**DNF at 24% (Start of Chapter 6)**

This is my first novel in the Cloud Bay series despite it being the third. But I didn't mind because I adore the "in love with best friend's brother" trope and it intrigued me that this was also a second chance romance of sorts. When I dive into a series that's already established, it usually works in my favour and I end up picking up the other novels because I get interested in the previous stories.

Why this one didn't work? I felt lost almost immediately. Keeping Zach's band members and the different bands straight wasn't something I was able do. I felt like I missed a chapter or two where their relationships are explained--and I hate feeling like I should know something innately when I pick up a book (especially one that is toted as a standalone in a series).

I also didn't connect with these characters. I'm all for slow burn romance but nothing was really happening other than the acknowledgement that they had slept together nearly a decade ago. I didn't see the draw these two had towards each other besides physical attraction. Perhaps that would have come in time but when it is labelled as (or at least gives the allusion it is a) second chance romance, I want that tension to be there from the start. I want those lingering feelings to be there, waiting to be built upon.

Overall: I'm sure fans of the previous novels will enjoy this one but for someone new to the series, it didn't convince me to give the other books a read.

Review will post in Dec at http://romrevtoday.com/

NO PLACE LIKE YOU – Emma Douglas
A Cloud Bay Novel, Book 3
St. Martin’s
ISBN: 978-1250-11102-9
December 2017
Contemporary Romance

Cloud Bay, California – Present Day

When she was eighteen, Leah Santelli celebrated her birthday by giving her virginity to Zach Harper, the guy she loved but could never seem to attract. Like his late rock legend father, Zach is always away from Cloud Bay, while Leah has spent nearly all her life working and living on the island. With the annual CloudFest approaching, Leah, who works alongside Zach’s sister Faith in planning for the world-famous event, is stunned when Zach rolls into town with the idea of not only performing at the event, but also wanting to record a solo album. As it turns out, Leah is a producer, and it seems like a good plan to have her work with Zach. But will being this close to the man she is still attracted to be a good idea?

Zach is still trying to find the fame his father had, and is disappointed when the leader of the group he plays for decides to go into rehab—for a year. Returning home to Cloud Bay after being gone for a long time won’t be easy, mainly because Faith is annoyed he missed the last CloudFest. Zach is surprised to learn that Leah is a producer, but takes up the suggestion to use her for his latest singing venture. This means working together—late into the night—and a sexual attraction soon turns into lovemaking. Zach won’t be sticking around, and Leah is aware they can only have a fling, but she can’t resist him.

Leah’s unrequited love for Zach has haunted her adult life, even though she has been married—and divorced—once already. In NO PLACE LIKE YOU, the return of Zach to Cloud Bay is big news because he hasn’t been back in a long time and the festival is right around the corner. He makes tentative peace with Faith and his other sister, Mina, but he still feels like a stranger on the island. Zach is restless and wants to be a big rock star like his late father, but fate has been putting obstacles in his path. He figures a fresh start is needed by recording a solo album. Zach isn’t looking for commitment, and Leah declares she isn’t wanting one. But deep down, they’re falling in love…

NO PLACE LIKE YOU is the third tale in the Cloud Bay series by Emma Douglas about the three Harper siblings who are carrying on the family tradition on Cloud Bay. While the siblings interact with one another in this tale, each book can be read as a standalone without too much difficulty. Zach hasn’t been around much the past few years, but he is always on everyone’s mind while he seeks fame in the music industry. Zach’s sisters, Faith and Mina, have found love (NEED YOU NOW and A SEASON OF LOVE, both out now), but now it’s his turn—with Leah. They have an affable friendship, but a deeper attraction finally bubbles to the surface in NO PLACE LIKE YOU. They plan to keep their fling a secret, but will everyone figure it out on this small island? Zach and Leah might be surprised at the answer.

NO PLACE LIKE YOU is a sizzling tale of hope and perseverance as the attraction between Leah and Zach never really died despite the distance and years gone by. But he has big plans to become famous; can Leah fit into his life? Does she even want to change her quiet lifestyle on Cloud Bay and follow him on his path to stardom? Zach and Leah will need to make some decisions, and readers will be rooting for them to make the right one that involves a happily-ever-after. An engaging story that’s hard to put down, grab a copy of NO PLACE LIKE YOU.

Patti Fischer

Imagine being the child of a rock star. Existing in the shadows of this image and dealing with his past rendezvous. The children of Grey Harper were accidents, same dad different moms, yet they grew up together to support each other. We've met Faith and Nina but this time it's the older brother and rocker-in-the-making, Zach. As he is reconnecting with Leah we learn about their hidden crushes from years ago. Leah has great confidence and lots of spunk, perfect for the music business. They have an understanding that quickly becomes something else. To enjoy this series you can jump in, better in order but not confusing to start here. I received my copy from Netgalley and my review voluntarily.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

This is the story of Zach, brother to Faith and Mina who were the heroines of books one and two of the series, respectively. He’s come back to Cloud Bay for the music festival and to also record a solo album. Leah manages the music studio owned by the three siblings. Leah’s and Zach’s paths cross again and they start a casual relationship.

I like that Leah faces situations head on and that she goes after what she wants. Zach also goes after what he wants but unlike Leah, tends to hurt people in the process.

Since I’ve read the previous book in this series, the setting is familiar as are the characters. Overall, I enjoyed reading this small town romance.

Second chance small town romance between two people who have known each other forever. Zach and Leah are both in the music business- he as a performer and she as an engineer/producer. Their long non-romantic no-strings history belies their true feelings for one another, especially as they are now working together as adults with their other romances in their backstory. Zach is a pretty selfish man and you'll be quite unhappy with him at several points. That said, you know how this one should end so ...It's part of a series but you don't need to have read the earlier books. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm hoping there will be a Cloud Bay #4.

A sweet second chance story that took its time building a connection between hometown girl Leah and returning rocker Zach. While earnestly written, the detailed history of Cloud Bay and its residents kept me, for a long time, from really enjoying the slow lowkey simmer between Leah and Zach. For the first few chapters, more time was spent on Zach's history with his estranged sisters (Faith and Mina from earlier books), reminiscing about his famous musician father or friends, and ruminating about his music career rather than his tepid reunion with Leah. That lack of initial spark threw me for quite a loop and the story never quite caught up.

But as a sweet romance, this is a gentle and enjoyable read for those who enjoy the lulling journey of two people circling each other and their hometown as they find each other again. It was not quite as dramatic or passionate as Will and Mina's story in A Season of You but then again, their story dealt with far more serious topics.

As this is the second Cloud Bay book I've read, I think I'm not quite feeling the Cloud Bay magic. I usually love small town stories but this one never quite grabbed my imagination or heartstrings. I really couldn't figure out why, as this is a quite detailed story where the place plays almost as big a role as the people.

I'm afraid this book was just not for me, i liked the idea but the style of writing made it hard to develop any feelings for the characters

After reading this I found out this is the 3rd in the series. Although I didn’t need to read the others to really enjoy this book. But now I’m going to go read the others just because I enjoyed this one so much.!

A well written story and the third in the Cloud Bay series. Zach Harper has at long last returned to Cloud Bay and Leah Santelli. Zach has spent his life trying to be a successful musician in his own right out of the shadow of his iconic father, but this has made him singleminded and ruthless and has damaged his relationship with his family. Leah has been spinning her wheels on the island for years, she longs to be a successful music producer but something has been holding her back. When they meet again will they realise what's truly important or will blind ambition ruin what might have been?

This was really well written, but I'm afraid I didn't like it as much as the others in the series. I felt that Leah made too little impression on me, and Zach too much! Leah, all things considered, lets Zack walk all over her! Zach on the other had is selfish and self absorbed. Although the characters begin to grow during the story I couldn't shake how infuriating they were and this definitely affected my enjoyment.

A Season of You by Emma Douglas is set in the small island town of Cloud Bay during the Christmas holiday season. The characters in A Season of You appealed to me. The novel features bar owner Will Fraser and widow Mina Harper.
Will has been attracted to Mina for years. He has not acted on his feelings because he understands that Mina is still grieving for her late husband. Mina keeps busy with her family, job and her dog. Will finds an unconscious Mina by the side of the road and takes her and her dog to the local clinic. He offers to drive Mina home and stay the night. The couple begins a tentative friendship when Mina brings Will thank you cookies and discovers that her dog chewed the leather seats in Will’s car while she was in the clinic.
A talented artist, Mina has been obsessed with painting the ocean since her husband died. Mina’s work reflects her solitary nature and her deep emotional feelings about her husband’s death. The paintings depict crashing waves and stormy seas. Loved the symbolism used in the novel as there are no paintings with calm seas or people in the studio. The author crafted a perfect “AH HA” moment for Mina and a turning point in the novel when she asks Will if she can paint him.
Enjoyed the pace of the story, although there was chemistry between the couple, the romance between them developed slowly. Will let Mina set the tone and tempo of their relationship. He truly cared for Mina and did not want to rush her or make her feel uncomfortable. Emma Douglas crafted this important piece of the couple’s journey perfectly. I loved their first date- painting plywood Christmas trees and candy canes for the town’s holiday celebration. The conversations between Mina, her sister Faith and her step mother Lou were fabulously written. Am hoping the author has a story for Lou planned.
The conclusion to the novel caught me by surprise! There were several unexpected plot developments which were woven in the last few chapters. I am looking forward to seeing them resolved in the next Cloud Bay book.
I enjoyed A Season of You very much. It’s the perfect blend of romance, family, friendship and new beginnings.

This book has an interesting storyline and is the third book in A Cloud Bay series. Although, I really liked the plot, I didn’t like the main characters, Zach and Leah, especially Leah. I thought they both were very selfish and only focused on their own needs and wants rather than care about anyone else. It especially put me off Leah from the beginning of the book. It was enjoyable to meet the older characters that I really enjoyed from this series. The chemistry between Zach and Leah is pretty good but I felt as if something was missing in between the two of them.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

“No Place Like You” is book three of the Cloud Bay series and I think is the sexiest.

It features rock musician Zach Harper, who’s come home to Lansing to record a solo album. He also needs to make amends with sisters Faith (“Need You Now”) and Mina (“A Season of You”). On the professional-side, Zach needs to find a producer for his music and, while his friend Eli agrees to assist on a couple songs, Zach is surprised Leah Santelli wants to work with him on the rest.
Leah is Faith’s best friend and has had a crush on Zach for a long time. When she was eighteen, knowing he was going to leave the island, she propositioned him. Now with Zach back, she wants to up her status in the music industry yet keep her heart to herself because she knows he’ll only leave again.

The chemistry between these two sizzles and the story shines. Though there is a story arc about the father Grey Harper that continues from the first two books, Ms. Douglas doesn’t make the reader feel left out if they haven’t read the others (though you’ll want to!).

“No Place Like You” has a surprise twist at the end, giving the assumption there are more Cloud Bay books to come. This reader hopes there are.

Since that night with Zach Harper, Leah Santelli has lived a lifetime of experiences, marriage, divorce and a budding career as a music producer. Now he has come home, a successful rockstar looking to break out on his own. All he needs is a producer, but even as he rebuffs the idea of using unknown Leah for a big name in the business, they begin a friends with benefits relationship that may end in heartbreak for a career that may never get off the ground and the another chance lost with Zach.

NO PLACE LIKE YOUby Emma Douglas is a second chance type romance that sometimes had me shaking my head. Two people, both seeking the same goals, one desperately trying to convince the other how well they work together, because in their small island town, they do, while the other is more consumed with his career, completely missing the forest for the trees. When things don’t go his way for his big breakout plans, his selfishness could cost him more than he ever bargained for.

This contemporary romance is good, I haven’t read the others in the series, but I don’t feel I missed any major background. That said, while the plot flowed along, it just didn’t scream, OMG at me with that I have to keep reading vibe! For those who like an easy read with some higher levels of angst, I think you’ll enjoy the small town feel where everybody knows your name and whose shadow you live in.

I received an ARC edition from St. Martin's Paperbacks in exchange for my voluntary review.

Series: Cloud Bay - Book 3
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (December 5, 2017)
Publication Date: December 5, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

The review for this book was sent directly to the publisher.

Leah Santelli grew up with a crush on Zach Harper but he was the son of a rock legend and her best friend's older brother. Worst of all, he was leaving their island home for a music career. Before he left and on her eighteenth birthday, they got together for a sexual encounter. Time passed but now Zach is back home in Cloud Bay and Leah is finding that her feelings for Zach never really went away.

Zach is home to begin his own solo musical career after the lead singer of the band he was with decided that he wanted to take a year off. Leah, meanwhile, has become a sound engineer and wants to be a producer. At first Zach turns her down because he has feelers out to better known producers. But after being turned down by one and not liking the way the other arranged his music, he and Leah begin working together to produce Zach's solo album.

The two of them find it hard to work together because of the mutual sexual tension. Leah proposes that she and Zach have a no-strings affair while he is on the island. She doesn't want to risk her heart on a man who will be leaving. Zch first turns her down and then accepts and they begin their secret affair and collaboration on his album. Everything is going well but Leah is finding it harder and harder to remember that their affair has an expiration date.

This was an entertaining romance and is the third book in the Cloud Bay novels. The first two tell about Zach's sister's romances. The sisters, especially Faith, are strong side characters in this story. I want to read about their romances too. The final few lines of this romance set up the next book in the series.

Fans of a nice, not too graphic, romance will enjoy this series.

I'm really enjoying this music-based series on a small island, it just keeps getting better and better.

This time the elusive rock star Zach returns home to face the music with his sister Faith, as he cancelled out of the music festival she organises, Cloudfest, at the last minute last year. This year everything has changed because the lead singer from the group he is in has decided to 'have a break' and so the band is in limbo, with no-one knowing if they will get back together, so Zach is branching out on his own and returns to Cloud Island to work on his debut album.

Leah runs the recording studio on Cloud Bay and has always held a torch for Zach. They had a one-night stand on her 18th birthday when she propositioned him and he accepted. Since then Zach left the island to pursue his music career, Leah got married, then divorced, and now they are both back on the island with no ties but a lot of heat still between them.

Zach is looking for a producer for his new album and, eventually, starts working with Leah who is now producing and trying to make a name for herself. Of course nothing ever goes to plan and Zach makes a mistake, but remedies it before it is too late.

I did expect a certain person from books 1 & 2 to be in this book with a surprise for everyone, but she wasn't in it at all! So I obviously either got that wrong, or she'll be in a later book, very intriguing. I think these books really need to be read in order to get the whole story, but especially this one as there is another bombshell right at the very end with a new person arriving. So now we have to wait until the next book to read about this person. Can't wait! Very enjoyable series.

Oh I love this series, it just keeps getting better and better. Zach & Leah were so sexy & strong & vulnerable it was beautiful. Both were looking for something that would put them on the course of their dreams. Zach's return wasn't expected but it would start to mend fences with his sisters, especially his sister Faith who he'd seriously let down. Leah was looking for the chance to make a name for herself in the music world as a producer but never thought that her chance might come from Zach. What she also didn't expect was for her feelings to still be so strong for him. Zach also can't believe what seeing Leah again does to him. They begin both a professional & private relationship with an ending date that neither of them wants to come but both know it will. When Zach's plans for his future are derailed by someone close it also changes his relationship with Leah & sets a path of heartache for both of them. This story was well worth the read & a definite recommend.

First book for me by this author.

Even though I haven't read any other books in this series I had no trouble reading this as a standalone. I liked the small town feel and the music side of the story along with the characters. It was an easy read but I feel it just lacked a little something special.

I have reviewed "No Place Like You" By Emma Douglas for ReaderToReader.com where it will remain on site indefinitely. If there are any questions or concerns please contact Vickie Denney at: Vickie@ReaderToReader.com.
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Contemporary Fiction -- Release Date: December 5, 2017

We return to Cloud Bay, California where Leah Santelli has spent her whole life. She's recovering from a failed marriage, but when her best friend, Faith mentions her brother, Zach Harper, a rock star, is due home Leah can't help but remember the night of her eighteenth birthday. Leah always had a crush on Zach but that night she lost her virginity after asking him to be her first. Even though she later married another, she still carried a soft spot in her heart for Zach.

Now he's back to right some wrongs and to cut a solo album. Leah, a record producer hopes Zach will hire her. She decides to put her feelings aside for the sake of her career, and she and Zach spend long evenings in the studio. Soon her desire for him rekindles hitting her full force. She takes a chance and suggests a fling, understanding he will be there for only a short time.

They decide to keep their affair private, but living on a small island makes it almost impossible. Leah, hoping to get Zach out of her systems, falls for him harder.

Zach mends fences with his family after being away so long, and Leah now owns his heart. But what about his career? Leah does not want to leave her home, which causes a dilemma because he feels he must go.

Zack departs with hardly a "good-bye" leaving Leah heartbroken for the second time. Emotions play a big role in every life and "No Place Like You" expounds on many as well as giving insight into the recording business making this a delightful read.

This is the last novel in the Cloud Bay series. Full disclosure: It’s the only one I’ve read, but it works perfectly as a standalone. Leah Santelli has always had feelings for Zach, a rock musician, so when he comes home to record some songs, she’s all-too-anxious to be his producer. She chides herself, saying this could be her big break in the music business. And then lots of monkey business ensues after hours. So when Zach leaves town suddenly, she’s devastated. Does he come back for her or not? I’ll let you read this romance novel to find out. The story flows smoothly and quickly. Well-drawn characters and a vibrant setting make this a strong and very readable novel. I highly recommend it to all romance readers.