Cover Image: Refuge Cove

Refuge Cove

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Member Reviews

Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book. This is book two in Janet Dailey's New Americana series. It could definitely be read as a stand alone. It is a good story about the ruthless acts of a con man and how his insanity petrified a lovely young lady. Her hero that keeps her safe makes for a great love story.

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A great read from beginning to end. John Wolf is the great good-guy hero that I need after I've been bogged down in bad-boy romances. Emma is the damsel in distress that, despite her situation, is still smart and independent. They make a great combination, Suspense keeps you turning the page, and even though there aren't any big twists or surprises, it's still an excellent read!

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I really had trouble getting into the book initially and getting caught up in the emotions of the characters. The storyline was good, but it just didn’t stand out in my mind amongst other books in the genre. The blurb was great, but overall the book just fell flat for me.

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Emma had come to Alaska to marry the man of her dreams. Unfortunately that dream turned in to a nightmare as soon as the wedding was performed and now she was running for her life, literally. John Wolf spotted a woman trapped and struggling so he set his plane down in the cove to help rescue her. Little did he know what that rescue would do to his life.

John was a solitary man. He had been an alcoholic and had lost his wife and son to the addiction. He didn't want another relationship, but the more time he spent with Emma, protecting her, the more he wanted. His first priority was to keep her safe from her fake husband and make sure Boone got what he deserved. Would he be able to protect her from a crazy man who was set on revenge or would they all be scarred from the experience?

I really enjoyed this story very much. The story was well written and kept me interested through the entire book. I enjoyed the relationship that developed with John and Emma and David.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.

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Always been a fan of Janet Dailey and in this story, she doesn't disappoint. Set in Alaska, this is a story of hope, love, and the will to carry on even through the worst storm. I loved Emma and her strength, her trust in someone she doesn't know, and her ability to see past her suspicions. Josh adds his story as well and bring forth a perfect romance with a little mystery and intrigue sure to warm the darkest night.

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This was a nice story, but I have to be honest and say that I skimmed through the majority of the book. I suppose I should put it on my DNF pile. I apologize, but I do not want to lie or make up a review. Thank you.

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Feels very, very dated. I couldn't believe that this was a book based in 2017.

This has to be written by a ghost writer, or someone authorised by the late author's family, or it's an old, old book that's had an attempted revamp to make it contemp. It's not a success, but it is readable.

It was very dated and not very believable, despite the tale supposedly being set in 2016/2017. It does have a tale in it, but it feels one dimensional and rather rushed, and with too many little things to muddy the waters. It's a read-and-delete for me, but I won't be picking up any more.

ARC courtesy of Kensington Books and NetGalley, for my reading pleasrure.

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People who fall in love in two days always seem a little fake to me. John Wolf was heroic and brave, and really put his relationship with his son on the line to help Emma. Emma was lucky to have such a champion and people in the town who helped her get back on her own feet. Overall, I enjoyed it.

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REFUGE COVE by Janet Daley. Kensington Publisher
A honeymoon that quickly turned into a nightmare for Emma. Running, and now was sinking in a mass of mud, when John spotted her from his plane. Her story and his past are entwined, did she bring him trouble. She was lonely, waiting home, and babies; now an annulment, and justice, before leaving. What follows is a devious plot of revenge, to a trade if John was willing. Both were important to him, now what. This was a gripping plot set in Alaska, would survival and second changes be for John and Emma. Readers will be caught up, and wonder how she ties it all up, for there are many twists and turns. Given ARC by Net Galley and Kensington Publishers for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

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I enjoyed reading another great Janet Dailey story. Loved the story being in Alaska. The characters had such great chemistry. A little mystery, family and romance. The storyline just flowed along keeping my inyerest. I didn't want it to end.

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This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I love that the setting is in Alaska and there is so much details of Ketchikan. I love romantic suspense books and this one was full of the intrigue along with a bit of romance.

While I enjoyed the drama (the book has quite a bit going on - Emma's fake marriage and Boone's con, John and his estranged son, and their search to find something to bring Boone to justice, there were parts that made me cringe.

It felt like Emma was too desperate to find a husband and didn't question anything that Boone told her - no banks in Alaska??! Who carries $17,000 in cash around? Just when it seems like Emma is a damsel in distress type, she decides to stick around so that Boone can't to the same con on another woman which is what a strong woman would do. But, then she rides her bike away from town when a psychopath is looking for her??

When Pearl tells Emma to not mention that his son is working with her to John, she obediently obeys so John is blindsided when he comes to visit her. But the part that really got me was when Boone tells Emma that it was his brother, Ezra, who killed the previous woman he conned, and she reported that to the police - after all the conning and lies, she believes him!

In spite of the annoying parts, I did enjoy the overall story as they tried to figure out what Boone had been doing and how to stop him. Nice wrap up at the end as John resolves his issues with his son and he and Emma have their HEA.

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Refuge Cove by Janet Dailey was a great story full of both romance and suspense. I was captured by the story from the beginning and found it hard to put down. The story takes place in Alaska, so the descriptions of the surroundings will draw you into the book. Emma and John are the main characters and were well defined plus they both had issues that they were working through. Emma came to Alaska to be married only to find out on her wedding night that her groom was a crazy psycho. She runs for her life and is stuck in the woods. John a small plane pilot sees her on his dissent and saves her from near death. The story continues with suspense to stay one step ahead of the psycho stalker husband trying to follow her. There are twists and turns in the story that will keep you reading. I liked the book and recommend it.

NetGalley provided me with an ARC for my honest opinion.

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Janet Dailey is a name that has become a staple to the romance genre. She continues to write intriguing books with Refuge Cove being an example of this. This Alaskan romance filled with more than a little heart stopping suspense is a gripping read. Emma is a seemingly naïve person, but I liked the woman had a backbone when she found herself in dire straits. John Wolf is more complicated being a man of few words. These two together were memorable.

There is a feeling of desperation that conveys itself to the reader as Emma makes what looks like will become a fatal mistake in coming to Alaska. The opening scene is heart racing, with her safety always in question. So from the beginning I found this to be a page turner. It is also a quick read being a short novel less than 200 pages.

I enjoyed Refuge Cove from beginning to end but found that it had an 80’s feel to it at times. That was not a bad thing.

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From fake marriage to family drama and trouble to intense suspense and murder investigation to a sweet and rather adorable love story, the Refuge Cove was entertaining, had some unique aspects, and definitely an alluring set with Alaskan wilderness surrounding them with its challenges.
Emily Hunter is a school teacher who was lured into a dangerous fake marriage that left her running for her life while losing every single possession she had, including the shoes from her feet. She was hungry for love and family of her own, a bit naive but definitely sincere, honest, kind, and a good person. Her need to be loved was greater than her sense in a moment of weakness with a seemingly charming man, and lead her to run for her life through the Alaskan backcountry. Yet there was a blessing in disguise in the threat to her life as she meets John Wolf.
John had faced his own challenges in life. He was a surviving alcoholic, but before getting sober he lost his young shot-gun wife and the rights to see his son. He enjoys his quiet life and the last thing he needs is a woman in distress, who has connections to his former in-laws. John is such a solid, good, and honest man. He is helpful, sincere, kind, and protective. An easy man to like.
And I liked the story as well and enjoyed the interactions between Emily and John. There was a touch of innocence that was endearing, deep emotions churning, yet a rather rational way of thinking and existing.
John's family life and their history were touching and an important part of John being the good man he is today.
The suspense was rather brutal at times, and the intensity crept up high in several moments through the tale.
The eARC I received could have used little polishing edits with the timeline at some points yet the story itself didn't suffer from that and my enjoyment of the tale was not affected.
With delightfully original themes, intriguing family connections, intensifying suspense and most of all ardent, sweet, and captivating romance the Refuge Cove was a splendid tale easy to enjoy
~ Four Spoons

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I love that each Dailey book is different. The suspenseful twist I wasn't expecting made me nervous and jumpy. Emma is being stalked by a cruel man with a psychopath personality. A very scared Emma was saved by John, a pilot with very loose ties to the stalker. Immediately he's protective of Emma and putting his life on the line for her. The characters were intense with back story and emotions. The scenery described makes me want to travel to Alaska. I can appreciate the details given for each character, location, and history. Another great read from Dailey. I received my copy from Netgalley and wrote my review voluntarily.

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Well I picked this book because Janet Dailey wrote the first book that I read when I was a teenager that had...OMG.... sex in it! I laugh because my mom had the book and I “borrowed” it and hid it in my room to read with the flashlight at night. I was so darn cool! So she will always hold a special lace in my book history.

Well it as a very touching story with quite a bit of drama for sure! I like the characters, but it just seemed like something was missing. Emma did not have the depth of character as John. John went through so much and it stinks that when you make an effort to change someone keeps putting you down again. His ex-wife was so unfair. I am glad he got his HEA. Now the steaminess in Janet Dailey books was not there, unless my teenage self thought kissing was steamy..well I was pretty sheltered then! It really needed more heat.

Ok read. Received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.

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This was a great read with a nice romance wrapped up in suspense and action. With the Alaskan wilderness as the backdrop and some very intriguing characters, the story is one I very much enjoyed.

When a young woman comes to Alaska for a promise of love and a HEA she has no idea the horrors she has just brought into her life. Luckily for Emily, a man who knows this terrain better than most is flying over the marsh she finds herself stuck in. Not only does he get her to safety but provides her the help she needs to get her life right again. As these two spend time together it becomes clear that sometimes you find love in the most unusual places.

I would definitely recommend this one.

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I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.
Emma was literally running for her life. Never having live and support, she followed a man who promised just that, unfortunately, that is not what she got. Instead, she got a monster. How she escaped him was good. Her savior came in the form of John, a bush pilot who sees he stuck and helps her.
John is a strong man, but has had some heart break and doesn't want to go through it again. He offers his place for the night only, but once he finds out who she is tangled up with he can't walk away.
Can Emma trust him once she knows who he is? Can he open his heart again? What about his regret that he carries? Intrigue, not only on the relationship front, but also in what is the regret he carries and can he work through it and just what is the story behind her 'husband'? My only complaints are the declarations seem to come way too fast and we don't know what happens to her money.
Great book.

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