Even after a three-year relationship there are times when doubts start popping up. And in TOURIST SEASON Brenda Novak starts right off exposing some of the doubts that Ismay Chalmers has regarding her engagement to longtime boyfriend Remy. Some things just don’t add up and there’s a sort of niggling feeling that has Ismay wondering about certain events in their time together. Now at Remy parents vacation home during a storm Ismay has time to weigh her options. She has uncovered some items that suggest some secrets about Remy.

Brenda Novak deftly introduces tidbits that add a sinister feel to TOURIST SEASON. Just enough creepiness to keep you turning pages rather quickly. Candidly from the start you are not quite sure what would be considered a happy conclusion for this book.

There is an undercurrent of angst, danger, and anticipation of something unexpected throughout much of TOURIST SEASON, just as Brenda Novak wanted. It hooks you right from the start and you can’t help flipping pages looking to see what comes next. Characters are not necessarily as they appear. Events are somewhat elusively described as if we are supposed to look more closely to get the whole picture. Geniously constructed plot.

Windsor cottage in the Mariners. Holds a lot of secrets. Quite innocently Ismay begins to uncover some, rather piece by piece. Things don’t seem to be as they seem. People all have been less than forthcoming, all leaving Ismay questioning her ability to read people. As an attorney this really bothers her. Ismay is staying at her fiancé Remy’s place on the Mariners. Having completed her schooling and passed the bar she is waiting for Remy to finish his medical school exams. The plan is that he will join her, but these plans keep getting more elusive. Unfortunately for Remy this separation gives Ismay time to examine her feelings. And Remy is falling short.

Windsor Cottage caretaker Bo becomes a life saver for Ismay. She also finds him rather appealing, which questions her feelings for Remy. Add to the equation Bastian, Remy’s brother is now also staying at the cottage. Bastian is a piece of work in too many ways to mention.

So Brenda Novak deftly crafts a crime, mystery, romance novel with some dubious characters enhanced by impressive events and secrets for fun. Seems like everyone has a secret or two they would like safely hidden. In TOURIST SEASON Brenda Novak carefully leads us through a maze of events that happened over many years and hopefully gets resolved in the end. Watch out for forks in the road. Another great read by the inimitable Brenda Novak.

I really liked this book. Brenda Novak is a great writer

Ismay just passed the bar and goes to her fiancé cottage to relax for the summer and Remy who is her fiancé will join her in a few weeks after he passes his test to be a dr. The first day she is there a storm comes in causing a blackout. Bo who is the caretaker helps her and they become close. Ismay finds something disturbing in Remy closet and her and Bo try to figure it out. A romantic and suspense novel

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
I loved this book—-Brenda Novak always writes a winner!
Ismay is going to stay at her fiancé house for the summer while he finished his finals. Suddenly a hurricane comes and she is looking for flashlight when she discovers scary items in her fiancé closet.
Bo, the caretakers cottage is ruined in the hurricane so she invites him to stay. A beautiful relationship begins as she helps him fix up the cottage. The closer they get the more her fiancés flaws stand out and when she receives a video she must make a decision. What will she decide?

Ismay has come to Mariners island for some peace and relaxation. She ends up staying in her Fiancée family beach home. On her first night an unlikely storm occurs and Bo the caretaker is sent to make sure she is okay. We the readers get the backstory of Bo and that he is not whom he say he is. Unbeknownst to Ismay she feels comforted that he has make sure she's taking care of. She being alone without her fiancee or his family in the big cottage began making her nervous. While the storm is brewing outside and Ismay is looking for candles/matches she comes across some cringeworthy items in her fiancee room and begins to look at him differently. If that was not enough one of her fiancee family member unexpectedly shows up and her life becomes change by that one change and turn. Although Ismay is the main story I like the substory of her brother Jack and the incident that change his life too.
Ms. Novak Romance Suspense is truly thought proving, intriguing, many twist and turn and truly keep on our toes. To the last end I was still speculating then to be switch around again by who done it scenario. Review on goodreads and eventually will be on amazon.

I HAVE A CONFESSION. I read the end of a book first. My OCD just cannot handle not knowing what happens. Weird, I know.

That said, the cover and title give this book a beachy vibe and it's more so a suspense novel with a hint of romance on the side. If you're expecting a quick beachy read, this isn't for you. BUT, if you're a Brenda Novak fan (and you should be), keep an open mind and read it anyway. I dare say I enjoy her suspense novels more than her romance.

While I could not stand the names of about half the characters, Brenda has a way of creating characters that feel as real as your next door neighbor - it's one of my favorite things about how she writes. A well woven story that flows quickly, you won't want to put it down.

Thank you Netgalley, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6093505797

Ismay just became a lawyer and went ahead to Marinners Island while Remy finished studying for his test. They planned to spend the summer reconnecting.. So many things happened before Remy arrived. A big hurricane on the Island. Alone in the house, Ismay discovers things in Remy's closet. Ismay is confused and scared. No electricity, she was relieved when the property’s caretaker Bo checks on her.
Bo's home is damaged, so they temporarily stay together, and Ismay is feeling very safe.. An unexpected family member shows up and Bo can't stay there. Every time Ismay needs help she turns to Bo, who makes her feel safe and alive. While the family member makes her feel unsettled. Ismay grow close to Bo but she really questions herself because she doesn't know anything about No except that he has secrets. She questions herself on how well does she know her heart.
I honestly recommend this book. Brenda Novak does a great job on keeping you guessing on the outcome of the book.

I received an advance copy of Tourist Season from NetGalley and I’m so excited I did. I could not put it down.
I thought this was going to be a beach read but was totally proven wrong. Oh, sure, there was some romance but the intrigue was spellbinding.
What started off as a vacation for Ismay leaves her embroiled in the past escapades of her fiancé and his twin brother, Bastian. The caretaker, Bo has secrets of his own while Ismay’s brother is trying to find his way after his wife Ashleigh leaves him for another woman. My only issue is that for a woman who has been studying law and just passed the bar, Ismay seems very naive, sheltered and full of self-doubt and maybe, that’s why it works. . #TouristSeason #NetGalley

The hurricane heading for Mariner’s Island isn’t the only one that Ismay Chalmers will have to face this summer! A storm of a different type is heading her way - will it leave devastation in its wake, too?

Things I loved:
✔️new beginnings
✔️hidden secrets
✔️surprises
✔️family drama
✔️mystery to solve
✔️enclosed location (shelter during the storm)
✔️learning to trust one’s heart
✔️seaside setting
✔️light on romance

Ismay Chalmers thinks she has control over her present and future until a hurricane affects Mariners Island and gives her time and opportunity to think about her future. A hidden secret and a caring individual prove to be speedbumps in the path Ismay has laid out for herself.

I could relate to Ismay and the anguish of indecision as she weighed up her choices. I’m hoping we see more of these characters and I appreciated the ‘more mystery than romance’ direction this book took. It’s always good to be reminded that things may not always be as they seem.

I was gifted this copy by Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Thank you to netgalley for giving me a copy to read. I really enjoyed this book. A bit of a thriller and a bit of romance. Ismay goes to the island and Remy is supposed to meet here there in a few weeks for a summer vacation. But before he gets there she starts discovering things about him and his family that makes her question everything.

This is a twisted read by Brenda Novak. Ismay is on a roller coaster of a ride from the moment she arrives in Mariners island. Remy her fiancé, Bastian, Remy’s identical twin brother, Bo the gardener, Jack, Ismay’s heartbroken brother. Their story is twisted and complicated. Very good read. A real page turner, must read. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I feel we will see these pivotal characters in future books. I was given an advanced reader copy of this well written book by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review.

Mystery with a small touch of romance!

I really thought that Tourist Season by Brenda Novak was a romance instead of a mystery. I enjoyed it! Great characters!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book received from Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a not quite thriller, not quite romance novel. Had some twists, but it really fell flat for me. Had a hard time connecting with the characters.

Enjoyed reading this book. It was a light read that kept me engaged. I would definitely recommend this.

wow what a book about visiting an island and finding out that your fiance isn't who he is supposed to be and that he can cheat of on a person . loved the romance but hated the cheating. loved that the brother came with his own issues and I hope that he finds love along with bastin.

I was expecting a summer romance and, while there was a romance, I was pleasantly surprised by the suspense aspect of the story.

Ismay Chalmers is expecting a quiet, relaxing summer at the beachfront cottage of her fiancé’s family on Mariners Island. Quiet and relaxing is the last thing she gets. Upon arrival, the area is hit by a fierce storm that knocks out the power and she has to rely on the caretaker to get the electricity going again. Her fiancé’s twin brother unexpectedly shows up and plans to stay at the cottage with her, making her very uncomfortable. She makes some unusual discoveries while there and uncovers information about her fiancé and his brother that she never expected. She begins to fear for her life and needs to get away from the cottage as quickly as possible. But will getting away be enough to save her?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Brenda Novak's 'Tourist Season' is a captivating novel that seamlessly blends mystery, suspense, and romance. The story immediately gripped my attention with unexpected twists and turns. Ismay Chalmers navigates a disrupted summer and uncovers unforeseen connections as she develops a relationship with the enigmatic caretaker, Bo. Novak's masterful storytelling, rich character development, and the atmospheric oceanfront setting make 'Tourist Season' a compelling read. I couldn't put it down. This book left me eagerly anticipating each surprising revelation. Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for allowing me to read and review.

While Ismay is expecting a relaxing summer at her fiance's family's beachfront cottage, this story is not your typical beach read. A strong storm starts Ismay's stay off with fear, no electricity, and connecting with Bo who is the caretaker of the property. From there, her fiance Remy and his twin brother Bastian check in regularly and start to cause some tension and fear. Ismay wonders if she is starting to uncover some deep secrets about this family, while also building trust with Bo. This book contained a good amount of intrigue and mystery.

I love all of Brenda Novak's books. this one is a good read. I enjoyed the characters and the setting, read in two afternoons.

An intriguing page turner. Some surprises, but also clues provided to suspect the outcomes. Unusual romance and family issues. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

4.5 stars Ismay Chambers is engaged to Remy. They couldn’t be more different people. She just graduated law school and he is about to become a medical resident. They planned to spend the summer at his parent's beach cottage to see if they could once again get close to each other. On her first night, a really bad storm arrives and she loses power. As she was rifling through the house looking for matches she discovers a duffel bag with horrible things in it, making ,her wonder if her fiancé or people in his family are murderers.
What a tangled web of lies and family secrets are uncovered even putting Ismay in danger.
Lots of twists and turns and kept me interested.