Review: Crystal Cove by Lisa Kleypas

Author: Lisa Kleypas
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Date of publication: February 2013

ONE WOMAN WHO HAS BEEN CURSED NEVER TO FIND LOVE . . .

ONE MAN WITHOUT A SOUL WHO WANTS HER MORE THAN LIFE ITSELF . . .

THEY MEET IN A SMALL ISLAND TOWN IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, WHERE MAGIC IS IN THE AIR AND FATE IS A FORCE TOO POWERFUL TO DEFY. . . .

Crystal Cove was one of my most anticipated reads of 2013.  I had really enjoyed the series up to this point, so I was looking forward to the last one.   While I did enjoy the book, I didn't love it as much as I wanted to.  The story was just OK for me.

I liked both Justine and Jason.  They definitely had chemistry.  But, that is really all I felt like they had.  The whole relationship felt way too rushed for me and fell a bit flat.  There really wasn't time for them to fall for each other.   I enjoyed the way they played off each other and there were a few LOL moments.  I just wanted more of them. The difference with this book from the others is that they take place over a longer period of time and there is room for the lovers to get to know each other while falling in love. That was part of the magic of the early books.  There just wasn't that here.   The love scenes on the other hand were much more intense.   I was a bit surprised at the sudden shift since the previous books were much more mild.  Not that I'm complaining. 

Crystal Cove really could be read as a stand alone book.  Other then Zoe and a brief appearance from Alex, none of the other characters show up here.  That was disappointing.  The ending felt rushed with no epilogue.  It would have been nice to have a better wrap up.  I do recommend the book, but if you are looking for the "magic" of the other books, you may be slightly disappointed.

Throwback Thursday: Somewhere I'll Find You by Lisa Kleypas

Author: Lisa Kleypas
First Published in 1996 by Avon

All London is at Julia Wentworth's feet—and anything she desires is hers for the asking. But the glamorous leading lady guards a shocking secret: a mystery husband whom she does not know, dares not mention ... and cannot love.

For years Damon Savage has been searching for the stranger his parents wed him to without his consent, hoping to legally free himself from matrimony's invisible chains. And he is astonished to discover his "bride" is none other than the exquisite lady he'd hoped to make his mistress! But though his wife by law, Julia will never truly be Damon's—until he conquers her fears, his formidable rivals ... and her proud, passionate, and independent heart.

Somewhere I'll Find You is the first in the Capital Theater series by Lisa Kleypas.  The premise is that Damon and Julia were married when they were children by their parents in exchange for money and a title.  They have never met because Julia fled when she turned 18 and became an actress.  Once they find each other, Damon is determined to make Julia his for real.

This was just an OK read for me.  I think had I not listened to the audio, I would have given up on it.  I wasn't sure I really liked Julia.  While I understood her need for freedom and her love of the theater, I thought she was a bit too unbending about it.  I also got tired of her indecision about Damon.  She claims to want to have nothing to do with him, yet she keeps sleeping with him.  Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for that this time?  I do have the sequel, Because You're Mine on my MP3 player.  Hopefully, it's better.

Review: Dream Lake by Lisa Kleypas

Author: Lisa Kleypas
Publisher:  Piatkus Books
Date of publication: August 2012

Dream Lake takes readers once again to the exquisite setting of Friday Harbor, and tells the story of Zoӫ Hoffman, an innkeeper who has all but given up on love. She’s a gentle, romantic soul, but has been so hurt in the past that she dare not trust her heart with anyone. Especially not Alex Nolan. Alex is the most haunted of all the Nolan brothers.

Dream Lake is the third book in the Friday Harbor Series.  Out of the first three, I think I liked this one the best.  Alex is the most troubled of the Nolan brothers. To me, he goes through the biggest transformation out of his siblings.  He comes from alcoholic parents and didn't really grow up with a sense of family and trust.  He seems to have developed his parents taste for alcohol as well as their addiction.  His marriage is over and his major business deal has gone south.  His transformation starts when meets Zoe.  

Zoe and Alex are so different from each other, but they are so right for each other.  I just loved watching them fall in love.  Despite his protests, Zoe sees the good and gentle side of Alex.  The scenes with Alex and Zoe's grandmother were very sweet and just make you fall for Alex along with Zoe.

There is a paranormal mystery element to the story that helps with Alex's transformation.  I loved how it tied in with the love story of the present day.  The other thing I thought is was cool was that this story takes place alongside the events of the second book in the series, Rainshadow Road.    This series as a whole is very good.  I definitely recommend it if you haven't had a chance to read it.  The 4th book, Crystal Cove, comes out in 2013.  Can't wait!