My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing
Every woman dreams of love, but is a week in Brighton long enough to find happily ever after?
THE GRANDE HOTEL BY THE SEA by Jennifer Moore
After years of planning, Arthur Grande’s vision for a luxury hotel in Brighton is finally becoming a reality. But unlike the rest of the town, Daphne Dayley isn’t taken in by the newcomer’s cheerful smile or generous nature. She sees only a wealthy opportunist threatening to close her parents’ bakery. With the lease expiring in one week, the two clash in a battle of wills and wits. But they both come to discover that ambitions which had once seemed so clear may evolve when hearts are softened.
SIGNS OF LOVE by Annette Lyon
When the Hughes family vacations in Brighton, Julia goes exploring for fossils along the Undercliff path—a hobby she’s developed thanks to her curiosity in science. Instead of finding fossils, she stumbles upon Silas Hayward, a handsome wine smuggler, and one of his crew. She slips away undetected but is intrigued by Hayward and drawn to him later at a ball held at the Royal Pavilion. Her long-time friend Andrew is in love with Julia and declares his heart to her at the ball. She’s stunned and doesn’t know how to answer, but right then, Mr. Hayward conveniently takes her away to the dance floor. The distraction is brief, however; Julia quickly learns that the Hayward is far more than a harmless wine smuggler: he’s a traitor to the nation. If she can’t stop his plot with Andrew’s help, the country will fall to Napoleon.
THE RELUCTANT HEIR by Donna Hatch
Angry and grieving over his brother’s sudden death, Rowan turns his attention to finding his late brother’s long-lost love so he can personally inform her of the tragedy. One problem: he only has a lock of her hair, a miniature painting of her eye, and the name “Ann” as clues to her identity. With far-reaching dreams of being a renowned artist, Isabella has one shot at becoming one of the few women to be accepted as a student under a local art master. But when she encounters a mysterious gentleman searching for his late brother’s love, her heart tugs on her to help the lost soul. Helping him may mean sacrificing her dreams, and worse—falling in love with a man she cannot have.
My Review
I loved the seaside setting of Brighton in these sweet stories! They were each unique and drew me in quickly. The characters were compelling and I enjoyed their emotions as they interacted with each other and fell in love.
The first story, The Grande Hotel by the Sea, is an enemies to lovers story, with Arthur charming Daphne against her will. I liked how they became unlikely friends, even as she felt set adrift by the closing of her bakery thanks to his hotel. I loved the way he had to let her go in order for her to come back to him.
Signs of Love was full of intrigue and suspense, and Julia's impulsive nature leads her to discover a treacherous plot that she feels compelled to derail. Andrew is so sweet and I felt bad that he had to wait until Julia was done sleuthing before receiving an answer to his declaration of love, but the rewards of their service made it worth the wait.
I especially enjoyed The Reluctant Heir as I learned about a new snippet of history- that if someone had a secret love, they would carry a picture of just their eye so they would not be identifiable. Rowan and Isabella follow clues together to solve the mystery and they develop a lovely friendship that turns to more.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
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