Synopsis:
Windswept, isolated and ruggedly beautiful, Puffin Island is a haven for day-trippers and daydreamers alike. But this charming community has a way of bringing people together in the most unexpected ways…
It’s been a summer of firsts for Emily Donovan. From becoming a stand-in mom to her niece Lizzie to arriving on Puffin Island, her life has become virtually unrecognizable. Between desperately safeguarding Lizzie and her overwhelming fear of the ocean—which surrounds her everywhere she goes!—Emily has lost count of the number of “just breathe” pep talks she’s given herself. And that’s before charismatic local yacht club owner Ryan Cooper kisses her…
Ryan knows all about secrets. And it’s clear that newcomer Emily—with her haunted eyes and the little girl she won’t let out of her sight—is hiding from something besides the crazy chemistry between them. So Ryan decides he’s going to make it his personal mission to help her unwind and enjoy the sparks! But can Puffin Island work its magic on Emily and get her to take the biggest leap of trust of all—putting her heart in someone else’s hands?
My review:
For The First Time In Forever is the first in the new Puffin Island series from author Sarah Morgan and kicks of the series with a heart warming and emotional start. I loved everything about it from the small town feel to the main characters’s histories and what leads them to cross paths at this moment in their lives.
Raising a child and living on a small town island. Two things Emily Donovon never would have pictured for herself. Yet, here she was, on Puffin Island now raising her six-year-old niece….and not really adjusting well. Her adjustment could be because she was trying to keep her semi-famous niece out of the spotlight while simultaneously trying to avoid a panic attack with every glance at the ocean thanks to a traumatic event from her childhood. Yeah, because avoiding ocean views while living on an island was easy to do. But this island had been a place of solace though her younger years and there was no better place to rebuild and restart than here. An added distraction she didn’t need was one like Ryan Cooper. Handsome, charming good with kids, smart, kind…and not on the menu. She had sworn off men the minute she broke up with her serious boyfriend a month ago and it was solidified when took on parenthood. That would prove to be easier said than done when Ryan is there every time she turns around, willing to lend her a helping hand and a shoulder to lean on…
Ryan Cooper can spot a woman with baggage a mile away. He had plenty of his own to know that look. He saw it every day when he looked in the mirror. He had promised his childhood friend that he would help her friend and the new guest on Puffin Island, and, because he wouldn’t dare say no to his friend, he was doing just that. It should have been a whole lot easier than it was turning out to be. He swore off having kids of his own years ago, and in turn dating a woman with children. He had been down the child rearing route before and now he just wants his freedom to come and go as he pleases. Unfortunately, every time he looked at Emily, those reasons flew out the window like an island summer breeze. This favor would soon turn from a favor for a friend into a possibly life changing relationship….
Each suffering from a less than picture perfect childhood and plenty of emotional damage, Ryan and Emily couldn’t have been more perfect for one another. Of course, it will take a whole lot longer for them to realize it. Will they give love and new beginning a chance to blossom on Puffin Island?
This book was just so wonderful and well-rounded. There was a bit of mystery to both Emily and Ryan that lingered on and made me curious. There was sexual attraction and heat between them that made me swoon. There was a soft side to Ryan that made me melt. There was a vulnerable side to Emily that made my heart ache. There was a sense of community with the secondary characters that made me appreciate each and every one of them. I loved that I was able to feel so many different feelings and emotions as I dove into this story. I truly felt as though I was a visitor on Puffin Island, enjoying visits with friends. The best part, however, were the interactions between Ryan and Emily and their relationship as it builds. Neither one wants it, but neither one can deny the pull they feel. The heat builds at a delicious pace with quiet moments and stolen kisses and before they realize it, into something much more potent. I don’t blame Emily…there ’s no way any woman could stay away from someone like Ryan! Talk about the whole package…yum. Together they make a well-balanced couple and even with a few stumbles along the way, manage to make it work in the end.
If you’re looking for an afternoon escape with a really good book, this should be on your list. I know I enjoyed my stay on Puffin Island and am looking forward to a return trip in the future! Thank you, Ms. Morgan, for a fabulous read!
Four Loves
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About the author:
Sarah Morgan is a USA TODAY bestselling author who writes hot, happy, contemporary romance, and her trademark humor and sensuality have gained her fans across the globe. Described as “a magician with words” by RT Book Reviews, she has sold more than 11 million copies of her books. She has been nominated three years in succession for prestigious RITA® Awards from the Romance Writers of America and won the award twice: in 2012 for her book Doukakis’s Apprentice and in 2013 for A Night of No Return. She also won the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award in 2012 and has made numerous appearances in their Top Pick slot.