Can a heartbreaking event turn into something wonderful?

Synopsis

When Paige Harper arrives in Pelican Crossing to visit her ailing grandmother, she plans a short trip—just enough time to make sure her grandmother recovers before heading back to her busy city life. But when her grandmother unexpectedly passes away, Paige is hesitant to leave the small coastal town, unable to shake the pull of its quiet charm.

Bob Reed, the laid-back local vet, has settled back into his life in Pelican Crossing after spending a year at Colorado University. He is surprised when he receives an offer to apply for a permanent position at the university—a tempting opportunity to embrace a very different path. Torn between his love for the peaceful coastal life and the draw of a more structured, academic future, Bob faces a tough choice.

When Paige and Bob cross paths, they’re worlds apart—she, the city professional, and he, the easy-going surfer. But a series of unexpected encounters brings them closer, and what begins as an unlikely friendship turns into something much more.

With Bob facing a career-defining decision and Paige bound to her life in the city, they must determine if their newfound connection is strong enough to overcome the obstacles in their way. Can they find a way to be together, or will the demands of their separate lives keep them apart?

For fans of small-town romances and heartwarming stories of unexpected love.

My review

Paige Harper has a busy city life. But when she hears that her beloved grandmother has been hospitalized, Paige does not hesitate to go back to Pelican Crossing for a visit. But Paige is not ready when her grandmother unexpectedly passes away, and is not prepared to leave Pelican Crossing, not only because of its pull, but also because there is so much to take care of. And while she appreciates how everyone in Pelican Crossing is paying their respects, she feels awkward with the looks of sorry and pity. But there is one person that perhaps may understand how Paige may be feeling, and that person is Bob Reed. Bob is the local vet, who has settled back to Pelican Crossing after spending a year at Colorado University. Even if he loves spending his days and his work at Pelican Crossing, when he receives an offer for a permanent position at the university, Bob does not know what to do. And with having just met Paige and feeling a connection with her, the doubts are only rising. Even if Paige is determined to keep things light and the endgame for her is to return home to her home and family. But after everything, where is home?

Even if I am younger than the main characters in this series, I am always happy to return to Pelican Crossing, a place where everybody can call it ‘home’ and somehow finds happiness. So of course I was curious for this next instalment!

And unfortunately, we know that Paige’s arrival in Pelican Crossing isn’t one for a happy occasion, or for a fresh start. While it starts hopeful, ‘just’ Paige’s grandmother, Norma, had a fall and is at the hospital. Not only because Paige is a dutiful granddaughter, but because she truly loves her Mimi, Paige does not hesitate to head over to Pelican Crossing.

While there are moments in this book that I don’t complete understand Paige (later more about that), there is one thing that is crystal-clear, the love she has for her family. And her Mimi has been truly a special person in Paige’s life.

It is recognizable how regret comes when it is too late. We always believe that there is time to pay a visit, to make a phone call. And then life happens and before we know, the person that we cherish is no longer here and we only have those regrets… Something that Paige very clearly feels. Because while her life is in the city, and it is a busy one, she never made enough time for her Mimi. Something to think about, right?

Despite the pain and grief Paige is feeling in this story, I loved reading how at home she starts to feel at Pelican Crossing, how she makes new friends, and how Martha, the cutest dog in the world in my opinion, is a connection with what Paige has lost with her Mimi.

Now, I have to say, throughout the biggest part of the book, I wasn’t a fan of Paige’s children, Josh and Kara. Not that they are bad people, but it felt to me, that they were rather selfish. Of course, I understand that they have families of their own, and they cannot just drop everything for being there for Paige. But that is not my issue with them… It is how they respond to her mother, how they assume to take advantage of Mimi’s house. And how they react when they hear about Paige’s storyline with Bob. Why couldn’t they just be happy for Paige? But of course, they redeem themselves towards the end 😊.

Talking about Bob… first of all it is terrible what he has been through in the past (which we will discover later in the book). But what a kind, generous and gentle man he is! He is the kind of person that will try to and will help every way that he can. He truly cares about people and animals.

I can understand the dilemma he is facing in this book. While he enjoys his life as a vet in Pelican Crossing, with all his friends, the opportunity for a position at the Colorado University is just too good to let it pass without a second thought.

A dilemma that only grows after there is a real connection with Paige. And it was lovely to see these two people getting closer. Bob gets Paige better than anyone else in Pelican Crossing, and that is something that Paige needs at the moment. And Paige has found in Bob someone who listens and is just there for her.

I could understand in a way Paige’s determination not getting too close and attached to Bob, but it was also a bit frustrating reading how she is holding Bob off, as she is going back to the city. I was almost screaming at her: “Give Bob a chance, can’t you see how amazing things could be for the both of you???” 😊.

However, that is also part of Paige’s growth in this book. She has a lot of decisions to make in this book, and we see how slowly, she is starting to make choices for *her* own benefit, and not to please others. And that is not an easy thing to do, to put your own happiness first. But we also see that when the love and care from others is genuine, the acceptance of your choices will come.

Maggie Christensen just did it again, writing a heartwarming story about wonderful characters, with a second chance at love at an ‘older’ age. But love can come just whenever and wherever it wants, and it is up to you to grab this chance with both hands!