Molly hopes to turn the family home into a bed and breakfast, and has spent most of her inheritance buying her cousins' shares of the house. Even though she nursed her grandfather through his last days, without a will, she only got a third and scrimped and borrowed for the rest. Now she needs a contractor to remodel the woefully tiny bathroom added to the Eastlake house. Only one contractor responds to her inquiries, and when he arrives at her house, it is the man who out bid her for the contents of the house he is bidding to renovate! Sean Callaghan's grandmother used to live in Mersea and he had fond memories of the town. He wanted to relocate his business to the area, and settle there, but since the auction, people have been definitely less friendly. He has also been plagued by mishaps at the various jobs he has in the area, missing materials, workers, and the like. He is immediately attracted to Molly, even more so, when he remembers that she was his first crush, when he was eight and she was six. Molly was good friends with his sisters, and a much smaller Sean tagged along with them whenever he could. Sean has certainly grown up, and romance quickly blooms between the two. Somehow the incidents with his business and the antipathy of the townspeople are connected with Molly. Sean wants to stay in Mersea and he wants Molly, so he has to get to the bottom of the situation.

I really enjoyed this one. Molly is beloved by all of the townspeople and they want to look out for her, but get a little overprotective. Someone sees this as an opportunity to cause even more trouble. The characters were very real and sympathetic. The story line is gripping, so much so, that once you start reading, you can't stop. I had to find out what happened next. This is a very sweet love story set in a small town. I recommend it highly.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Maura Frankman
June 14, 2005