for Keely, the great lengths went through to demonstrate his love and to get her back in the water was breathtaking. I love and adore this man!

Overall, it was a good story with the potential to be great. This was my first read by this author and it does not deter me from checking out her other books.

[Tanja OMGReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to start this review by saying that had Brett did that to me what he done to Keely I wouldn't never take him back, 'cos in my opinion there was no return from that buuuut... putting aside my personal view this was a solid second chance romance. We've got a strong heroine who is fighting to keep her head above the water after loosing her husband. We've got a remorseful hero who is putting everything on the line to prove to her he is worth her trust and love. Despite everything that has happened in the past they simply fit.

My first read by this author and I'll happily pick up another book in the future.

***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***

[Megb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keely Mack has had quite a bit of heartache in such a short lifetime. At only 28 she has given up her career, lost her mother, lost her first love, and been widowed in turn making her a single mom. It's more than one person should have to handle, but she is strong and you can tell that throughout the entire book. I loved her strength and I loved seeing the internal battle she struggled with. I know it has to be difficult to get up and continue on with life after so much pain and loss, but she did it, not only for herself but for her daughter as well.


Brett Garrett is a professional surfer, he has been forced into retirement due to injuries he's sustained, he's always been a risk taker out on the water and it has finally caught up with him. He also has grown up in the past few years and realizes what he wants out of life and is willing to do what it takes to get it. He started a professional surf team and he wants Keely on the team, only problem? Keely has sworn off surfing since losing her husband. Is she willing to give it and Brett a second chance?


I enjoyed this book so much, it was sweet and romantic. The sparks between Keely and Brett were so electric! This was a sweet feel-good romance novel. It helped me out of a month long book funk! I just wished the ending wouldn't have felt so abrupt. It felt like there should've been another chapter or maybe an epilogue.. just my opinion ;)


Overall, well worth the read. I enjoyed the Hawaiian dialogue as well. It was something I haven't read before which was a nice change from the regular. I also liked all the surf lingo and how well it was explained.

Now on to my favorite part of this book... HANA! Oh my goodness, I have a 4 year old daughter and Hana was just perfection she was very well written I caught myself just smiling every time she and Brett had a conversation. They were so sweet! Her and Brett's relationship was just exactly what I wanted it to be. I loved when he was explaining double overhead to her! Such a swoon worthy moment for him!

[Kathy Rouchelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story line with characters that were quite well written and very likeable. The waters are a bit choppy as this story begins but soon begin to smooth out as the story moves forward. The storyline, a widowed young woman who was once at the top of the surfing circuit until she lost her husband in a surfing accident, quits to take care of her four year old daughter, making sure that she has at least one parent to raise her. But her daughter is her mother's child and has the surfing bug just as she had when she was young. Keeley was one of the best and Brent, who broke her heart once upon a time, would like nothing more than to get her on the elite team he is building. Only one problem, he knows that he hurt her terribly, but he also knows that she really doesn't want to live the safe life, she wants the rush of riding the waves, she just doesn't realize it yet. He also know that he wants her back. Can he get what he wants most, having her back in his life and on his team?

This is the first surfing story that I've read and it was really quite interesting and informative. I really enjoyed reading this story and even thought it was a bit rough in the beginning, it didn't detour me from continuing on. And I'm so glad that I did because I would have missed a wonderful story.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew to like this book once I could fully concentrate on it without being distracted.

I have to say that Keely is all over the place with her emotions in the beginning of this book and maybe that could be partly the reason I had a hard time staying in tune with this story to begin with. She's at a loss in her life, due to losing the loves of her life. First Brett, then Dillon. Now a single-widowed mom to Hana she is trying to figure her life out. After 2 years of giving up her Pro Surfer status, she is at a loss as to how to move on from surfing even though the ocean is calling her back. Enter Brett who hasn't seen Keely in 7 years with a plan of action to not only get her back into his arms but get back out on the waves.

I liked the way that the author paid attention to the details of the surfing world, I loved the locations because I have been to many of them with the exception of Hawaii. It felt like I was in the story itself with the characters because the author made her experiences personal.

Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Alessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is GREAT! Once I picked it up, I could not put it down. The characters are realistic and the story is captivating. Keely Mack is a great heroine and I especially loved her daughter. The author, Kristina Luckey, obviously paid attention to detail. Reading about all the surfing technics and just the description of the surfers competing were accurate and taught me more about the sport.

The story was unique and took me on a great ride. Pleasure Cove is a great read for anyone.

[Spunky N Sassy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spunky N Sassy Rating: 5.0

~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~

Fantastic Book

This book was heartbreaking and beautiful. I was hooked from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down. I’m so glad I was able to experience it.

[Kelly McGovern · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! It was a great story, inspiring read and Keely Mack had me hooked from start to finish!

[Annmarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a Great second chance at love book I have read in a long time!! Years after Keely loses her husband during a surfing accident Keely stays away from competing. Brett comes back home to not only will Keely back but to help her find herself again. Keely and Brett will steal your heart! If you love surfing this is also a must read for you too!