Laura Moore has given us characters that are easy to like in spite of their families and seemingly single focus on career in Making Waves. This in itself is amazing since I usually avoid anything with the word socialite in the description. However, the grown child of one caught my interest.

I loved Dakota Hale, her strength, her determination to remain loyal to her beliefs and her ability to find ways to escape the drama of family while not completely running from them. She is a class act. Max Carr needed to grow on me. He seemed cold at first but Laura Moore revealed all of his complexities so that it made you want him to succeed with Dakota.

It is a structured plot that grabs you early on and stay a compelling read until the end. The relationship develops between Dakota and Max naturally even with all the drama that could easily railroad it, which is one of the qualities I like about their story. It does not have a cliff hanger ending but come to a satisfying conclusion. Yea.

This is a very romantic, emotional story. The characters are honest and strong, and I liked Dakota Hale from the first page. Max, took some getting used to. They both pulled me into this story and never let go.

Dakota Hale was raised by a social butterfly mom, Piper, and her very mean spirited sister Mimi. Dysfunction does not accurately describe her family. Actually, Dakota pretty much raised herself and Piper along the way. Her joys in life are her business, Premier Service, a personal concierge service in the Hamptons for wealthy clients, and surfing. Dakota found that surfing was the one place her time and thoughts were totally her own, winter or summer. She feels very close to most of her clients, and a couple she knows well recommended her to a new client moving into a "cottage" called Windhaven. Ironically, it was her family home for many years, but was sold to cover some expenses by her uncle. Piper and Mimi are enraged. Wait till Dakota tells them she took the job!

Max Carr is a well know successful business man who fell in love with Windhaven. He is known for his brilliant financial moves and his playboy ways. He never misleads women, always up front about what he wants. A past heartbreak has hardened him for romance. Max hires Dakota for an extensive makeover of Windhaven, and quickly realizes how talented she is, not to mention gorgeous. The sparks fly, for both of them. Dakota doesn't have time for romance, Max avoids it at all costs. So what harm is a little no strings affair? Max comes to depend on her, not just as a talented concierge, but as a friend and lover. Dakota teaches him to surf, her private joy, and he comes to love it as well. Max feels much more than he wants to, so what else is there to do..........leave. But love and strings are pulling him back.

I have enjoyed all Ms. Moore's books, this one has found a special place in my heart. Dakota is strong, loving and forgiving, even with a broken heart. She loves Max, but values her independence. Wonderful start to a new series, and I'm anxious for the next story.

I received this eBook from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review.
Pat Fordyce

Making Waves is a contemporary romance that feels more like slice of life romance rather than the take your breath kind of one. Although the main characters started out in lust rather than in love, the gradual development of their relationship, how they handled the stress of differing backgrounds, their emotional baggage and a more than dysfunctional family is where the story really has its strength. Dakota is a wonderful female lead, whatever you throw at her she responds with grace and a great modicum of common sense so its really believable that she can basically engage in a relationship with Max with her eyes wide open. And the subsequent story development was equally compelling. Although some readers may not really like some of the plot devices, it gave a great way of keeping the story moving forward and its all in context so its excellent story telling.
Overall, I find Making Waves a great, feel good family romance.

I knew as soon as I saw there was a new Laura Moore book coming out that I’d be reading it. I read and enjoyed her Silver Creek series, so I’ve been on lookout for anything from her since the trilogy concluded. I’m happy to report that I found her newest offering, Making Waves, to be a compelling read with two mature leads, which is always a win for me. Dakota was born into an atrocious family. Every last one of them was so mean-spirited and delighted in making Dakota the butt of their jokes. And I will admit that while I loathed them, their dysfunctional interactions were very entertaining. And I feel like Dakota’s family gave this story a night-time soap opera feel, similar to J.R. Ward's The Bourbon Kings, but not quite as dramatic. Dakota was a wonderful heroine. Like the blurb says, she was a self made woman with a very successful career and shouldered the responsibility of several employees who depended on her for their livelihood. Max took a while for me to warm up to, and after his initial moment of acting like the biggest jerk ever (if you read this book, you’ll know exactly which moment I’m referring to,) I respected every decision he made and why he made them. Max’s single-mindedness in business carried over to his relationships, and he became a protector of Dakota. He wasn’t overbearing; he knew she could fight her own battles and he stood back while she did, but Dakota didn’t have anyone in her immediate family who stood up for her, so I love that she had that in Max. And I love that he was so persistent in his pursuit of her. They were very similar in that they were both driven and athletic. And I love that one of the things they really bonded over was Dakota sharing her love of surfing with Max.

I’m not going to go into detail about this story; I think you can figure out what the secret is from the blurb, but just in case, I don’t want to be the one who lets the cat out of the bag. And there are a few surprises along the way that I also don’t want to ruin. There was an old-fashioned bent to this modern love story that I really enjoyed, and just as Max let Dakota fight her own battles, I really like that Dakota, while she tried to get things out in the open between them, never goes behind Max's back to try and patch things up the way it often goes in these stories. She was patient with him, doing her best to comfort him when she crossed lines she maybe shouldn't have, and I love that she did that for him. His past was devastating, and just like Max was the only person who was there for her, she was the same for him, being his voice of reason. They both also had some really great friends who gave them sound advice, and I think the sort of people the characters surround themselves with tell you as much about them as anything that comes out of their mouths. I did feel like I should know Alex and Gen, as they were prominent characters in Making Waves. A bit of sleuthing reveals they do, in fact, have their own story, so I will be going back to check that out; I really liked their characters. I also really liked Lauren, and think we are being set up for a love story between her and one of her best friends turned Hollywood heartthrob. (Fingers crossed!)

Making Waves was a story I really enjoyed; I love this small community the author has created. I can’t wait for the next in the series!

Another great book by a wonderful author. She's so good at characters and emotions. I posted a review on Goodreads.

Making Waves introduces us to Dakota Hale, an independent concierge business owner in the Hamptons and Max Carr, the successful business man who recently purchased the old Hale family estate and hires Dakota to help furnish it.

From the moment they meet sparks fly between Max and Dakota, but much of the latter half of the book is spent rebuilding. These two worked hard for their HEA.

Dakota is a very strong female lead, shining in all the right places. She's likeable, fun, and ambitious, striving to be the best woman she can be without leaning on old money—unlike her detestable family. Her mother and aunt leave much to be desired; Dakota was wise to strike out on her own.

I would have enjoyed a bit more of Max in the book; it felt like the two didn't have even representation. Regardless, Max may handle their relationship poorly at first, but he overcomes many flaws and work through issues. Out of the two, he evolved the most.

This book snares you quickly. The characters and setting come to life, it has emotional ups and downs, and the supporting cast is amazing (especially Hendrick, Dakota's gay psychiatrist friend). I have no idea if life in the Hamptons is anything like this book describes. Even if it isn't, Laura Moore will make you want to visit Beach Lane.

I'm very glad that I discovered Laura Moore's books. I find that I really like them. She's a wonderful writer that writes stories that make you sigh.

Making Waves is the first book in the Beach Lane series. The series is starting off a little choppy. You at first don't get where the author is going. It becomes clearer by chapter two and then you start getting the drift about what the story is going and who Dakota is.

I really liked Dakota. We all have family issues and she dealt with hers pretty well. She comes from a crazy family, which in real life would have been tough, but in our book lives it makes for a very good reading.

I also like how she made something of herself, that she worked hard and did it all alone. Of course we are never really alone, she did have people working with her. But she was the back bone.

Someone who's worked so hard her entire life and has been treated as badly as she has deserves a wonderful romance, and she found that in Max. Of course they run into a few issues but for the most part they are really good for each other.

I will tell you that I thought at times the story was a little slow going, but not to bad. I might not have read it as fast as I usually read but it is a constantly good story. I'm looking forward to the next story in the series.

3.5 Rating

I found this to be a steady read and okay to interesting characters. Plot was good and story line kept me interested but not really captivated.

Dakota has made a successful business in the personal concierge business serving the residents of the Hamptons. She is the illegitimate daughter of heiress, who's focus in life is being a socialite (who doesn't have a nurturing bone in her body). Her "family" never included her or accepted her, she's learned to live with being the outsider. This has created in Dakota the love of people and reaching out and helping others.

Max Carr is extremely good with money, he works for Wall Street, a partner in a private equity firm. Max works hard for his money, in fact that's pretty much Max's life, accumulating wealth.

Dakota's Uncle is forced to put the family home up sale and Max purchases the home. Max then hires Dakota to redo the entire home and no one from her family is happy when they learn is accepts the job.

These two and there character development is what kept me reading. We have two people who have experienced rejection and heartache but they take different paths in dealing with it. When the two characters meet and their chemistry is undeniable they have an affair. The relationship has it's ups and downs, break up and back together,compromise and enlightenment of who and what they are together.

The beginning of the story is slow and a little confusing but clarification evolves as well as pacing becomes more tolerable about a third into the story. Did not care for Dakota's family, at all! Dakota was very good for Max.

Adored this one! I love this authors writing style and the way she weaves a wonderful romance that feels real and genuine. No insta-love, low angst. Just a nice easy slow build where you really get to know the characters. Dakota is hard working and determined and while Max seems to get everything easily he's just as determined and what he wants right now is Dakota. Convincing her to give him a chance is something he will most definitely have to work hard at!

A great story and one that should be on the must read list. I highly recommend it.

Book Info
Paperback, 240 pages
Expected publication: April 25th 2017 by Ballantine Books
ISBN 0425284824 (ISBN13: 9780425284827)
Edition Language English
Series Beach Lane #1
Other Editions (1)
Source:Netgalley EARC

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BOOK BLURB


A self-made woman with a sweet, successful life discovers that even the best-laid plans are no match for unexpected passion in the beginning of a brand-new series for fans of Julie James and Tracy Brogan.

As the responsible daughter of an irresponsible socialite, Dakota Hale has plenty of practice catering to the whims of the rich and spoiled and she's turned that experience into a thriving concierge business serving the needs of the Hamptons' wealthy elite. But living and working among the upper crust has never tempted Dakota to follow in her mother's jet-setting footsteps. Anytime the drama on land gets too outrageous, Dakota finds calm surfing the Atlantic waves. But when sexy mogul Max Carr hires her, it rocks her balance in a big way.

Max works hard, but he's never had to put any effort into winning over a woman until now. With her stunning beauty and keen intelligence, Dakota is worth the effort. But it is plain she has no interest in a casual fling, and that's all Max with his grief-stricken heart can offer. But one fraught night changes everything, with consequences neither Dakota nor Max anticipated. Now they must navigate the rough waters of society gossip and devastating secrets that threaten their fragile relationship. If they can trust in the strength of their growing feelings, they ll find that the dreams they’ve been chasing are close enough to embrace . . . together.

My Thoughts


Dakota Hale has spent her life feeling like a second glass citizen thanks to her Mother Piper and her Aunt Mimi. Conceived out of wedlock
Dakota’s grandparents even ostracized she and Piper and cast the two out of the Hale family to all intents and purposes. Thanks to that past Dakota finds trust hard to come by, especially when it comes to trusting men.

Now closing in on 30 Dakota has parlayed her doing odd jobs into a full blown-full service concierge business. Proving, at least to herself, that despite her less than stellar upbringing hard work and being responsible/dependable does carry weight in the world of the wealthy and privileged whom she works for.

Max Carr is many times over a very wealthy man, however even with all that money a past trauma has left him unable to commit to one woman for any length of time. That stays true until Max meets Dakota, a beautiful sexy Amazon who he instantly lusts for but unexpectedly that lust is only the beginning and soon turns into a deeper feeling he vowed years ago to avoid.

Dakota and Max have to overcome their personal hangups along with the jealousy driven efforts of her Mother and Aunt to not only keep them from cementing a solid relationship but also trying to erode the continuing success of Dakota’s business.

Talk about a dysfunctional family, the Hales should have Dakota’s mother and aunts picture by the words in dictionaries they are so outrageously painted by the authors descriptions of the two women’s actions.

One wild ride I would have hated to miss out on reading!

[EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]


On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

Review will be posted 4-15-17
Making Waves pretty much covered 90% of my favorite tropes: ocean setting, tough heroine, and family drama - it was all there! Max has a lot of hurt he is trying to forget and while it got a little cheesy at times with his angst, it really didn't distract from how that pain played into his relationship with Dakota. There was also a really great subplot involving Dakota's search for her real dad, which I thought fit into the story very well. It was a classic case of an old family (Dakota's) and the new rich (Max) and the type of snobby they encounter in places like The Hamptons. I like the way Max and Dakota's relationship progressed and the major curve balls they were thrown along the way. This is the beginning of a series and I am looking forward to reading about more characters in this world.

I really enjoyed this book by Laura Moore. Although to be honest, I wasn’t sure when I started reading it. The beginning is confusing and disconcerting because it just starts. It only takes a little bit for things to be explained and for the story to come together. After that, it moves quickly and with coherence. So don’t be put off by the beginning.
Dakota Hale runs her own concierge service in the Hamptons. She has made her own living despite having wealthy relatives. Dakota’s family is shocked when the ancestral home is sold and then Dakota goes to work for the man who bought it. She is shocked by her immediate attraction to the new owner.
Max Carr has worked hard for his money. He works for a private equity firm in New York City and is quite successful. Buying an estate in the Hamptons seems like not only a good investment, but also a great place to entertain clients. Finding the right person to help him decorate his new home is a task on his to-do list. Keeping his attraction to the woman he hires under wraps is challenging.
Dakota and Max find themselves in an interesting position. Max may be Dakota’s client, but she has never been as attracted to someone before. Dakota intrigues Max who has run his whole romantic life on the principle of not getting involved. He makes a practice of not giving his heart or making any commitments. Both of these people have issues with their family and trust. In order for a relationship to work, they must learn to trust each other.
I like the way the relationship develops between Max and Dakota. They do not solve all their problems over night nor do things move along at an alarmingly quick rate. They both have work to do on themselves.
Ms. Moore does add in some predicable elements. There are also some things that are not so predictable and the ending wraps everything up nicely. I am being intentionally vague so as to not give anything away. I don’t want to spoil the story for future readers.

Dakota Hale was born and raised in the Hamptons in New York. Though she's part of an upper crust family, she's nothing like her family, making it on her own sans a trust fund. When her concierge service company is hired by Max Carr to service his new home, Dakota's life takes a turn down a path she never predicted.

This story grabbed me after the first few pages and refused to let go until the end. Dakota is one of the more interesting characters I've read in some time. She's a contradiction, skilled and adept in her professional life and anything but when in the midst of her highly toxic and self absorbed family. On the surface (and to some degree, in reality), Max is rather bloodless and singularly focused on his career as a partner in a private equity firm. Her genuine and warm manner disarms him as the normal world he exists in is shark filled and cutthroat. However, they somehow evoke the best out of each other.

I loved this story which focused primarily on both Dakota and Max's developing relationship and their individual transformations. It also provides insight into this tony community from the perspective of both ends of the socioeconomic spectrum. There's a richness to the storytelling and the character development is outstanding, including the secondary ones.

I learned that this is a spinoff of the Miller/Sheppard series but I don't seem to have missed anything by not having read it first other than knowing some of the secondary characters stories. It's so very interesting and I was lured solely by the premise of the book. It certainly paid off and I'm definitely continuing the series.

4.5
This is a heartwarming, toe curling, maddening, heart wrenching, happy story about two wonderful characters that you can't help but love. Complex family drama, and independent self made woman, a successful wounded man, wonderful side characters, just enough rotten apples and a lovely setting. It's got all the right stuff. I ma so happy this is the beginning of a series, there will be more.
Dakota the female main character is a self made business woman with a lot of hard work and hard times under her belt. Her family is dysfunctional in the worst way, they are easy to dislike. She runs a concierge service for the rich and fabulous. When she starts working for the new owner of her family's estate causing an uproar. Oh what a family she's got !
Max, ex football god, and current money making machine is a hunk in suit. He's a playboy, who likes to have a different blond on his arm regularly. He avoids attachments at all costs. His scars run deep and that's where he keeps them. Business and money are his two attachments. He bought the big mansion estate to impress clients and his father. He also hired the previous owners family member to redo the estate for him and she is a person that interests him. Too bad she doesn't play with her meal tickets.
If you want to know what happens read the book.
Time and the right people in your life can change everything. That is what I always get from this authors work. I love reading books that make you feel good. This author is on my list of guaranteed feel good writers.

This was a quick enjoyable read that was well-written and easy to get into. I will definitely be reading this author's other books.

Wow. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book. Straight up, I didn't think I was going to like it as much as I did. I haven't read a Laura Moore book since the end of her Rosewood trilogy, but this one sounded a little different so I thought I would give it a try.

Dakota Hale is the illegitimate child of an heiress who's extended family never claimed her. As an adult, she has built her own personal concierge business serving the residents of the Hamptons, which is how she meets Max Carr, businessman extraordinaire. They meet, have a fling, split up, and get back together. That's the short of it. However, everything in between all these events is what really drew me into the story as well as a plot twist that happens to be one of my favorite kind.

The main characters are great, the secondary characters are great (minus Dakota's aunt), and the overall story was really heartfelt. Loved it!

Review will be posted on the blog during release month.

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 3 1/2
Dakota Hale has always known what it was like to be an outsider. From a birth she was an outcast in her family. But that didn’t stop her from becoming an wonderful person that has made her own success.
Max Carr is your Wall Street guy who only thinks about the next deal, the next dollar and the next adventure. He is pretty much a self absorbed rich guy. But buying Windhaven is about to change his life in ways he never could imagine.
Making Waves was a good read. I have enjoyed Ms. Moore’s books in the past so of course when I saw she was starting a new series I knew I needed to read. I am looking forward to the next installment in this series. I would really like to see Piper and Mimi suffer more in future books.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Dakota Hale is the illegitimate daughter of Piper, a wealthy socialite. She has never been accepted by her family and her Mother is a self centered user out for what she can get. Her Mother has a vindictive sister who does her best to make Pipers life miserable. Piper has built a successful concierge business with no help from her family. When her Uncle is forced to sell their family home in the Hamptons Dakota is hired by Max, the new owner, to totally redo the house. This does not go over well with her family. Sparks fly when Dakota and Max meet.

I liked this book and couldn't help but sympathize with Dakota. I wish she had stood up for herself more with her family, she let them walk all over her early in the book. This book is well written and has a great cast of interesting characters. Thank you to net galley for an advanced copy.

Two people that have bad experiences with their family and heartache. Dakota finds comfort in helping people and max was a person that didnt want to help anyone just make his money build his business till the two met then something happened that brought them together. Through friends and their own determination to try to make things work they go through a lot alone and together.

​​​​​I love novels about women that are able to finally stand up to their imprudent relatives, after years of being walked all over and treated like they do not matter. Making Waves by Laura Moore is all about Dakota Hale, a strong young woman that goes after what she wants with an honest resourcefulness. This sweet and hot love story takes place in one of the wealthiest areas of America, the Hamptons.

Dakota owns a successful concierge service. She takes care of many households and most of her very wealthy clients appreciate her honesty, good taste, and quick response time. She has a few very good friends and when she needs some time to unwind, she surfs. Her mother is a rich socialite, that never learned how to mother or nurture. Dakota's newest client is Max Carr, an investment strategist. Max is worth millions, due to his unfailing business acumen. Dakota and Max's sexual chemistry is instantaneous, and due to circumstances beyond their control, their casual affair becomes a full blown relationship.

This is a well-written love story with an engaging plot and well-defined characters. I found Dakota and Max to be intelligent and real, and I loved the way Ms. Moore developed them both as individuals and as a couple. Their time together was replete with warmth and lustful attraction. A few of the secondary characters were quite manipulative, which brought an additional intensity to the story-line. Overall, this is an exciting and slightly emotional read that twists and turns in all the right places.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.