Once upon a time Samantha and Nick had fallen in love at first sight in high school. Nick’s family believed in “lightning strikes,” the act of finding the love of your life in one dazzling moment. They married, had a baby, and then had a fight with Nick going off in a huff on a sailboat during a storm where he disappeared. Seven years later, Samantha and Luca, Nick’s older brother, say “I do.” Just as they’re about to consummate their marriage, a raggedy man with a long beard bursts in, but doesn’t say: “honey, I’m home.” But yes, it’s Nick. Now Samantha has decisions to make. She once loved Nick as much as breathing, but she’s with Luca now in a mutually satisfying relationship. Or is she?

I honestly love what Lori Wilde is trying to do in The Wedding at Moonglow Bay. She takes a character like Samantha who has gone through the foster program, who always seeks love and solid relationships, and swipes the rug out from under her. As an adult, Samantha–Sammie–has never been on her own. She’s never wanted to be. When Nick went missing, the Ginelli family embraced her as a daughter, not to mention that her foster parents were still in the picture as was her best friend and foster sister, Piper. Now she’s faced with a decision that would definitely have huge consequences ofr everyone, if she could make it, if she could see the forest for the trees.

While I love the epiphanies Sammie has, the advice she’s given, and what she learns, I wasn’t a fan of how it was constructed nor, sometimes, of Sammie herself. Some of it was predictable. Some of it too angsty. But little of it felt magical, a quality I always hope for in a Lori Wilde novel. In some ways, The Wedding at Moonglow Bay felt unfinished, like an early draft that still needed some ironing out with pacing and character issues, some polishing, some moments and ideas better thought out. I wished that Sammie’s exploration of self hadn’t been so rushed in order to seal a romance. Again, I do appreciate what Wilde was doing, I just wish it had been executed more smoothly.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Without reading the ending I knew exactly what would happen and also some of the other secrets in the novel. I read fast because the plot was such a roller coast ride.
Samantha marries two brothers, has a child with one, loses one, and then has one come back.
Complicated much?? And another woman wants one of the brothers.
I was on pins and needles the entire time I read. Wilde explores the angst of the situation, which is one I wouldn’t want to be in.
One brother stood out to me and I was silently cheering for him.
Samantha had a forgiving heart, but in life we have to play the cards that are dealt.

The Wedding at Moonglow Bay is a feel good, small town romance. Seven years since her husband disappeared at sea, Samantha is ready to say “I do” to Luca Ginelli, only her superstitious nature is haunting her day. It's not till their wedding night, does the true nature of "why" it was off reveal itself. Her first husband, Nick, Luca's older brother has been found alive.

This is not your typical love story - it's actually two love stories. Samantha/Nick, and Samantha/Luca. The romance between Samantha and Luca is sincere and authentic after what's Samantha has had to endure for the chance at true love. The ending beautifully serves-up a nice happily ever after.

Rating 3.5

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for the complimentary copy.

THE WEDDING AT MOONGLOW BAY – Lori Wilde

Moonglow Cove, Book 4

Avon

ISBN: 978-0-063-13590-1

March 21, 2023

Contemporary Romance



Moonglow Cove Bay, Texas – Present Day



It’s Samantha Ginelli’s wedding day and she’s marrying Luca Ginelli, the brother of her late husband Nick. Nick was lost at sea seven years ago, leaving behind his wife and baby daughter, Destiny. The court has just formally declared Nick dead. Samantha has had the support of her in-laws and her best friend, Piper, to help her get through her grief. About a year ago, Luca returned to Moonglow Cove Bay, and Samantha and Luca fell in love. Nick may have been her one true love, but Luca is making her happy.



The day starts out ominously as there are mishaps, such as the wrong flowers being delivered. Instead of wedding flowers, Samantha got funeral flowers. The minister couldn’t make it, so they had to find a replacement. Then a mishap with her wedding dress has her quickly changing into a different one—Samantha’s wedding gown from her marriage to Nick. But the ceremony and reception go off without any further hitches. Not even the Coast Guard boat blazing into the bay with some kind of emergency can stop the party. Luca and Samantha finally leave the reception and head to her house, where they will finally consummate their marriage. But before they can make love, a loud sound announces the arrival of someone. Turns out it is Nick, back from the dead.



Because of the blurb for the book, I knew what was coming in THE WEDDING AT MOONGLOW BAY. It did take a while to set it up as the wedding weekend proceeded for Samantha and Luca. It’s clear these two love one another, but Nick was her first love, the result of that “lightning strike” which happened between them when they first met in high school. Samantha was the new girl, a foster child brought into Piper’s family. Luca and Nick’s parents run an Italian restaurant where Samantha works. She feels loved by the Ginelli family and they will always be a part of her life due to Destiny, now seven years old. The return of Nick is a surprise. Yes, a pleasant one, but it also brings uncertainty. And Samantha must make a decision. Which man will she choose as her husband?



There is a lot of emotion in THE WEDDING AT MOONGLOW BAY. Readers will see and feel it. Samantha had finally moved on with her life after losing Nick. They had fought that day and, in his anger, Nick had gone out on his sailboat and ended up lost in a storm. She blames herself for what happened. Turns out that he landed on a deserted island and somehow managed to survive. Think about the movie Cast Away in regard to Nick. He has to reacclimatize himself to a world where people thought he was dead. Samantha has to get to know her husband all over again. In the background is Luca. He is willing to step aside and watch his brother reclaim Samantha again, while all the time, he resents that he has lost her…again.



Of course, things aren’t easy for Samantha, Nick, and Luca. While she is struggling with what to do, her friend Piper is offering moral support. There is also a YouTube media influencer tailing them because he wants exclusive footage about the woman with two husbands. But for Samantha, sometimes what seems like a clear path to happiness isn’t there. She sorts through her feelings for each brother and what is best for herself and Destiny. Will she make the right choices? By the end of THE WEDDING AT MOONGLOW BAY, readers will see which path she takes.



An emotional read that will keep you glued to the pages and wondering what will happen, THE WEDDING AT MOONGLOW BAY is a perfect weekend read. Once you pick it up, you won’t want to put it down.



Patti Fischer

The Wedding at Moonglow Bay by Lori Wilde is about how a young mother works to gain confidence in her feelings and needs so that she can determine the best path forward for her and her daughter.

A sweet, family-oriented romance. Boy, is it ever family-oriented. Marrying brothers is a challenge, but there are even more unusual circumstances to savor. An engaging story, somewhat predictable, while at times not. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

This story was different than anything I have read previously by Lori Wilde. I feel like she was stretching her wings a bit and the outcome was a story that was conflicting and yet satisfying at the same time. There was a lot of tumultuous times for all three of the main characters. At times I really didn't know who to cheer for.

The book starts with the wedding of Samantha and Luca, but at the beginning of what is to be their wedding night, her supposed dead husband who had disappeared seven years ago reappears! So many conflicts! Is she married to Nick (who happens to be Luca's younger brother) or is she married to Luca now? If she is married to Nick, does she still want to be? Regardless of who she is legally married to or picks, will it cost her the huge loving family she married into? It really is a huge mess and I didn't know how it would end for a very long time.

I really did enjoy this story and hope there are still more Moonglow Bay books to come.

Thanks to Avon Books, Harper Voyager US and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

When her husband is lost at sea after getting caught in a sudden storm while on a solo boat trip, Samantha is hopeful he will be rescued. After all he's in the Coast Guard and in excellent health and physical condition. Yet after parts of his boat are found and the search is called off, Samantha must accept Nick is not coming home and she will be raising her daughter alone. Seven years later, after the family has Nick legally proclaimed dead, Samantha begins to see Nick's brother Luca who has recently returned from Alaska to run his family's restaurant.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Lori Wilde. The plot twists and turns kept me interested from the first page. It's not that the mystery isn't easy to figure out, but the way the author settles the issues was what made the book so enjoyable. The reader will not be looking for some of twists the author throws in.

#OneTrueLove #HarperCollinsPublishers #LightningStrike #HEA #NetGalley #LoriWilde #TheWeddingAtMoonglowBay

Single mom Samantha is engaged to Luca, brother of her late husband, Nick. On her wedding day, she discovers that Nick is still alive! How can she choose between the two men without tearing her family apart?

This is a romantic and emotional novel. The plot is on the slow side—the first 30% dramatizes the wedding day before Nick returns. The strength of the book lies in the character journeys and the questions about the nature of love.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

A different love story for sure. Well, it is actually two love stories. With a unique twist to get you wondering where is this story going.
Samantha was married to Nick when he disappears one night. This occurred 7 years ago. Now in the present, Samantha is getting ready to marry Nick’s brother, Luca. Wild story huh? Well, it gets even more complicated which you will see when you read The Wedding At Moonglow Bay.
I enjoyed the story. The romance angle between Samantha and Luca was the best part of the whole book.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

#netgalleyarc This was a “me” read and not for my HS library. I’ve read, and enjoyed, this author for such a long time. The last few books have been extremely predictable and while this one wasn’t super predictable, it was def your classic romance. It had some mystery to it and a lot of drama. Overall, it was a fun weekend read.

Samantha lost her husband to the sea seven years ago, but after marrying his brother, he has made his way home. She has a seven-year-old daughter that she has been raising, taking care of, and she is different than she was seven years ago.
There are a lot of emotions for everyone, and many legal questions to be answered, so Samantha decides she is going to divorce them both, and take the time to see who she is now, and what she wants now. Nick and Luca decide to do the same thing. Life has put them in a very difficult situation, but when life does that, we get to see how they get themselves out of the situation. That kept me reading and was in awe of all they learned about themselves, who they are now, and the only thing they could do was move forward, But how would they? I just loved reading this book and where the author took me. It was amazing. She offered so much insight.
I received an ARC from Avon through NetGalley.

This was a good and sometimes sad story. Not crying sad, just a feel bad for the characters. Samantha met Nick in high school. Piper was with her and she thought Nick would be perfect for her, but Nick wanted Samantha. They got married and had a baby. After an argument, Nick took a boat out and he was reported lost., After 7 years, he was declared dead and Samantha married his older brother Luca. Rght after the wedding Nick was rescued. Talk about timing. Lots and lots of drama and it took quite awhile for Nick and Samantha to sort out their feelings. It was hard as Samantha would always love Nick but wasn''t in love with him anymore. A couple surprises that felt like a betrayal but eventually all was worked out.

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

This was my first book by Lori Wilde, but it definitely will not be my last.
She is a great writer, with a deep connection to the characters. Every character had a beginning, middle and an end. The story was a complete circle. I was So excited to get up everyday to continue reading this. Till it ended. It ended and didn't leaving you wondering what happened.
I don't want to give to much away, but will tell you it deals with love, grief, second loves, family and surviving all life's obstacles.
Pre-order your copy today. Releases March 21, 2023.
I received this advanced copy from NetGalley for my honest review.

The Wedding at Moonglow Bay follows Samantha, widow of the charming and reckless Nick. After a tragic accident and seven years later, Samantha finds herself ready to marry his brother Luca. After their wedding ceremony, Samantha learns that Nick has been rescued from a deserted island and is alive after all. This sends her into a tailspin of trying to work out which brother she has feelings for and what she will choose to do with the time she has unexpectedly been given.

Overall, I liked the premise of this book very much. I loved how the author pushed back on the idea that a romance or love must be “meant to be” or “fated.” The cast of characters was very fun and vibrant. However, the writing style felt disjointed at times and didn’t always work for me personally. While I felt things eventually resolved themselves into a happily-ever-after, the process to get there was very bumpy at times. I would still recommend this as a lighthearted, enjoyable rom-com. This would be the perfect book for fans of Jill Shalvis!

The Wedding at Moonglow Bay is available March 21, 2023. Thank you to Lori Wilde, Avon, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this one!!! As anyone can read from the description, Samantha’s husband, who was presumed dead, comes back after 7 years. Samantha is ready to marry his brother. Ooooh the conflict with this one. This book was well written and held my attention from beginning to end. I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen! I enjoyed every second. Perfect weekend read! Huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this wonderful book!

Orphaned at a young age, Samantha Riley never felt like she belonged anywhere. When her foster family moved to Moonglow Bay, TX, her first year of high school, she took one look at the beachside town and felt at peace. Then, her first day at the new high school, she meets Nick Ginelli and felt lightning strike.

What should have been a fairytale romance and marriage ends when Nick disappears in a boating accident and is eventually declared dead. After grieving for seven years and finally ready to move on, Samantha marries Luca, Nick’s older brother. Except Nick is suddenly back from the dead, and on Samantha and Luca's wedding night!

Samantha and Nick had a young, intense, starry-eyed love, and as an orphaned child, his family became the belonging she always longed for. Since Nick's disappearance, Samantha has had a chance to become independent and provide for her daughter, and the love she shares with Luca is different. More realistic, less selfish, and more mature.

What a doozy of a premise! It grabbed my attention from the start and refused to let go. I love the comparisons and contrast of the different types of love Samantha shared with both Nick and Luca, and I applaud her struggle and determination to figure out what is best for her and her daughter. Thrown in a shocking twist with Samantha's best friend, and this crafty storyteller certainly kept me guessing! A wild, satisfying emotional ride, this is one of my favorite reads this year and one you definitely won’t want to miss!

Enjoyable and fast paced book. Had great characters and a few small twists to keep things interesting. I got fully invested in their lives and loved every minute of it.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The perfect life of a widow is shattered when her long gone, assumed dead husband appears just hours after her wedding to his older brother. She is thrown into a serious dilemma and must find her way to a place of peace regardless of the outcome. Tender and touching moments throughout.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a fast paced, read.
Two sisters + two brothers + two love triangles = a whole lot of messy emotions.
Nick and Samatha felt fated to be together since high school. But when Nick disappears, Sam is left raising their infant daughter alone, with the help of family. Fast forward seven years, Sam has found love again with Nick's brother, but lo and behold, Nick has been rescued. Navigating their way through all their feelings is going to take a lot of work.
Enjoyable book with great characters and a few small twists to keep things interesting.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.