From the USA Today bestselling “master of witty banter” (Entertainment Weekly) comes a hilarious and heartwarming romance about a big city doctor who never expected to find the man of her dreams in the tiny town of Matchmaker Bay. Dr. Nora Walsh has just been dumped in spectacular fashion, making it the perfect time for a major life change. She figures taking over the medical practice in tiny … change. She figures taking over the medical practice in tiny Matchmaker Bay for a couple of years will help her get over her broken heart, and then she can head back to the big city. But when the first man she sees looks like a superhero god, she wonders if maybe there’s something to small-town living after all.
Jake Ramsey also has a broken heart — one he never expects to heal. He doesn’t need people anyway and is content hiding out in his secluded cottage on the beach. But after helping Nora with a medical emergency, he finds himself opening up to the witty, warmhearted doctor. Soon the local matchmakers are working overtime to pair them off, and Jake begins to wonder if his campaign to get Nora to stay is for the town or because he can’t bear the thought of her leaving.
I love friends to lovers stories. Dr. Nora Walsh moves to Moonflower Bay to start a new life after a five-year relationship ended in Toronto. Jake Ramsay is a quiet loner, keeping to himself a lot but who is always available to help out the people in town. He is still mourning the loss of his baby son who died from complications from the flu. Seems Nora and Jake find it easy to talk and confide in each other. They become good friends and more. Their path to a Happily Ever After has some bumps and I enjoyed reading about how they traveled this path. The matchmaking elders in town add some levity to the story and you can’t beat their willingness to help those in need so their meddling is accepted.
Paradise Cove by Jenny Holiday is the second book in her Matchmaker Bay series. It can be read as a standalone but reading the first book in the series, Mermaid Inn introduces readers to so many returning characters in this book.
Paradise Cove is Jenny Holiday’s best book to date! It was awesome and it deserves more than the 5 stars I can give it!
Nora Walsh has moved to Moonflower Bay to take over the doctor’s office. Her plan is to stay for two years and then move back to Toronto to be closer to her family. She’s just come out of a five year long relationship and she’s looking to reset her life and to take a break from relationships. She’s independent, and being a city girl, she’s not sure that this small town where everyone knows everyone, and everyone’s business, is going to be great beyond the two years she’s promised.
Jake Ramsey has a construction business with his friend, but he is also one of the most generous people in Moonflowr Bay. He’s always there to help when anyone needs it, however he’s also withdrawn and is still dealing with one of the most painful losses than anyone can endure, the loss of his young son. He’s one of those guys that doesn’t speak much and he tends to keep to himself at his secluded cabin. He doesn’t have a phone and he isn’t into all of the social events that go on around town.
Nora and Jake continue to run into one another around town and when Jake realizes she needs help with some things around her house, he’s more than happy to help fix them up. The two enter into a comfortable friendship, one that allows both of them to open up to one another, which darn near never happens with anyone else. Eventually the enter into a friends-with-benefits agreement, but the question is how long can they keep it quiet in a small town like Moonflower Bay?! Are they really going to be able to keep feelings from entering the equation? And, will Nora really be able to leave all of these people in town she’s come to care for?
This book was wonderful on so many levels. The friendship that Nora and Jake formed, the intimacy they shared in general was second to none and I loved the exploration of Jake’s grief and how he handled it. The addition of the other characters helped to enrich the story as well, including Nora’s grandma.
Without question this is one of my favorite books so far of the year. Do yourself a favor and pick it up. Now I just have to be patient in waiting for book three!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
I really like the characters Jenny Holiday created in her make-believe town of Moonflower Bay. Jake was one of the intriguing ones from the first novel in the “Matchmaker Bay” series so I was really glad she focused on telling his story. Jenny did a good job to weaving grief into the story without making grief its own character or preaching. The book is a quick read but worth spending the time to read it.
3.5 stars
Having read Jenny Holiday’s first novel in the Matchmaker Bay series I had high expectations for Paradise Cove and I have to say my expectations were shattered into next week. This novel was phenomenal. It was a beautiful storyline, with well written, believable unique characters and fun twists. It was a romance novel with a bit of an adventure built in.
Dr Nora finds herself in the small town of Moonflower Bay ready to serve as the town’s new Doctor for the next 2 years. She gets a good idea of her new town within her first few interactions at the salon on day one. She also meets “Aquaman” aka Jake at the salon that first day. He ends up helping her with a few projects and a friendship develops.
Over time Nora develops a variety of relationships in town and truly becomes a part of the community. Of course the hijinks of the matchmaker bay crew unfold and Nora is thrown into a bit of romantic mischief care of the town elders.
Without giving away any spoilers know that the adventures, hijinks, romantic encounters, friendships and projects unfold to bring you laughter, tears, genuine care and sorrow for the characters involved. You will become invested and you will want to read the third book NOW!
Jenny Holiday is a one of a kind romance writer that truly connects character, story and reader.
I loved this book. It was a beautiful and emotional love story. I recommend this book, this series, and this author.