Autumn By the Sea by Melissa Tagg

About the Book

Get swept away to the seaside in Maine in this captivating romance brimming with mystery ⁣

Abandoned as a toddler, Sydney Rose has spent years wondering who she really is, homesick for a life she’s never lived. When a private investigator crashes into her world, she finds herself heading to a tiny seaside town in Maine to meet a woman named Maggie, who’s searching for the granddaughter she lost decades ago. ⁣

If not for Maggie, Neil MacKean might still be back in Scotland, bereft and alone. Instead, he has a full life in Muir Harbor with an adopted family he loves and a blueberry farm to run. But the farm is struggling and strange occurrences have him concerned. Worse, Maggie’s once again caught up in the past, convinced she’s finally found her long-lost granddaughter. ⁣

Worried for Maggie, Neil is suspicious of the city girl who shows up at the farm. But there’s something about Sydney that tugs on him, drawing out secrets he never meant to share. While Neil grapples with the future of the farm, Sydney wrestles with a past that’s messier than ever. Together, they’re pulled into a mystery complete with a centuries-old legend, unexpected danger . . . and a love as deep and wild as the sea. 

My Thoughts

You probably get tired of me raving about Melissa Tagg novels but I just can’t help it that she delivers an amazing story EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. 

From the very first page I was drawn into Sydney’s story and her journey to finding her place and discovering her history. Neil was a fabulous hero that I definitely have a crush on lol! I mean, who wouldn’t love a flannel wearing Scot who works tirelessly and selflessly to take care of those he loves?

From the very first moment they met (Tagg once again cements her place as Queen of the Meet Cute FYI) the sparks were flying between Sydney and Neil and I adored watching their relationship unfold. They fit together so seamlessly and from light banter to heartfelt conversations their connection was completely genuine and I was rooting for them from the start!

I also instantly fell in love with Maggie and ached for the losses she’d experienced but was awed by her capacity to love deeply the ones God had placed in her life. And of course Neil’s sisters were great, I’m definitely looking forward to their stories, as well as Wilder who was such a charming character!

Trying to unravel the mystery of Sydney’s parentage had me intrigued throughout and I’m definitely still curious about the pieces that didn’t get discovered in this story. 

Basically, I loved this book and absolutely cannot wait for book two!

Meet the Author

Melissa Tagg is the USA Today bestselling, Christy Award-winning author of swoony and hope-filled small-town contemporary romances. She's also a former reporter, current nonprofit marketing strategist, and total Iowa girl. Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as workshops and women's retreats. When she's not happily lost in someone else's book or plugging away her own, she can be found spoiling her nieces and nephews, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next fictional hero. Connect with Melissa at melissatagg.com⁣

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Undercurrent of Secrets by Rachel Scott McDani

About the Book

Two women, a century apart, are bound by a haunting secret aboard a legendary steamboat. ⁣

Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure. ⁣

As wedding coordinator for the 100-year-old steamboat The Belle of Louisville, Devyn Asbury takes pride in seeing others’ dreams come true, even though her engagement had sunk like a diamond ring to the bottom of the Ohio River. When the Belle becomes a finalist in the Timeless Wedding Venue contest, Devyn endeavors to secure the prestigious title with hopes to reclaim some of her professional dreams. What she hadn’t planned on was Chase Jones showing up with a mysterious photo from the 1920s. ⁣

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A century earlier, Hattie Louis is as untamable as the rivers that raised her. As the adopted daughter of a steamboat captain, her duties range from the entertainment to cook. When strange incidents occur aboard the boat, Hattie’s determined to discover the truth. Even if that means getting under First Mate Jack Marshall’s handsome skin.⁣

My Thoughts 

Every time Rachel Scott McDaniel sets her fingers to a keyboard she blows me away! I swear with each new book I read I declare it my favorite but honestly they’re all so good I don’t know if I could honestly pick a favorite. But since this is the latest one I’ve read I’m claiming it as my favorite for now! 

I was genuinely impressed with the seamless way she switch from the historical timeline to the contemporary one and I loved them both so equally! I would be sad to leave whichever one I was currently in but all it took was a sentence and I was sucked right back into the second one! The historical may have been my favorite of the two but only by the smallest hair and I think mainly due to the fact that McDaniel shines in the 1920’s world! 

All of the characters were wonderful and their love stories were just sweet perfection. I loved the similarities/parallels between their romances but each was uniquely its own and had me all sorts of swoony.

The boat was like another character in both stories and I loved getting to learn interesting tidbits about it’s history! It’s now on my bucket list of things I want to see!

The mysteries in both timelines had me completely hooked and I loved the way everything played out! There were some things I guessed but they were unveiled brilliantly and still gave that aha moment. And while there was the small mysteries to figure out I loved that the characters and their stories were the main focus and it was just the kind of read that you just settle into and enjoy every second! 

I cannot recommend this book enough, fans of McDaniel’s work will be in love again and newcomers will have a new obsession! 

Meet the Author

Rachel Scott McDaniel is an award-winning author of historical romance. Winner of the ACFW Genesis Award and the RWA Touched By Love award, Rachel infuses faith and heart into each story. She currently enjoys life in Ohio with her husband and two kids. Rachel can be found online at www.RachelScottMcDaniel.com and on all social media platforms.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.