Alyssa Morgan has secretly been in love with her older brother Nick’s best friend, Brandt Dempsey, since she was an awkward, lonely teenager. When she catches the bouquet at Nick’s wedding, she throws caution to the wind and propositions Brandt to a two-week fling. He’s tried to ignore how Alyssa has blossomed into a strong, talented, gorgeous woman because as his best friend’s baby sister, she’s … she’s off limits.After they share a mind-blowing kiss, Brandt struggles to fight their undeniable chemistry. His tragic childhood scarred him, but he pushes it deep inside, only allowing the world to see a wealthy, carefree entrepreneur. Forced to work together on Brandt’s latest charitable venture, Brandt and Alyssa’s passion cannot be denied. Alyssa knows he’s the one. Can she convince him they belong together?
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At last in Laguna fulfills its title. The story of Alyssa and Brandt is rich with heartwarming and steamy romance, but I also enjoyed clever word play when they find themselves in some sticky situations. Alyssa’s comebacks and sarcastic wit had me laughing out loud, while Brandt’s tragic past and his determination to rise above it warmed my heart. I thoroughly enjoyed their journey together, and I read the final page with a big grin on my face!
Do you judge a book by its cover? I absolutely loved the cover for At Last In Laguna. I took the leap of faith on a new to me Author and I am so glad I did.
At Last In Laguna is an amazing story about two individuals who have both had troubled pasts. Overcoming their fears might be an obstacle but definately one worth trying for.
The characters are loveable, the dialogue with eachother is perfect and believable, plus their inner dialogue adds a depth to the characters I never knew I was missing before.
I devoured this book in under 24 hours and cant wait to look up more books from Claire Marti.
I listened to an Audiobook version of this and found the narrator did an amazing job capturing and keeping your attention with her inflections. I would definately listen to more books from this narrator.
Audiobook/Ebook Review: At Last in Laguna (Finding Forever in Laguna, #2) by Claire Marti
LOVE. How can a simple word cause such complicated emotions? Just when we think we have our hearts figured out, there’s always more baggage tossed our way. At Last in Laguna takes a look at both sides of the coin. The enticing devil on the shoulder and the ever optimistic angel of the heart. Marti blends serious subjects with the overwhelming benefits of love. She finds hope where there almost seems to be none. Alyssa and Brandt have to decide if their powerful emotions are worth the heartbreaking trip down memory lane. There are pieces of Alyssa and Brandt in us all. The self-doubt, the fear of taking a chance and the hope that happiness is just around the corner. Within our flaws are our strengths. That is a point that Ms. Martini makes loud and clear.
At first glance it would seem that Alyssa and Brandt do not get along, maybe can’t even stand each other, but that is not the case. Both are attracted to the other but both have issues from their past that they have been allowing to affect not only a potential relationship with each other, but other relationships as well. Throw in Nick as an insanely over-protective big brother, and this couple seems doomed before they even get started.
At Last in Laguna is a contemporary romance, and could be classified as a beach read (that takes place at the beach!). It is a sweet story and has an overall light-hearted feel to it, but it has a deeper undercurrent as well. That undercurrent doesn’t take away the light-heartedness of the story, it simply reminds us that everyone’s lives and stories are multi-layered and multi-dimensional. The relationship between Brandt and Alyssa is front and center in this book, but relationships of all kinds are important and highlighted throughout, and Marti does a beautiful job of showing how our relationships help us and affect us in every aspect of our lives.
This is the second book in the Finding Forever in Laguna trilogy, and can easily be read as a standalone novel, but you might also want to start with the first book. In Second Chance in Laguna you will meet Nick and Sophie and watch their relationship progress as well as seeing where Alyssa’s and Brandt’s story originates. I’m looking forward to the third book as well as the Christmas novella because I really enjoy the interconnectedness of the characters and am looking forward to seeing how their stories progress.
I immediately buy anything from this author. This story proves to me she is a great story teller!