Veena’s review of Dune Drive (Chesapeake Diaries, Book 12) by Mariah Stewart
Contemporary Romance published by Pocket Books 31 July 18
Dune Drive is that perfect read for the summer. Chrissy is an inspiration as she leaves behind an abusive lifestyle and returns to her roots on Cannonball Island. She’s that perfect friend, grateful for all the good in her life, savoring every little treat and determined to give back to the community and her friends and family. Jared, surprising for his playboy ways, turns out to be the perfect counterfoil, making this a great addition to the series.
Ms. Stewart is one of my favorite authors, and while the series itself has some ups and downs in my book, I never miss a story. Eccentric and psychic Ruby has been a great character ever since she’s been introduced in the series. I love her pronouncements that Chrissy takes in her stride, but the one that really had me chuckling is the advice about clothing and shoes that a puzzled Chrissy ignored, only to wish she had believed. The author sheds light on the evil nature of domestic abuse and how it saps even the smartest of persons, and Chrissy is so insecure to being with. However, she’s a great inspiration to those women who struggle to leave the shackles behind.
Jared, a treasure diver and a playboy to boot, would not have been a choice for Chrissy, and yet as they bond and build their friendship one ice cream at a time, it just works out perfectly. For fans of the series, this book is a delight, since it brings together so many characters from some of the Ms. Stewart’s contemporary romances. It’s quite the treat to catch up both in town and over a wedding.
I really like how the story played out and can’t wait to get more Ruby and Cannonball Island.
Grade: A
Summary:
Always believing she was an ugly duckling, Chrissy Jenkins thought she had finally turned into a swan when her real-life Prince Charming swept her off her feet. But as his true character began to crack his perfect facade, Chrissy realized that not only was she better off without him, but that she was the only one who had the power to transform her life.
Returning to her ancestral home on Cannonball Island for a family wedding, Chrissy is reintroduced to a legacy she’d all but forgotten. In choosing to stay on the island, she reboots her life, successfully reinventing herself as a chef at Blossoms, an up-and-coming restaurant in St. Dennis. But despite her newfound self-confidence, she still doesn’t trust her taste in men. So when she meets Jared Chandler, a handsome ship salvager staying at the inn while he conducts a nearby recovery operation, Chrissy’s certain she can keep him as a friend—even though he’s everything any woman would want in a man. As fellow newcomers, together they discover the charm of the historic bayside town and explore the idyllic island.
But when Chrissy agrees to be Jared’s date for his father’s wedding, they embark on a weekend that will find them each seeing the other in a completely different light, one that will change their lives forever
No excerpt available.
