This story is a small town romance set in an island off the coast of California. The author goes into depth with regards to the feelings and conflicts Mina has about her relationship with William. Mina’s reservations about getting involved with him comes through in the book.

Will is kind, warm and loving as a hero. He’s supportive of Mina and gives her space when she needs it.

There are some open questions in this story that I imagine will be answered in a future Cloud Bay book.

Will and Mina were sweet together. She was a little bit hung up on the whole distillery owner thing, but other than that, this was a great, fun read.

Will has had to keep his feelings to himself after falling in love with Mina, when she was still married. Then she loses her husband in an accident involving a drunk driver. He has to hide his feelings again while she grieves especially since he owns a brewery. However he can't wait forever and when he sees her stranded on the side of the road he takes a chance and helps her.

They decide to experiment with their attraction and hope that by Christmas they can walk away unscathed, but it's not so easy to end it. Sweet, unrequited love story with a happily ever after.

3.5 Stars
The second in the Cloud Bay series following the Harper siblings, I found this book to be a little bit stronger than the first.
I think part of it is that as the second book, we didn’t have the world building present in book 1. Mina and Will are also characters that we met in the first book, so it was easy to pick up with them again here.
The more I got to know Mina, the more I liked her and understood where she was coming from. Will was strong character that was equally easy to like. They also worked as a couple - pushing each other to face some of their bigger issues.
A strong secondary cast played key roles in the story as well. I honestly think this would work well as a stand-alone, even though it’s the second in the series.
This book redeemed the Cloud Bay series for me and has me looking forward to Zach’s book.

This book provides a return to Cloud Bay and another story about a member of the Harper family. The family patriarch, now dead, was a famous star well known in the town, whose family lives on in his legacy, in a town where his name and story are still revered and remembered. In this story, Mina, widowed at the early age of twenty when her husband, Adam, was killed in an accident involving a drunk driver, appears to be ready, after three longs yeas of grieving, to move on with life. Enter Will Fraser, who has pinned away for Mina since he first saw her a few years ago, when she was still happily married to Adam. Both recognize this attraction, but can they move far enough away from their pasts to make things work? For Will, this is a bit easier than for Mina. Rescuing Mina after an accident late one night, a mutual attraction emerges between the pair. Both step in and around this attraction, though they always know it is there. As time passes, they grow to accept that the attraction exists more and more. The ending was not a big surprise to me, but the story leading up to it was well worth the effort it took to get there.

This is the second book in the series. Of the two, I prefer the first. This one seemed to drag a lot, as the pair stepped in and around their growing attraction and the story was not as gripping. I thought Will was the ideal guy for any girl, but Mina seemed to be a bit hung up on the events around her husband’s death. Yes, he was killed, after someone who had more to drink than he should have, but, after three years, it was time for her to let this go a bit and be more open. As in the other book, the setting was well done, and the town was interesting, though not overpowering. In the earlier parts of the book, I did not see as much chemistry between Will and Mina, but that did develop as time went on. The timeframe of the book was the Christmas season, but the book did not focus on that aspect very much. It just provided a good back drop. This is a stand-alone book, though having read the first book can help a reader understand some of what is going on as well as the back story for some things. If you enjoyed the other book, by all means, get and read this one, as it delves further into the Harper family and their lives. It is also a good read for the holidays, though it can be read at any time. I received this form NetGalley to read and review.

A Season of You by Emma Douglas
Cloud Bay #2

On a small island off the coast of California lies Lansing Island and where the ferry lands is the town of Cloud Bay. A small island brought to the world’s attention by a rock group that settled there and created a venue for the annual rock festival “Cloud Fest”. One family, the Harpers, is at the forefront of the island and of this series – at least so far. In book one Faith Harper falls for tennis player Caleb White and breaks all of her island rules to achieve a HEA that thrills both of them. In book three it will be brother Zach and Leah who have their story told but in THIS book it is widow Mina Harper and Will Fraser who find love…eventually.

Will was smitten with love at first sight when he first saw Mina years before the story begins. Knowing that she was married kept him away and then when she was widowed young he still stayed away giving her time to grieve. When a situation occurs that has Will acting as Good Samaritan to Mina things begin to change and Mina begins to thaw.

Cloud Bay is gearing up for the Christmas holidays and that puts Will and Mina in close proximity more often than not. The two decide to spend time together BUT with a preset expiration date. There are issues Mina needs to overcome before she can fully give herself to anyone and though she is thawing she is fearful of finding and losing love again.

This was an enjoyable story with a HEA ending that also deals with one mystery mentioned in book one but hints at another as the story ends. I would love to read Stefan’s story (Will’s brother) but first the Harper’s will have their time in the limelight before more citizens of Cloud Bay have their stories told.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars

Mina has met the love of her life and he managed to get killed in a drunk driving accident. Will and his brother owns a whiskey distillery and Will has had his eyes on Mina for a while but hasn't done a thing about it. Lately they are running into eachother and the attraction is evident but Mina has her heart a bit guarded being that will owns a bar and distillery - alcohol - the very reasoning for her late husbands death and she don't want a repeat or anything to do with it.



I like this book I only issue was pacing was a bit slow for me but other then that this book was pretty enjoyable. If you got a day to relax and want a bit a holiday feeling that really isn't shoved down your throat then this book is it for you. It has its bit of holidayish things going on but isn't overpowering. Sometimes I love a good holiday book but some of them can get down right cheesey with how much holiday things are going on and this book was pretty decent about it. I enjoyed seeing that romance between Will and Mina. It drove me nuts when ever I see her pulling away from that obvious attraction. I loved seeing drama unfold that kept things interesting. Overall this was a pretty good book I really enjoyed it.

Life’s not fun when you fall in love with someone who is already in love and married! When that happened to Will Fraser five years ago he tried to forget her, even though they both lived on the same small island community, Cloud Bay. Even when the love of his life, Mina Harper, is widowed in a drunk driving accident he still doesn’t think he stands a chance. After all, her husband had been at the bar he owned and Will is also partner in a whisky making distillery. Things change, however, when he comes to her rescue in a storm and ends up taking care of her . . . . That gives him the opportunity to talk to Mina and the two start to get to know each other. As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, can the festive season bring a new beginning to these two, helping their dreams come true and bring love into their lives?

This is a delightful story of living through tragedy and heartache, making the most of opportunities, being resilient and moving forward to achieve your dreams. It is also a story of family and community, with plenty of brilliant secondary characters each adding to the atmosphere and plot. Whilst this is part of a series, I believe it works well as a standalone. It is a sweet romance, just right for curling up and enjoying during the magic of the festive season! 

I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley, with no obligation. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

A Season With You (Cloud Bay #1) by Emma Douglas
I think I read the books in this series out of order, perhaps? I thought for sure I had read about the festival at Cloud Bay before. Either way, I hadn’t read this book. Loved the romance at Christmas time! Great story of a man who falls in love at first sight and never lets Mina Harris know, she’s married. She lost her husband to a drunk driver and five years later Will figures even after all of this time she won’t want anything to do with a guy who runs a distillery even though it wasn’t his bar the fellow was drinking at prior to hitting her husband. She has a freak accident and Will comes to her rescue. She can’t get him out of her mind, and decides to have a wildly weird Christmas fling, it’s just mistletoe-inspired, right? Only Will doesn’t believe that he’ll go along with anything if he can be with Mina even if it is during the Christmas Festival and they are supposed to go back to normal, going their separate ways at the end. Can they, do it? I never believed so although the story doesn’t take you in that direction. You’ll have to pick up this passionate Christmas-inspired romance story to see how things happen and how they end up. I know romances always have a happy ending, but do they? Give it a read I think you’ll like it.

I received this book through NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review. It was in a kindle format.

Description as found on NetGalley.

It's Christmastime in the quaint island town of Cloud Bay, where love is always in season... Will Fraser has believed in love at first sight since the day he first laid eyes on Mina Harper five years ago. There was only one problem: She was happily married. Then, when Mina's husband was killed by a drunk driver, Will figured she'd want nothing to do with a guy who owns a whiskey distillery. So he's kept his feelings locked away, knowing that not even a Christmas miracle would be enough to melt Mina's heart. . . Mina believes her days of true love are behind her. Since losing her husband she's kept to herself, content to do her own painting and stay out of the limelight that comes with her famous family. But when, after a freak accident, Will comes to her rescue, Mina can't quite get him out of her mind. As curiosity turns into a fling during Cloud Bay's first Christmas Festival, she finds it harder to convince herself that her feelings for Will are just mistletoe-inspired. Could Mina be ready to lay the past to rest and finally admit that what she really wants for Christmas--and forever--is Will?

Here is a warning, this book in full of ....hmmm questionable perhaps words. So if it is not something you like to read then do not start this one.

However, having said that warning, I had a hard time with the book due to a few points, I was unable to connect with the heroine. I could not help thinking that it would of been a much more enjoyable heart read without all the descriptive colored words. However, giving the author their due, it was an enjoyable plot line and for most an enjoyable story. I am sorry I could not enjoy it more, but perhaps as this is my own failing, others will. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna

This book was downloaded to be reviewer's shelf in error. Did not read this title.

Am loving this series! The writing is good, easy to read and the characters have depth. Cloud Bay sounds wonderful, wish it was real!

Looking forward to Zach's tale :)

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Mina & Will were such whirlwind of sexy energy. An accident on a stormy night brought them together but fear kept them apart. The fear of loss & the guilt of being interested in someone other than he dead husband was holding Mina back from her feelings for Will. Will has decided that he's going to do his best to win Mina over when an unexpected kiss from her gives him hope that there might be something between them. The chemistry between them crackled anytime they were close to one another & when they finally do give in it's a full on fire. The characters in this book & series have a depth that keeps you wanting to see them succeed in love & life. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this series. Definitely recommend.

Charming and enduring, A Season of You is the story of a man who's been in love with a woman for years. She's wealthy, but not pretentious, married young and lost her husband two years later. When she gives him an opening, he doesn't hesitate. Yet, he senses that she's not ready for all he wants to give her. He persuades her to give them until Christmas. What follows are interesting conversations, supportive gestures and hot sexy times. Yes, charming is the perfect way to describe this read. It's perfect for the beach, couch or a lazy day in bed.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Wasn't sure about this book when I first started reading. So glad I continued. Liked the feel of small town and the idea of love at first sight even though it was one sided in beginning. Missed the first book but will definitely be reading it and also the third. First book by this author and she will definitely be on my list of favorite aurtors.

Unfortunately the book wasn’t for me; no review will be publicly posted so no ratings were affected in relation to it.

I read the first book in the series and couldn't wait to read this, the second. I absolutely loved the first book, but didn't quite have the same love affair with this one. I just didn't connect as much with Will and Mina. This was still a very good book, but maybe a tad darker. Mina is determined not to get in another long term relationship because she lost her first husband. Will comes along when she is in desperate need of help and they are thrown together. Will already has feelings for her, but he owns a bar and distillery which basically represents the devil to Mina since a drunk driver killed her husband. The back and forth between them is at times encouraging and at times disheartening. Almost as a byplay, you discover that Will has some trauma of his own. It really doesn't seem to play a big part in the book and that may be what threw me off a little.
Overall, I did really enjoy the book. At the end there was some more info thrown in about Mina and Faith's now deceased rock star father that will certainly send me back for more. Did he have another child they knew nothing about? Who did he give a half million dollars to the week before he died? And the biggest question, who will the next book romance be? I can't wait!

What a great book. I have not read book 1 but you don't have to, to read this book. I really like Mina and especially Will. Though have to say the way I read Mina in my mind, I picture her in her 30s not early 20s. She may be so much older sounding because all she went through in her late teens, early 20s. I liked the Christmas setting in this book. This is a Romance book set at Christmas time and even though it's only October it makes me believe in Christmas Miracles and love. I really look forward to reading the next book in this series.

A Season of You proves the best rewards are the ones that come as a surprise. Emma Douglas guides readers through a tale of broken hearts and shattered dreams. Mina never could have imagined her life without her one true love. Tragedy left her a widow, can fate bring her a new beginning? In a season of miracles and hope, two people find blessings beyond their wildest dreams. Will and Mina tug at the heartstrings while adding magic to the season.

This was a good holiday romance from me. Mina lost her husband to a drunk driver and even though Will has had a crush on her for years doesn’t think he has a chance with her as he runs a whiskey distillery. When he finds her injured and her family out of town he volunteers to care for her. As they spend more time together sparks fly. Will this be a Christmas fling or something more? This read has plenty of steam, emotion and is sweet. I liked it.