Sandy M’s review of The Red Bikini (Sandy Cove, Book 1) by Lauren Christopher
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 1 Jul 14
I’m always happy to tell folks when I’m wrong about the reasons I put off reading a book. Especially when few of those times I end up with a terrifically unexpected surprise and a new author to add to my list. It was the surfing aspect of this story that just didn’t appeal to me for some reason. Yeah, I know, stupid reason, as it turns out. Now, however, I’m so glad I’ve met Fin, Giselle, and Coco, as well as Lia and Noelle, Giselle’s sisters, who will be featured in the next two books. Sandy Cove could definitely become a home away from home.
Giselle has been dumped for a younger model. Typical story of a man looking for something he doesn’t have, so she and her daughter, Coco, have arrived in Sandy Cove, staying at Lia’s beach house while she’s away. Life has changed quite a bit in a short time and it’s going to continue to change for them, so Giselle is trying to relax and breathe and then move forward. Sun and shore will hopefully do the trick. That red bikini Lia left for her certainly won’t do it, though.
Spying Fin at a party, Giselle goes through surprising emotions from instant attraction to chastising herself for being unrealistic. Her life isn’t and can’t be too carefree and irresponsible, she has a child to care for on her own now. Her ex isn’t much help. And she’s a bit older than the famous surfer. The more she runs into Fin, the more intrigued and attracted she is. Fin is also intrigued, but the more he gets to know this beautiful woman, the more he knows he’s not for her. As they trade “dates” to make each other look better to those who really shouldn’t mean as much as they do, they each take on guilt for their actions, begin to understand each other better, and want more than they’re sure they can give.
I really enjoyed being part of this relationship. Fin and Giselle have so much to learn from each other. She’s never really been on her own, and though life is a bit scary right now, she slowly discovers those wonderful tidbits that make up a happy existence. And finally donning that red bikini is more freeing than she imagined. Fin’s bad boy needs taming, especially to get him back into his passion of surfing after having let it all go when tragedy hit in the midst of his heyday. Giselle and Coco do, indeed, tame something inside him while releasing a whole new experience for him at the same time. Then they have to learn to just open up and be honest with one another. A whole new life is just waiting for them.
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, Ten Good Reasons, featuring Lia, and it’s due out in April. I enjoyed my time in Sandy Cove and would like to spend more time with these characters, including Rabbit and his grommets.
Grade: B
Summary:
When a getaway vacation turns into an unexpected new beginning…
For the last five years, Giselle McCabe’s life has been about sippy cups and playdates. But when her husband suddenly leaves her, Giselle flees to her sister’s California beach house for a two-week getaway. Out of her element, she’s surprised to receive such a warm welcome—especially from gorgeous celebrity athlete Fin Hensen. …
Fin is escaping his pro tour for a season, trying to lay low until all the hubbub over a huge mistake in his past blows over. And when he sets his sights on Giselle, he realizes that the beautiful good girl just might be his ticket to success. …
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
