Book Review: V.B.’s impression of Shore Love by Gary Robert Muschla
The latest I Love Romance Blog review selection is Shore Love by Gary Robert Muschla. Take it away, V.B.!
Thanks!
This book is exactly what its description suggests, a quick beach-read love story. I agree that it has all the ingredients for a cozy afternoon read…A heroine forced to go back to a childhood place. A hunky ex-boyfriend living there successfully without her. Divided loyalties all around. Topped off with a satisfying ending.
However, the story felt a little cliché to me. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The writing is nice. The dialogue is well done and believable. The characters are sweet, and I enjoyed how Mel finally realized what she really wanted. The beachy and oceanic analogies also work, though they seemed common more than insightful. Melanie really is swamped by an ocean wave of conflicting feelings. But, aren’t we all sometimes? Though “sure” and “shore” are nice plays on words in the title.
I recommend this book to those pressed for time or who need a quick, satisfying romance to boost their spirits. This is not the book for someone who likes their romance novels intense.
It’s also “clean” without being too religious or unnatural. You believe the chemistry and the kisses feel real. Extra points for loving actions without gratuitous sex. It’s suitable for older folks and younger ones who like a low heat level. It may be PG, but it’s not fake or stupid. You feel the characters’ connection.
Warning: Personally, I was put off a bit by the print copy I received. I like the cover, but the print was double spaced, making it feel like a novella or teen book, not a sweet, summer tale. Though, as an indie author, I understand how things like this could happen.
NOTE: I was provided a copy of this fine book in exchange for an honest review.
Book Info:
I give this book 3 1/2 hearts because it resurrected a college love in a sweet way, but was unsurprising.
Universal Reader link: https://books2read.com/u/3nNpdP
Here’s a teaser from the book…
Melanie Kurtis works as an advertising executive for a small company in New York City. In the eight years since graduating college, she’s built a successful career, and she’s stunned when a new management team abruptly dismisses the entire staff. Having time now for a long overdue vacation, she visits her parents at their summer home on Beach Isle, a small barrier island. Once there, she runs into Tom Madisen, who’s still in her heart though she hasn’t seen him in years.
While growing up, Tom and Melanie spent summers on the island. They lived next door to each other and were summertime best friends, until the summer before they both began college and their friendship blossomed into love. Tom never learned why Melanie ended their relationship, and he hasn’t fully gotten over her. Now the owner of a construction company and a year-round resident of the island, he’s surprised to see Melanie, and despite the urgings of his heart, he tries to treat her as only a friend.
Although seeing Tom brings happy memories and stirs old feelings, Melanie, too, resists being more than friends. She’s never forgiven herself for hurting him when she let love slip away, and she’s afraid if they become too close, she’ll hurt him again when she returns to the city to resume her career. But as she and Tom spend time together, their love reawakens, and Melanie must overcome the reason she broke off in the past or risk losing him forever.
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AUTHOR: Gary Robert Muschla
TITLE: Shore Love
GENRE: Vacation Romance, Clean Romance, Second Chance Romance
RELEASE DATE: November 25, 2018
PUBLISHER: Books to Go Now
ISBN/ASIN: B07KWGHX7L
OUR RATING: ♥♥♥
Thanks for reading our latest book review on ILRB! ♥ Have a great weekend, everyone!
REVIEWED BY: V.B. “Can Do Indie Author”
Reviewer Bio: VB is an indie author who writes romance and Sci Fi and voraciously reads anything (with some limits). When she’s not reading and writing, she’s working a day job to pay for her truck habit and puttering around her house.
Originally published at http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com on May 5, 2023.
