Another fun and emotional trip to Lucky Harbor. Olivia is relatively new to Lucky Harbor, where she came to escape from her past. She runs her vintage shop and pretty much keeps to herself, though I'm not quite sure how she's managed to avoid the small town nosiness for so long. She's been pretty successful until she's out walking on the pier one morning and sees a man fall into the freezing water of the harbor. She immediately jumps in to try to save him.
First of all, Cole can't believe that he fell in the water, then he has to deal with a woman jumping in on top of him in an effort to "save" him. But once they're out of the water, he doesn't mind getting up close and personal with Olivia. There's something about her that reaches places in him that haven't seen the light in two years.
But both Olivia and Cole have gotten very good at keeping their secrets. Cole was hurt two years ago when he discovered that his fiancee was actually in love with one of his best friends and both had hidden it from him. He found out when she fell apart at his friend's funeral, and now he's not so sure that he can believe in love again. He's never told anyone what happened, but it has made him reluctant to trust. Cole also expects the best from himself and everyone around him, and isn't very forgiving of those who he feels let him down. Olivia hasn't told anyone in Lucky Harbor that she used to be a child television star. She had liked the people she worked with and was devastated when the show was cancelled, so much so that she had quite the meltdown. Now she has reinvented herself, but she is getting pressure from her family, her agent and the network to do a reunion show, but she doesn't want to risk the new life she has built for herself. But when the truth comes out, she almost loses it anyway.
I loved the way the relationship developed between Cole and Olivia. The attraction was strong and hot between them, but the connection went deeper than that. Olivia sees past the front he shows everyone else to the pain that he is hiding. She's also pretty good at showing him that life's events can't be reduced to black and white, right or wrong, and that there are reasons that people do the things that they do. Because he doesn't know who she used to be, Cole shows Olivia that the person that she has become is someone that can be loved as she is. When the truth is revealed, both Cole and Olivia have to face up to their deepest fears before they can move on. I was impressed by the way Olivia took control of her future. I loved seeing Cole finally see the truth of the way he'd been living his life. His big moment in front of the entire town was sweet and romantic and the perfect ending for the book.
First of all, Cole can't believe that he fell in the water, then he has to deal with a woman jumping in on top of him in an effort to "save" him. But once they're out of the water, he doesn't mind getting up close and personal with Olivia. There's something about her that reaches places in him that haven't seen the light in two years.
But both Olivia and Cole have gotten very good at keeping their secrets. Cole was hurt two years ago when he discovered that his fiancee was actually in love with one of his best friends and both had hidden it from him. He found out when she fell apart at his friend's funeral, and now he's not so sure that he can believe in love again. He's never told anyone what happened, but it has made him reluctant to trust. Cole also expects the best from himself and everyone around him, and isn't very forgiving of those who he feels let him down. Olivia hasn't told anyone in Lucky Harbor that she used to be a child television star. She had liked the people she worked with and was devastated when the show was cancelled, so much so that she had quite the meltdown. Now she has reinvented herself, but she is getting pressure from her family, her agent and the network to do a reunion show, but she doesn't want to risk the new life she has built for herself. But when the truth comes out, she almost loses it anyway.
I loved the way the relationship developed between Cole and Olivia. The attraction was strong and hot between them, but the connection went deeper than that. Olivia sees past the front he shows everyone else to the pain that he is hiding. She's also pretty good at showing him that life's events can't be reduced to black and white, right or wrong, and that there are reasons that people do the things that they do. Because he doesn't know who she used to be, Cole shows Olivia that the person that she has become is someone that can be loved as she is. When the truth is revealed, both Cole and Olivia have to face up to their deepest fears before they can move on. I was impressed by the way Olivia took control of her future. I loved seeing Cole finally see the truth of the way he'd been living his life. His big moment in front of the entire town was sweet and romantic and the perfect ending for the book.
A small town contemporary romance with likable leads, strong friendships, and a lovely happily ever after for 2 people who rescue each other.
After the last book, I was really looking forward to Olivia's story. I was curious what her past was. It was satisfying. Cole was awesome and a really good fit for her. I enjoyed Cole and his interactions with his sisters. I liked that Becca was in this a little and Callie was introduced. Have to say, I'm looking forward to Tanner and Callie's story (even if Tanner is my least favorite of the 3 guys. Cole would have to be my favorite). Just sayin.
another great fast read!loved cole and olivia's story. can't wait to read book 12 one and a million(tanner and callie).
