Series: Delaneys of Sandpiper Beach (Book 2)American Heroes (Book 4)
He’s all kinds of man. But is he a family man?
It’s good to be home! But civilian life isn’t easy for Mark Delaney. The former surf champ copes by carving California waves and working solo as the handyman for his family’s beachfront hotel. Until Laurel Prescott, pretty owner of the new B and B -- and widowed mother of three -- asks for his help. One small task leads to another and another, and suddenly Mark is knee-deep in kids, responsibility…and a love he never dreamed possible.
Good book about two emotionally wounded people, looking for new starts in life, but for whom relationships are not in the plan at all. Mark spent ten years in the army, with multiple deployments. He lost friends, men whose deaths still haunt him. Now that he is home, he spends most of his time alone, either doing handyman work for the family hotel or catching waves on the beach nearby. Then the pretty new owner of the B & B across the street catches his eye.
Laurel is a widow with three children who has come to Sandpiper Beach for her own fresh start. The last few years have been difficult as she dealt with her husband's cancer and eventual death. The B & B is her chance to give her children what they need along with her chance to heal. She faces some serious challenges, including a teenage son with anger issues, and one of her twin daughters with speech problems, not to mention the problems that come with an old house. The offer of help from her neighbor across the street is gratefully received.
I really liked both Mark and Laurel. Mark is a gentleman at heart, with old-school manners instilled by his Irish family. He is also kind, sensitive, and fun. He is also a bit wary of opening himself up to his emotions and suffers from a bit of insecurity regarding his place in the world. He sees himself as "just" a handyman, even though he's the one who will run the family hotel when his parents retire. I especially enjoyed his friendship with young Peter, giving the boy the male attention he needed. I loved the gentle guidance he provided, and the surprising rewards he reaped from it. It was also sweet to see Mark with little Claire and Grace, once he stopped being intimidated by them.
I liked Laurel's determination to make a fresh start for herself and her kids. Her grief over her husband's death is still overwhelming at times, but she has to keep it together for her kids. She's dealing with some guilt over the effects that her husband's illness and death had on the children. I understood her frustration with Peter's attitude. I liked her optimism about making the B & B work, and her willingness to accept help from Mark and his family.
I enjoyed the development of Mark and Laurel's relationship. There were sparks of attraction from the beginning, but both tried to ignore them. It started as a friendship, as Mark offered Laurel the handyman help she needed as things cropped up at the house. The more time they spend together, the deeper their connection grows. But their internal resistance goes pretty deep. I enjoyed Mark's mental conversations with himself, as he tried to figure out exactly what he was feeling. As the feelings he had shut down before begin to reawaken, he also undergoes other changes. I loved seeing how the help that he offered to Laurel also jump-started his interest in his own future. Laurel also had to deal with her growing feelings for Mark. She was in denial for a long time because she was afraid to open herself up to the possibility of loving and losing again. Their blossoming attraction was intense, and I loved how that aspect contributed to their feelings. But a boneheaded move on Mark's part brought Laurel's fears roaring back to the surface, causing her to back away. I ached for Mark, who had realized the truth of his feelings and feared that he had ruined things beyond repair. I also ached for Laurel, who was torn between her fears and her feelings for Mark. Both had some soul-searching to do and were aided by a most unexpected source. I loved the changes that Mark made in his life as he tried to make himself a better man for Laurel. I liked Laurel's big moment as she took her courage in hand to go after what she wanted.
I also liked the importance of family to both Mark and Laurel. I loved the closeness of the Delaney family. Their support of Mark was awesome, as they gave him both the space he needed as well as the occasional push when he needed it. I especially liked Grandda Padraig and his Irish charm. I liked seeing him work his magic on Laurel and her family. I had to grin at his story of the selkie and how he's convinced that all three of his grandsons will find love because of it. I also liked the relationship between Mark and his brother Conor. I'm looking forward to Conor's story. I liked how Laurel's children were the motivating factor in coming to Sandpiper Beach. She was so frustrated with Peter and his attitude, but she also understood what was causing it. I really liked the way that she trusted Mark and encouraged his friendship with Peter. Their friendship was awesome and I really liked how it continued even when Mark and Laurel had their problems.
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