Sailing into the Heart: A Sweet, Island Romance About Old Love And New Beginnings.

St. James Sisters #1

by Tana Jenkins, Kate Kelley (Illustrator), Alexa Nussio (Editor)

A childhood marriage dream comes crashing into the rocky reality of adulthood in this sweet beach romance between a woman who is an island unto herself and a man for whom the world is not enough.

As the two navigate conflicting ideas about the future of a small island's sailboat-building school, Sydney St. James realizes Devin Fox might be the life raft she didn't know she needed.

Will Devin realize that Sydney, his first friend, first kiss, and first marriage proposal (at the tender age of thirteen), is a safe harbor for his heart- the last and only woman he's ever truly loved?

Set in Mackinac Island, this interracial romance between a Native American man and a bi-racial, African American woman, is the first novella in the St. James Sisters collection.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Summer, Adult

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 19, 2021

About the author

Named Debut Author of the Year in 2022 by RSJ, former attorney Tana Jenkins is an EMMA Award-Winner for Sweet & Clean Romance and an OTFS Finalist for Paranormal Romance. Mensa's literary publication, Calliope also nominated her short story, Little Black Ugly, for the Pushcart.

Tana has always been passionate about the magic of love. Her storytelling brings this magic to life, using richly imagined plots featuring characters who are often as loveable as they are quirky. As a multi-racial/African American writer, Tana is particularly interested in writing diverse characters in interracial romances--a nod to the notion that love knows no boundaries.

After practicing law in several locales, including on the beautiful island of St. Croix, she writes from the Great Lakes region, which features in her beach romances. There, she lives her own HEA with her college sweetheart and their adorable rescue. When not penning the next novel or planning beach escapades, she can be found snuggled up with a good book and a bowl of ice cream.

**Tana is always looking for ARC readers, so if you're interested email her: tanajenkins@tanajenkins.com

Reviews

[Nikki Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet easy read that simply leaves you feeling good and happy. Loved the descriptions of the Island.

[S.J. Lomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story set on Mackinac Island. I loved the setting and the endearing cast of characters. I haven't been to Mackinac Island for quite a few years, but this book makes me want to go back.
It's a light, quick read, as it's a novella. Just perfect for a quiet afternoon. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

[Manisha Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reader of this author . I really enjoy this book . I love the characters and the storyline . This book is good from the beginning to the end .

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a sweet, clean , romance and beach read, this is a great selection.
I got this book for free a while ago and finally decided to read it. I'm glad I did and will definitely try other books by this author.

Sydney and Devin cross paths again when he comes home to bury his grandfather and settle the estate. Childhood friends and sweethearts, they haven't seen each other since he left the island one summer never to return. He thought he'd grow up and become rich enough to buy a grand hotel, marry Sydney and live the rest of their lives on the island. Back in the real world, he grew up, experienced life outside the island and changed.

[Marie | Word Addict · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had interesting premise and characters, I loved the diversity...but it felt like a draft. There were conflicts and emotions galore but they were not thoroughly explored in a satisfying way. Everything resolved too easily and without delving into the interesting parts more deeply. The characters had such interesting backgrounds but still ended up seeming flat and uninspired. Plus that deeper dive could have helped the book from being over the top cheesy which it ended up bei g.

[diaryofacleanreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 / 5 stars

this book was so very sweet. It’s most definitely a slow burn, and takes a while to kick into gear but I think it is the perfect summer time read to take your time with. The love story of Devin and Sydney was so developed off page that their love just kinda was assumed and a constant. There was no real back or forth there—but LOTS of back and forth about Devin’s decision making that would affect their childhood town. Such a good, mature, yet HEA romance.

SPICE: 0/5

LANGUAGE: one cuss word that I could remember.

TROPES: second chance romance, BIPOC main characters, clean romance, ANGST

[Sarah Racioppi · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was so cute 🫶🏽 I love Mackinac Island, and the descriptions of the places on the island take me back to good memories. I wish the story was longer with more character development or maybe even an epilogue of their life on the island together or how the boat school was going. I love the diverse representation in the main characters. It was wonderful that the author made the Native American culture a main theme of the book with birds, fables, and language.

[Ariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mackinac Island, Great Lakes, Grand Rapids, ferries, and Bells beer. This Michigan based story made my Michigander heart so happy! This is a short novel (about 100 pages) with insta-love and second chance clean romance.

[Angie W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started of great. very cute.Then it started to lose me towards the end. I'm not sure what happened. This is a new author for me. and I will move on to the second book to see what happens.

If you want something with no spice, just reading. Then this is it. ❤️

🥵🌶️🥵🌶️=0

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Story

The story was cute, the writing was good, and you could easily fall for the characters. It took me a few chapters to get hooked, but by the end, I was smiling like a fool. I love a happy ending.

[Laurie Gyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet romance

He nudged her before taking a sip. “Does that mean you forgive me?” That was a good question. She cocked her head to the side and looked at the ceiling above his head. “I don’t know, Devin.” “You don’t know if you forgive me, or you don’t know what the cup means?” He held it up and studied the finger going into the nose.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute and wholesome read

[Athena Beanbowl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very sweet story in a really cool setting. I love the lake and the sailing, and the boat building school and the cultural significance, and the crab shacks and the nature hikes. It's like a piece of vacation in a book with good natured characters to relate to. The one thing I don't usually like reading in romance genre is animal companions or pets. But there's nothing awkward about the way the pets are written. The author has obviously owned actual animals. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

[Alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy to read little book, I enjoyed the story I just wish it went a little deeper into the characters

[Robin Dix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet romance on beautiful Mackinac Island. The perfect setting for love.

[Maria Nowak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book and loved the setting! I wish it was longer so we could have more back story and information about the characters and a better spaced out ending. Everything was going great until about 75% when it seemed like the author realized she needed to wrap if up and suddenly every problem spanning the length of the book was magically solved immediately. It felt extremely unrealistic and a bit of a let down. Still happy with the hea and wishing there was more to it.

[D.A. Henneman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sydney St. James is content with her island life, taking care of the tourists in the summers, and spending time in her tiny community in the winter. When one of the elders in the community passes, the death hits her hard and brings the young boy she grew up with back into town.

As she struggles with the grown version of the boy who stole her heart, she realizes that as some things never change, some things most certainly do. He has an agenda that affects the legacy her dear friend left, an agenda that doesn’t fit the vision she had for the community that means so much to her. Will the future he is designing cause her to turn her back on her own?

Set in Mackinac Island, MI, this is a sweet debut by an author who has created a realistic and beautiful world. I so much look forward to reading more by this author.

[SarieBerrie]

Not my jam!
Didn’t finish

[Turningcover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This bool was a pleasant read. It had a nice and even flow throughout. I look forward to hearing from this author in the future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short and delightful little romance novella. We're transported to a small town with no cars. Loved seeing a Black woman as a birding guide. We also get to see her overcome her fears to go after the love of her life.

[Tana Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable! But, I am just a tad bit biased :) Would love to hear your thoughts!!

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty cheerful short romance. I enjoyed it.

[Heather- Pages & Grapes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was so sweet and heartfelt. Tana has a wonderful way of telling a story that makes you have a sense of being there. I will definitely read more of her books.

[Chapter.whispers.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sailing into the Heart is a warm, heartfelt story set in a charming small town where everyone knows everyone — and where secrets, regrets, and hopes quietly intertwine Tana beautifully captures the idea of second chances, showing that it’s never too late to rebuild relationships or rediscover oneself.

The book explores themes of family and belonging with tenderness, weaving in moments of everyday life — from the hum of the school playground to quiet mornings spent bird watching along the riverbanks. Each scene feels authentic and deeply human.

Tana’s writing sails smoothly between heartbreak and healing, making Sailing into the Heart a touching read for anyone who believes in love, forgiveness, and the beauty of starting over.

[Caitlin Nikolai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed "Sailing Into the Heart." A lot! It takes place in Mackinac Island and takes place around a boat-building school, which I thought was a really neat, fresh plot line. I also don't think I've read a book where a character led bird-watching tours. Very fun!

My biggest complaint is that the book seemed to go fast. I am a relatively fast reader, but I feel like more could have been fleshed out. Conflict was resolved too quickly, some plot points went by in a blur.

Overall, I would recommend the story. It's fun and fresh. It just goes fast.

[Jada · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute short read. Took a minute to get into it after a confusing start. There were side thoughts from the fmc in the first couple of chapters that threw off the flow of the story. The writing got better towards the end just couldn’t go over in the middle of her grand gesture the fmc stopped for pizza before finding the mmc! 🍕

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy a book that is set in a place I know. It’s so fun to have stories to put with places I’ve visited. This was such a sweet romance and set in one of my most favorite places on earth. I will be reading more.

[Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in a mature voice but a lot of description and not much depth. It didn’t really go anywhere. I thought the story was original but it needed more…

[Maddie Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet easy read. Left me smiling!

[Marsha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Snoozzzzzzzzeeee!