Rock star Ramon Martinez can have any woman he wants, and he frequently does because he can’t have her.Karen GraysonSurfer girl.My band mate’s wifeThe one woman I can’t have.The one woman who could have my heart though I can never let her know.Ramon MartinezRomeoCompletely forbidden.I wanted him back at the beginning, but he didn’t want me.So I made the safe choice.The wrong one.We were once … made the safe choice.
The wrong one.
We were once friends.
Now we’re not even that.
But we’re both back in Ocean Beach and that dangerous attraction remains.
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This book is one of my new favorites even though I balled my eyes out while reading it. Karen and Ramon are beautiful together. All the obstacles they went through will make the love they have for each other last a lifetime. A phenomenal read.
4-4.25 stars
Ohhhh Karen and Ramon broke my little heart. But they also drove me completely insane. There were multiple times I just wanted to shake some sense into these two. If you’ve read the first book, you know Karen and the Dirt Dogs lost Dominic. My heart really went out to Karen because I can only imagine that there are many real life military wives that went through the same struggles and strains marital wise that she did. While the loss of her husband is devastating, I thought the lack of Ramon’s presence hurt even more. I’m enjoying this series and can’t wait to read the next book.
Great story, great couple, loved getting the background on these 2 since I read book 3 first. My heart broke a few times in this story for these 2. I found myself laughing & crying at times. This is a great series that should be read. Loved how they were able to find their way to each other. I was asked to read the arc of book 3 and so glad I was cuz I was able to find another author I like. Can’t wait to read more from her.
RIPTIDE (Rock Stars, Surf and Second Chances #2) by Michelle Mankin is a second chance contemporary romance that just blew me away! It is an emotional rollercoaster of a read. I loved the first book in this series and this book made me even more deeply invested in all of the characters. These books can be read as standalones, but I recommend they be read in order because there is a lot of character crossover in the scenes from the past.
Karen Grayson is a California golden girl who lives to surf and be by the Pacific Ocean, but she has been existing in an emotional limbo. She moves back home to OB to help her mom with her father and to try to find a way to move on with her life.
Ramon Martinez has returned to OB after the break-up of the Dirt Dogs to finally claim the one girl who has always held his heart. Karen and Ramon have been friends since high school, but he backed off when his friend and bandmate Dominic “Patch” claimed Karen. Ramon stayed Karen’s friend and over the years was the only person who truly understood who she really was and what she needed. He hopes to help her find her future with him.
Ms. Mankin has written a beautiful story told from the two main characters alternating points of view with flashbacks that are intertwined seamlessly with present day. This story covers everything from lust for the “bad boy”, fidelity, loyalty, friendship and love. Karen and Ramon had me in tears as well as fanning myself during the hot sex scenes. Ms. Mankin writes tragedy with empathy and leads her characters to forgiveness of others as well as themselves. I was not sure I would like a series that is based on rockers and surfers, but this author’s way with words has made me love them and want to come back for many more.
I cannot recommend this series enough!