New series? Lots of characters to keep straight as this fast paced story begins. Not a cozy romantic story that one may assume since the main characters were an item in the past. All the corporate and business drama was not a hit for me.

3.5 stars for location!

When a man from Rae's past turns up again in Fortunate Harbor, she is surprised and confused, ready to defend. Instead of defending herself, she winds up becoming his attorney, representing him and his company in a property acquisition that no one saw coming.

I felt this book moved a bit slow for me. It was interesting, but had some characters and plotlines that seemed beyond possibility. Curtis is a good man who was dealt a rough hand in life, and his approach was stoic. I'm sure some people were rooting for Curtis and Rae to resume their long-ago relationship, but you'll have to read it to find out what really happened. International intrigue, conspiracies, corporate espionage and greed are all present in this book, makes for interest.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

This is what I hope will be the first of many stand-alone stories based in North Carolina's Outerbanks. Having read several of Davis Bunn books, this one fits with what I've come to expect. It's an enjoyable read with some interesting twists, a bit of intrigue (not as much as some of his books), and characters with flaws dealing with a past. Sometimes, it was a bit slow, but overall, it was a well passed story that had some interesting twists.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Set sail for South Carolina's Fortunate Harbor. While a picturesque setting, rough waters are circling. Childhood friends Rae and Curtis are at the epicenter of this storm as the hotel threatens residents' livelihoods. Curtis facilitates as go between the hotel group and his childhood home while Rae 's relationship with the former hotel developers and law degree afford counsel to both sides of the spectrum

When a shark emerges, Curtis steps in to protect his mentor from being swindled by a relative. Will Curtis and Rae fan the flames of their past or has the years extinguished their love? Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #FortunateHarbor in exchange for an honest review. Commencing the novel, I expected a lighthearted read while Davis Bunn cleverly connects the past and present to forge the characters' futures.

Davis Bunn certainly knows how to captivate a reader. I understand this is the first in a series of stand alone novels. The setting was idyllic. There was light, natural, clean romance. Intrigue and suspense. All of this kept me wanting to turn the pages. The characters were well developed and easy to picture in the mind’s eye. The author is so descriptive, he enlisted all of my senses. The intense scenes had me on the edge of my seat. I loved the conclusion. Highly recommend.

I was blessed with an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

1⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advanced copy of Fortunate Harbor.

In the outer banks of North Carolina residents are upset that a resort has been built in their town. Curtis has always considered North Carolina home even though after his father’s death his mother remarried and moved him away but almost twenty years later he is back and his first love Rae is still there.

I feel like the cover and the synopsis is very deceiving because it is stated as a romance when it felt more like a legal drama. It was very boring and dry and had way too many characters to keep track of. It was not for me.

i think i could come to really like coming back to this series. there is certainly more id like to know after reading this book. questions i have linger too much to now have to wait lol. the scene setting was done so well. i felt like i could smell,taste and see every part of the area. it was like i was drawing a 3d map of the place in my head.
Rae and Curtis were great characters. i love hearing and learning about their past whilst also watching with curiosity how they would handle being reunited now Curtis was back.
not only was he back but he was back to take on the whole community who isnt happy with what his employers want to di. which is build a huge ocean front resort. he is to be the manager and in doing so has to try and manage the community.
Rae also has her own issues to deal with at work and is currently trying to deal with a mans estate that is under threat.
the chemistry between the two was perfectly described.
the book holds a whole host of characters but i never felt overwhelmed and a fair few of them id certainly like to get to know more. perhaps even have stories of their own.
there is loyalty, tests and tensions in this book. and you get to the end definitely wanting more. its a very smooth start to a new series but holds itself on its own perfectly.

This is the first Davis Bunn book I've read - I thought it was a little slow starting, but I enjoyed the story.

Set in the Outer Banks, Curtis Gage is back in town as the manager of a huge, 5 star resort that the local folks hate. He's trying to get on their good side and is trying to make things right with the locals, too. Local attorney, Rae, and Custis are childhood sweethearts. She's trying to find a missing landowner that she's power of attorney for, in order to sell the property. It's a twisty little story and was enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

An engaging novel. Small town with big issues. Did not end the way I wished, but that is life. I would like to read more about the characters in Fortunate Harbor. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy. My review is voluntary.

An interesting book I thought would be more of a contemporary romance like a Jill Shalvis, but managed to be an interesting mix between Picoult, Grisham, and Sparks. Felt confused and left in the dark for a lot but enjoyed the different writing style and approach to the genre.

An incredible story of families, fortunes, friendship, and deep abiding love. There is definite intrigue when Curtis Gage returned after twelve years. He immediately engages his teen love, Rae Alden, as his corporation’s lawyer. From there the story rockets into controlled actions by Curtis with unstated motives becoming clear with each chapter. An exciting and intriguing novel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Its 1837 setting in Toronto, Canada, appealed to me. James Kinney tries his best to take care of his daughter after the death of his wife. There was a lot to learn, though, about his daughter becoming a lady. This was beyond his capabilities. He has enrolled Evie in this finishing school, where she meets Sara Oconner, the laundress at the school. Evie requests her assistance in studying French. Not only does she learn French from Sara, but she also gains the confidence and courage she needs to continue going to that school.

After learning of his daughter's mistreatment at school, Mr. Kinny searches for different ways to teach her. Evie urges her father to appoint Sara O'Connor to be her governess. When her father has to travel out of town for work, he agrees.

Everything goes well until he discovers that there will be a crisis in his household. What should he do? Make Sarah his ceremonial wife. Will she agree to be his wife in name only? He hoped so. He was unable to contain his own excitement. He had to remind himself that it was important to have Sara O'Connor educate his daughter.

Sara would love to enter a marriage of convenience so she’d still be able to tutor Evie and continue her friendship with James. But once James finds out her secret, he’ll hate her. What to do?

This is a fun marriage-of-convenience historical novel with the right mix of love, faith, and adventure. If you are a fan of Julie Klassen, Laura Frantz, and Tamara Alexandra, you’ll love this novel.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

This book had a great story line and characters you could relate to. There is a mystery a love story and family.. the book is set in the Outer Banks and the author draws a picture for you that makes you feel like you are there. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Davis Bunn’s newest book Fortunate Harbor takes place on the Outer Banks in North Carolina. The novel follows Curtis Gage as he returns home after a many year absence. He has come to open a new five star hotel and calm the locals who have been disgruntled by the current manager.

Rae Alden had a chance to leave her hometown and move into a larger, more prestigious law firm, but she stayed. Now her old boyfriend is back, and she is left wondering about the direction of her life.

Adding to the drama is the hotel itself - really the company that owns it. They are presently going through a corporate fight for control that is set up to take out Curtis and his present bosses and change the landscape forever.

Rae and Curtis are both determined to find a path to allow the hotel to be part of the landscape, stay relevant in good hands, and save the corporation. Curtis and Rae also need to let go of the past to move to the future.

I loved this novel. I loved the characters (even when I didn’t like them) and the storyline was superb. I didn’t want the book to end. According to what I read, this novel might be the first of many from the Outer Banks. I am so happy. Fortunate Harbor by Davis Bunn was a fantastic read that I whole-heartedly recommend.

Curtis discovers that while you can go home again but not everything will be the same, not even your one time love Rae, in this atmospheric novel set at a resort in North Carolina. Curtis is managing the resort, Rae is now an attorney. They are coming at things from different angles but then discover that, once again, they are a good team. There's real estate, there's pirate lore, and there's romance. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

I did not anticipate the ending here. Curtis Gage returns to the Outer Banks and works with his high school sweetheart, now an attorney. Gage is trying to fix the reputation of the exclusive hotel he represents, but someone wants to ruin the effort. A lot of introspection bogged me down, but I keep coming back to Davis Bunn books.

Fortunate Harbor is another good story from one of my favorite authors, Davis Bunn. Strong, vibrant characters and an intriguing plot make for a poignant story that does not disappoint. The vivid setting details enable the reader to be 'right there' in the story. It was interesting to see the legal and community machinations that building a resort in a beloved community requires. The romance elements in the story are engaging, yet surprising. I have enjoyed other books by this author, and this one met my high expectations. It's a book not to be missed.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Kensington Publishing through NetGalley and was not required to write a review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Thank you Kensington Publishing, Netgalley, and to the author for the ARC of this novel!

This novel was really good, and kept me entertained throughout. I have always loved this authors writing style and definitely felt the same way about this one! I really enjoyed Rae and Curtis? This is a former childhood lovers novel. It is great and I cannot wait to see what else this author has in store for us!

Meet Rae Alden, a lawyer and proud resident of her hometown in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Enter = no re-enter Curtis Gage her childhood sweetheart, whose mother moved him a way 19 years before. Now back as the Assistant Manager of an ocean front resort not really loved by the locals. Mix together the two former sweethearts, a town proud of its heritage and land, and a business expanding into their territory and tension exists. Rae is handling the legal business of a missing resident whose home is about to be sold for back taxes. Add talks of maps, treasure along with the agenda of the resort owners and you have a very engaging romantic story that is the first of a series by Davis Bunn. This is the first novel I’ve read by the author, and I'll be seeking more. I thoroughly enjoyed Fortunate Harbor, its characters (though many) and will be looking for the next installment. Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for the ARC

Fortunate Harbor by Davis Bunn ⭐⭐⭐⭐

What's not to love...The Outer Banks and second chances. Two of my favorite things. Lol

An intense fast paced with many characters to keep up with novel that ends with a cliffhanger so hopefully the author releases another book.
Bunn tells a good story but not a favorite of mine.