That Birthday in Barbados: Turning Forty. A Divorce. A Tropical Escape. And Finding Love.

Take Me There #2

by Inglath Cooper

What is it about turning forty that makes a woman take a look at where she’s been and where she’s going? For ActivGirl CEO Catherine Camilleri, it is a crossroads that has her wondering where she went off course. Divorced without children, life isn’t what she had pictured for herself twenty years ago. Not up to admitting any of this in front of friends and family, she bails on the surprise party being thrown for her and books a last-minute trip to Barbados for a stay at the luxurious hotel where she’d spent her honeymoon ten years before. Is she going back to mourn the marriage she’d thought would last forever? Or in an attempt to chase out of her heart for good a betrayal that forever changed her? Anders Walker might be just the ticket for that. After a brief career on Wall Street and a life experience that turned his world upside down, Anders took off the golden handcuffs and walked away for good. When he spots Catherine checking in on arrival at the hotel, he challenges her to try his spin class. He sees a woman who no longer considers herself someone a guy like him would be attracted to. Except that she’s wrong. In Catherine, he recognizes a woman who defines herself by rejection. He sees, too, that she has made work her life. But he’s learned that there is so much more to living. Simple things like swimming with sea turtles. And watching the sun sink on a Caribbean horizon. He’s got two weeks to prove it to her, to make sure she will always remember that birthday in Barbados.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Summer Reads, Adult, Beach Reads

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 24, 2019

About the author

Virginia author Inglath Cooper fell in love with reading as a little girl, devouring most of the books in her elementary school library. At some point, she decided she wanted to pursue a writing career, creating romance fiction that did for others what her favorite books have done for her. “I love character-driven books that leave me feeling as if I’ve really known these people and make me wish I didn’t have to turn the last page.”

“Romance fiction has always appealed to me because it deals with so many of the relationships in a woman’s life. Not only the love of her life, but often her relationship with her mother, sister or best friend. Romance authors have so much room to explore many of the meaningful moments and transitions in women’s lives. And who doesn’t love a good love story?”

Inglath most often writes stories about love and life that are set in small Virginia towns like the one where she grew up. “I like to think the flavor of my hometown shows up in my books both in their setting and through the characters who people it.”

When aspiring writers ask her how to be an author, she says, “Everything I know about writing books I learned from reading books.”

Inglath has been chosen as a RITA® Award winner for best long contemporary romance novel given out each year by Romance Writers of America. Her books are available through Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, itunes.com, and Kobobooks.com.

Outside of writing, Inglath is actively involved in dog rescue, working with The Franklin County Humane Society to place dogs and cats in need of rehoming. She volunteers her time in every capacity possible: serving on the Board of Directors, fundraising, photographing dogs and cats available for adoption and serving as a foster home. “Helping an abused or neglected dog go on to have a wonderful life with a family who loves them is more rewarding than I can possibly say.”

Reviews

[Lynne Spreen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This romance sounded promising. Two Wall Street types, one who's chucked it all for a life on Barbados, another who's thinking of it. They have fears, of course, and there's a nice subplot involving an estranged younger sister. I liked that the characters were 40 (her) and 31 (him), so slightly older than the norm.

But this is a phone-in by a good writer. The female lead, Catherine, is supposedly a type A workaholic, but she's afraid of her own shadow. So many times she flails, and bemoans how OLD she is, and how worthless. On at least 3 occasions, people try to do nice things for her, and she says, "You don't have to do that." Ugh.

The man, Anders, supposedly gave up his Wall Street life and is now wealthy and living the life in paradise, but given that he (1) worked on Wall Street, and then (2) got cancer and couldn't work there, and (3) has now lived on Barbados a few years, the timeline isn't right. There was no real info about him hitting it big right off the bat, so how?

And there are weak spots in the writing. For example, C cooks him dinner at his house, and there's a lot of detail about making pesto, and then in the next second, they're outside by the pool, after I assumed they've had a romantic dinner, but you just don't know. Is she taking a break from cooking? And the FIRST THING she says to him, when he approaches her poolside, gazing at her with lust and love, is to ask if he wants her to leave! Why would he? Nonsensical and weak.

The worst part is the fake tension. All they needed to do, these titans of American business, is open their mouths and talk to each other. But if they did, the story would be over.

This author can do much better.

[Vicki Scalera · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit that at first I found it too similar to the first book I read by Inglath Cooper but enjoyed it more after a slight plot twist.

[Bunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light beach reading, likable characters, really had me thinking about heading to a resort on the beach- after Covid. Focuses on family and forgiveness, and liking yourself.

[Julia Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than I expected to. The ending was a happy surprise, as was most of the book and the events that transpired. There was a rollercoaster of emotions, but the predominant feeling was feel-good.

[Angela McVay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed a light heart warming beach read and this fit that bill to the tea. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn’t Exciting Enough

I enjoyed the story but I felt that I was always a step ahead and could predict was was going to happen next.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one that I started and felt one way, then as I read, my feelings changed. Who doesn't want to go to Barbados??? Although my heart broke for her as I read her story. Anders was just the opposite, a breath of fresh air and wisdom!! I loved that he had decided what was really important and left his comfortable life to pursue a different life. I enjoyed their relationship and how he didn't push her to stay but allowed her to make the decisions. This was such a sweet read that had some powerful truths. I really enjoy this author and her books always make me stop and think. Another great read.

[Rahafhelmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

• 4.25 ⭐️ •

Cat is a successful business owner, ready to go public. But the day of her success, is also the day of her betrayal.
Three years later, she’s on a plane to Barbados, a birthday gift from herself to her. And so her adventure begins..

This book is super lightweight I literally flew through it!!
It’s lightweight, short chapters, easy to read.
Inglath’s writing is very easy but heartfelt.
And even though it was pretty much predictable, I enjoyed it nonetheless.

I highly recommend this as a pallet cleanser between heavy books.

[Celeste · Rating 1 out of 5]

I never write reviews, but I am making an exception.

I read a lot of romance. I am cool with a poorly defined plot, cliche characters and storyline, and cheesy scenarios. I’m here for it. This book was unremarkable in all of those ways. Fine.

No, I logged in solely because of the pseudoscience baloney that got added on halfway through. Anders cured his cancer by juicing? Say what!?

I actually finished the book just in case his cancer came back because then that could have justified the inclusion of this. But no! He just juiced his way out of leukemia! And we all were like oh cool that’s awesome! Seems sensible!

The BEST part is Catherine is like that’s so great babe, I wanna juice too - but then everyone is on board with modern medicine again for her sister’s coma? Like let’s at least lean into this - if Anders had shown up at the hospital and been like “your sister wouldn’t want to be here, i’ll charter a flight to Mexico, we can cure her with crystals” hey that would have been some DRAMA. That would be some SUSPENSE. I would’ve been like well he’s wrong but at least he’s COMMITTED, and what will happen now?!

But no.

Anyway tune in for the sequel where their kid gets polio because Anders doesn’t believe in vaccines I guess.

[Paula Oder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Believe in Second Chances

Vacation Romance, yet deals with some heavy subjects. Characters that you root for and also know that in families, nothing is unforgivable.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine is a high-powered, type A CEO of a women’s athletic clothing company that she built from the ground up with years of hard work and effort. She lives and works in NYC. She’s just turning 40 and her company is going public with an IPO. She’s also just found out that her husband of ten years is having an affair….with her younger sister!
Instead of attending her company’s surprise birthday celebration, she decides to blow it off and escape to Barbados for two weeks for a well-deserved personal celebration.
Enter Anders, the resort’s very hot, single spin instructor who takes an instant interest in Catherine and engages with her to show her the hidden delights of the island. He considers it a challenge to break through Catherine’s defenses with patience and persistence and they form a very real attraction for each other as a result. There is some family drama which I won’t mention except to say that it plays a very big part in their relationship towards the end of the book.
This book has all the “feels” and I found myself laughing and crying several times throughout. I read the book in a day, and I’m glad I did. I love this author’s writing and will definitely read other books she’s written. It’s not often you find a male character that rivals Jamie Fraser, IMHO; but Anders comes awfully close. ( to my friends who read Outlander books).

[Shaunda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Read, although I read this out of order.

No worries though. I still enjoyed That Birthday In Barbados.

Ok so who goes to a beautiful country all alone, Catherine that's who.

And why not??? She is single & very successful.

Did I mention its her birthday 🎂 too. Her 40th, to be exact.

I'm not sure if I would go back to a location, where there is obvious memories.

But Catherine does, and she's determined to have a good time. 2 weeks worth, to be exact.

Hummmm what to do?

Ander's a local to the island 🏝, can think of some.

But first, he has to get her attention. How best to do that, than to invite her to his spin class.

And off we go.

Got you, didn't I?

Well I'm not going to spoil the story.

Read it for yourself, because I think you'll enjoy it.

I love 💘 seeing faith & love being restored.

There is nothing quite like love & family.

Cherish it if you have it, and find it if you don't.

It will certainly change your life....

That's all I got for now.

Until then, Happy Reading 📚!!!

Ciao 💋

[Janani Kalpathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light summery unputdownable love story

This is my 2nd book of Inglath's and it is a light heart warming 300 + page summery love story that I finished in a less than 6 hours! It's a story of love, hate, betrayal, dishonesty, near-death, forgiveness and hope of the two main Type A leads who survive and thrive through some life changing experiences - a divorce and cancer.

The end of a marriage is never the end of you, or the end of living your life unless you choose it to be. This story is a quick read to make an attempt to be normal and boring again, to let yourself hope for a future, to know love and return love.

That being said, the back story of the sister and her cheating seemed a bit unnecessary and imbalanced in writing overall.

Life is hard. But life is beautiful. And it will always, always be worth the struggle. Their chemistry and journey are organic, emotional, authentic and will immerse you into the gorgeous descriptions of Barbados along with their lives!

[Tammy Powley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Cooper's novel, That Month in Tuscany, which I gave 5 stars, so I picked this up expecting a similar storyline and experience. It was a similar plot: a mature woman breaks up with her husband; takes a trip to forget her worries; and finds adventure and love. However, this book is not at the same level as the previous one I read.

Pros: The setting was good, and for the most part, I connected to the main character. The family crisis that brings Catherine back from her trip seemed believable.

Cons: The meet-cute scene was lackluster. Early on, Catherine meets a woman on the plane to Barbados, and within minutes, they are BFFs, or so it seems. Other than popping in later, this character is never developed. Maybe this character was created as a way to get into Catherine's head. I also found a few typos, one of which had the POVs mixed up on one page. I know that's picky.

I actually considered not finishing this, but I'm glad I stuck it out.

[Gina Hardin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve read all three “take me there “ books in the last week. You can rifle through them quickly. Older woman who is attractive but insecure. Hot guy. Solipsistic ex husband. Male character is younger but smitten with woman that’s cool but then she dumps out all her issues.

The editing is lazy. She is supposed to fly one place and rent a car then is in an Uber. All three books talk too
Much about coffee and boring food. Multi meals with mushroom risotto. Same descriptions over and over again of coffee. Sex is always delayed. But they are usually naked so that’s not exactly being chaste if that’s the goal. Person back in the US is in trouble and our heroine is there to the rescue. I don’t think we need a 3rd take me there. We’ve gone. We’ve seen the same story. We rush home and then get married. Not sure why I read the 3rd.

This review is all over the place but at least it’s an original construct

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

That Birthday In Barbados was a quick read and super light romance set in Barbados. I personally loved reliving my travels there through the turtle encounters and water sports, but as for the story, this was a superficial and predictable novel.

This novel was the second in a series where a female protagonist goes on a vacation to run away from a crisis and falls in love. There is something whimsical and hopeful about such a plot. I also admire the author’s writing style that flows seamlessly and uses familiar dialogue. This elements drew me in!

Catherine was a good main character because she was still rebounding from a major disappointment, but everything about her was overly spelled out. Every character and story was described in so much detail that this became a mindless read. This was the epitome of a beach read. Easy and light, and taking place in a tropical location!

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a decent book. All the chapters are really short or fairly short, so it doesn't go into depth about a lot. However, you get a sense of the characters and their struggles. Being hurt and cheated on is a pain that heals over time, but it leaves lasting scars that we often let define us for much longer. Even after we have let go of the pain and no longer think about the scars, we can unfortunately let even small things drag us back in the mindset. Many of the struggles these characters faced resonated with me from the pain, loneliness, turning cold, wanting to find the old you, having a need to be "perfect" to be wanted or in order to "control" life. One of the things I think this books conveys is that struggling is simply part of life and we have to consciously fight through these struggles so that we can find the joy in it as well.

[Linda Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cooper strikes gold again. She’s a master at writing stories about women approaching middle age and the angst that goes with it. But in That Birthday in Barbados, Catherine runs from her 40th birthday into the arms of a younger man and the sparks start to fly. Written so realistically, I can visualize this story being real. I loved the side story about the turtles, cried over Nicole’s guilt and fell in love with Asher’s ability to be understanding, supportive and not at all pushy or overbearing. This is one special guy and I want one just like him. Cooper writes about overcoming past hurts and finding love again even though her characters weren’t looking for it. A perfect beach read – especially if the beach is on Barbados.

[Leah Eugenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an inspiration in so many ways...

Catherine, Nicole, and Anders...
It is easy to understand Catherine's inability to believe Anders wants her, or even cares for her at all. Resigned to an empty life after a brutal divorce, with only her career left, and years older then Anders, she cannot accept the possibility of more.
Her inability to forgive Nicole tears at her; she struggles between the pain of betrayal, and the loss of their family ties. Everything comes to a shocking moment where fear fights understanding. A story of rich struggles that teach us to open our eyes to possibilities. An excellent read that teaches hope and survival. I highly recommend this book!

[Carolynn Brill · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a different kind of story…

…but so good! Vacation in paradise, meeting a beautiful man, seeing life as one wonderful experience after another through his eyes, all while reality is at bay until family & reality come screaming back.

Many parts are wonderful to read about (like the lovely resort in Barbados that is an integral element of the story), while others are sad and often frustrating.

Probably one of the neatest things is the way this book is formatted, with a seemingly random quote often times by a famous person and are worth noting. They seem to touch the heart of the story.

More than likely some triggers here, myself included, but such a beautiful story. Expect tears…good & bad.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down

Inglath Cooper writes stories with such believable characters and description I felt as though I was in Barbados. Her stories are rich in human nature and decision making that can sometimes and often does break the readers heart.

Andres and Catherine are wounded hearts that meet at a resort in Barbados. They both are trying to find their way and when they meet, pieces click. But, there are many reasons and issues that seem insurmountable to clear a path to them being together.I

I loved this book so much and it has given me pause for my own life and how I wish to live it. I applaud all those that have the courage to take the next step.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story by Inglath Cooper. I discovered her with "That Month in Tuscany" and this just reinforced my original thought that she was an author I just had to keep on reading. Catherine and Anders, each having survived a life changing personal time in their recent past, meet in beautiful Barbados and share a love story that is surrounded by life's complications but never too difficult to rise above. Catherine's painful and difficult past with her sister Nicole, makes the present still sticky. But in spite of this, a huge A+ to the author for reminding us that our past does not always have to define our present, in real life as well as in make believe land.

[Mary C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A LOT OF BOOK!

There was so very much in this story. I'll start with CANCER and the information regarding it. Thank you for including it all. Hopefully, it will offer help to someone needing it. Having been through it myself it is an overwhelming and all encompassing
insidious disease.
Suicide... another dark and lonely outcome of depression. There can be help. PLEASE try to reach out for help.
Love...the very best of all. How wonderful to have and how wonderful to give it.
Read this story of Catherine and Andos in one sitting. I really hope that this feeling of love and forgiveness I got from this book will stay with me!
Happy Reading!!
Mary C

[Cindy Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is profoundly impactful, beginning with its in-depth portrayal of CANCER. I'm grateful for the comprehensive information provided, which can be a beacon for those battling this daunting disease, as I have had my fair share of illness. It also delves into the shadows of depression leading to suicide — a plea to anyone suffering: seek help. Yet, at its core, it celebrates the beauty of love — the joy of both giving and receiving it. I was completely immersed in Catherine and Andos' tale, finishing it in one go. The enduring message of love and forgiveness from this book is something I hope lingers with me. A truly enriching read!

[Kim OBrien · Rating 3 out of 5]

All her books are the same theme: female had been wronged by a cheating husband. So she runs away to exotic place, meets a good looking guy 9 years younger who is wrong for her on every level...and yada, yada, yada, they live happily ever after. It's the Tuscany book all over again, just in Barbados. As another reader said, she just phoned this in, substituting Tuscany for Barbados, and successful Wall Street broker for a rock start. Too cliche. I'm going to try the Paris book to finish the series, but I think it sounds just the same as the two.

[Slick · Rating 3 out of 5]

After loving That Month in Tuscany, I decided to give another one of Inglath Copper’s books a try. I enjoyed That Birthday in Barbados but not near as much as the Tuscany book. This older woman/younger man story has many parts and honestly I felt like none of them were significantly flushed out. I wanted, no needed, more depth of the characters, more about their backgrounds, and more about how they ended up together instead of a very short epilogue with no clue how they got from point A to point B. It wasn’t a bad book, but it left me unsatisfied and with so many questions.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started with ActivGirl CEO Catherine Camilleri being told by a good friend her Husband was having a affair with someone close to Catherine. Each chapter starts with someone name on what is happening. It was nice reading a quote at the beginning of the chapters. I'm happy that she finds true love at a place she least expected it. The book also did research on Cancer and Suicide and you can read about this.
This book is part of a series, so more stories will come on the main characters in this story.

[Joanne C. David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Book

I loved Inglath Cooper's books. This one was a beautiful story of all emotions - love, betrayal, hurt, death, pain & most of all forgiveness. Loved learning about the sea turtles, adding a whole other dimension. This lovely story kept me in suspense & the ending was a surprise. Will recommend "That Birthday in Barbados" to all my book-loving friends & family. God Bless Ms. Cooper.

[Beverly J. Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

That Birthday in Barbados was a great read. I was invested immediately.

Catherine a highly competitive business woman who started an athletic wear company. Her company has just gone public and her 40th birthday is approaching. Her friends are planning a party she doesn't want and her world is turned upside down. She escaped to Barbados where her life is changed and she must make some heavy decisions.

[Broker Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book today and Im sure it will haunt my memory for a long time. It was relatable in the sense that Catherine would inevitably fall for someone younger but they were both of such deep character that they were more alike than different. Through it all the message became clearer and clearer: Life and everything we experience while living it is all due to the choices we make along the way. This message was very empowering and hope filled. Thank you Inglath!