First Time in Forever by Sarah Morgan

Windswept, isolated and ruggedly beautiful, Puffin Island is a haven for day-trippers and daydreamers alike. But this charming community has a way of bringing people together in the most unexpected ways…

 

It’s been a summer of firsts for Emily Donovan. From becoming a stand-in mom to her niece Lizzie to arriving on Puffin Island, her life has become virtually unrecognizable. Between desperately safeguarding Lizzie and her overwhelming fear of the ocean—which surrounds her everywhere she goes!—Emily has lost count of the number of “just breathe” pep talks she’s given herself. And that’s before charismatic local yacht club owner Ryan Cooper kisses her…

 

Ryan knows all about secrets. And it’s clear that newcomer Emily—with her haunted eyes and the little girl she won’t let out of her sight—is hiding from something besides the crazy chemistry between them. So Ryan decides he’s going to make it his personal mission to help her unwind and enjoy the sparks! But can Puffin Island work its magic on Emily and get her to take the biggest leap of trust of all—putting her heart in someone else’s hands?

When Emily Donovan finds herself as the guardian of her orphaned niece, she knows keeping Lizzy safe means moving to Puffin Island. Yet Emily’s fear of the ocean is nearly as paralyzing as her fear of falling in love although one kiss from Ryan Cooper has Emily revaluating her fears and her future on Puffin Island.

Ryan Cooper knows what it’s like to have the responsibility of caring for a child thrust upon him unexpectedly and he’s made it his mission to never get involved with someone who has children, but when his friend Brittany calls in a favor to look after Emily, Ryan starts questioning his own rules.

I loved First Time in Forever. It was achingly sweet and tender with a bit humor thrown in as an added bonus.

Emily’s been through a lot. Not having family to turn to, she immediately bonded with two girls in college and they made a pact that if one of them was in trouble they would flock to Brittany’s cottage on Puffin Island. She knows it’s her best option of keeping the paparazzi away from her niece but she’s terrified of the ocean and there’s a sound reason for her fear and it also goes hand-in-hand with her fear of falling in love.

I liked that Emily was willingly to try to get past her fear. It showed amazing strength and courage. I also liked the fact that while she showed weakness, she wasn’t a weak heroine. She was ready and willingly to fight for what she wanted.

Ryan Cooper was a tad bit nosey. I don’t think that I’ve ever read a hero as nosey as he was but it was and endearing quality and went along with his character. He also was a layered character and there is a lot more to him that meets the eye. He’s had a lot of burdens and responsibilities thrust upon him as a teenager and it’s made him yearn for freedom which has played havoc on his ability to form long-lasting relationships with women and had made him vow never to have children.

It was really fun watching him maneuver a new form of relationship with Emily. I could feel his hesitation, confliction, and his yearning as he grew closer to Emily and Lizzy.

Ryan and Emily had amazing chemistry but because of their situations, they were both slow to start any form of a relationship, which made the sexual tension all the more apparent and entertaining.

The plot had a steady flow and I breezed through this book. What truly drew me was the author’s amazing ability to make me feel as though I was right in the center of everything. The book truly felt as though it came to life.

Another thing that made this book so endearing was the glimpses of the secondary characters. Brittany and Zach (their story is coming in book two) had a very brief marriage and now Zach is back on Puffin Island. Skylar and Alec (book 3) she’s a wild spirit that’s never fit in with her family and his recent divorce has left him jaded and leery of beautiful woman. I cannot wait to read more about these characters.

This was my first time reading a romance by Sarah Morgan and it most certainly will not be my last. I cannot wait to read more from the Puffin Island Series as well as her other books.

Overall, I found a new favorite author! First Time in Forever is one of those rare magical books where you instantly fall in love with the characters and the setting.

My favorite book so far this year!

 

 

Book Details

Title: First Time in Forever
Puffin Island Book 1

Author: Sarah Morgan

Publisher: HQN
Contemporary Romance

ISBN: 978-0-373-78504-9

Release Date: March 2015

Format I read: Mass Market Paperback ARC

$7.99

Source: MLM Media Relations

Rating: 5 Cups

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