USA Today bestselling author Hope Ramsay delivers the next book in her Moonlight Bay series, an enemies-to-lovers story about a man who returns home to his small town and finds love in the most unlikely of places.
She never forgot him…but can she forgive him? Jessica Blackwood is trying to make her architectural design firm a success, and she’s off to a great start, thanks to a … success, and she’s off to a great start, thanks to a recommendation that leads to the job of the century-designing a house for a wealthy but reclusive bachelor. The only problem? Jessica’s new client happens to be her old high school nemesis. The bigger problem? He’s no longer the cocky boy who once tormented her, and suddenly she finds herself intrigued by her new client.
Christopher Martin isn’t proud of his past behavior. He regrets nothing more than hurting Jessica all those years ago, and now that he’s back in Magnolia Harbor he finally has a chance to make amends. As the two work side by side, Topher begins to realize he wants more than a house. He wants forgiveness and a future with the woman he’s never forgotten. But can he prove to Jessica he’s truly changed?
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Heartwarming, emotionally thrilling roller coaster of a journey filled with engaging charters, witty banter, heart racing twists and exciting turns. Really enjoyed this highly entertaining read from beginning to end.
Received in exchange for a honest review
What I like about this book is that Christopher grew up. He learned from his past and wanted forgiveness. He doesn’t want to be seen by Jessica as the person who tormented her in high school but as the man she is today. Do they have some missteps along the way? Yes. Especially when they are fighting for the same concept in the town and someone wants them stopped.
Christopher is successful, handsome and reclusive. He has come back to Magnolia Harbor to build a dream home. A home his grandfather dreamed of but in a different way. He doesn’t want the pretentious castle on the island but one that goes with the island. He wants to maintain what the island is about and preserve it’s beauty as well.
Jessica is a architect trying to make her way. She doesn’t quite trust Christopher but takes on the project because it can make her career. When she begins the project she doesn’t really give Christopher the chance due to their past. In fact her first blueprint shows this. Christopher doesn’t give up though and shows her his thoughts. He gets her to see what he is thinking and they begin to learn more about one another. Does she trust him? Not really but she does learn he isn’t what she thought he was.
They don’t start as friends but slowly become them. They learn to trust one another and their attraction is through the roof. Jessica does hold back and isn’t always open with Christopher which does hurt them as much as those that are trying to change the town are. I love how they work together to figure things out and begin to trust one another. How they don’t go into instalove but find love as they learn about one another, begin to trust each other and find forgiveness within and with each other. As they uncover secrets and help each other, they find themselves and where they want to be-with each other.
The characters are likeable especially Christopher. When he is with his nephew i melt. He loves that little guy and helps him with a project that uncovers so much I didn’t expect to read about. Jessica I had to warm up to because she let the past dictate her feelings a wee bit to much. She was a nice girl just a little to stubborn on the whole trust of Christopher thing. The story is fun and sweet. A story of family, friendship and love. Of forgiveness and letting go and of finding where you belong and with who you belong.
3.5 stars Return to Magnolia Harbor the story was good, it was very promising, it had the right amount of angst and characters that will keep you hooked in the story.
this is the story of Jessica character that suffered so much in the past and is trying to move on with her new life and career but her past keep trying to be present in her life she just wants to move on and forget anything that ever made her feel insecure and so alone, now a few years later she is ready to conquer and be bold but things would never be easy until she finally brokes her fears and insecurities.
Topher was a very lonely character, people around him were always trying to figure him out, at the same time they didn’t want to be around him, his physical appearance was not easy for many and that made him want to always be alone and secluded in his own house.
Topher and Jessica had a hard time finally lower their walls as both of them had so much past to be afraid but life and circumstances will determine if they’re finally ready to be together.
The reason I gave this book 3.5 stars was because I felt at all times like something was missing, there was never enough intensity, There was something that wasn’t fully complete between the characters like the chemistry was not easy to feel, also Jessica was most of the times afraid, I know that was the intention but at some point, she felt more naive than afraid and that made her character feel weak.
The story was good, the character was promising, I recommend you to give this book a chance and get yours on conclusions.
Hope Ramsay writes southern small towns and is usually a strong favorite. This one fell flat for me. I felt that both Jessica and Topher danced around each other for far too long for me to completely buy into their HEA. Fans of Beauty and the Beast: the Shrek version will find this one right in their wheel-house. Ramsay does start some threads that I am interested to see her tie up in future books.
In this “Beauty and the Beast” based romance, Jessica is hired to build Topher a recluse-type hideaway on an island, after having suffered a life-altering car crash.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, however, there were so many different storylines throughout this novel, that at times my head was spinning. LOL. I liked the characters, but there were a couple of times I got them mixed up and had to re-read. This book was written in multi-person POV, which at times was confusing.
I like Hope Ramsey’s books and have read several of them, but this one was a bit of an overload so I struggled at times. I will give this a 3.75 stars, but will round up to 4. I definitely don’t want to discourage anyone from reading it.
What a great story. Jessica has certainly had to put up with a lot of junk in her life. Have you ever been telling the truth, but no one would listen? She certainly handled it better than I would have. Go with her as she deals with what life throws at her and watch her grow and learn what is really important. I enjoyed getting to know Topher too. It’s amazing what we perceive people to be, but when we really get to know them, we just might be pleasantly surprised. I always thought I wanted a big family, but I might have to rethink that after meeting some of these folks. Course living in a small town, you know how gossip can flow and some of these folks had that down to a science. I hope you enjoy your visit to Magnolia Harbor as much as I did. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.
Architect Jessica Blackwood has returned to Magnolia Island where she grew up. Another person who has returned is Christopher (Topher) Martin, the man who was partially responsible for making her life hell in high school and getting her shipped off to boarding school. Topher is a wealthy businessman who was in a severe car accident resulting in his becoming disfigured. When he approaches Jessica to build him a house on an island he owns, it’s an opportunity she shouldn’t pass up. However, their past makes her have second thoughts but she eventually decides that she can’t afford to refuse the job. After a trip to the island on his gaudy yacht, she designs an equally ostentatious castle as she thinks it is what he wants. It isn’t. Topher is not the man she thinks he is, and as she spends more time with him she discovers that is it not the only misconception she has about him.
I love a small town story because usually it’s about how they all stick together and support one another. This is a story about a small town with its own ideas about how people should behave, how people should think and how people are judged if they don’t follow those rules. Jessica discovers that when she left all those years ago the rumors were worse than she knew. Topher finds that his well-meaning family has decided that he is damaged inside and out and needs protection even from himself. Both of them have to come to grips with their past and the parts they each played in it before they can look toward the future. This is not a story of instant attraction but rather a slowly building relationship between two people carrying a lot of hurt.
Adding to the story are a disapproving grandmother, a faithless old friend, and a slimy politician, all of whom played a part in Jessica’s leaving home and in her current life. A subplot involving a pirates ghost seen only by Topher’s nephew adds interest to the story. This has been a great series to read and this book continues that.
We are back in Magnolia Harbor, a town filled with history, gossip, lies and misunderstandings.
This time the story belongs to Jessica Blackwood and Christopher/Topher Martin.
Jessica’s memories of her hometown are not good, but she’s recently left her stable job to open an architectural design firm in the town that still frowns on her. She’s a believer of always saying the truth. Sadly, those that should have protected her as a child and teenager, didn’t and send her away.
Topher, at one time the football hero, is back in town, recovering from an accident that has left him badly scarred. He’s become a recluse wishing to build a home on the island outside of town.
Jessica always believed Topher was the one that started false rumors in HS, but now that he seeks her and offers her a lucrative project , they begin to work together. Neither realized that truths would be revealed and feelings would develop.
But the obstacles and doubts are too much to overcome, or are they?
This is not only a story about family, or lack thereof, of how rumors can destroy a life, and how some scars are not only on the outside of a person. It’s also a story about having faith , hope and giving love a chance .
At times heartbreaking, this is a story that is thought provoking and one that will touch your hearts.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
This is a Beauty and the Beast and also maybe an enemies to lovers trope. It was fun and easy to read. Topher’s scars are visible on the outside and cause visible reactions from the people he encounters when he ventures out into the world, but Jessica doesn’t seemed repulsed by him.
Jessica’s scars are invisible to the eye, but are very prominent on the inside–and Jessica holds Topher responsible for the damage. Can she forgive the man in order to work for him? Could she have been wrong about him all this time?
I love Hope Ramsay’s characters and these are no exception. The small town feel is welcome and expertly displayed. Love always wins in her books–yeah!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
I really enjoyed this story. The storyline flowed well, the pacing was just right and the characters were all well-developed. But… I was also a little bit frustrated with certain aspects of the story. Mainly my problem is with Ashley Scott, the hero Topher Martin’s relative . She really annoyed me and I found myself not liking her very much even though she didn’t bother me in previous books in the series. I imagine Ashley will eventually have her own story in this series and I sure hope Ms. Ramsay can redeem her in my eyes. It’s going to take a lot. Otherwise Topher Martin and heroine Jessica Blackwood as a couple makes me smile. They both have baggage to deal with but eventually manage to let things go and find their Happily Ever After. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Magnolia Harbor is a wonderful series by an incredibly talented writer. Set in the low country of South Carolina, it’s a small-town, seaside community rich with culture and history, and includes the anticipated quirky characters and meddling neighbors.
Jessica Blackwood returns to her hometown upon starting her own architectural firm, and the townsfolk have long memories, never forgetting the scandal that happened when she originally left town. She has the chance to design a mansion-sized home for Topher Martin, one of the guys she felt bullied by in high school.
Returning home after a disfiguring accident, Topher wants nothing more than to be left alone. He wants to get away from his over-protective family and meddling neighbors and build a house on the island his grandfather had planned to build on.
With secrets, betrayal, and misunderstandings, Jessica and Topher’s story easily kept my attention. Add in pirates, ghosts, a precocious adolescent and an antagonist I couldn’t wait to see get his comeuppance, and I flew through the pages devouring the story.
While I adore this series, I fell a little out of love with Magnolia Harbor. We see an uglier side to the meddling and gossip, taking some of the shine and polish off of this quaint town. However, the impeccable writing, captivating storyline, and complex, relatable main characters won me over quickly and made this a compelling, fascinating read that I was unable to put down.
This was a fun read. It’s a Beauty and the Beast story, but it also deals with rumors and the damage they can do, forgiveness, moving on and being open to change, family dynamics, friendship, and love. I enjoyed the book.