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Escape in Paradise #2

Exit Through Tortuga Bay

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All Noah wants is surfing, sunsets, and pura vida. But a 200 kilo problem is really cramping his style. Now a drug cartel is on his tail and he needs a place to hide.

Grace sells adventures for a living but is too afraid to go on one herself. When her job takes her to Costa Rica, she meets a charming stranger who pushes her to face her fears. Grace must decide: cozy up in her safe bubble or go on an adventure of a lifetime.

Noah should be hiding, but he can’t keep away from the blue-eyed beauty who captures his heart. He wants to help her break out of her shell, but can he keep her safe from the dangers that come with living on the run?

Transport yourself to the sandy beaches of Costa Rica in this fun-loving action-packed romantic comedy. This can be read as a standalone, or read as the second book of the Escape in Paradise series.

Authors Note:
This book contains adult language, violence and sexual content. For sensitive readers, triggers include sexual harassment and death of loved ones.

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2021

5 people are currently reading
141 people want to read

About the author

Alicia Crofton

5 books33 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
Profile Image for The Sassy Bookworm.
4,087 reviews2,877 followers
October 10, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐

OMG, this book was so entertaining! Well written and well plotted. Full of laugh out loud moments. Romance. Adventure. Suspense. All wrapped up in a lush setting with extremely likable characters. I honestly haven't been interested in anything romance related in a few years now, but this brought all the things I used to love about the genre to the table. Two thumbs up from yours truly!

**ARC Via NetGalley**
Profile Image for Andrea Wimmer.
497 reviews40 followers
July 8, 2021

This book was ¡𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐚! An exciting story about living your life to the fullest and finding the person who makes you feel the most alive!

This book was intriguing, engaging and absolutely romantic. When I wasn’t swooning with how adorable and exciting Noah and Grace were, I was biting my nails wondering what else was going to happen. The author it had the right amount of suspense and action I was expecting. I was honestly surprised with many things that happened.

Noah and Grace had the most amazing chemistry. They had a great time together while Grace fought her fears and Noah was facing a situation he was involved in, just because he was loyal and brave.
I loved the relationship they both had with their families, how close they were and how much they were willing to sacrifice to see them well. I loved how they connected and learned so many things in such short amount of time and how beautifully the relationship evolved.

The heat of this book was 🔥 It was a very satisfying slow burn that brought Noah and Grace together in the most perfect way.

Loved everything about this book and I recommend it to everyone who wants a getaway for this summer.

Many thanks to Alicia Crofton for gifting me an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Jen Morris.
Author 7 books545 followers
September 14, 2021
Exit Through Tortuga Bay is an action-packed romance that will leave you breathless! I don't normally enjoy action books, but this one gripped me. It's such a satisfying slow-burn between Grace and Noah, along with intrigue and adventure in an exotic location. The writing flows effortlessly and reels you in from page one. And don't get me started on how swoonworthy Noah is! Highly recommend this action romcom, and can't wait to read more by this author.
Profile Image for Shelby Watson.
419 reviews28 followers
August 14, 2021
Please bare with me while I attempt to gather all of the praise I can intelligently spell out as my brain is scrambled by HOW MUCH THIS BOOK ROCKED MY WORLD. I read this book in one day. The longer I marinate with this novel, the more I may add to this review. 😅

Disclosure: Thank you to the author, Alicia Crofton for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

In short: this is such a fun, action-packed, adventure-romance that will have something for every reader! You’ll laugh, be on the edge of your seat, your heart will break for these characters, and you’ll be ending the book with a big ass grin on your face. Truly, the perfect book to pick up and read any time you need to be transported.

Review:
Exit Through Tortuga Bay… holy cats I haven’t loved a book this much in a long time.

First of all, this book takes place in Costa Rica. Now, I have a lot of bias here because I spent a magical semester studying abroad in Costa Rica, so it holds a special place in my heart. 🏝 PURA VIDA.

THE ADVENTURE, the suspense, the romance… SWOON, swoon, and swoon again! I really enjoyed that the hero and heroine had their own levels of suspense and pieces of their lives at stake. It really balanced out the suspense. And the adventure was amazing. I was right there, along for the ride on each adventure. It made me crave vacations.

I really loved how much the main characters could be playful, silly, tease, and poke each other’s buttons. I love playful characters. They feel so real to me.

Noah… this character is so damn dreamy. I don’t know if Alicia was going for Ryan Gosling who played another famous Noah… but that’s who I was picturing. Especially with the use of a line that reminded me of the Notebook.

Speaking of references… I had a total freak out when I saw one of my favorite movies of all time referenced in this novel. True Romance is such an underrated film in the popular zeitgeist. Which is truly remarkable seeing its star-studded cast and high critical acclaim on rotten tomatoes. I knew right then and there I would read whatever Alicia Crofton writes from now on.

This book spoke to me on so many levels. I really hope other people take the time to read the fun, light-hearted, adventure that Noah and Grace endure. Seriously 5 ⭐️s, 10/10 would recommend, 💯. Stop reading my essay on why you should read this book, and just read it.
Profile Image for Eleanor Aldrick.
Author 17 books371 followers
July 29, 2021
☆☆☆☆☆ Five action-packed romcom stars! ☆☆☆☆☆

Exit Through Tortuga Bay was the perfect mix of humor, action and suspense. Just what the doctor ordered after reading a string of dark romance, ETTB had me laughing well into the night and flipping pages rapidly just to see what in the world happened with Noah and Grace.

Ms. Crofton delivered characters that were relatably flawed and I adored them for that. Part of the fun was watching both Noah and Grace grow into better versions of themselves, all while they avoided goons and a Devil Wears Prada type boss. I won’t spoil it, but the boardroom ending had me doing an actual happy dance.

This installment of the series was steamier than the last and I thoroughly enjoyed that as well. It was exciting to see the two protagonists give way to their desires and it made the story that much more fulfilling of a read.

I’m excited to see where this series goes and if the third brother gets his own story! If you’re a lover of 90’s romcom and adventure films a’la Indiana Jones, then I HIGHLY recommend this read!

Profile Image for Shareca.
Author 6 books8 followers
July 15, 2021
In exchange for an honest review, I received Alicia's advanced reader's copy. Here is my final, official review, summarized from my bookstagram. You can find the details of what I said at each checkpoint in the posts I wrote during my reading of ETTB.

Exit through Tortuga Bay offered action, romance, high stakes, and a dual narrative, which I always enjoy. My favorite type of narrative is the two-person narrative. It is also gratifying when the dual narratives stand out from one another, such as these do. A well-developed cast of characters, easy narrative flow, and a consistent pace make for a cohesive story. Nearly every chapter contains some interaction between the two, if not multiple characters, so I find myself thoroughly engaged. It is also a beautiful setting. It is wonderful to have the possibility of falling in love while on vacation. I love being in an unknown place where one can leave whatever they do behind. There is only one difference in ETTB: Grace would like to keep Noah forever.

"Transport yourself to the sandy beaches of Costa Rica in this fun-loving action-packed romantic comedy. This can be read as a standalone, or read as the second book of the Escape in Paradise series."


I absolutely adore the moments of subtle hand-holding in this novel. I think it's a lovely aspect of a relationship, so I enjoyed that element. It is such a joy to be around Noah and Grace. They make me feel butterflies. I was enchanted by their quirky relationship. Aside from Noah's modesty and mannerisms, I'm also attracted to his subtle imperfections. There are some cute nose-scrunches, and he has this cute voice. It's all perfect. The perfect blend of messy and perfect. (For the most part, that's what relationships are.) Even so, I believe that the characters make realistic decisions in this story. In my opinion, they seem realistic enough to believe they exist. Somewhere, right now, someone is sharing the same story. In addition to the excellent writing, the supporting characters are also enjoyable. The novel is packed with adventures, marketed exactly as it is. The story is a journey that encompasses love, stakes, family, and everything in between.

The way Alicia uses the word "adventure" can apply to anything and everything, from their relationship to the cartel, to being in an unknown place, or to Grace's career shift and mindset when she is living the Pura Vida lifestyle. There is adventure around every corner. My favorite moment in the book was Noah and Grace's first kiss. Seeing such tasteful sex scenes was also refreshing. These scenes are very intimately written. There were not too many sexual encounters, but there was enough to truly understand the sexual chemistry between the two. Noah has captured my heart. What a cutie! Having the opportunity to read this was one of the most enjoyable experiences I have had in a long time. Both Grace and Noah share a similar outlook; however, they struggle to decide what their next step should be. There's no better novel for twentysomethings.

Notes:

+ It's an absolute dream to watch Noah and Grace's relationship.
+ Having Tessa around was great; she was a good friend.
+ When it comes down to it, we are all Aunt Judy.
+ Well-written, descriptive, excellent pace, and extraordinary human characters with flaws.
+ I never felt bored; the adventures were plentiful. There are so many ways to use 'adventure' in this novel.
+
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Profile Image for Ginny Muse.
959 reviews69 followers
July 21, 2021
Fun, flirty, adventurous, and romantic!
This book has a little bit of everything and it seems to work.

I wasn’t sure I wanted a run in with a drug cartel in my romance novel - but the mystery, action and near death experience added a great dynamic I didn’t know I was missing. But it’s not the driving force of the story; more of a side part that keeps popping up. The main focus is still on a surprising love story that has a great balance of being sweet, challenging, fun and steamy.

Grace is working in a job she doesn’t love in order to pay for care for her elderly Aunt Judy who has MS (she’s a fun, spunky side character.) At her job, Grace has her supportive friend Tessa. Tessa gets fired, so Grace goes in her place to make a sales pitch to a resort in Costa Rica with the horrible boss’s daughter, Jane. This is where she meets hottie Noah, who is being chased by the drug cartel as he tries to deliver cocaine that his brother was involved with to the police. Grace and Noah are drawn to each other, but have to sneak around to hide from Jane and the cartel (that Grace doesn’t know about.) The love story is sweet and helps both Grace and Noah step out of their comfort zones and consider more for their lives. It’s also surprisingly steamy a couple of times. And dangerous. But can what they feel be salvaged after lies are uncovered?

This book has some great family dynamics as Grace continues to deal with the loss of her adventurous parents at an early age and cares for her elderly aunt. Noah’s family also seems to care for and look out for each other, with much scarier problems. There are interesting workplace dynamics (I’m not a fan of Jane!) and there are explorations of figuring out what the characters want to do with their lives. Some great explorations of playing it safe, taking the easy way, or going for more in life.

This book really does have a little bit of everything - sweet and tender moments, excitement, adventure, romance, humor, and more. Maybe kind of cheesy how it all works out, but somehow it worked for me. I surprisingly liked it more than I thought I might.

It’s not a 5⭐️ great work of literature, but I liked it more than my usual 4⭐️ enjoyable read. I think it’s 4.5 for me since it has a little bit of everything to make it great - so I’ll round up. I might not recommend it to everyone (a couple of parts get steamy and parts are cheesy,) but romance fans should enjoy it. I was thinking fans of the Bromance book club series would like this.

Thankful to the author for an advanced copy of this as an e-book! Happy to write a review of this fun, new book.
Profile Image for Jey.
211 reviews19 followers
August 13, 2021
When Noah’s elder brother Raffi gets mixed up in the drug cartel business, Noah has no choice but to drive the family’s coffee delivery van loaded with drugs to save his family and dispose the drugs.

Grace, a homebody who is terrified of flying is forced to travel to Costa Rica with her difficult boss Jane in order to gain a promotion and continue providing home care for her aunt.

When the blue-eyed Grace and the green-eyed Noah meet, the spark is instantaneous. But with Jane also trying to woo Noah, Jane and Noah find ways to connect with each other and have fun in secret. Their personalities rub on each other with Jane wanting to have fun and Noah trying to deal with the drug cartel on his back while steadily falling in love with Grace. But will Noah and Grace be able to take their love to the next level inspite of their differences and a lot of hurdles forms the rest of the story.

Grace is a lovely and sensible woman. She is sweet and practical who has a few insecurities which are not over exaggerated. Noah is at cross roads in his life with his love for surfing and a care free life and a need to pick a career and prove that he can be responsible to himself and others.

I just found my new favourite romance novel. This year is all about trying new genres and romance is one genre in which I haven’t read many books. What attracted me to this book initially was the cover and the blurb. But I honestly began reading this book with low expectations because I was not ready for another disappointing read. But this book bowled me over with the perfect combination of angst and cute love story and amazing characters.

This book is a love story and much more. This book is not just about two people finding each other but also reinventing themselves because of love and becoming better human beings. The book is full of amazing one liners. The chemistry between Grace and Noah is just off the charts. This book is a perfect summer read and satiates one’s thirst for travel with great descriptive writing that vividly brings to life, the beaches of Costa Rica and makes one want to experience Pura Vida.

I highly recommend this amazing book to anyone looking for a light hearted, fun and awesome love story set in a beautiful place.

Thank you @netgalley and @aliciacroftontheauthor and #threedimplespublishing for this gifted arc in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Emily Kurosawa.
359 reviews18 followers
August 14, 2021
This is my first read by Alicia Crofton; Exit Through Tortuga Bay is a standalone and book #2 in the Escape in Paradise series. It's a romcom with twist of adventure and suspense. Alicia Crofton's writing flows magnificently throughout the book! I loved how she created this setting, it definitely enhanced my reading experience! Set in the exotic and picturesque places of Costa Rica, Exit Through Tortuga Bay is navigated from Noah (hero) and Grace's (heroine) perspective. Noah's family is in trouble; his older brother got involved with the wrong people, a drug cartel. And it's up to Noah to help his family. Grace is a sales associate, it isn't really her dream job but she's content with her work, (well, she thought she was). Grace is more of a homebody, but she's about to embark on a journey; Grace is heading to Costa Rica for work. If she successfully completes her task of landing the account for her company, not only this would help her financially, but she'll be climbing up the corporate ladder. Grace is such a great character! She isn't use to attention from the opposite sex; Grace did a double take when Noah started to flirt with her.

As soon as Noah looked into Grace's eyes, he felt a connection; he was drawn to her and needed to know more about her. Noah was surprised at how easily Grace could read him. Noah and Grace's relationship dynamics with each other is amazing! They are so adorable together. Grace has certain fears and because of her fears, unawarely she held herself back from living, being adventurous and trying new things. But deep down, she wants to explore, to see places that she ever dreamt of seeing. And Noah can clearly see this, and he wants to bring out the adventurer in her. This book! All I have to say is this, please do read it! If you love swoon worthy heroes, romcoms, friendly banter, a bit of action, amazing and unique storylines, then this read is for you! Noah! I couldn't stop myself from smiling! He's such a flirt; he's definitely a smooth talker! Overall, it's a fantastic read! I haven't read book #1 Exit Through the Jungle as yet, but after reading this book I'm looking forward to reading in the near future!!


**I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review
Profile Image for Crystal Saldana.
166 reviews20 followers
August 14, 2021
First, I had no idea action adventure romance was a genre! Alicia definitely gained a spot as a new favorite author of mine!

The story follows Noah and Grace. Grace is a shy, homebody type of girl living in Michigan. She has lived her life in fear because of her traumatic loss as a kid, and would rather spend all her free time watching rom-coms with her Aunt and best friend Tessa. When given the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica to try and land an important account for her company, she experiences the trip of a lifetime. Noah is a young man living in Costa Rica helping run his family's business, when his brother accidentally gets them involved in a messed up and illegal situation. Noah, trying to protect his family, goes on the run, ends up at Tortuga Bay, and meets someone who will change his life.

The way Alicia perfectly executed the comedy, action, Suspense, steam, and slow burn romance throughout the book was incredible. I could not wait to keep reading more of it, and reading Aunt Judy's hilarious comments about her home health care staff, or getting swept away by how Noah made Grace a better version of herself in such little time. There was never a dull or slow moment throughout the book! You were always either laughing or smiling or nervous about what was going to happen next! There was so much chemistry between the two characters, and the baby sea turtle scene was so romantic and cute! this is the second book in the series, and although I haven't read the first one yet (which I definitely will now), it can still be read as a stand-alone!

Highly recommend if you want the perfect end of summer read, if you love slow burn romances with a good amount of backstory, or if you're willing to try a new Genre and mix action with romance!

Thank you to @netgalley and @aliciacroftonauthor and publisher for the advanced e-ARC copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!
Profile Image for Tammy’s  Timeout.
332 reviews14 followers
August 28, 2021
“You’re allowed to feel however you feel.”
There are quite a few quotes or sayings in this book that made me smile, or pause and reflect, many that made me laugh out loud too!

🏄‍♂️ Exit Through Tortuga Bay is set in the beautiful Costa Rica and tells the story of Noah Greene, the youngest of 3 brothers who finds himself caught up in transporting cocaine thanks to his older brothers recklessness! Driving across the coast, Noah meets Grace and her boss Jane, who are in desperate need for a ride to their resort for a work presentation. Readers can see the mutual attraction start to build from this moment on!

Exit Through Tortuga Bay has all the romance, all the chemistry and what a location! 😍 It has:
🌿A cocky but vulnerable hero
🌿A heroine who finds her confidence and zest for life
🌿a glimpse at cute baby sea turtles
🌿all the wit and banter
🌿adventure and romance
🌿set in the scenic Costa Rico.

I really enjoyed this book! The romance hooked me in, but Grace stole my heart and I adored her personal journey of self-discovery that she went through. Loyal and cautious, I could relate with her way of thinking, and I love that Noah came along and encouraged Grace out of her comfort zone. Noah is a heartbreaker with his gorgeous smile, something he is trying to move away from. He feels no respect from his family members as the baby and craves a simple life.
PURA VIDA 🧡
I adored these two together, they bring out the best in one another and their chemistry is hot and steamy! Noah had his own personal path to journey on, as does Grace, all these little parts of the characters and story add up together to create a fabulous romance by Alicia Crofton - definitely an author to watch out for! 😍

Thanks for the early copy I received, this is my honest review 😊

EXIT THROUGH TORTUGA BAY released on the 13th and is AVAILABLE NOW! 📚
Profile Image for Katie Carter.
59 reviews6 followers
August 10, 2021
*Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this free ARC in exchange for an honest review!* Guys, this was my FIRST ARC (eek!) and I’m so happy I came across it! I loved loved loved this book and am looking forward to gabbing all about it! It releases on Friday (August 13th), so be sure to pick it up and check it out!

This is the second in Alicia Crofton’s “Escape in Paradise” series, but can be read as a stand-alone read. (Side note: I will definitely be going back and reading the first one!) The genre of this book is something I’ve never encountered before and instantly loved – an Adventure Romance! My two favorite genres are thriller and romance and I loved the combination of them in this book. Between the action, love story, and ocean setting, I got major Outer Banks vibes (and definitely pictured John B and Sarah as Noah and Grace).

Speaking of the lovely couple – I lovvveedd the chemistry between Noah and Grace! It was definitely a slow burn, but the buildup was absolutely worth it – and I will NEVER look at palm leaves the same again! Not only was their chemistry to die for, but I loved how they learned from each other and ultimately changed themselves for the better because of it. Noah becomes more responsible and focused, while Grace breaks out of her shell and loses her fears. I couldn’t get enough of them and was rooting for them the whole way.

Lastly, this setting was stunning! It instantly made me wanna hop on a flight to Costa Rica and partake in my own tropical adventures. Everything from the zip-lining to the baby sea turtles and that dinner cruise transported me to another world and immersed me in its inviable atmosphere.

Overall would absolutely recommend and look forward to more from this great author!
Profile Image for Darcie.
191 reviews2 followers
May 9, 2023
I was kindly gifted a copy of this book via Netgalley!

I have been sitting on this book for so long! I was so happy when the publishers reached out to offer me a copy (I had previously been gifted an ARC of the first book), but yet I never picked it up.

I loved book 1, it was such a sweet read with a good balance of romance, suspense and adventure so I was anticipating the same with book 2.

I was not disappointed!

Exit Through Tortuga Bay is a perfect blend of romance and just enough excitement that it doesn't take away from the love story itself. Immediately you are thrown straight into the heat of it and it is written well enough that it's easy to follow. I liked the flicking between the two character perspectives and I liked how it was written in 3rd person. Sometimes it's easy to get lost with which character we are reading from and it can take me out of the story with the chapter name telling me.
The author was able to blend the two perspectives fluidly that it felt natural to switch back and forth.

I really liked Noah and Grace as characters overall, there were some moments when Noah came across as almost over-the-top cheesy and the love did feel very quick. It did suit the storyline well and I was able to look past the cringy parts.

I did find the ending with Grace's job a little too convenient and for Jane to be outed for who she was almost unrealistic. But again with this book being a HEA romance, a lot of the time I'm happy to overlook it all to know the love prevails!

I enjoyed the backdrop with the Cartel, if anything I would have liked a little more chase!

Overall I gave this one 4 stars, I really liked it, it was a short, sweet, engaging read which I think would be perfect for summer time!
Profile Image for Steph McLean.
157 reviews7 followers
July 7, 2021
Thank you to Net Galley and Alicia Crofton & publisher for a complimentary advanced copy of this book in exchange for me honest review and rating!

REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Exit Through Tortuga Bay by @aliciacroftonauthor
(Advanced Copy)

Noah’s in trouble. Big time. After his brother gets him involved with the wrong guys at the wrong time, he finds himself at the front of a hot pursuit in a van full of cocaine and a drug cartel hot on his heels. What could possibly go wrong next? Oh, yup. He just happens to stumble across Grace, and he knows he can’t have her - but he just can’t seem to tear himself away from her. She’s sweet, she’s beautiful, she’s everything he didn’t know he needed, she also has no idea about the box of cocaine she’s sitting on riding in the back of his van…

Exit Through Tortuga Bay is fun and flirty; the perfect mix for the hopeful romantics and steamy rom com lovers alike. But, fair warning - it is not your typical Hallmark movie boy meets girl and falls in love trope. You know, drug cartel and all… 😉

I absolutely loved this book. I love the most typical, cheesy and predictable romantic comedies - but this one went above and beyond and really hit all the marks for me to make it a 5/5. I laughed, I teared up, I loved the characters - and also wanted to give them a good shake and say “what are you thinking?!”, and I appreciated the slow burn with a good balance of backstory, love story, romance, humour, adventure, and subtle unpredictability. I have not read the first book in this series, (I will be now!) but feel this book can absolutely read as a stand-alone. An absolutely fantastic summer rom-com; the bar has been set for all others I read next!
Profile Image for Mahnoor.
99 reviews1 follower
August 13, 2021
This book is simply a WOW! I love books that involve adventure, romance and laughter! The best thing about this story for me was that it’s set in Costa Rica, making it a perfect book to read this summer. Lately, I’ve been reading books set in Caribbean and Puerto Rico so this book was on my tbr list and I’m so glad it was!

Another thing I found really interesting about this story was that it involves very dynamic and interesting characters which I haven’t read books of in awhile. We get to see how the two characters Grace and Noah change gradually.

Grace had a tough past, after her parents’ death, so she only has her aunt Judy. Her hope is to work hard, have good money and keep loved ones like her aunt safe. Then there’s Noah, the youngest son from a loyal and bonding family. His family own a coffee roasting business (I love coffee!!!), which he put all his focus on helping out on but time has come where he’s feeling like he doesn’t belong there.

I love reading a story that involves a form of narrative that tells a story in two different perspectives! The interaction that these two characters have was strong and interesting in every chapter I read. I was glued to the book honestly. The most heart touching part was when I gradually see Grace brining out Noah’s desire to become more than what he was expecting and for Noah to bring out all the fun and joy she had lost after her parents’ death. Stories like this honestly touch my heart!

This book is written so well, I loved how Alicia’s writing has perfectly put together two different perspectives. I’m really looking forward on reading another book of Alicia Crofton! 💖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Kelly (AndKellyReads).
1,011 reviews60 followers
August 13, 2021
I loved it. I loved it I loved it I loved it.

I'm going to be thinking about Noah and Grace and their wild journey for a long time and I had so much freaking fun that my cheeks still hurt from smiling. Noah and Grace were strong, solid characters, and their growth throughout the story was incredible and just so well done that I am in awe. It was a sweet, silly little romcom, sure, but Exit Through Tortuga Bay was also full of suspense, emotion, heart, and even some steam, all wrapped up in this well-written and executed little bow.

I loved it. I honestly can't even pinpoint a favorite part (the turtles! the palm fronds! the christmas lights!) because Noah was just so GOOD and warm and flawed but honest, and he had me smiling from ear to ear every time he was on the page. Grace was a treasure, an absolute joy to read, and watching her come out of her shell felt almost like a privilege, and I just resonated with her so fully and completely that it hurt a few times. Noah and Grace together? The perfect little carefree/overthinking insta-love duo. *chef's kiss* from the banter to the tension, and I cannot believe how well Alicia nailed this.

I loved this book. I loved this story. It was so unique and fun and original, and now I desperately want to go on vacation, but also I want to pick this book back up and revisit Noah and Grace because I loved them so.

Heart eyes emoji x100000000000 and it's still not enough. Truly.


(I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
2 reviews2 followers
July 18, 2021
I am sharing this feedback because 1. Alicia Crofton is my sister, and 2. The author gave me an advanced ready copy in exchange to provide an honest review.

OK- now that’s out of the way... YOU.MUST.READ.THIS.BOOK! I’m not just saying that because the author is my sister. I mean, come on. We are sisters! If anyone was going to be a tough critic on how well this read was going to be... It’s ME.

I’m serious.

If you have read any of Alicia Crofton’s past novellas, THIS is by far the BEST. It will absolutely immerse you in a dreamy adventure where you wish you were the female lead, Grace, snagging a chance to go to Costa Rica, and go through all of the amazing experiences she gets to. Noah, the love interest, is a super dreamy, endearing character that has a wonderful back story that will have you swooning and cheering for every moment the two characters have together.

Do you like adventure? -YES
Do you like romance? - YES
Do you like comical interactions? - YES
Do you like to transcend into the storyline that you read? Yes, Yes, and YES!

This IS an excellent book. It’s easy to follow, and it will warm up all of your inside bits with joy, laughter, and complete satisfaction.

If you want a “feel-good” romance that gives you excitement, you NEED to read this book.

Stop wasting your reading time with reading this review and GET YOU THIS BOOK.

I PROMISE you will thank me and yourself for enjoying such a treat afterwards.
11 reviews
July 23, 2021
Review: ✨Exit through Tortuga Bay, Alicia Crofton✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4 stars

I enjoyed reading this sweet contemporary romance. The characters were likeable and charming and there was a bit of character development (even if it was slightly unrealistic over the 3 day timeframe). The flirty relationship between the MCs was on point! Super swoon-worthy. I loved the adventures Noah and Grace went on - zip-lining(!!) and oh my gosh I want to see some baby turtles 🐢 😩. Overall, the book is about finding yourself and finding a way to let go of the past to live your best life how you want to, with a whole lot of love thrown in.

What let this book down for me is the ‘action’. I wasn’t sold on the drugs/cartel plot that the synopsis focuses on - it felt more like a filler and a bit irrelevant. It didn’t seem to fit in with the romance which I felt was actually the main premise of the story. I expected to read an action book with a little romance thrown in but it was the other way around.

I would definitely recommend reading this as a very sweet holiday romance kind of book. If you’re after a fun-loving summer read then this one is for you!

And it gave me major travelling/vacation vibes so I’m now off to buy a yurt on a Costa Rican beach to spend my days surfing (yeah right) and drinking cocktails (more likely). Pura Vida!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Alicia Crofton and Three Dimples Publishing for giving me this advance copy in return for an honest review.

Profile Image for Hayley.
208 reviews17 followers
August 12, 2021
I received an complimentary digital advance copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Exit Through Tortuga Bay is an exciting new adventure romance (new genre for me!) that takes place in Costa Rica. It is the second in the Escape In Paradise series, but I haven't read the first yet.

Noah works for his fathers coffee roasting business, which has somehow gotten itself caught up in a drug scheme thanks to his oldest brother. He starts out driving across Costa Rica, away from police and a drug cartel, until he can find a place to lay low while everything blows over. Grace, ends up in Costa Rica on a business trip with her less than desirable future boss, pitching an idea to an upscale resort in Tortuga Bay. Their relationship builds very quickly and is a joy to watch unfold.

I loved reading this book! Almost every character, main and secondary, was a joy to get to know. Aunt Judy and Tessa, Noah's family, Todd and other coworkers are all likable, fun characters who bring so much brightness and colour to the story. The development and learning that Grace and Noah go through about themselves felt real. Its like they started the book as unsure kids and ended confident and aware of themselves - even though the majority of the story happens in a very short timeline.

Overall, I loved this story, the characters are great, there's action, there's romance, there's humor, and the cover is so beautiful.
Profile Image for Hayley 〰 Hayley's Next Page.
1,472 reviews108 followers
August 20, 2021
Did I binge-read this book in 24 hours? Yes, yes I did. I actually read this immediately after finishing Exit Through The Jungle and it was great to continue right where the first book finished. Like its predecessor, Exit Through Tortuga Bay is a fun and fast-paced romance.

Noah takes off for Tortuga Bay with a van full of cocaine and the cartel on his tail, before his brother tells him he can finally turn the cocaine over to the police. But that's not where the adventure ends. Meanwhile, in Tortuga Bay he unexpectedly meets Grace, a Michigan native in Costa Rica to give a presentation to a hotel. After losing her parents in a helicopter crash, timid Grace is scared of taking risks, especially where her aunt with MS is involved. But flirtatious Noah has a way of bringing out her dormant adventurous side and after only a couple of days, it's clear their story isn't over.

So, I loved Noah and Grace. They were such opposites but I loved that they brought out the best in each other. Crofton wrote them and their growth so well and the chemistry was evident from the beginning. Like Exit Through The Jungle, this book was totally unputdownable as I needed to know what was happening next!

Check out Exit Through Tortuga Bay for a charming romance that transports you to tropical Costa Rica.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.
1 review
September 27, 2022
This book was an absolute treat to read. Alicia Crofton has perfected the balance of comedy and spiciness, all while painting a beautiful landscape in Costa Rica.

Noah and Grace are such lovable characters; they had such amazing chemistry, and the slow burn between the characters kept me turning pages. Both characters have the opportunity for self reflection and personal growth; in the end, they both overcome many obstacles to become better versions of themselves.

The workplace dynamics were laugh-out-loud funny (especially scenes involving Grace’s over-the-top boss).

This is the first romantic comedy I’ve read that involved a character running from a drug cartel. This added a unique dynamic of danger, while providing an obstacle in the developing relationship between Noah and Grace. It felt fresh and unlike conflicts used in other stories.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a light-hearted and spicy romance novel! It would definitely make a fun vacation read too. I look forward to reading more from Alicia Crofton in the near future!
18 reviews
July 15, 2021
Alicia Crofton has quickly become one of my absolute favorite authors and this book is exactly why! While Exit Through Tortuga Bay is the second in a series, it can easily be read as a standalone. Set in the tropical paradise of Costa Rica, this read will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to find out what happens. When homebody Grace gets the opportunity to travel to for work, she is solely focused on getting home in one piece. What she doesn't expect, is to ride in a truck full of stolen cocaine, go on an adventure, and just maybe meet the man of her dreams. Noah is on the run from a drug cartel and trying to help the police when he meets Grace and immediately knows life will never be the same. But can two people from two different worlds make it work? I absolutely loved this slow burn and steamy romance and devoted this book in record timing. I liked watching Noah and Grace grow and can't wait to see what else this author has in store!
Profile Image for iheartbooksalatte.
49 reviews24 followers
August 6, 2021
This was such a fun summer read! The main character, Grace, never goes out or tries new things and is basically hermit. She is forced to travel to Costa Rica for work and that's where she meets Noah. Noah is all about adventures and loving life to the fullest but also is in a little trouble with the Cartel 😬 What ensues is chemistry, romance, adventure, suspense and some definite steam! I definitely want to go read the authors first book in this series now.

What I liked:
-The setting, I've never been to Costa Rica or read a book that took place there and it sounds so beautiful and fun!
-Grace and Noah's chemistry and how they bring out the best in each other.
-This is an adventure romance but there was a little suspense thrown in which I loved!
-just the right amount of steam! This is an open door romance, fyi.

I really enjoyed this book! Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the digital ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Sahana Ramnath.
1,148 reviews31 followers
August 11, 2021
A really cool adventure romance 💛

All Noah wants is to live his life with adventure, surfing and peace. But he's unfortunately tangled up with drugs stolen from a cartel, courtesy of his older brother 🥲

All Grace wants is to be safe and make enough money to take care of her aunt. Grace has a hidden desire for adventures, but that part of her is deeply buried due to insecurities, fear and a sense of responsibility.

When Grace is forced on a company trip to Tortuga Bay (in Costa Rica), she encounters Noah who's secretly hiding there from the cartel. One thing leads to another, and they strike a growing friendship and relationship.

Grace loves that he brings out the adventurous streak in her. And with her, Noah finally understands more about what he truly wants in life.

But the drug cartel is not far behind..

Read this book to figure out what happens to them! There's suspense, adventure and character growth, all packed into a cool and fun to read book 💛
Profile Image for Uta.
274 reviews4 followers
August 17, 2021
My first book I read from Alicia,

This was a refreshing adventure of love, life and stepping out on a limb. Noah had his own issues both family and personal and Grace had her own as well. A mismatched pair meeting on an unusual work trip that was meant to be. Their meet cute in Costa Rica was the best and I loved the way in which their attraction for each other developed and how Noah and Grace helped each other in solving their fears and giving them a new hope together. :) Noah was relentless in his pursuit and while not giving in for fear of her inadequacy Grace finally realized she was deserving of all the attention she was getting. The twists and the turns of this story was not predictable and made it a definite page turner as well. You will definitely want to know how it ends.

Love, humour, romance, adventure and self discovery all wrapped up in this memorable story!

Happy reading!
Profile Image for Lila Dawes.
Author 8 books172 followers
July 15, 2021
BRB checking out vacations to Costa Rica...🌴🌴

This book was soooooo good, in fact, stop reading this and just go and pre order it and thank me later 😏

I loved the story, the setting and the characters were well developed with some really funny moments (toot toot!). There was some truly gorgeous writing in this, lines that soothed my soul and spoke to me 💗

Noah was so dreamy and cute, I love couples who push each other to be their best versions of themselves, it's what love is meant to be. I loved that Grace had so much growth and some of her thoughts and feelings really resonated with me.

Their chemistry was great, gotta love a slow burn and when they got together it was 🔥🔥🥵

Seriously, go and buy, download, pre order, whatever - just get your hands on this now!

Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steam 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Profile Image for Hilary Brown.
10 reviews
July 21, 2021
Alicia Crofton's books keep getting better and better! I received a copy in exchange for my honest review - and honestly? It was so good!! All of her books are able to be read as stand-alones, but they are so uniquely tied together. Better than any series I have read!

Noah and Grace are the perfect combo of opposites attract. And, really there is a little bit of Grace in all of us. This book was such a perfect combination of adventure, humor, and spice - everything that you always want but often missing from romance novels. It has been a long time since I have laughed out loud and enjoyed some spicy romance scenes in the same book! Such a good summer read to escape into an exotic location with a great cast of characters. Whether this is the first or fourth book from Alicia you read, it should definitely be on your must read list!
Profile Image for Patt.
466 reviews6 followers
August 5, 2021
Book #2 in the Escape in Paradise series was an excellent read. It could be read in series order, but would also be a good stand alone.
We find the Greene family still trying to get rid of the Cocaine which is in their possession. Kai is in jail, and the focus of this book is Noah, rather than Kai.
Grace is the main character and meets Noah on a business trip to Costa Rica with her nasty boss, Jane. Jane wants an affair with Noah, whom they meet by accident, but Noah only has eyes for Grace. Noah is trying to get the cocaine safely to the police, but the gang is out looking for him and the cocaine.
Despite all the problems Noah and Grace find ways to be alone, without Jane's intrusion.
If you like romance mixed with lots of adventure, you will love this story which really makes you want to visit Costa Rica.
*I received an ARC of this book from the author.
Profile Image for TheBerryBookReport.
518 reviews27 followers
July 20, 2021
Who knew adventure romance was a genre? NOT THIS GIRL!

When Alicia Crofton reached out to me offering an ARC I jumped at the chance and I’m SO GLAD I DID! This was everything I never knew I needed in my life and enjoyed every single page. This was fun, action packed, had the right dose of cheese factor with genuine, lovely moments.

Todd! Todd was the unsung hero and I loved his moment. Bravo, Todd.

I found myself loving all of the characters, totally invested in Pura Vida and here for the bizarre cocaine cartel bust.

I now need the first in this series and cannot wait for more Crofton reads in my life.

Add this to your TBR and escape to Tortuga Bay on August 13…such a perfect (summer) read!
Profile Image for Cristiana Marques.
Author 2 books50 followers
August 25, 2021
"Exit Through Tortuga Bay": 4⭐

(Unpaid Review: thank you to @netgalley, @aliciacrofton and the publishers for allowing me to read this eArc copy in exchange for a review.)

Honesty check; I first got this book because Tortuga = Pirates of The Caribbean. Yes, I'm a nerd, I can't help it 😂 however, right after I started reading it, I got so intrigued and marvelled by the contents of this amazing book!

The writing was so fast-paced and I couldn't stop reading it! 😱 The fact that it is set on Costa Rica makes me want to travel there right now and read this book all over again and fall in love with the story, once more.
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