Jaclyn Quinn

What happens when thirst becomes an obsession that can’t be quenched?
Forty-year-old Zach Taylor owns a bar in the quiet town of Riverside Falls. He’s built a life that he loves with family and friends. Over the past few years, he’s watched his siblings and his friends gradually pairing up and he can’t help thinking that maybe that part of life has passed him by. He’s had a few girlfriends and some boyfriends over the years, but nothing has stuck; in fact, his previous girlfriend, show more Lisa, is now dating his best friend, Grant Belford, whose brother, Drew, works at Zach's bar. Zach has known Drew for years, but now, he has to keep reminding himself not to notice that Drew has grown into a very attractive man – and that as his best friend’s little brother, he’s firmly off limits. I hate this way of thinking...and all M/M romances seem to have it. If someone is a good guy and he is your "best friend", why would you ever care if you brother dated them???? Maybe someone can explain that to me.

Drew Belford is twenty-eight and has really cared for Zach as more than a friend for the last seven years. He’s dated some and doesn’t lack for "company" when he wants it, but he just hasn’t been able to get over his crush on his older brother’s best friend. If he was 100% certain there was no chance of Zach returning his interest, then he might be able to move on, but he’s sure he’s caught Zach checking him out more than once, and that the real reason for Zach’s reticence is rooted in his friendship with Grant and there is that twelve year age-gap between them...which, as far as he’s concerned, is totally unimportant. He’s cheerful and chatty... which make him good at his job at the bar...and he can’t resist "pushing Zach’s buttons", a little...Like dropping flirtatious suggestions. In spite of his efforts, Zach seems determined to push him away – and Drew may finally have to accept that things are never going to change.

The suspense plot begins when Drew leaves work late one night to find that his car has a flat tire and he doesn't have a spare, so he has to call Grant to come and pick him up. While he’s waiting, Drew has the feeling that he’s being watched, but all he can see in the dark is a black cat. He returns to the car, but the next day, he sees the tire had been slashed...but again he thinks it's just a stupid prank. As he’s driving home the next night, he notices a piece of paper falling from the passenger seat... he’s absolutely sure that he didn’t put it there. When he picks it up and reads it says, "Those sounds you hear at night… Feeling like someone’s watching you… I’m always there."

The stalker storyline is well-integrated into the romance...however the romance feels overly drawn out. Zach’s only objections to taking things further with Drew are that he’s an employee...okay, that might under certain circumstances, make sense...and then there's that thing that will forever bug me again; Drew is his best friend's little brother. No, No, No... that’s what just doesn’t, and will never work for me. If you’re friends.... not just friends but BEST friends with someone, wouldn’t you want your sibling to be with this good, decent person that you actually know and like? I loved these characters and the storyline but that alone, lost the story a star. show less

Gabe D’Angelo has it all. Designer clothes, luxury cars, a cool confidence most would envy, and a never-ending supply of money and men. When he arrived in Haven’s Cove to be there for his best friend, he never imagined he’d end up extending his stay indefinitely. Small town living isn’t so bad after all, and the views are magnificent...especially the view of a sexy, rugged blond
No matter what anyone else tells him, Gabe D'Angelo is convinced that Nate Black is gay. So, what if he's show more got a wedding ring on his finger? What does it matter if he's overheard the guy talking on the phone in a loving manner to someone named Lily? Neither of those things mean that he isn't gay, and as far as Gabe's concerned, he intends to make Nate his no matter how hard the thirty-four-year-old contractor pushes him away. The thing is, Nate isn't playing hard to get. He just wants the thirty-five-year-old guy with a silver spoon in his mouth to leave him alone. Doesn't he understand that Nate isn't the least bit interested in getting together with a spoiled, entitled guy like him? But Gabe won't take "no" for an answer, and once he set his sights on Nate, there was no turning back for him. Will Nate see past Gabe's wealth and privilege to get to know the caring man that has been there all along? That's what we will soon find out.

I really liked this second book in the Haven's Cove series! I was a little worried that I wouldn't like Gabe all that much, mainly because I really liked everything about Nate right away. He was quiet and wary, someone who didn't like being badgered into doing anything. He won me over in the first few chapters. Then the more I got to know Gabe, the quicker he became one of my favorite characters.

The more I started liking Gabe I found that Nate, who started out as my favorite, now was the one I wanted to shake. He had preconceived notions about the type of guy Gabe was, because of an experience he had had a few years before his move from Boston to Haven's Cove. He was slow to give his trust, even though he already seemed to trust Gabe, but making baseless assumptions was what he automatically did. He quickly became frustrating...but I still liked him. Nate and Gabe were perfect for one another.

The feeling of community and family was also highlighted in this story along with the love that was being shared. Jaclyn Quinn did a fantastic job of putting together a romance that had an "enemies-to-lovers" feel, even though the "enemies" part was one-sided. This is the second book in the series that I've read and see no reason that books in this series couldn't be read as standalones or out of order. You can't help loving the characters and hoping for their happiness. show less

POSIBLE TRIGGER: SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR
“I'm sorry. I don't trust myself when I'm near you because I want so much more than you're ready to give. You may never be ready, and that's okay too. If you do decide to give us a chance though, I'm ready when you are. Maybe that will help you figure out what you truly want. In the meantime, just know, I'll be here.”
Jaclyn Quinn's wonderful "Haven's Cove" trilogy is one of my favorite "discoveries" this year. This one, book three in the series, is show more gym owner Jonah Taylor and finance expert, Cameron Vaughn's story. If you're familiar with this series, then you'll recognize Jonah and remember his encounters with Cameron while he was still working as a trainer...before opening his own place in town. It's not one of my favorite things; but there is a lot of angst that intermingles with a lot of romance and sex, in this one...and it lost the story half a star in the rating. It does however do an excellent job of highlighting the importance of the "family" that you create for your own self, and how acceptance is, unfortunately, not a "given" commodity, even when it concerns those who you love and are the closest to you.

Cameron arrives at Jonah Taylor's new gym for the grand opening. Jonah didn't think he'd see the shy man again, but then Cameron shows up with a gift certificate from his brother and sister-in-law for a three-month membership and some "one-on-one" time with...guess who!! Yelp...none other than Jonah himself! As the two begin to form a friendship, Jonah realizes that there's a lot more to Cameron than just being "shy". There are things that he has experienced that has shaped him into the man that he's become...-things that have affected not just but him but also his entire family. He's confused and he's worried about whether or not he's ready to accept who he really is, and above all... if his parents will. Cameron is accustomed to running, but will he be able to run from that one man...the one who accepts him...as he is...with dark past and all without a single question...reservation or hesitation?

The three stories in this series takes on some heavy subjects but never just for the drama. This book does come with a trigger warning...sexual abuse of a minor...which I included at the beginning and again here, in order to give possible future readers a heads-up. If this type of topic is acceptable to you then I hope that you'll give this book...this trilogy... a chance as both Cameron and Jonah have a story that has them struggling to find their footing yet never making it feel as if there's no hope on the horizon for themselves as individuals or their relationship as a couple. Your heart will go out to Cameron for the confusion that was swirling within him with his head not being in sync with his heart, and the fear that was stopping him from being absolutely honest with himself. Jonah was just a really great, understanding and patient guy. If there was one character in this entire trilogy that I had been hoping would get his happily-ever-after, it was Cameron. If you are going to read this trilogy, it is best to read it in order. show less

Burke Russo: I don’t do lovey dovey. Watching my four best friends trip and fall into their forever person has been both comical and confusing. When a hurricane hits Coral Pointe Inlet, it throws me into a tailspin I didn’t see coming—with a man who lives to drive me crazy. Jared, the sexy—I mean, the snarky fisherman.
Jared Boone: I’ve lived a simple life in Coral Pointe since the day I was born. All I need is my bait shop, my boat, my dog, and the home I’ve lived in for the past show more several years with the only family I have who matters. Unexpectedly, life has thrown a stone into my calm waters. Somehow, I find myself leaning on Burke, the sexy, stubborn chef of Oceanside Bar and Grill. I’ve made it my mission to bait that man every chance I get. The question is, now that I’ve got him on the hook, do I toss him back into murky waters, or is he finally ready to admit he’s been caught?

FINALLY...AT LAST...These two have been baiting each other since the first book. It was becoming both hilarious and frustrating. It took a hurricane, but whatever it took was fine by me! During the hurricane the two guys were trapped in Jared's house, and all bets were off for the entire night. The attraction and chemistry was just too big, way too much, for either of them to ignore any longer.

Jared's world will soon fall apart, but Burke will be there to catch him. It shouldn't have surprised either of them as much as it did. The more time they spend together, the more the walls come crumbling down. In its wake...all that is left, is the realization that too much time has been wasted. In the end, all anyone can want is to be hooked by the one person you know you just can't or want to live without.

I'm a bit sad to say goodbye to the boys of Coral Pointe...but I own the books and that's what rereads are for. show less