I discovered this “new” series by one of my favorite Indie authors just recently on the eve of the release of the second book. To do my followers justice (and the series), I decided to read both books as part of the blog tour. That will now rank as one of the best reading decisions I’ve made this year!
Renowned stained glass artist Callie Davis is suffering from exhaustion and is experiencing a creative drought. Faced with a coming deadline for a new exhibit, she leaves New York and finds respite in the small town of Sanderson, Massachusetts on Carter Island. She’s immediately charmed and positively effected by the town, making plans to have an extended stay. One of the first persons she meets is her rental landlord, Nate Carter who is also the sheriff. Both are immediately taken with each other but she’s cautious and he’s once bitten. When Callie begins to explore the island, she also begins to have troubling and inexplicable dreams that appear to have ties to her past and the island.
This is a really long story that takes its time to give you an extremely strong sense of place and small town community. I absolutely loved that aspect of the book, which made the length more acceptable as I enjoyed being in Carter Island and was reluctant to leave. Much attention was also given in defining the primary characters, specifically the two founding families, the Carters and the Sandersons. Callie’s backstory is fascinating and takes some time to unfold, revealing an astonishing set of circumstances. There are mysteries struggling to surface, which created an interesting angle to the story I hadn’t anticipated.
Could this have been somewhat shortened? I think so but as I say that, I also have to admit I had a tough time letting go. There are historical, cultural and creative elements that enhanced my reading experience along with everything else I was enjoying. Callie and Nate’s relationship took its time to develop, which was a good thing and I liked their romance. The mystery was the thing that really engaged me and I was stunned by the climax. This story was much more than I’d expected and I’m so happy I have the next book in the queue.
Book Info
- Release Date: October 8, 2017
- Series: Carter Island #1
- Page Numbers: 599
- Publisher: Self
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Buy this now while it’s $.99 at Amazon!!!
For the most optimum reading experience, I highly recommend you read the first book in this series before starting this one. Trust me, you’ll be grateful you did as it lays the foundation rather nicely.
Brad Sanderson and Molly Carter have been best friends as long as they have memories. Their families are good friends and they grew up together, almost like siblings. At some point, her feelings towards him became less friendly and more…lovingly. He’s four years older and when he left for college, Brad felt her absence from his life more profoundly but knew she was too young for those kind of feelings. So, for many reasons, he stayed in Boston following medical school, creating a life independent of his family’s on Carter Island, visiting sporadically year to year. But when his family’s crisis forced his return, it also brought him back to the woman he wanted out of the friend zone. Molly’s not having any of that as she’s terrified it will ruin one of the most important relationships in her life. She runs a successful deli and bakery, her family and the island life as much a part of her soul as breathing. Life in Boston isn’t an option.
The story picks up just a couple of weeks following the end of the first book. Brad is struggling to come to terms with the devastation of his family, forcing his return to Carter Island and confronting Molly who hasn’t forgiven him for his reaction to their one night stand months before. However, friendship wins out when she recognizes his desperate need for a shoulder to lean on. The steps to repair their relationship were realistic as I could empathize with both of them and the issues were genuine. I liked both of them in the first book, loved them here. They confronted their feelings with honesty and authenticity, which could be frustrating at times but I never gave up on them as they deserved what each had to offer.
The aftermath of all the secrets revealed from the first book (you’ll need to read that for yourself) was laid bare in this one. It forced so much change, both good and not so great. It was great, however, being back on Carter Island because it had become a second home for me. I knew these characters, wanting more of Molly & Brad and getting that delivered so wonderfully. Friends-to-lovers stories are one of my favorites and this is one of the best. There isn’t any childish angst, just lots of adult anguish as these two try to preserve their precious friendship while exploring the possibility of more. Brad’s family issues will break your heart, too, as well as some other unforeseen circumstances. But there are also lots of brightness to balance it all. I loved this story, finishing it in one day. My only regret is to now having to wait for the final book in the series.
Book Info
- Release Date: June 4, 2020
- Series: Carter Island #2
- Page Numbers: 343
- Publisher: Self
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Excerpt
What do you think it’s been, five or six years since you’ve been home for more than a week in a row?”
Brad nodded slowly. “Yeah, something like that.”
“It’s like the good old days.”
He shrugged, pushing off the wall, moving her way. “Sort of.”
Molly winced, foolishly forgetting that life for Brad was currently unrecognizable. “I guess that was pretty dumb of me to say.”
“No, I just meant Nate isn’t here hanging out in his boxers, and I haven’t done this yet.”
She frowned. “What?”
“Dunked you,” he said as he pressed his hand on top of her head and sent her under.
She sank beneath the watery depths, slapping at his hand and arm as he kept her submerged for a good three or four seconds. She came up sputtering and glaring. “You idiot.” She coughed again. “Are you trying to drown me?”
He dismissed her with a chuckle and flippant raise of his brow. “So dramatic. We had about three minutes before we needed to start worrying about brain damage.”
Her eyes narrowed again. “Oh, you’re dead,” she said, gritting her teeth, charging after him.
He laughed, swimming away.
But they were well-matched, both of them excellent swimmers. All the Sanderson and Carter kids had had numerous lessons in their younger days due to their proximity to the Atlantic.
She hooked her arm around his neck, maneuvered her way onto his back, and sent them both underwater, her legs locking around his waist to keep her leverage. But his sheer size and strength were her disadvantage.
Then they both surfaced for air, Brad laughing before she brought him under again. Within seconds, he had their positions reversed, and he held her against him, one arm wrapped around the front of her waist, the other around her shoulders as they came up for another draw of air.
His breath puffed against her neck in hot torrents as their legs brushed with their kicks to stay afloat, while he let her waist go and used his arm to tread water. “Molls, this is quite a predicament.
He wasn’t kidding. She was pinned beneath his strong arm, and her back was pressed against his solid chest, with no choice but to grip his muscular forearm caging her in place. “Fine. You win.” She just needed him to let her go.
“That’s it? Since when do you give up so easy?”
Since he’d kissed her brainless and taken her to bed. “Since I realized it’s time to get home and get changed for your party at Nate and Callie’s.” She tried to move away from him.
He switched arms, now holding her around the waist, and began keeping their heads above water with his opposite arm. “No problem. Just say, Brad, you’re the best Scrabble player I know. I bow to you, you genius.”
She huffed out a laugh, raising her arm to the surface to help keep their chins from bobbing under. “I won. Three years in a row now.”
“Just luck.” He held her tighter, whispering next to her ear, his voice full of teasing. “You’re the best, Brad. That’s all I need to hear.”
“Broody Brad,” she murmured, knowing he hated it when she called him that—a slight from their childhood.
“What was that?” he asked, drilling his fingers into her side, tickling her.
She scream-laughed. “Damn it, Brad.” She fought him enough to turn and immediately realized her huge mistake as he held her chest to chest, and they stared into each other’s eyes.
He grinned. “This is certainly a situation.”
A droplet trailed down his face to land on his firm bottom lip, and his eyelashes were webbed together, making him even more irresistible than he already was. Her heart pounded, her pulse thundering in her throat, and she glared at him, needing to be free of him, well aware he was enjoying this far too much.
There was an undeniable attraction between them. All she had to do was press her mouth to his, and they would have a repeat of August. But they weren’t going there again. She wasn’t risking their friendship a second time.
About the Author
Cate Beauman is the multi-award-winning, international bestselling author of The Bodyguards of L.A. County series and the Carter Island Novels. She is known for her full-length, action-packed romantic suspense and contemporary stories.
Cate’s novels have been named Readers’ Favorite Five Star books and have won the Booksellers’ Best Award, Maggie Award for Excellence, the Holt Medallion Award, two-time Aspen Gold Medal, two-time Readers’ Favorite International Gold Medal, three-time Readers’ Favorite International Silver Medal, and the Readers’ Crown Award.
Cate makes her home in New Hampshire with her family and their St. Bernards, Bear and Jack.
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Thanks to the author for my complimentary copies. All opinions are my own.
These are gorgeous covers, Jonetta! I am not surprised a bit that you read both books, and it sounds like they are winners. I love stories with lots of secrets. Terrific reviews! ❤️
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Thank you, Jennifer💜 Oh, how I loved these two stories. I’m already missing the characters🥰
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Thanks for stopping by Jennifer! We loved living in NC BTW. Can’t wait to return!
~Cate
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I have to admit, I prefer these kind of stories as TV movies, where I get to ‘see’ it all come together. I’m a sucker for well-done romance movies more so than the books. I think I must be kind of weird! Ha! Ha!
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Nah, you’re not weird. Now that you mention it, this series would make a great TV series! Netflix? Are you reading this???💜
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Yes please!
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Hi Alex! My husband is the same way. He’s a movie guy while I’m a book girl. I think a good story is a good story regardless of how you prefer to enjoy it.
Thanks for stopping by,
~Cate
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These sound really good, I’ve downloaded the first one. Excellent reviews, Jonetta 💚
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Thank you, Cathy💜 I really, really hope you enjoy it!
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I hope you enjoy Cathy!
~Cate
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Thanks, Cate 🙂
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Fab reviews!
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Thank you, Nicki💜
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Thank you for stopping by Nicki!
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These sound really good and I have to say, I love the covers.
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These are great covers! But, I’ve come to expect as much from the author.
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Thank you Carla! Demonza does amazing work!
~Cate
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I like the sound of this! Love the covers too. xx
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The stories hooked me strongly. She definitely hit the mark with these covers.
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Thank you Yvonne!
~Cate
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These books sound quite good and I will definitely try to fit them in my schedule sometime in the future. Outstanding review, Jonetta!
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Thank you Yaya! I do hope you give Carter Island a try. Thanks for stopping by!
~Cate
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Thank you, Marialyce💜 I do hope you enjoy them!
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Thank you for such glowing reviews Jonetta. I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the stories of Carter Island! Your comments are too flattering! Thank you!
Have a wonderful weekend,
~Cate
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Oh, how I loved this series, Cate💜 Looking forward to #3!
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I love that you mention the place has become like a second home to you. Wonderful post xx
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Thank you, Meggy💜 Oh, how I fell for this series.
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I love the cover of Secrets hidden in glass – that alone would have me reaching for it 😀
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It’s a wonderful cover! Even better inside.
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