“Paradise Cove” by Jenny Holiday
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2nd book in the Matchmaker Series
Thank you @netgalley and @jennyholiday for allowing me to read this before it’s release on 7/28/2020! Out of all my requests this is one of my favorites! I loved Mermaid Inn and can’t wait for #3!
The reason I love her #contemporaryromance books is because the characters have substance. The book doesn’t revolve strictly around the romance. You get to see the characters evolve throughout the book!
________________
Dr. Nora Walsh gets dumped by her high-end doctor boyfriend of five years and wants a fresh start. She gets an offer she cannot refuse. She figured taking over a medical practice in small town Matchmaker Bay is exactly what she needs and she only had to commit for two years. What she isn’t expecting is a town full of caring and fun people. She is instantly drawn to the town’s hospitality especially big hunky mermaid man Jake. He’s quiet, mysterious, and kind. They become fast friends, but can’t deny their attraction. Jake Ramsey is a complicated man with a tragedy story. Nora seems to get him out of his shell and open up in ways he thought he couldn’t. The town falls in love with Dr. Walsh and can’t imagine her leaving in two years. Jake is finding he feels like same.

Right from the beginning, Paradise Cove drew me into the story and made it so I didn’t want to put it down! Jake, who is known to be quiet and reserved, is instantly drawn to the new town doctor, Nora, who is here on a temporary, 2-year time frame, to find herself after a bad breakup. Being someone who people see as grief stricken, after the loss of his young son, Jake isn’t known to go out of his way to get to know people. There is something about Nora that he can’t put his finger on, but he can’t stay away.

The relationship that Jake and Nora begin to build, first as a friendship, then as something more, is sweet, charming, and a true love story in the making for these two characters. I loved how realistic Jenny Holiday was able to portray the emotions that these two held, as individuals, and even more as they begun to open up to each other. I always appreciate a series where you can still see characters from prior stories, and this one didn’t disappoint. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

Paradise Cove is the second book in the Matchmaker Bay series but it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel.This installment in the series was an engaging, quick read.

The characters were endearing. I loved the friendship that grew between Nora and Jake, and the slow build of their romantic relationship. I really felt we got to watch them fall in love- even though it took them a long time to recognize those feelings.

I wouldn't exactly call their story a "light beach read" as grief/grieving/loss/healing is a huge part of both main characters lives. That's not to say it's an entirely heavy read, the story was also charming, fun, witty, and sexy.

I enjoyed Nora and Jake's journey in Paradise Cove, and I look forward to reading about some other secondary characters in future books!



TW/CW: Child loss
______

*Complimentary copy for review provided by Forever Romance Publishing. All opinions expressed here are honest and entirely my own.

Special thanks to Read Forever for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.

After reading & loving Mermaid Inn, Paradise Cove is like a trip home. I love heading back to Matchmaker Bay & catching up with old friends. Although this the second book in the series, you can read them as a standalone. The setting is familiar, warm & fuzzy. I'm ready to meet the new girl in town.

All the women in this community are Steel Magnolias. They are each so strong. Jenny Holiday writes such well-defined characters, that I know how each person may think or feel. We really get insight into each & every person. I wish these characters & these relationships would keep going in the series for a long time to come. Jenny's characters are consistent & authentic. I love it. Yet, somehow Jenny still surprises me!

I have a feeling I already know the characters in book 3 & I can't wait for it! Read this is you want a feel-good read & or you love the TV show Hart of Dixie. I can't wait for more Matchmaker bay books!

This was a cute book! I did feel like it was sometimes predictable, but loved that it was a carefree, easy and a fun read.

It was a story about starting over, love, friendship, redemption and forgiveness with some small town charm as a bonus. I loved how Holiday was able to bring all of that together seamlessly making it a great book to escape into!

Paradise Cove is a feel good read. Nora moves to the cove for a fresh start. She has let her partner dominate her life until he betrayed her. On a whim she leases a medical practice and thinks she'll be ready to move on in two years. The first person she meets is Jake. He has deep wounds, a little boy who's demise still tears him up. I liked reading about the Canadian side of the Great Lakes. I liked that Kerrie, Jake's ex, helps him with his heal,one and cheers him on in his new relationship with Nora. The cover art makes me want to jump into it.

Jenny Holiday delivers an emotional and nuanced small town contemporary romance with Paradise Cove. Many thanks to NetGalley, Forever and Jenny Holiday for the chance to read a digital ARC of Paradise Cove in exchange for this honest review.

In desperate need for a life reset, Dr. Nora Walsh moves to Moonflower Bay to run a small family clinic for two years while saving money for her goal of purchasing a home in Toronto with her sister. Major brownie points for Jenny Holiday accurately portraying how brutal the Toronto real estate market is. Part of this life reset includes a time out from men, and who can blame her after being cheated on by her boyfriend of five years, but the one thing Nora wasn't counting on was Jake. He might be a man of few words to most of the town, but Nora inspires Jake to open up about a loss that forever changed the course of his life.

Since both Nora and Jake are suffering from broken hearts, they agree to strike up a friends-with-benefits relationship. With Nora in town for only two years and Jake's determination to avoid romance at all cost, being friends-with-benefits seems like the perfect plan. What will they do when they start to realize their feelings for each other go beyond friendship?

Jenny Holiday does a wonderful job of painting the town of Moonflower Bay and its colourful residents so readers can't help but want to stay there for a while and bask in the small town charm. I especially loved the way she built the friendship between Nora and Jake. They definitely had an instant connection (and attraction) from their first meeting but they spend months actually falling for each other. I also loved that Jake was described as Aquaman throughout the book!

With that said, I felt the pacing was a bit off (for my tastes at least). I whipped through the first few chapters but then I slowly started losing interest. I also needed more of a grovel from Jake. I don't want to give anything away but he says something during the black moment that I personally feel is truly unforgivable. I'm happy he and Nora worked everything out, but I definitely wanted him to work more for her forgiveness. Again, this is just a personal preference so other readers might be total fine with his grovel.

Paradise Cove is the second novel in the Matchmakers Bay series. I started the series with this novel and can happily confirm that it can easily be read as a standalone novel. I'll be going back to read the first novel, Mermaid Inn, and look forward to the third novel coming out in spring 2021.

Loved this feel good summer romance! Perfect read to imagine we were at the beach! I adore Jenny’s books and cannot wait for future ones!

I want to move to this little shore town! I really enjoy these characters and the town. I have the previous books and enjoyed this addition. Looking forward to more in this series!

This is book is so much more than a romance. It is well written and holds your attention. It has the full range of emotions and you can feel every one of them. Just be warned, when you start reading this book you won't be able to put it down. Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I just loved Paradise Cove so much! Jenny Holiday is quickly becoming my favorite romance author. I just love the small town atmosphere that these books have. I loved revisiting all the characters from Mermaid Inn. I cannot wait for the third book so we can see Maya and Law's story. I have a feeling it will be my favorite so far!

Jake and Nora's emotionally charged story is the third in Jenny Holiday's Matchmaker Bay series. Nora is starting over with a new practice in a small town far away from her cheating ex. Quiet hero Jake is reeling from the death of his young son, This unlikely romance slowly building as friendship evolves into so much more. I was so deeply moved by this honest take of love and loss. Jake is a hero for everyone to fall in love with.

CW: child death, cancer, pregnancy

Paradise Cove is Jenny Holiday's best book to date! It was awesome and it deserves more than the 5 stars I can give it!

Nora Walsh has moved to Moonflower Bay to take over the doctor's office. Her plan is to stay for two years and then move back to Toronto to be closer to her family. She's just come out of a five year long relationship and she's looking to reset her life and to take a break from relationships. She's independent, and being a city girl, she's not sure that this small town where everyone knows everyone, and everyone's business, is going to be great beyond the two years she's promised.

Jake Ramsey has a construction business with his friend, but he is also one of the most generous people in Moonflowr Bay. He's always there to help when anyone needs it, however he's also withdrawn and is still dealing with one of the most painful losses than anyone can endure, the loss of his young son. He's one of those guys that doesn't speak much and he tends to keep to himself at his secluded cabin. He doesn't have a phone and he isn't into all of the social events that go on around town.

Nora and Jake continue to run into one another around town and when Jake realizes she needs help with some things around her house, he's more than happy to help fix them up. The two enter into a comfortable friendship, one that allows both of them to open up to one another, which darn near never happens with anyone else. Eventually the enter into a friends-with-benefits agreement, but the question is how long can they keep it quiet in a small town like Moonflower Bay?! Are they really going to be able to keep feelings from entering the equation? And, will Nora really be able to leave all of these people in town she's come to care for?

This book was wonderful on so many levels. The friendship that Nora and Jake formed, the intimacy they shared in general was second to none and I loved the exploration of Jake's grief and how he handled it. The addition of the other characters helped to enrich the story as well, including Nora's grandma.

Without question this is one of my favorite books so far of the year. Do yourself a favor and pick it up. Now I just have to be patient in waiting for book three!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Paradise cove is a delightful romance. Well written and entertaining plot with a great cast of quirky characters. Nice beach setting. Romance readers will enjoy this book. I received an arc from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

What a great, easy and engaging read that is perfectly light hearted. Dr. Nora Walsh moves to small town Paradise Cove after a messy breakup with her doctor boyfriend in the big city. Small town life is quite different though, because here in Paradise Cove, everyone knows everyone and their business. Insert Jake Ramsey, a hot local that grew up in town, but struggles with his own grief stricken past. Jake and Nora become fast friends, and realize maybe they can both benefit from not just a friend, but a friend with benefits. Their quest to keep this relationship silent though, leads to more than either bargained for. Without spoiling the end, it is delightful to read Jake and Nora’s story of figuring out what they want in life and whether or not that involves each other!

I received an advanced copy of Paradise Cove from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars

Just the opening chapter of this book alone had me hooked! A long-haired, big-framed, and quiet, fisherman/carpenter and a short-haired, petite, and straightforward doctor; their meet cute at the town’s hair salon and the almost one-sided conversation that developed into comfortable companionship. There’s no question that I’m smitten with Jake Ramsey and Nora Walsh! 😁

PARADISE COVE is a sweet and poignant romance of two souls coming over a tragedy and flop in (their) life. Nora Walsh came to Matchmaker Bay on the heels of her broken relationship, temporarily taking over the medical service at the small town while saving money for a future plan with her sister. Jake Ramsey was a born and raised local with a tragedy of his own. The two struck a friendship and before long what started as friends with benefits developing into more and involving deeper feeling.

This is my first Jenny Holiday’s books and I really enjoyed her way with words; the lively portrayal of Matchmaker Bay town-folks, the easy camaraderies between them - especially Jake’s close circle of friends that soon adopted Nora in their midst. Jake and Nora were such opposite characters yet complimented one another. I loved how easy the connection between them developing though unhurriedly so. The alternate POVs between them allowed us into their heart and mind, their perception toward one another.

Jake and Nora’s courting was a joy to follow; it was cute, fun, sad, exhilarating and everything in between. The two best friends who talked about anything and everything - which was HUGE considering Jake didn’t talk much - and how comfortable they were in each other’s company. The ease with which they shifted into bonding relationship was just so fun and made for some adorable moments! I laughed, smiled, and sniffled along with them while they waded through juncture after another.

And boy did I enjoy the dynamics of the town as a whole; what’s dubbed as typical small-town nosiness and close-knit community vibe and the eclectic, quirky personas. This installment also hinted heavily on the possible couple for the next book and - if my hunch is proven true - after the insult they traded each other any chance they got in here, I can’t wait to find out what awaits them in the following entry. Without a doubt, PARADISE COVE and “Matchmaker Bay” series is one of my best read of the year so far; and easily becoming my favorite series. I’ll be sure to check out Jenny Holiday’s backlist titles after this.


Copy of this book is kindly given by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a fabulous book this is! Through every emotion on all ends of the spectrum from heartbreak to happy tears, I felt them all while reading. Paradise Cove explores grief, new beginnings, and precious romance. The witty banter is a perfect companion to the plot and this small town romance entertained me from the first page. Dr. Nora Walsh experienced an epic breakup and decides to make a major life change by taking over a medical practice in a small town called Matchmaker Bay. This is temporary in her mind. However, upon meeting Jake Ramsey, also broken-hearted, she begins to wonder if life could take a different turn. This story is full of wonderful interactions between lovely characters and follows a welcome pattern of Hallmark type romance as we see the action that unfolds. I was entertained and delighted around every turn of the page and I recommend this to the fullest! You will not be sorry you picked up this wonderful book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever Pub for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Nora Walsh is ready to start a new chapter in her life after she finds her long-term boyfriend had cheated on her. When she happens across the need for a doctor in Matchmaker Bay she decides to sign a two-year agreement to begin again. In her first few days in town she meets Jake Ramsey, the burly town hermit, who quickly becomes her confidant and best friend. Nora's arrival in town ends up being the start of a new chapter in Jake's life as well as he finds someone he can converse with and talk about the tragic death of his son, Jude, years before from the flu when he was less than a year old. Although Jake and Nora want anything than love, they agree to a friends-with-benefits situation in secret. Do they become more or are they destined to just be temporary fixes for each other due to their shared fear of new relationships?


Paradise Cove is the second book in the Matchmaker Bay series and can easily be read out of order. It's a perfect beach read reminiscent of Debbie Macomber and Robyn Carr. Paradise Cove is pretty steamy and an open door romance. I loved the setting of Matchmaker Bay and the characters it introduces. It's perfect when one wants a light read that will take them away from the worries of their everyday life. I'm looking forward to the third book in the series, hopefully out in 2021, and reading Mermaid Inn, the first book in this series (out now).

Rating: 3.5 stars

what a terrific and hearbreaking read! I really loved it. I though it was just so fantastic -- really emotional and one of the few friends-to-lovers plots I really believed.

My only issue, kind of a big one, is the part where Jake says his first lover was an older woman, which fine, no big deal. The Mrs. Robinson joke was funny --- until he says she was 34 and that it was before his junior year of high school when he was 17. TOO YOUNG and I was actually really upset by it. I hope they really rethink that in the final version and make him 19 or 20. The only thing it adds to the narrative is some seriously icky feelings.

Really cute book! Love how two hurt & broken people learn to lean on each other to heal & fall in love.