My life was perfect—from the outside, at least. Until I came home to find another woman straddling my long-time boyfriend. On my brand new bedding.Now I’m back in Jetty Beach, the small town on the coast where I grew up, crashing at my parent’s place. And life is looking pretty bleak.Except… Ryan Jacobsen.We knew each other as kids, but he did not look like this. Tousled dark hair, a body that … dark hair, a body that sparks thoughts that make me blush, and intense green eyes hiding a sadness I want to kiss away. He’s back in town too, and I can’t seem to get him out of my mind.
Or stay out of his bed.
He makes me feel things I never imagined (and the things he can do with his tongue!). But his sweet, sad eyes are hiding a secret—one that could tear us apart.
Ryan comes into my life at precisely the wrong time. It’s either a huge mistake … or it must be love.
**Must Be Love contains mature language and content and is intended for a mature audience.**
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Nicole and Ryan’s story was sweet and full of emotions and I really enjoyed it. This was a great debut novel from Claire and I can’t wait to check out the rest of the series. I listened to the audiobook and both narrators were new to me and they did good with the narration.
What a great day of reading! This book is funny, sensual and serious. I laughed here and there as Nicole lived with her parents; I smiled as Ryan’s Mom called and checked on him daily; and, I got concerned when illness hit Ryan and devastated those he loved. This book has it all and I loved reading it.
Someone take me away to Jetty Beach. I want to live this small town beach life everyday! Nicole and Ryan are so freaking HOT. Nicole coming off a life changing heart break and Ryan slowly piecing his life together. The attraction is instant and the back and forth is hilarious. Love how Claire Kingsley takes these damaged heroes with real life problems and makes them lovable and so very sexy. She writes strong, resilient women in all her books and this one is no exception. Really cute book – enjoyed immensely. Recommend!
Nicole has moved back home with her parents temporarily in Jetty Beach after walking in on her boyfriend with another woman. Her friend takes her out for drinks and she almost falls flat on her face drunk until saved by Ryan who has definitely grown up. She almost didn’t recognize him. He’s a photographer and she is an event planner.
Both their mothers have volunteered them to help with the annual art festival since the previous organizer is in his 80s now and unable to organize due to health issues. Only to arrive at the committee meeting and find out they are the only ones on the committee.
I laughed so hard when her friend Melissa took her on a girl”s trip! I felt her pain!!! LOL This story hits you in the heart with both Nicole dealing with a cheating boyfriend and Ryan dealing with major issues. The characters are so awesome you want to move to Jetty Beach. Loved this book and LOVE Claire Kingsley!
I really enjoyed this story. I wasn’t much a fan of these narrators; I can’t quite put my finger on why their voices didn’t work for me.
I loved this book for the quaint little beach town that reminds me of the one I grew up in. As well as for the realistic depiction of depression. To me, the signs were pretty obvious, but I guess not everyone knows them as well as I do. And the photo shoot scene was super hot!
Another well-written story from this author!
Nicole gets her heart broken and goes back home to Jetty Beach to get away from the pain and humiliation. One night while out drinking, she runs into a childhood friend, Ryan. They met when they were much younger, and lordy, has he grown up.
After they are both put on the same committee to put together the town’s art festival, they reconnect and become closer.
Ryan is kind and caring and super sexy and it was easy to fall for him. He and Nicole are good together, but they needed to work some things out.
This story deals with some sensitive and serious topics, so along with some laughs and steamy scenes, there’s also emotional scenes that pull at the heartstrings.
It’s possible I might’ve enjoyed this more if I had read it instead of listened to it. I still liked it enough to want to read the next book in the series though!
I listened to the audiobook and I thought the narrators did a decent job.
After 10 years, Nicole Prescott has broken up with the only man she’s ever Now she’s back in her hometown wallowing in self pity and trying to figure out her next steps. Enter Ryan Jacobsen, an old school friend who grew up to be gorgeous. He makes her feel special in so many ways she realizes that she never really loved her ex. Now it’s time to move on unfortunately Ryan doesn’t seem to be on the same page. Something is really off and suddenly they’re off as in broken up. He’s harboring a secret but sharing is to painful. But losing Nicole would be more painful. Revealing the truth clears the air and a very public declaration of love puts them on the right track for their HEA
Fun, easy read. Will certainly read the rest of the series.
When Nicole returns home and runs into her childhood friend, Ryan, sparks fly. The heat between these two is combustible. I love how they really want to help each other from the very beginning. They each have to get to a place where they allow that help. The setting is magnificent. The secondary characters are interesting and well-developed. I love how Nicole grows and figures out her priorities through the course of the story while learning to stand on her own. Ryan is not your typical hero. He has some baggage and a problem that he has to learn to manage. I can’t imagine that writing his character was easy and I felt like it was done exceptionally well. The beautiful HEA brought tears to my eyes. Book 1, and I am hooked on Jetty Beach.
Oh my word, Ryan is hot. I loved Ryan and Nicole together. Both were in need of the other, but for completely different reasons. I’m glad Nicole was willing to stand by Ryan, and that he was able to work for a better life. The wax scene was hilarious. The narration of the photo shoot was pure steam. I was so excited to find this series on audible. I kept trying to get to it, but life happens.
This was my first read by Claire Kingsley and I liked enough to add the entire Jetty Beach series to my TBR list. Nicole Prescott comes home to Jetty Beach with her tail between her legs…at least for a short respite from a long term relationship gone bad. Ryan Jacobsen came home months ago as well. We don’t really know what brought him home, we only know he has demons he is fighting and coming face to face with his childhood crush has the ability to throw his life into a tailspin. Nicole remembers Ryan, as ….just Ryan…not this hot man standing in front of her. These two will need to learn what they need and want in their own lives before they can move forward together and only time will tell if either has the fight they need to see it all through. Loving secondary characters in this story so much that I had to put more of this series in my soon to be read list because now I just need to know more about them.
I was late to the Claire Kingsley bandwagon but I’m glad I’m here. I’ve read the Miles Family series and the Bootleg Springs series co-written with Lucy Score (my fave author). Now I’m working my way thru the Jetty Beach series because I’ve become enthralled with her writing. Claire delivers truly human characters with all the feels (including humor). Ryan is an accomplished photographer who is trying to heal. Nicole is doing the same thing but they are impacted by very different circumstances that brought them back to Jetty Beach. Ryan is keeping his pain from Nicole. Will it protect her or cause worse heartache than she’s experienced before?
This is the book that brought author Claire Kingsley into my life! LOL! I’ve read this book so many times. I hate when it’s over!! You will love it and Nicole & Ryan just as much as I do!