🎀 ❤️ “His Alaskan Redemption” (Home to Hearts Bay #3) (2023) ❤️ 🎀 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Home to Hearts Bay (Book #3)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (February 21, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335585575
ISBN-13: 978-1335585578
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Earning her trust
Is the start of his second chance.
Crab fisherman Gus Colman is just trying to make a living for his daughter. But when his fishing boat capsizes, he’s injured and stranded in Hearts Bay, Alaska, where he comes face-to-face with Mia Madden—his late best friend’s fiancée. As she helps him recover, he works hard to prove he’s changed. But could Mia ever love another man who risks his life at sea?”
Thank you in advance to the author, Heidi McCahan, for providing a complimentary review copy through her launch team. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
I have actually read two (2) books in the Merritt’s Crossing series (Their Baby Blessing and The Bull Rider’s Fresh Start), so I’m familiar with the author. I have the second book in that series on my TBR list.
I also have the first two books of this series on that list as well (An Alaskan Secret and The Twins’ Alaskan Adventure). And, as the sisters Eliana and Tess return in this book, I would suggest reading those books prior to this one. I was able to read this as a standalone; but feel that I might’ve gotten a bit more insight from the previous two.
Right off, anything to do with small kids, I’m in for reading. And, the cover definitely got my attention.
I also love unique storylines, and this was not only unique, but serves as a reminder of how dangerous certain jobs can be. Some think only firefighting, military, and policework are dangerous – fishing? Seems simple, until you read a book like this and are reminded it is a dangerous job.
And, it’s even more difficult on the family members left behind.
This is Mia Madden’s story, but McCahan has multiple arcs going in this super sweet story:
🌊 Gus’ accident
🩹 Mia taking care of Gus after his accident
✳️ Mia dealing with his reappearance after losing her fiancé
🔁 Mia dealing with a “switched at birth” case
🌋 Mia preparing for a “commemoration” of her birth (and others) during an active volcano
❤️ Gus dealing with single parenting his daughter amid his ex-wife’s job issue
🩸 Mia dealing with her mother’s worsening health
Some of the main characters:
👩🏻⚕️ Mia (one of the Madden siblings)
🦀 Gus (best friend of Abner, Mia’s late fiancé)
🎀 Poppy (Gus’ daughter with Liesel)
👨🏻🦳 Colin (Abner’s father)
👩🏻🦳 Tracy (Abner’s mother)
👩🏻 Rylee (Mia’s sister)
🧬 Lexi (the baby Mia was accidentally switched with)
🚓 Liesel (Gus’ ex-wife, a police officer)
McCahan starts the story off with Mia wishing she’d silenced her phone leading into her mom’s health and Lexi’s issue.
Mia is called into the hospital – an accident involving a fishing vessel in a storm. She’s reunited with her late fiancé’s best friend – Gus. Gus had survived the accident that killed Abner and Mia’s brother four years. Gus hadn’t been on the boat due to being a no-show. Yet, Mia hasn’t forgiven him.
She does though show him some kindness as he needs care after his discharge that precludes him from flying home to get his daughter Poppy. His ex-wife Liesel is strict on their split custody, mostly due to her work. Gus ends up staying with the Maddens, as does Mia when a busted water pipe damages her home.
Mia’s family, upon learning about Poppy, invite his daughter. Mia objects because of her mother’s health, yet she softens when she finds out about Gus’ predicament. It’s even worse when Liesel has little sympathy for this situation.
After Mia clues Gus in about her mother’s health battle, Gus wants to help – though down the road, this proves to be problematic.
Despite their growing attraction, Mia can’t fall for someone like her late brother and late fiancé. But, neither one can deny what is going on.
However, Mia’s family life is another source of stress, and she has a lot of her own worries.
As usual things work out – and by the end of the story, most of the storylines are resolved.
This was one of those books that drew me right in and I read 66% of it in three (3) hours. About 1½ hours later, I finished it. It seemed a bit fast-paced without rushing. It definitely didn’t linger at all. And, the “shortish” chapters definitely helped keep my attention.
For a lot of story arcs, McCahan kept everything flowing smoothly and nothing seemed overwhelming or complicated. At times, she brought a realistic angle to the story.
I have to admit that the incident with Abner’s parents as Gus and Mia were having lunch was rather shocking and also sobering. Honestly, given that Gus being there would’ve resulted in his death as well, I could not understand Tracy’s attitude (though it was realistic based on how I’ve seen some people act).
And, being mad at or disappointed with Mia for going on with her life seemed like it was rude and disrespectful to her. It wasn’t her fault their son died, and it wasn’t even Gus’ fault either. Would they have been as outraged if the roles were reversed? Had Mia died would they support their son not dating again? [As of note, I always enjoy those role-reversal questions].
It was refreshing to see Gus and Liesel finally work to some conclusion regarding Poppy. I feel so sorry for kids who have both parents in a dangerous job. Yet, in Poppy’s case – her mother was in law enforcement and her father worked on a fishing boat. Both pretty essential jobs. Though, seeing Liesel do what she did and end up without the promotion was, for me, a bit of a humbling moment, and I did have to laugh.
The hardest part about this was Mia dealing with her mom’s health. I do have to admit, she has it easier than most with the support of another parent as well as siblings. However, one always second guesses themselves when it comes to making decisions for others or even suggestions.
I really had a moment where I laughed so hard it hurt. It was about Mia’s dad’s coffee so strong it’d curl Gus’ hair. According to my mother, my grandfather joked that my grandmother’s coffee was so strong it could walk on its own.
Overall, this was a truly enjoyable read that is easily a day-read type of book.
Despite it being from the Christian line of Harlequin, it had very few faith references. To some, it might seem barely noticeable. It certainly isn’t overwhelming or feels preachy in any way.
I’m hoping to see the author return to Hearts Bay in another book. I’m definitely going to be on the look out for it.
The author’s fans and those who enjoy the genre will definitely want to pick this one up!
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
Previous Books in the Series:
Publisher: Love Inspired (March 29, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335759204
ISBN-13: 978-1335759207
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Coming home as a single dad…
with a seven-year secret
Back home in Hearts Bay, Alaska, Asher Hale’s past has caught up with him. His son Cameron’s new reading tutor, Tess Madden, is actually Cameron's mother—but she doesn't know it. Their teenage romance is one neither has forgotten, but Asher’s secret lies between them. Now he will have to risk it all. Because telling the truth is the only path to a family reunion.”
Publisher: Love Inspired (June 28, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335585117
ISBN-13: 978-1335585110
Click Photo for Purchase Information ➡️
“Sometimes it takes two good reasons
To give love a second chance…
The moment the sweet-faced twins arrive in Alaska, Eliana Madden is smitten. They almost make her forget that their father, Tate Adams, broke her heart. Now Eliana has agreed to help Tate take care of the twins for the summer. Could this be the start of healing the rift between their families…and the beginning of a new adventure for them all?”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Heidi McCahan is a Pacific Northwest girl at heart, but now resides in North Carolina with her husband and three boys. When she isn’t writing inspirational romance novels, Heidi can be found reading a book, enjoying a cup of coffee and avoiding the laundry pile. She’s also a huge fan of chocolate and her adorable goldendoodle, Finn. She enjoys connecting with readers, so please visit her website at www.heidimccahan.com.
You can also find her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidimccahan/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidimccahan.author/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeidiMcCahan
* Post contains an Amazon affiliate links
Comments
Post a Comment