This novel can be read as a standalone.

The first book in this series (Miramar Bay) didn't appeal to me very much, I admit. It's a "feel good" novel, but I missed a more significant moral conflict. But this seconds novel in the series is fascinating! Yes, it could be written in a more dramatic way, asking the fundamental questions in a more disturbing way - but its human dimension strikes me as very pleasant and it well balances the questions of death, identity and mental illness that the book deals with.

Unbalanced young Luke with years of therapy under his belt changes after the experience of near death. But how he changes! He claims to be someone else - Lucius, who died decades ago. Of course, his therapist and her supervisor presume mental illness - but Luke / Lucius knows too much about it, and his personality change is remarkable, yet accompanied by inner peace. Is the impossible possible?

We will never know some things from this story. But what I take away is this - miracles are possible and they can happen silently in everyday lives. From smaller (but still huge) miracles, such as the fact that a person finds love, to the possibility of what cannot be explained by reason. It is possible that the past and the present are intertwined, that some words and sentences can be pronounced even after years, that time may not be constant. Because love still abides among us.

A beautiful, balanced, enriching and at the same time rightly disturbing book.
Recommended read.

I know that Davis Bunn is a well-loved author and I had hoped to enjoy this book. I have tried a few times, but the beginning is very confusing and it was difficult to try and figure out if the character was actually alive or dead.

The setting and a few of the characters overlap from book one to two, but this story stood alone, for the most part. Readers won’t be lost if they do not read Miramar Bay first.

Much of the book’s opening (to about 7%) is backstory, which is rather unengaging as it’s mostly telling. Beyond that, the storytelling and prose are strong throughout. Unfortunately deep POV lacked in some areas, with several cliffhangers where readers expect to see reactions and/or deeper emotional explorations. Those cliffhangers reminded me of a screenplay where the advice to writers is to get in late and get out early, regarding scenes. Readers expect a bit more depth and emotional payout in novels, and I felt these end-of-chapter cliffhangers preempted that because readers are kept at a distance. There were also a couple of POV missteps here and there where the POVC somehow knew a different character’s experience.

Lucius is a broken man, and it’s easy to sympathize with him and root for him the whole story. The summary above gives more insight into Jessica’s characterization than I recall in the book, but I appreciated her tenacity and willingness to love unconditionally.

The fantasy/sci-fi aspect surprised me and left me wondering what the author was trying to say. But a second chance? That’s a great hook, especially when that possibility is impossible. There’s a taste of hope in tragedy.

I liked the psychological aspect. And I appreciated the level of research. Though I noticed in Miramar Bay that this author tends to present elements out of order, those instances were still jarring here. (Telling us how someone sounds before they speak or summarizing a scene before he shows us the characters acting out the scene on the page.)

Whenever the story drifted from the central hook (which was Jessica and Lucius and their transcendent love for each other), the story lagged. I skimmed a bit until we returned to this thread.

Overall, I found this novel’s approach to a second chance interesting, if a bit confusing in terms of biblical doctrine. But no one promised us a biblical tale.

Readers who are looking for a clean love story that is outside the box will appreciate this novel.

I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it and I just could not get into this book. I found it to be very depressing.

Romance and past life time travel combine to make this an unusual novel.

In 1969 the doctor tells Lucias Quarterfeld that he is dying and there is no hope for a reprieve. Then forty years later Luke Benoit, who has attempted suicide several times before finally succeeds, or has he? While his body is in the process of being taken to the morgue, he awakes but has no memory of his life as Luke and is convinced that he is Lucias.

Psychiatric professionals wants him institutionalized because of the multiple suicide attempts but he is certainly no longer suicidal and wants to get on with his life. As the story unfolds Lucias tracks down the, now much older, love of his earlier life.

A most enjoyable read.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a preview copy.

Firefly Cove is definitely worth a read. I recommend it and give it 4 stars.

I applaud this author for making such a strange topic seem totally believable, all the way through. When the main character dies but awakens 40 years in the future in a different man's body, I gasped, but was so intrigued I kept reading and reading and reading. Watching him reconnect with his former love who is now elderly and challenging was heartwarming and quite lovely actually. Also watching the young doctor come to terms with her belief in what he was telling her about what was happening to him was very soothing to my spirit.

I was honestly surprised by how engrossed I was in this book.. I am more a fan of the sci-fy fiction than romantic fiction and with the way the story started I was a bit concerned I had picked up the wrong book. But with his usual twists and turns before long I was hooked by Bunn's writing skills and I couldn't put it down. Those who love Bunn will love this series. Those who love good romantic fiction will love this book. Those who love a good twist and on the border fiction will love this book. It's a great story with a great plot and awesome characters. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves to read!

Firefly Cove is such a beautifully written book. I loved the plot, setting and the author's writing. Davis Bunn has such a way of drawing the reader into the story and making the characters seem so real. I highly recommend this book.

Firefly Cove by Davis Bunn is a great read. When the main character became fatally ill early on in the book, I wondered where in the world would the story go now. The unexpected twist was a delightful surprise. Strong, vibrant characters and an intriguing plot make for a poignant story that does not disappoint. Firefly Cove is a story of second chances and an enduring love. I have enjoyed other books by this author and this one met my high expectations. It's a book not to be missed.

I have to dump this one out since I have too many books to catch up this year..

I received this book "Firefly Cove" from Netgalley for my honest review.

I did enjoy reading this book. As you are reading you really don't know what to expect next. The doctor tells Lucius that he is dying and really there is no hope. This was 1969 but the story develops into the future and could Lucius still be alive? The story has some twists and I liked the characters. Could this happen in real life? Lucius getting a second chance with the love of his life? This book will touch your heart.

Wouldn't we all like to be given second chances?
Lucius seems to defeat the odds after doctors tell him his heart is weak and his life may be shortened. He becomes a business owner and finds true love. While spending time with the woman he loves, he suffers a massive coronary and life as he knows it changes. Will he be given a second chance or is his new life a hoax?

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

WOW what an amazing book. I've not read anything by this author before so read this with no expectations at all. It took me a moment to wrap my head around what was happening but I was soon flying through this book absorbing every detail. Not your "normal" romance story right down to the ending and how refreshingly different it was. This story makes you think. Thoroughly enjoyable.

A deeply satisfying read with well rounded characters and a story that touches the heart. I highly recommend this book!

Firefly Cove was my first book by Davis Bunn and I really enjoyed this book a lot. I love fantasy books and this book bordered on being a fantasy. I loved Lucius and how when he woke up he did not go and sit in a corner but started making things work for him. I loved the younger Jessica but not so much the older one, she was a bit hard, maybe it had to do with her age. I am glad that they could reconnect again and that Jessica could do for Lucius what he did for her years ago.
A great read that I would highly recommend, 4.5 stars from me