Hollie Lesowski is a beautiful young actress locked in a legal battle with one of the most powerful and feared directors in Hollywood, a man who betrayed and hurt her, a man she mistakenly believed was her father.Maximillian Cash is her bodyguard, a blond, blue-eyed giant sworn to protect her. Gentle despite his imposing presence, he seems to be just right for her. But can she trust him with her … with her deepest secrets?
Diesel Le is a rock star in her sister’s band. Devastatingly sexy and annoyingly arrogant, the former pro surfer from Hawaii delights in driving her and everyone else crazy. So, why does she have to continually remind herself to stay away from him?
Two uniquely handsome men tempt her. Both want to make her their own. But one is her employee, and the other is a confirmed player.
Will she be swept away by temptation?
High Tide and Island Side is a heart-twisting, gut-churning, page-turning, coming-of-age duet. It is a triangular second-chance love story with two compelling alpha males but no cheating. Romantic and suspenseful, it sparkles with the glitz of Hollywood, sizzles with the tropical heat of Hawaii, and steals your breath at times, but it will also make your spirit soar.
Don’t miss High Tide and Island Side by New York Times bestselling author Michelle Mankin, the highly anticipated two-part conclusion to the Rock Stars, Surf and Second Chances series.
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I couldn’t wait to crack open this book after the way High Tide left off, so I dove in as soon as it hit my Kindle. My dilemma lies in how to explain why I loved it while not spoiling anything… so here goes nothing… If you have not read High Tide- STOP HERE!!
Hollie’s life has just been getting crazier and crazier, and as this book opens, she is on the verge of breaking after the devastating hits she took at the end of book 1. She decides to make her escape to Hawaii for a little while to let the media frenzy die down and to try to find her equilibrium away from everyone, especially her well meaning but overprotective big sister. She isn’t sure if Diesel’s presence will be a good or bad thing, but she instinctively knows he won’t let anything happen to her so she goes with it.
I will make no secret of the fact that I was rooting for the big guy depicted on the cover of this novel. He has been nothing short of a mega pain in the rear at times in this series, but there is something to be said for his style of blunt/ brutal honesty. We finally learn what makes Diesel tick, and the glimpses of the man behind the ten foot walls protecting his heart are worth taking notice. He can raise the temperature in a room with just a smirk but when he drops the rock star persona and doles out the real Diesel Le- watch out!
That island escape is great on the surface but it doesn’t eliminate the difficult decisions and publicity firestorm that still await Hollie on the mainland. Out of sight, out of mind only gets her so far especially since she is keeping a huge secret- one with the potential to blow up in her face with the man she has fallen for. But we finally see her gain some self-confidence as she reaches deep to define who she wants to be and what she wants from life going forward. I was definitely happy with the way this story shook out and with the depth demonstrated by the important characters here. If you are looking for an angsty, hot and at times twisty ride, then grab this duet and dive in sooner rather than later!
In the outstanding conclusion to a wonderful series, Michelle Mankin, brings her A game to the table. Her beautiful but tragic tale of second chance love will tug at your heartstrings and make you truly believe it’s possible to find love again.
When the Dirt Dogs’ lead singer, Diesel, sends an invitation to actress Holliewood to escape to Hawaii, he learns to navigate the turbulent waters around her and her heart. The two are both broken from loss but neither are ready to heal until they can heal the other. They finally realize where their hearts truly lie, but is it too late to salvage what’s left between them?
Mankin’s use of lush ocean and island imagery draws you in and keeps you reading the dance between the two grieving celebrities. She has certainly saved the best for last, and if you’ve not read the entire series, start at the beginning. You’ll be happy you did.
You must read High Tide before this book to get the full essence of the story. I have been looking so forward to this book as I was devastated with the way the last book ended. I have to say that I really liked Max, but after reading this book I can see that Holly and Diesel were meant for each other. Because of Diesel’s reputation, I wasn’t sure how good he would be for Holly. Happily there was nothing to worry about for me. Diesel is a complicated man that was living from the ghosts of his past. I loved his father and all the wisdom he shared. The interaction between Hollie and Diesel was compelling. For me, this was another fantastic, emotional book with so much love by Ms. Mankin. I strongly encourage you to read the book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.
This is the continuation of Hollie’s story. I didn’t like that fact that Hollie just jumped right in with Diesel after the loss that just happened in her life. She is young and does not really seem to know how to process everything that is going on in her life. Having said that, Diesel is HOT! Their story will tug at your heartstrings, as they have both had major losses in their lives and seem to need each other to put all of the pieces back in their lives. Diesel likes to tell it like he sees it and that is something Hollie needs in her life. Too many people try to coddle her. This book is about facing your fears and moving on after loss. I have enjoyed this series.
I read an advanced copy for an honest review.
This is the coninuation of the story for Hollie.
At the end of High Tide, she is reeling from the betrayal and death of her lover. She also had discovered she is having a baby. She is currently at the end of her rope.
Deisel, who has always been attracted to Hollie, invites her to his house in Hawaii to “get her act back together”. He has no idea she is pregnant. He lusts after her and figures if he can have her just once, it will get her out of his system. He has no need for any relationship, having been burned in the past.
When the two of them get together, they realize that once is not enough. They wind up helping each other heal from their internal wounds.. They leaern that there is more to each of them than meets the eye.
This book was amazing. It was a rollercoaster of feelings. It was about learning to trust and show someone your vulnerable side. It was about taking that leap of faith.
You will love this book as much as I did.
Absolutely Amazing
Talk about getting sucked in this book sure did that. This was a book I could not put down. In the previous book High Tide we see Holly struggling with her issues regarding her slimy step father. Her bodyguard Max is always there protecting her…until he isn’t. He’s fallen for her but Holly is struggling to say the words he wants to hear.
Diesel has always had a way of going head to head with Holly which she has no problem with standing up to him. Diesel warned Holly about his distrust for Max but she won’t hear it so he has no choice to impatiently sit back.
The Island Side love story is raw and has many lessons it teaches. Love, perseverance and self-discovery are definitely brought to the forefront in this amazing book. This book takes you in on the very first page and doesn’t let go until the very last word is read. I highly recommend this book, this series!
Everything really got together in Island Side. Hollie found herself and her self confidence, and she did so mostly on her own. Facing her struggles instead of running from them made me love her.
The love story was strong, and I think I loved it even more because it happened partly on the big island in Hawaii. I could practically smell the tropical fruits, the sea, and see the beautiful sunrise and sunset.
Mankin did really well with the end of this series, and I will probably go back and read all of the books back to back now that I can 🙂
First of all you will need a fan to cool yourself off with. Diesel is HOT!
Diesel and Hollie are two tortured souls who deserve to find true love and happiness. Their story pulls on your heartstrings and their ending will have you in tears of happiness. This duet series has been one of the best I have read this year.
Favorite quote: Diesel ~ “You and I both know love isn’t a soft emotion. It has sharp, jagged teeth that sink in deep, past the mind, through the center of your heart, all the way to the essence of your being. And when something that deep gets ahold of you and then gets ripped away, you lose a part of yourself you can never get back.”
You will LOVE this book! Buy It!
What a beautiful ending to a wonderful story! Hollie is so strong for a girl her age, and who has been through what she has been through all her life. I loved how she takes back control of her life in the end. I adore Diesel, and cannot begin to explain just how sexy and splendiferous he is. This duet of books in the Rock Stars, Surf and Second Chance’s series has all the feels! A definite must-read! At times it had me nearly in tears, others I was giggling awkwardly at the super hot sexy times, and so many more emotions. I wish I could’ve given High Tide and Island Side more than 5 Stars!
*This book is better understood if you read High Tide first, and even better if you begin with the first book in the series.*