Recently widowed Sara Ness moves to Cliffside Bay to hide from her painful past and the scandal that cost her far too much. With a baby daughter to raise alone, the peaceful privacy of small town life, and the comfort of the local grief support group, are just what the heiress needs. But when her inheritance is jeopardized by her new marital status, Sara is forced to make a deal with the only … suitable candidate available. And for the next year she’s paying for the pleasure of pretending to be married to the one man in town she simply cannot stand.
In the wake of his wife’s death, architect David Perry accepts a job at Wolf Enterprises and promptly moves his children to be near what’s left of their family. Though work and the kids are more than enough to fill David’s days, his quiet, lonely nights force him to seek the help of the local grief support group. And when the spoiled Sara Ness proposes a partnership that promises to be lucrative for them both, David agrees to her terms and discovers that his fake bride just might hold the key to his future happiness.
The final installment of the wildly popular Cliffside Bay Series weaves a heartwarming enemies-to-lovers meets marriage-of-convenience tale in the style readers have grown to expect from USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson, with richly developed characters, a setting to marvel at, and the ultimate life lesson about true love’s never-ending ability to bridge the gaps that we frequently allow to divide us.
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As with all of Tess Thompson’s books we have another very well written story that pulls you into the lives of the characters. This final book did an excellent job of pulling in all of the Cliffside residents from rest of the series. I highly recommend starting at the beginning of the series if you really want to get to know the people of Cliffside Bay and to feel what they are going through both the good and the tragic.
As much as I hate to say goodbye to Cliffside Bay I look forward to the next series that Tess Thompson has for us.
Thank you to the author for allowing me to read an advanced copy. This review is my honest opinion.
Tess Thompson’s 2nd-chance romances bring us well-developed characters that want as our friends. They suffer from insecurity, negative self-images and painful histories that put obstacles in the way of trust. David and Sara are no exception: both were blindsided by cheating spouses (one sexually and one financially) who were murdered, leaving them each with babies to raise alone.
This book is explores the theme of living with grief. In this classic tale of “frienemies,” David and Sara each grudgingly joins a survivors therapy group where they find mutual understanding of the anger and betrayal kindled by their spouse’s deaths. As they start to let go of their anger, new emotions begin to stir.
The final chapter in Tess Thompson brings her Cliffside Bay saga, like the earlier books, stirs emotions. Keeping with the charm of small town living, she weaves in characters and storylines introduced in past books but you don’t need to have read them to enjoy this book.
Like her other readers, I hope her hints of new characters will bring us back to Cliffside Bay down the road.
The final book in the Cliffside Bay series grabbed me from the beginning and made me root for the characters. David and Sara are each dealing with the loss of their spouses. Their friends and family talk them into attending a grief support group which they attend under protest. They are immediately drawn to each other. Sara has an interesting business plan which would help David solve all of his problems. Will he risk everything for a year? How will he walk away and how will his children cope?
The underlying theme of friends and family are so richly woven throughout the story.
Thanks to Tess Thompson for the ARC. This review is my own.
David and Sara were both damaged from previous marriages that ended tragically. They went from hostility to love in an arranged marriage. This was written as a conclusion to the Cliffside Bay series, and it ended wonderfully; but I’ve grown to love the Dogs, Wolves and their women and don’t want to part with them. I’m hoping the series will continue. Author Tess Thompson has done it again. She brings her characters to life and lets you know them intimately.
I want to extend a huge “thank you” to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Beautiful ending to an amazing series. This book will have you in tears.
When I first started the Cliffside Bay Series I never knew I could grow to love so many characters as if they were my friends and family. However, Author Tess Thompson has an amazing writting style that pulls you into her stories and has you feeling happy, sad, scared and excited with each and every character.
Departed focuses on David and Sara. Two people who have been through hell and back and are just trying to make it through the day. When they start going to a grief support group they were angry and closed off, after just a few weeks their lives grow so much.
Thank you to Ms. Thompson and her publisher for allowing me to express my honest opinion of this story.
I truly enjoyedTessThompson’s characters. Plus her novels draw you in, keep you involved and Ella good story. It’s a great beach read but definitely causes you to think!
I haven’t read the other books in this series but after finishing Departed I will have to read them all! This story is both heart wrenching and heartwarming! Both David and Sara had horrible ends to their marriages but both were left with beautiful, precious children. Both are attending a grief support group although they didn’t want to be there. They find out how much they really have in common. A fake marriage, an almost disaster, anger and emotional baggage. Settle in for this wonderful story!
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own!
Author Tess Thompson has done it again. I was thrilled to find another book from the Cliffside Bay series. The story of David and Sara had me from chapter one. I’ve been in love with this series from book one. The characters all flow into each book and I love how the dogs and wolves truly look out for each other. David and Sara’s story surprised me nonetheless but it was a fantastic surprise. Can’t wait for another Cliffside Bay book…Crossing fingers!!!
Since David and Sara were first introduced in the Cliffside Bay series, I have been waiting for their stories. I just wasn’t sure at the beginning that they would end up with each other.
David and Sara both arrive in Cliffside Bay with lots of baggage, some similar and some totally different. That baggage makes them both unwilling to trust in a marriage of convenience changes from open hostility to abiding love.
This book which I had feared would be the last in the Cliffside Bay series was the perfect closing to the stories of the Wolves. I was even more elated to discover there will be more stories coming from Cliffside Bay, and for a chance to get a glimpse of some of the characters involved.
You can’t go wrong with this series.
Tess Thompson writes a narrative that hits all the emotions.
David and Sara’s second chance romance is one that will leave the reader breathless. Set aside some free time for this one, because you won’t be able to put this one down!
Author Tess Thompson has written the final installment of the Cliffside Bay Series using her amazing heartfelt intuition that has continued to make this my all time favorite series! Sara and her young daughter recently moved to Cliffside Bay trying to get a new start after the tragic death of her husband. David is trying to come to terms with the death of his wife and mother of his two kids. When Sara is faced with a life altering proposition, will the hands of fate step in and give her a trustworthy partner? Will the past hurts in Sara and David’s lives become buried in the past? This is a perfect end to an incredible series that is filled with honest emotions. I fell in love with Cliffside Bay from Book One and that love has only grown stronger in the final installment. Author Tess Thompson is a credit to the literary world and I am excited to see more of her amazing work!
I loved Departed.. If you want a romantic read without all the graphic deatails, then Departed is for you. Tess does an excellent job of drawing you in to the wonderful town of Cliffside Bay but you need to have your Kleenex handy. The author has the great talent of stirring your emotions. You do not want to miss the opprotunity to own this book.
*I want to thank the author and publisher for the opprotunity to read an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
This is the 10th book and the last in the Cliffside Bay Series. We all have heard it ended with a bang, this one certainly has.
The story of David and Sara starts out with both of them disliking each other when they first meet. They share the same friends and they keep running into each other in their small town of Cliffside Bay. Soon after attending the support group for grief they realize they have a lot in common. Both have been hurt terribly by their x- spouses and never want to go down that road again. A marriage of convenience to benefit both of them turns into romance.
This story draws you in just like the last 9 books. You become part of the gang and your sadden when it’s over.
Throughout the story you get glimpses of the other 9 couples lives. In the end all 10 couples come together for the reopening of the Oar, the series ends with you wanting more of your beloved friends in Cliffside Bay.
I received an ARC of this book at my own request from the author. All opinions expressed are my own. I’m
Departed: David and Sara by Tess Thompson is the final book in the Cliffside Bay Series. While it is the last in this series I hope it’s not the last we will be seeing of these fun, quirky characters we’ve grown to love. I really enjoyed this book by a wonderful author that hooks me to a book before the first chapter is finished. I highly recommend this book.
The Cliffside Bay series was special from the first sentence all the way to the last. Departed was the most beautiful ending to perfect series.
Sara and David have both experienced horrific tragedy. Somehow while their lives are completely upside down they have been sent the craziest twist. Sara’s estranged grandfather has left her a billion dollars but only of she gets married and they can convince everyone they know it is a real marriage. The lines between acting and real life start to blur for both David and Sara.
I could not have loved Departed more if I tried. If you haven’t read any of the Cliffside Bay series you should definitely start and read straight through to this wonderful ending
Wow Tess Thompson!! I’m at a loss for words after finishing the final book in the Cliffside Bay series! David and Sara’s story really filled me with so many emotions as it was so heartfelt and beautiful. I never wanted to leave Cliffside Bay but if I had to this author did a amazing job of wrapping up my favorite series ever! This was amazing!! A must read series that will touch you for life!
This was another great read for this series.
David and Sara are both due a hea. After both of them losing their partners they are thrown together in a support group.
What turns out to be convenient, turns out to be more than either one could ever hope for.
I enjoyed this book. I look forward to seeing what this author does next.
Tess Thompson is the Queen of small town romance, and with Departed, she retains her title. Departed is the 10th book in the Cliffside Bay series. This series is the best romance series I’ve ever read. The books aren’t too smutty, which I really appreciate. However, that’s not saying that they are tame by any means.
Tess Thompson’s characters are one my favorite things about her books. They are so well written that they really come to life in the story. It was so easy to picture David, Sara, Laine, Oliver, Harper, and all of the other fantastic characters. I also really love how the characters carry over from book to book. The main characters from the very first book in the series (along with all of the other books) appear in this book, and it is so great to be able to keep up with everyone.
I really enjoyed the storyline of this book. Both David and Sara have particularly tragic and horrible histories, and though there was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions, it was a huge relief to see them both find happiness.
If you enjoy small town romance, definitely check out this series! I can’t wait to read the next book!
Sometimes I have wished some long lost relative would leave me something like Sara was left but those stupid rules are crazy.
Tess your a great writer.
This series is so fantastic I wish it would never end.
You will cry and laugh and be upset but at the end your heart swells big for these people.
Love is a magical thing. From beginning to end you are there for each other. You see only the beauty. In the Cliffside Bay series I often wonder, do they all truly see each other this way. As perfect. Men with big muscles, toned bodies, perfect husbands. Women with the perfect bodies, tone, beautiful. Often one of the people in these relationship is broken. Has baggage. Lots of problems. But to each other they are perfection. Is that what true love is? Seeing only the best in your partner? Only that they are perfect. Sure they have arguments. Some more serious than others. But they never leave. They are always there for each other. Yes, it’s perfection. Love is truly grand…
This book gives you a look into the life of David and Sara. Each has been deeply hurt. Each has lost a partner. They have children. Sara gets news that could change her life. She could do so much good. But she needs a husband. Enter David. The perfect, handsome, yet broken, David. Together they can do anything. Apart they are hopeless. Theirs is a love story that you will not forget. It will take you on a journey of the soul. From the beautiful children each has to the love they could possibly find if only they can see it. If only each had not been hurt so deeply.
This book gives you a look into the lives of all the couples in Cliffside Bay. A walk down memory lane in a way. As each couple comes together to see the grand opening of The Oar. It had burned down but is being rebuilt and will be the new beginning for the younger generation coming up. More babies will be born and the town will continue to grow. New people are introduced yet this is the last book in this series. I hate to see it end but have to say this was the perfect way to write the ending. This book touched my heart. The love it radiates. The feelings between each couple. It’s like you are right there with them. Through it all you root for them to succeed. To have the life each wants and deserves. It’s such a good feeling.
This is a wonderful read. It made me do so much crying. Happy tears. Sad tears. Scared tears and new beginning tears. This book was totally awesome. Great job by a great author, Tess Thompson.
I give this book 5/5 stars and a very high recommendation. Read, cry, enjoy and take this journey with plenty of tissues.