Adam Kincaid has a lot to prove: as a brand-new firefighter, as the youngest of five brothers in a small town where everyone is curious about your business, and as an unexpected newlywed.
Isla Petersen knows exactly what she’s getting into: a marriage of convenience with a younger man, a soldier she once commanded when she was an army captain. And she knows what she’s getting in return: a bakery that’s all her own.
This is a standalone story about two friends who don’t believe in love, but do believe in each other. Welcome back to Pine Harbour!
Review
Adam didn't expect to meet his former commanding officer selling cookies at a Toronto market, nor did he expect the mind-blowing one night stand or the ensuing friendship, but when he sees a chance for her to own her own bakery, he suggests a marriage of convenience based on friendship, not love. Adam doesn't even believe he can love - and Isla's still scarred from an emotionally abusive relationship.
Most romances go roughly friendship (or lust) > love > sex > marriage, but these two flip this on its head, going something like sex > friendship > marriage > love, and it was believable every step of the way. Their chemistry is never in doubt and the solid friendship sets the foundation for a successful marriage even before love sneaks in.
Adam's a great guy who is starting a new career out of the army and still seems to be the baby of this family in his brother's eyes. Despite the teasing, it is clear the brothers all love each other and they (mostly) wind back the matchmaking when he asks. His confusion over love starts very demiromantic and I'm glad his brothers are there to talk sense into him when he needs it.
Thanks to her time in the army and her awful ex-husband, Isla is terrible at asking for help, but the welcoming small town and supportive husband go a long way to helping her trust again and I loved seeing her open up. The ex-husband deserved a comeuppance but I feel like his sub-plot disappeared suddenly which was a bit disappointing. Even a sentence or two could've wrapped it up.
This is actually the second in a spinoff series from an eight book series set in the same town and it was nice that while some previous characters made an appearance (I even commented on the wealth of Minellis to my roommate and it turns out those four siblings get four books each), it didn't feel overwhelming or annoying. This book stands well on its own and its quality makes me glad of such a large back catalogue.
Overall, a very enjoyable small town marriage of convenience and when my TBR calms down I'd love to read more by the author.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
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