Series: Chesapeake Diaries (Book 9)
Jamie Valentine is the wildly successful author of self-help books advocating transparency in every relationship. But when her widowed mother passes away unexpectedly, Jamie discovers her own life has been based on a lie. Angry and deeply betrayed, she sets out to find the truth -- which may be in a small town on the Chesapeake Bay. Cutting her most recent book tour short, Jamie books a room at the Inn at Sinclair’s Point, just outside St. Dennis.
The death of Daniel Sinclair’s father forced him to take over the family inn, and his wife’s death left him a single parent of two children, so there’s little room for anything else in his life. His lovely new guest is intriguing, though, and he’s curious about the secret she’s clearly hiding. But in the end, Jamie and Dan could discover the greatest truth of all: that the search for one thing just might lead to the find of a lifetime -- if you keep your heart open.
Good story about a woman's search for who she is, and how she finds love along the way. Jamie is a successful author of a series of books about honesty in relationships. After her mother's unexpected death, Jamie discovers a letter that turns her world upside down. Hurt, angry, and confused, she sets off on a journey to find the answers she needs. Her quest leads her to the small town of St. Dennis on the Chesapeake Bay and a stay at the Inn at Sinclair's Point.
The Inn is run by Daniel Sinclair, who took it on after the death of his father. Besides being completely immersed in the running of the Inn, Daniel is also the single father of two teenagers. His plate is full to overflowing, with little time for anything else. Having his mother, Grace, living with them has made life somewhat easier.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Jamie and Dan. It started out pretty rough, with Dan in a harried mood just as Jamie arrived. He's late for a meeting, but Grace insists that he be the one to show Jamie to her room. There are a few rather snarky comments exchanged, with Jamie believing Dan is a rude bellhop and something about Jamie getting under Dan's skin. It doesn't get any better later on when Dan accuses Jamie of butting in between him and his daughter. I have to say that Dan came across as quite a jerk during the early part of the book. Fortunately, he sees the error of his ways. I liked the apology scene, where he does a pretty decent job of making amends. It soon becomes clear that underneath the antagonism were also some sparks of attraction. I loved seeing them grow closer, but there were also some issues that could keep them apart. Jamie is trying to come to grips with her new reality, and the realization that truth isn't always as black and white as she had believed. She hasn't shared her reason for being in St. Dennis with anyone, and that secretiveness could come back to bite her. Dan is still dealing with the grief, guilt, and anger of his wife's death. He has some trust issues because of it, and he senses that Jamie is hiding something. It was fun to see them spend time together and watch as Jamie weaned Dan away from his workaholic habits. I loved his support when Jamie finally revealed why she was there, and his understanding when she needed time to process it all. It was also sweet to see that he wasn't able to stay away very long. I loved how he helped her work through her fears of pursuing what she had learned. I ached a little bit for Dan, who feared that he would lose her once she'd done all she needed to do. The ending was sweet and romantic.
The biggest part of the story was Jamie's search for the truth. Her shock at the initial discovery was realistic, as was her confusion over whether she should do anything about it. I liked that she didn't just rush off to confront the letter writer, but took the time to consider her options. Once she did make up her mind, she didn't waste any time. It was interesting to see Grace's diary entries that gave her the heads-up that something important was in the works. The connection between Grace and Jamie was terrific. I liked Grace's way of helping Jamie find the truth, and also her little pushes to get Jamie and Dan together. I also loved how easily Jamie fit into life in St. Dennis. The buildup to the revelation of the truth was believable, as was Jamie's reaction when she found out. I was on the edge of my seat as she worked through her fears, wondering if she would get the outcome she wanted. That resolution was emotional and heartwarming.
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