Pacific Northwest author Sheila Roberts (The Nine Lives of Christmas) presents the delightful sixth entry in her popular Moonlight Harbor series, Sand Dollar Lane. After divorcing her adulterous husband, real estate broker Lucy Holmes decides she needs a radical change. She leaves Seattle for a quirky town on the coast of Washington to set up shop and generally start over. However, local real estate agent Brody Green isn't excited about the new competition. After being dumped by his fiancée, he's also grumpy--and unwilling to admit his attraction to Lucy. When his son and Lucy's daughter develop a relationship, however, Brody and Lucy are forced to reassess their prickly interactions. Both have suffered romantic betrayal and disappointment in their past, and a happily-ever-after is far from assured. Can these two wary people find a way to trust again or will their fear of emotional intimacy end a budding romance?
For readers not familiar with Roberts's Moonlight Harbor series, this engaging novel can easily be read as a stand-alone. It boasts warm humor, a vibrant saltwater beach setting, authentic main characters who demonstrate refreshingly mature attitudes and a supporting cast of characters who endear themselves to readers. The solid plot is enhanced by the amiable small-town atmosphere and Lucy's emotional growth as she finds her place in the community. --Lois Faye Dyer, writer and reviewer