He knew she’d be nothing but trouble… down?
A bombshell long-lost memory finally explains why Gracie Rockwell never quite fit in with her boisterous family—she isn’t a Rockwell, after all. Desperate for answers, she leaves her beloved Rocky Peak Lodge in search of the little boy who saved her so long ago. Did he grow up to be the gorgeous-but-guarded Mark Castellani? What does he know about her true origins? If only she could pry some answers from her enigmatic new boss—and get rid of her massive crush.
But while she’s eager to uncover the past, he’d rather bury it forever. Mark was right—Gracie is the kind of trouble he never wanted. But she’s exactly the trouble he needs.
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This series just gets better and better! Gracie’s family story line had me flipping the pages so fast, and I loved that she struck out on her own to do her own thing and find answers to her questions. And Mark, can we just take a second to swoon over him? I love a good hero with secrets, and he fits the bill perfectly. These two are a wonderful match, and this book has Bernard’s signature sexy-sweet signature all over it. Loved it!
Running away is Gracie’s solution to finding out she’s not a true Rockwell. The journey to find her rescuer leads Gracie to Mark’s marina, where she not only discovers the key to her past but also the door to her future.
I read an advanced copy of this book
ARC for honest review with no compensation 4.5 stars
The Runaway is book 4 in the Rockwell Legacy series and while a standalone you might want to read the other books in the series.
Gracie Rockwell finds out she is not a true Rockwell and wants answers to who she really is but isn’t ready to tell the rest of the family so she decides to leave Rocky Point Lodge and says she needs to find herself…and find the boy from her early childhood memories…which leads her to Mark Castellani who may or may not be the boy from her memories.
Mark and Gracie have reasons to either figure out the past or not…so what comes next for these two will keep you turning the pages to see what happens!!!
Lots of mystery, emotional, shared past and finding out who you really are…when all is laid out!!
Can’t wait for the next book in this series!!
Rockwell Legacy binge here I come
Jennifer Bernard author has not only brought a love story of this resistant Hero with a quirky, smart and underestimated Heroine but two characters with an interlaced past that brings family secrets to the mix. This story had it all romance, scenery that makes you feel as if you are there add to this the mysteries of a past that has yet to be uncovered and I been sold.
I couldn’t put this book down I will be telling my book babes to binge on the 1st 3 books on the Rockwell legacy while waiting for the next. Thankfully these are inteconnected standalones so although I got glimpses of the other sibilings lives I know it’ll be fun getting to see their stories also.
Oh my! Gracie and Mark’s story was amazing! Their connection on so many levels makes this a perfect romance. They just GOT each other. The intrigue kept me in the story and I didn’t want to stop reading! I love this family and the full story isn’t done yet! Hurry up with Jake’s book, the wait is going to be horrendous.
This riveting mystery drew me right in from the start. The likeable characters are strong and appealing. Gracie Rockwell is kind of an old soul in a 23 year old body. She has suddenly remembered she was left in the woods as a baby. The story revolves around finding the 6 year old boy who saved her. I do not like that this book is left as a cliff hanger so I have to wait to see how this mystery concludes. I know this is fiction but I had a hard time with a 23 year old having flashbacks of being kidnapped as a newborn, maybe if she had been 3 I could have believed that. Aside from that this is a great story and worth reading! I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
What do you do when you find out you aren’t a true part of your beloved family? Gracie discovers her feelings of not belonging have a basis in fact so she takes off to try to find the one memory that has surfaced from her past. In her investigations, she finds Mark & trouble. Mark doesn’t want to remember his past & all of the pain. He’s blocked part of it. Now Gracie is bringing it all up. Why can’t she leave it be?
This was a wonderfully emotional book about Gracie’s journey. She had to discover that family isn’t always blood but can be emotional. The Rockwell’s were her family in any possible way other than blood. Mark had to realize that he was a child too & wasn’t to blame for anything that happened. He needed to stop blocking the memories so he could live a full life. I enjoy the fact that the author revisits the other family members & brings us up to date on their lives.
This can be read as a stand-alone but each story gives us backgrounds on the individual member of the family & their interactions with each other.
This series is one of my favorites and this book is a fantastic addition. It’s as unique as the character Gracie Rockwell herself. Gracie never felt she quite fit in with the rest of the boisterous and rowdy Rockwell Family. She knows she’s loved but something just wasn’t right. A reoccurring dream that seems so real, if true would explain a lot about her life and memories. Gracie sets off on an adventurous road trip to try and find the boy in her dreams. Of course he’ll be a grown man now but hopefully he’ll be able to help her piece together her past. Meeting Mark Castellani will change her life in ways she never imagined.
Highly recommended read.
I loved this! Gracie Rockwell, baby of the Rockwell family leaves home to figure out her past and find her future. That leads her to Mark Castellani, her boss, her crush, and maybe the key to the mystery surrounding her family.
Gracie is absolutely a delight! Quirky, funny, and wise, she is exactly what Mark needs. I also loved broody Mark. These two are hilarious together. I loved their banter and their sizzling chemistry.
This is the fourth in the Rockwell series but can easily be read as a stand alone. We get some major clues to the on going mystery here and I can’t wait for Jake’s book next!!
Gracie Rockwell knew something was different about her…she saw it in a dream…a memory. A boy, rescuing her in a bassinet. Amanda Rockwell, scooping her up and taking her home. The youngest sibling of the Rockwell family decides she needs to find out the truth of her past.
“Dear everyone. It’s about time I went off on my own and explored the world a little bit. Please don’t worry about me. I have my cell phone with me so you can always reach me. But I hope you will respect my desire for some speace. I love you all. Gracie.”
When Gracie went to search for the boy she saw in her memories, she was lead to Mark Castellani, the owner of Ocean Shores Marina. After securing a job, and lightly spying on him, she really had no more information on where she came from…but she wasn’t about to give up. Should she tell him and ask him, or should she just see what happens? Will this bring up things in Mark’s past that he would rather bury?
The supportive characters in this book are GREAT! I love the marina visitors, Mark’s girlfriend, and of course the Rockwell family.
This 4th book in the Rockwell Legacy series by Author Jennifer Bernard is fan-freaking-tastic! Drama, mystery, disaster, romance, heartbreak, love, a stray cat named Mellow…this book has it all!!! I absolutely LOVE this series by Jennifer and would totally recommend reading it from the start in order to get to know the characters and the continuing storyline that has been throughout it. It was definitely one of those I-can’t-put-this-down-until-I-am-finished-with-it books! I can’t wait for Jake and Olivia’s story next in The Rock!!! This one was a DEFINITE 5-star read from me! Completely recommend it!
The Rockwell Legacy is a terrific series, and I love all the characters, but Gracie’s story is my absolute favorite so far. There’s just something so inviting, appealing and endearing about the baby girl of the Rockwell family. Even when an adult Gracie discovers that she was adopted as an infant by this family, she’s still her bubbly, sweet, optimistic self, only now she has a mission. Following the clues originating from her old baby basinet, she ends up being drawn to surly marina owner, Mark Castellani, and takes a job at his marina to continue investigating her past. That’s when things get really interesting. Although neither knows it when they first meet, Gracie and Mark are irrevocably bound by a past that Gracie wants to fling open the door to and examine every piece of, but Mark wants to keep that door tightly locked.
Bernard gives us a fast-paced, compelling, riveting story as Gracie searches out her past. There’s not only the thread of mystery surrounding her mother’s death, but new characters enter the picture bringing more mystery with them. And Mark and Gracie are so fantastic together! While their opposite personalities keep things lively, her light to his darkness, or yin to yang, makes their epic love a true wonder to experience. I’m completely hooked on this series and can’t wait to read the next book!
*I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
WOW!! I loved, loved, loved Gracie and Mark’s story in The Runaway by Jennifer Bernard, book four in her The Rockwell Legacy series. Gracie, the baby of the family, had a gift of visualizing memories when she touched an object attached to the memory. It was this gift that made her realize that although raised as a Rockwell, she truly was not born to the family. Instead, she was found in the forest after being saved by a six-year old boy from a “mean” man who kidnapped them. This discovery set her off on a search to find out who she really is. Along the way she encountered the little boy, now a man, who saved her, Mark Castellani. Gracie finds her way to Mark’s marina in San Diego and turns his world upside-down. Although Gracie wants to uncover the past, Mark would rather keep the past buried forever. While working for Mark at the marina, Gracie discovers that her handsome boss acts very protective toward her, often saving her again; which only fuels her crush on him. Mark, who never leaves his marina, follows Gracie to the Rockwell lodge and then search for the man who kidnapped them. From clues learned when they located the kidnapper, Gracie and Mark figure out the identity of Gracie’s birth mother. Meeting her mother was not at all what Gracie, or Mark expected. Throughout this cross-country trek, the attraction between Mark and Gracie grows, setting fire to the sparks between them. I loved how well they worked together on their search and helped each other grow stronger as did the love between them. She was the yin to his yang, the perfect fit, the perfect love.
Ms. Bernard wrote an amazing, steamy, emotional and fantastic must read book. This story is filled with sexual chemistry, fun dialogue, and endearing characters; as well as heartbreak, and suspense. I highly recommend The Runaway to other readers and can’t wait for the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
It’s Gracie Rockwell’s turn for a story! Out of her entire family, she has always come across, to me, as someone who doesn’t take life too seriously…sort of dances to her own tune and you’d think she constantly needs saving. Nope! She can stand on her own, thank yew very much. It’s a much deeper story than I’m leading you to believe but the impression Gracie gives really sets the tone for the story.
Gracie is the youngest of the Rockwells and has always stayed close to home at Rocky Peak Lodge. When all her siblings have left to see the world, so to speak, she has always remained behind to watch over Mad Max (the patriarch of the Rockwell family) and the lodge business. Until the day she discovers a soul shattering secret. And she’s off!
She is sorta/kinda/maybe investigating this ‘secret’ on her own, without telling her family what she has unearthed. When a lead she is following takes her to southern California, Ocean Shores Marina specifically, she stays a bit to try to surveil Mark Castellani. LOVED Mark! IMHO, he had the patience of an angel, especially with Gracie. When these two finally discover their shared paths may be entwined, the story takes off.
Mark’s character is hurting from a devastating incident in his past. He does a great job of getting thru every day however he needs to deal with what happened to him before he can move on. And in the same vein, so does Gracie. It’s when they work together that they are stronger. And when Gracie makes decisions for Mark…they tend to go a wee bit off course. But I loved reading about their ‘journey’ and they are adorable. As with the other Rockwell siblings, The Runaway had intrigue, love, and heart. Loved this story of the Rockwell legacy. I wholeheartedly encourage you to read, not only The Runaway, but the entire series. Great characters and wonderful reads.
In the latest addition to the Rockwell Legacy series, the youngest sibling, Gracie, finds out that she’s not a Rockwell at all – her whole life has been based on a lie. In her search for the truth, a lead takes her on a road trip to Southern California and there she meets Mark Castellani. Is he the key to her past and, more importantly, is he the key to her future? Intriguing mystery, suspense, love – it’s all here in this book. And, wow, can this author write a steamy scene – whew!! Next up looks to be the story of Jake – the last single Rockwell sibling – but it appears that his story will also bring some further answers to events in Gracie’s story. Anxiously awaiting the next one!!
Note: I did receive an ARC of this book from the author, but my review is voluntary.
Gracie… She’s had a special place in my heart since we were introduced to the Rockwells, and her story does not disappoint. Her quest to find out who she is, leads her to Mark at his marina. A horrific childhood incident irrevocably changed the lives of these two people. Whereas she wants to know what happened, Mark has been trying to forget and cope with his emotional scars. The story takes you on a roller-coaster adventure as the two join forces.
Read how both Gracie and Mark spread their wings in this compelling story. Her whimsical, humorous nature unravels Mark from his usual monotonous existence. Hilarious at times and sad at others. Theirs is a smoldering chemistry, burning bright once it ignites. But can two such opposites; one who loves mountains and the other the sea, overcome their differences? Of course the rest of the Rockwell clan is still there, as is their sibling banter, support and love.
Ms Bernard has yet again penned another book worth reading.
Received an ARC and voluntarily leaving a review.
Another great story about one of the Rockwell siblings. I have really enjoyed the mystery that has run through all the books. It all started with the death of the Rockwell matriarch years ago and during each book more of the mystery is unearthed. For every question that gets answered a new question pops up. I really liked Gracie’s story, she is the youngest Rockwell, and until recently her life had been ideal at the lodge her family owned and ran. After Gracie had a flashback of her childhood she set out to find out where she came from. Her search led her to Mark, who she believed saved her life as a child. Mark had troubles moving on from the trauma of his childhood and he was instantly attracted to Gracie but since he was in a relationship he didn’t act on anything and Gracie just wanted to learn of her past. Of course their attraction for each other was strong and they finally acted on it. I loved that they were friends and actually learned about each other’s lives and that is what fueled their attraction. Gracie got some answers she was looking for but it actually seemed to create more for her. I love that there is no epilogue in this series of books but instead there is a last chapter that is a preview of what is to come in the next book. And I must say I am really looking forward to the next book! I would definitely recommend this book, it was a great addition to this series.
Do I ever love the Rockwell family! Each book just gets better and better! Here are just a few things I loved about The Runaway–
*Adorable, quirky Gracie Rockwell. She is amazing and I wish she was here in person in my everyday life.
*Grumpy, sexy Mark Castellani. He understands Gracie and her quirks. A man who appreciates a quirky girl is so darn irresistible.
*A road trip. Road trips are the best. Besides, who can resist all that late night cuddling and getting to know the person sitting right next to you in a cramped space.
*Family. The Rockwell’s are fantastic! I love each one and their interaction always brings a smile to my face or makes me giggle.
*The overall mystery. Between each book, there is the overall plot of how or why Amanda Rockwell died. In The Runaway Gracie is looking into the mystery of if she is really a Rockwell. She gets the distinct impression that she isn’t and that her mother, Amanda, found her in the woods. Not only does this add to the overall mystery of their mother’s death, but with her gone Gracie cannot ask her what her suspicions are. After following lots of clues, this lands her on Mark’s doorstep, or more like his boat dock, but you get the point.
*I could continue listing all the things I love, because there are so, so many things, but I will let you discover them for yourself.
Gracie landed in California looking for answers to her past. Every lead brought her to Mark Castellani’s Marina. Putting on her best detective hat, she searched for clues to what he might know, but Mark wasn’t a personal sharer. Staying on intuition alone, she took a job as a cashier, working at the Marina hoping to learn more about the man that may give her insight to her past.
Mark never talked about his past, except to his therapist. The trauma from being kidnapped still haunted him years later, but somehow Gracie Rockwell was the one person he felt comfortable around sharing things he never told anyone. He couldn’t place why he did the things he did or said around her, except to say it was just Gracie. She was a light he never knew he needed in his darkness.
When the past catches up with them they just might need one another to face a past that connects them both, but are they ready to know the truth or could it end up hurting them more than helping?
All the family Rockwell charm and fun is ready to be read in The Runaway.
The Runaway, the latest in Jennifer Bernard’s Rockwell Legacy series, is the perfect escapist read. When Gracie decides it is time to leave home and learn more about her history, she lands at Mark Castellani’s southern California marina, by design. Mark thinks Gracie is trouble, and he’s oh so right. Together they learn more about their shared past and realize that the best future is the one they have together. Just when you thought the mystery of Amanda Rockwell was solved more clues surface. This series has kept me guessing from the first page and this novel was no exception. I can’t wait to see how Bernard ties everything up.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
Another fantastic story in this Rockwell Legacy series! This time we get Gracie’s story and it is nothing short of special just like Gracie herself!!These characters are all so deeply developed and easy to love with their quirky, charming and funny ways. I can’t get enough of them! The story itself is amazing and I would expect nothing less from Jenny Bernard.
Gracie sets out on a journey of self discovery after learning she is not actually of Rockwell blood. Her journey sets her on the path of one sexy Mark Castelanni in California and let me just tell you that neither of their lives will ever be the same again!!
I love Gracie and Mark and am so happy for their discoveries and the ability it gives them both to love on and really live.