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brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
I REALLY liked Gabe. He was incredibly well written and his developing relationship with Aidan made my heart melt. Jane is a great character as well. I liked seeing her vacillating between wanting to take more control of her life and still being afraid of repeating the mistakes she made in the past. I thought the way everything with her ex-husband resolved was well done too. Not too too much drama and a perfect closure.
The secondary romance in this amused and delighted me too.
(And yes, because they have somehow managed to take a place in my imagination unparalleled by any other minor characters in a romance novel series ever, I've obsessed a little too much about what was revealed in the two and half pages on which we got a glimpse of what's happening with Josh and Thalia. Seriously if those two don't get their book soon I might cry.)
I do wonder who's getting the next book though. Jane's former chef boss? Coffee shop girl? Tomas? (That third one would be AWESOME. These books are kind of overwhelmingly white.) This is the first time I haven't been sure who the next couple would be.
The secondary romance in this amused and delighted me too.
(And yes, because they have somehow managed to take a place in my imagination unparalleled by any other minor characters in a romance novel series ever, I've obsessed a little too much about what was revealed in the two and half pages on which we got a glimpse of what's happening with Josh and Thalia. Seriously if those two don't get their book soon I might cry.)
I do wonder who's getting the next book though. Jane's former chef boss? Coffee shop girl? Tomas? (That third one would be AWESOME. These books are kind of overwhelmingly white.) This is the first time I haven't been sure who the next couple would be.
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
Another best of the year romance from 2016.
This was fun, but not as good as some contemporary romances, imho.
A nice small hot fudge sundae.
This was fun, but not as good as some contemporary romances, imho.
A nice small hot fudge sundae.
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent book about two people who find love and healing with each other as they try to rebuild their lives. I was sucked into the story from the beginning as Gabe touched my heart. He grew up in a home with an abusive father and a mother who chose her husband over her son. While he had the benefit of a caring uncle, Gabe never felt that he had a home until he joined the Marines. But after leaving the Corps, Gabe had a run of bad luck, including time in jail for accidentally killing a man while trying to prevent a rape. He was acquitted of murder, but with everything that has happened, Gabe needs a new start. All he can think of is Dare Island and his friend and fellow Marine Luke Fletcher's family, who welcomed him with open arms years before.
I loved Gabe. His past and his troubles have worn him down to the point where it's easy for him to believe others' low opinions of him. But underneath that bad boy exterior is a man with a good heart. That heart first makes its appearance when he shares his sandwich with a stray dog. I loved how the dog sensed the goodness in Gabe and attached himself to Gabe. I could feel Gabe's relief at Luke's welcome, and also his determination to turn his life around. Gabe's encounter with Jane, her kindness to him, and the immediate pull he felt toward her, made him feel things he'd never felt before.
Jane's life hasn't been that great either. Her mother walked out when Jane was seven, leaving Jane with her busy police officer father. Tom didn't know how to relate to her, so Jane was frequently left alone, feeling isolated. She fell in love and married young, looking for the family she craved. Instead, she ended up with a man who abused her for years before she escaped and divorced him. Now she's trying to stand on her own two feet, running her business and raising her seven-year-old son. She is determined to put her past behind her and make better choices for her future. Jane has a nurturing heart and gets great satisfaction from taking care of the people around her, from her son and father to her customers and friends. Her kindness and caring have her helping Gabe, even as she realizes that she should stay away from him.
I loved the development of the relationship between Gabe and Jane. Both are wary of risking their hearts. It was sweet to see Gabe show his caring through the work he did on her shop. He was always on the lookout for ways to make things better for her. It didn't take long for him to realize that what he felt for Jane was more than just physical attraction. Jane is attracted to Gabe, both physically and emotionally, but she is afraid of making another mistake. I liked seeing her step outside her comfort zone as she tried to overcome those fears. The dinner scene at the bakery was awesome, but also magnified Jane's worries. Seeing Gabe's connection with her son, Aiden, dug him deeper into her heart. I loved watching the changes in Gabe as his determination to be the type of man Jane needed fueled his resolve. I ached for him as he told her his feelings and her fears made her pull back. There was an emotional scene as he dealt with his hurt, and Jane tried to make him understand her concerns. When Jane's past makes an appearance, it creates complications but also helps her see past her fears. There was an unexpected twist that could have gone badly for Gabe. I loved how everything worked out in the end. I loved the epilogue and seeing how things have changed for both of them. I'd love to see more books in this series and catching up with all of the people of Dare Island.
I loved Gabe. His past and his troubles have worn him down to the point where it's easy for him to believe others' low opinions of him. But underneath that bad boy exterior is a man with a good heart. That heart first makes its appearance when he shares his sandwich with a stray dog. I loved how the dog sensed the goodness in Gabe and attached himself to Gabe. I could feel Gabe's relief at Luke's welcome, and also his determination to turn his life around. Gabe's encounter with Jane, her kindness to him, and the immediate pull he felt toward her, made him feel things he'd never felt before.
Jane's life hasn't been that great either. Her mother walked out when Jane was seven, leaving Jane with her busy police officer father. Tom didn't know how to relate to her, so Jane was frequently left alone, feeling isolated. She fell in love and married young, looking for the family she craved. Instead, she ended up with a man who abused her for years before she escaped and divorced him. Now she's trying to stand on her own two feet, running her business and raising her seven-year-old son. She is determined to put her past behind her and make better choices for her future. Jane has a nurturing heart and gets great satisfaction from taking care of the people around her, from her son and father to her customers and friends. Her kindness and caring have her helping Gabe, even as she realizes that she should stay away from him.
I loved the development of the relationship between Gabe and Jane. Both are wary of risking their hearts. It was sweet to see Gabe show his caring through the work he did on her shop. He was always on the lookout for ways to make things better for her. It didn't take long for him to realize that what he felt for Jane was more than just physical attraction. Jane is attracted to Gabe, both physically and emotionally, but she is afraid of making another mistake. I liked seeing her step outside her comfort zone as she tried to overcome those fears. The dinner scene at the bakery was awesome, but also magnified Jane's worries. Seeing Gabe's connection with her son, Aiden, dug him deeper into her heart. I loved watching the changes in Gabe as his determination to be the type of man Jane needed fueled his resolve. I ached for him as he told her his feelings and her fears made her pull back. There was an emotional scene as he dealt with his hurt, and Jane tried to make him understand her concerns. When Jane's past makes an appearance, it creates complications but also helps her see past her fears. There was an unexpected twist that could have gone badly for Gabe. I loved how everything worked out in the end. I loved the epilogue and seeing how things have changed for both of them. I'd love to see more books in this series and catching up with all of the people of Dare Island.
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books
The fifth installment of the Dare Island series is a solid, entertaining entry. We meet Jane, a bakery owner and life-long Island resident, and Gabe, a former Marine who is dealing with several life setbacks.
Both Jane and Gabe are great characters who have not been dealt the easiest of hands in life. When we meet them, they are both at a point of rebuilding or starting over and neither is really looking for a romantic relationship.
I found myself enjoying the way Ms. Kantra allowed us to get to know both Gabe and Jane as individuals and see their budding friendship before a romantic relationship began. Initially, both seemed to be fragile, almost hovering on the edges of their circumstances. As we got to know them, and they got to know each other we discovered that they are really a lot stronger than they think and that together they are even better.
Carolina Dreaming is a great relationship book. Not only do we get to watch the growing relationship between Gabe and Jane, but also between Gabe and Jane’s son, Aidan. The supporting cast isn’t large, but they are all important in the scheme of things. Fans of the Dare Island series will be glad to see the characters from previous stories appear, some more than others, for glimpses of where they are now.
The fifth installment of the Dare Island series is a solid, entertaining entry. We meet Jane, a bakery owner and life-long Island resident, and Gabe, a former Marine who is dealing with several life setbacks.
Both Jane and Gabe are great characters who have not been dealt the easiest of hands in life. When we meet them, they are both at a point of rebuilding or starting over and neither is really looking for a romantic relationship.
I found myself enjoying the way Ms. Kantra allowed us to get to know both Gabe and Jane as individuals and see their budding friendship before a romantic relationship began. Initially, both seemed to be fragile, almost hovering on the edges of their circumstances. As we got to know them, and they got to know each other we discovered that they are really a lot stronger than they think and that together they are even better.
Carolina Dreaming is a great relationship book. Not only do we get to watch the growing relationship between Gabe and Jane, but also between Gabe and Jane’s son, Aidan. The supporting cast isn’t large, but they are all important in the scheme of things. Fans of the Dare Island series will be glad to see the characters from previous stories appear, some more than others, for glimpses of where they are now.
witandsin's review against another edition
4.0
My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2016/02/review-carolina-dreaming-by-virginia.html
Two endearing characters get a shot at happiness they never thought they’d have in Carolina Dreaming. In this fifth Dare Island novel, Virginia Kantra manages to deliver a romance that’s incredibly sweet, but never edges into saccharine territory.
Gabe Murphy is a hero who has been through hell – an abusive home, war, and then jail. Despite all this, Gabe has never broken. He arrives on Dare Island because it’s the home of his best friend and he has nowhere else to go as he tries to put his life back together. Dare Island is like a dream come true for Gabe. Though people are wary of him, they give him a shot to prove himself, which is more than Gabe expects from anyone. Gabe’s past and the way he’s been treated broke my heart, but I loved watching him find a life and a home for the very first time. Best of all, Gabe finds love with bakery owner Jane Clark. Jane’s life hasn’t exactly been easy either. She escaped an abusive marriage and is now a single mom working hard to make a life for herself and her son. Jane has a huge heart and is a soft touch, but she’ll go to the mat to defend those she loves, which makes her a great heroine. She and Gabe just click right off the bat, and it’s easy to be swept away by their romance, which is by turns sensual and sweet.
I have a weakness for small town romances and Carolina Dreaming is a lovely one. Ms. Kantra’s writing style is so smooth that you slip right into the story without noticing, which made the story all the more enjoyable. Dare Island isn’t an idyllic small town (that kind of perfection would be boring), but it’s close enough that you wish it were real so you could move down there. Fans of series will love revisiting some of their favorite characters, but for readers like me who haven’t read the first four Dare Island novels, you needn’t fear – this book can easily be read as a standalone. Of course, I was so hooked by Gabe and Jane’s story that I will definitely be reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy quietly romantic stories with genuinely kind characters, you won’t want to miss Carolina Dreaming.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Two endearing characters get a shot at happiness they never thought they’d have in Carolina Dreaming. In this fifth Dare Island novel, Virginia Kantra manages to deliver a romance that’s incredibly sweet, but never edges into saccharine territory.
Gabe Murphy is a hero who has been through hell – an abusive home, war, and then jail. Despite all this, Gabe has never broken. He arrives on Dare Island because it’s the home of his best friend and he has nowhere else to go as he tries to put his life back together. Dare Island is like a dream come true for Gabe. Though people are wary of him, they give him a shot to prove himself, which is more than Gabe expects from anyone. Gabe’s past and the way he’s been treated broke my heart, but I loved watching him find a life and a home for the very first time. Best of all, Gabe finds love with bakery owner Jane Clark. Jane’s life hasn’t exactly been easy either. She escaped an abusive marriage and is now a single mom working hard to make a life for herself and her son. Jane has a huge heart and is a soft touch, but she’ll go to the mat to defend those she loves, which makes her a great heroine. She and Gabe just click right off the bat, and it’s easy to be swept away by their romance, which is by turns sensual and sweet.
I have a weakness for small town romances and Carolina Dreaming is a lovely one. Ms. Kantra’s writing style is so smooth that you slip right into the story without noticing, which made the story all the more enjoyable. Dare Island isn’t an idyllic small town (that kind of perfection would be boring), but it’s close enough that you wish it were real so you could move down there. Fans of series will love revisiting some of their favorite characters, but for readers like me who haven’t read the first four Dare Island novels, you needn’t fear – this book can easily be read as a standalone. Of course, I was so hooked by Gabe and Jane’s story that I will definitely be reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy quietly romantic stories with genuinely kind characters, you won’t want to miss Carolina Dreaming.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
laurla's review against another edition
"home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in."
"the incompetent leading the unwilling to do the unnecessary. (the marines)"
"you can't judge yourself by what happened when you go knocked down. what matters is what you do when you get back up again." (also, later in the book) "you cant define yourself by who you were when you were down. what matters is what you make of yourself when you get back up again."
"what you you want? what's the behavior that will get you what you want?"
"i didn't lose anything. you can't grieve for something you never had."
"yes you can. you're mourning your family. not the family you had, but the one you wanted. the one you dreamed about."
"i guess maybe i just really miss the idea of her. (a mom)"
"even one person who's there for you can make all the difference."
"that's what i want. what i've wanted all my life."
"someone to be there for you."
"yeah, somebody to count on. something to believe in."
"the incompetent leading the unwilling to do the unnecessary. (the marines)"
"you can't judge yourself by what happened when you go knocked down. what matters is what you do when you get back up again." (also, later in the book) "you cant define yourself by who you were when you were down. what matters is what you make of yourself when you get back up again."
"what you you want? what's the behavior that will get you what you want?"
"i didn't lose anything. you can't grieve for something you never had."
"yes you can. you're mourning your family. not the family you had, but the one you wanted. the one you dreamed about."
"i guess maybe i just really miss the idea of her. (a mom)"
"even one person who's there for you can make all the difference."
"that's what i want. what i've wanted all my life."
"someone to be there for you."
"yeah, somebody to count on. something to believe in."
beckymmoe's review against another edition
5.0
Such a good book!
I loved both Gabe and Jane, not to mention Jane's son Aiden and Gabe's dog Lucky. This one might possibly be my favorite of the series so far--and it's not even about a member of the Fletcher family! (Though they do all make an appearance, even Fezzik.) It's a story all about second chances--Gabe's trying to start over and finally find a place where he can belong; his "people", as he tells Aiden in an absolutely heartrending scene. Jane's working to move past the events from the last series book ([b:Carolina Blues|20949468|Carolina Blues (Dare Island, #4)|Virginia Kantra|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1396563230s/20949468.jpg|40321019]) and is shoring up her bakery with a new extension to counteract the new coffeeshop that will be opening soon.
Somehow their romance manages to feel like a slow buildup, even though the bulk of the story takes place in just three weeks. It never felt rushed, though. Gabe is attracted to her from the beginning, but doesn't feel as if he's good enough for her, as if he has enough to offer. Her dad's attitude (he's a deputy at the police department) doesn't help things either. Jane's hesitant to trust the new guy in town--he reminds her an awful lot of her last mistake, Aiden's dad, who's currently in jail for the events of the last book--and of course she's got Aiden to think of. But Gabe does everything he can to prove he's nothing like her ex, and soon their attraction bubbles over.
In the bakery's kitchen. A couple of times ;)
Not only does Gabe do dishes (!), he also has fond memories of the prison's library. Where he took out books--to read. Be still my beating heart! He didn't just take out the biggest ones he could find, stuff them in a laundry bag, and use them for weights! (Sorry, it's been a rough week at work.) Plus, he read Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooters series--can he get more perfect than that? I think not.
Of course that did make it all the more aggravating when Jane puts the brakes on their relationship--it's hard to blame her: it's just been three weeks, Aiden, her ex is due to get out of prison soon, yada yada yada--but still, I kept thinking, but it's GABE!. She made it up to both of us soon, though, and we eventually got our HEA, so it's all good in the end. ;)
Jane's dad even got his own side story in this one, which was nice because it made him seem more human than the hard-a$$ he was constantly acting toward Gabe. Plus, I really liked his new lady friend when we met her a book or so ago, and was very glad to see her get her own storyline.
Fingers crossed that the series is going to continue--not only do I love visiting Dare Island, but I'm looking forward to catching glimpses of Gabe and Jane in future books :)
It was totally worth the wait for it to come out on audio--Sophie Eastlake did a great job with the narration, as always. Even though it's the fifth book in the series, it worked just fine as a standalone. Many of the previous books' stars make appearances, but the only one that had events that really mattered to this one were in book 4; even that was explained enough so that if you hadn't read it you wouldn't be lost. (But seriously, read the other books in the series. You won't be sorry, I promise!)
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I loved both Gabe and Jane, not to mention Jane's son Aiden and Gabe's dog Lucky. This one might possibly be my favorite of the series so far--and it's not even about a member of the Fletcher family! (Though they do all make an appearance, even Fezzik.) It's a story all about second chances--Gabe's trying to start over and finally find a place where he can belong; his "people", as he tells Aiden in an absolutely heartrending scene. Jane's working to move past the events from the last series book ([b:Carolina Blues|20949468|Carolina Blues (Dare Island, #4)|Virginia Kantra|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1396563230s/20949468.jpg|40321019]) and is shoring up her bakery with a new extension to counteract the new coffeeshop that will be opening soon.
Somehow their romance manages to feel like a slow buildup, even though the bulk of the story takes place in just three weeks. It never felt rushed, though. Gabe is attracted to her from the beginning, but doesn't feel as if he's good enough for her, as if he has enough to offer. Her dad's attitude (he's a deputy at the police department) doesn't help things either. Jane's hesitant to trust the new guy in town--he reminds her an awful lot of her last mistake, Aiden's dad, who's currently in jail for the events of the last book--and of course she's got Aiden to think of. But Gabe does everything he can to prove he's nothing like her ex, and soon their attraction bubbles over.
In the bakery's kitchen. A couple of times ;)
Not only does Gabe do dishes (!), he also has fond memories of the prison's library. Where he took out books--to read. Be still my beating heart! He didn't just take out the biggest ones he could find, stuff them in a laundry bag, and use them for weights! (Sorry, it's been a rough week at work.) Plus, he read Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooters series--can he get more perfect than that? I think not.
Of course that did make it all the more aggravating when Jane puts the brakes on their relationship--it's hard to blame her: it's just been three weeks, Aiden, her ex is due to get out of prison soon, yada yada yada--but still, I kept thinking, but it's GABE!. She made it up to both of us soon, though, and we eventually got our HEA, so it's all good in the end. ;)
Jane's dad even got his own side story in this one, which was nice because it made him seem more human than the hard-a$$ he was constantly acting toward Gabe. Plus, I really liked his new lady friend when we met her a book or so ago, and was very glad to see her get her own storyline.
Fingers crossed that the series is going to continue--not only do I love visiting Dare Island, but I'm looking forward to catching glimpses of Gabe and Jane in future books :)
It was totally worth the wait for it to come out on audio--Sophie Eastlake did a great job with the narration, as always. Even though it's the fifth book in the series, it worked just fine as a standalone. Many of the previous books' stars make appearances, but the only one that had events that really mattered to this one were in book 4; even that was explained enough so that if you hadn't read it you wouldn't be lost. (But seriously, read the other books in the series. You won't be sorry, I promise!)
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
christinel's review against another edition
3.0
I like the sense of family and sense of community in Virginia Kantra's Dare Island books. I liked the hero in this one, and his journey of redemption from a tough life to having a family. However, I thought the heroine was passive.
christinel's review against another edition
3.0
I like the sense of family and sense of community in Virginia Kantra's Dare Island books. I liked the hero in this one, and his journey of redemption from a tough life to having a family. However, I thought the heroine was passive.
bayougirl85's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this story. Great poolside, drink with an umbrella read.