The Jewel of the Isle by Kerry Rea
Published by Berkley on November 26, 2024
Age/Genres: Adult, Action/Adventure, Romance
Goodreads
Two very indoor people rough it on a remote island after getting swept up in an archaeologist’s hunt for a famed jewel in this dazzling new adventure rom-com by Kerry Rea, author of Lucy on the Wild Side.
If Emily Edwards knows one thing, it’s that you don’t go to a remote island by yourself. Ever the type A personality, Emily doesn’t want to hike around an unfamiliar island, but she’s determined to fulfill her late father’s national park bucket list, starting with Isle Royale National Park—home to wolves, bears, and hundred-year-old shipwrecks. She has no choice but to hire a tour guide, and there is only one that isn’t booked solid.
Ryder Fleet, co-owner of Fleet Outdoor Adventures, wouldn’t call himself a wilderness expert, and he definitely doesn’t know how to find true north. But when his dormant adventure guide business suddenly finds life again after a random inquiry, Ryder somehow finds himself on a ferry to Isle Royale with a very beautiful, no-nonsense woman. What this woman doesn’t know is that his brother Caleb, who died two years ago, was the outdoorsman of their business, while Ryder just did the marketing. But how hard could it be to hike up a few mountains?
Pretty difficult, actually, when murder is involved. Emily’s perfectly planned trek turns disastrous when she and Ryder witness a brutal crime and are suddenly forced to evade a group of archaeologists on the hunt for a jewel. As they spend nights together too close for comfort, they realize their shoddily built fire isn’t the only thing that’s kindling, and that they must trust each other if they want to escape the island with their lives—and hearts—intact.
When her boyfriend unexpectedly dumps her, Emily Edwards must scramble to find a new guide to help her spread her father's ashes at Isle Royal National Park. Fortunately, she is able to secure hiking guide Ryder Fleet. Unfortunately, Ryder's knowledge of the great outdoors is just about equal to that of Emily's. As if this task wasn't tough enough, they find themselves on the run from a murderous archeologist. Fingers crossed they make it off the island in one piece.
Kerry Rea is three for three! When I was reading this book, I thought about how different it was from her other two books while it was still very "Kerry Rea". This time, Rea gave us an amazing adventure romance which was packed with action, danger, and a lot of humor too. The interactions between Ryder and Emily were so much fun, and they found themselves in situations that yielded comedy gold.
Needless to say, this tale evoked lots of laughter, but it also hit me in the feels. Both Emily and Ryder had lost someone dear to them. They were not only racked with grief, they were also harboring a lot of guilt associated with those losses. This excursion ended up stretching both Ryder and Emily in many ways. Not only were they forced to face some fears and push beyond their comfort zones, they also were able to unpack their emotional baggage while finding love along the way.
This book had a level of adventure I was not expecting and delivered it with lots of humor and warmth. It was a winning combination that made my heart pulse from the excitement while filling it with so much happiness. Overall, Kerry Rea wowed me again, and I will be eagerly awaiting her next release.
Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson
Published by Berkley on December 3, 2024
Age/Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Goodreads
A woman discovers that not all monsters are her enemy—the opposite, in fact—in this new paranormal romance by Lana Ferguson, author of The Fake Mate.
Keyanna “Key” MacKay is used to secrets. Raised by a single father who never divulged his past, it’s only after his death that she finds herself thrust into the world he’d always refused to speak of. With just a childhood bedtime story about a monster that saved her father’s life and the name of her estranged grandmother to go off of, Key has no idea what she’ll find in Scotland. But repeating her father’s mistakes and being rescued by a gorgeous, angry Scotsman—who thinks she’s an idiot—is definitely the last thing she expects.
Lachlan Greer has his own secrets to keep, especially from the bonnie lass he pulls to safety from the slippery shore—a lass with captivating eyes and the last name he’s been taught not to trust. He’s looking for answers as well, and Key’s presence on the grounds they both now occupy presents a real problem. It’s even more troublesome when he gets a front row seat to the lukewarm welcome Key receives from her family; the strange powers she begins to develop; and the fierce determination she brings to every obstacle in her path. Things he shouldn’t care about, and someone he definitely doesn’t find wildly attractive.
When their secrets collide, it becomes clear that Lachlan could hold the answers Keyanna is after—and that she might also be the key to uncovering his. Up against time, mystery, and a centuries old curse, they’ll quickly discover that magic might not only be in fairy tales, and that love can be a real loch-mess.
Following her father's death, Keyanna travels to Scotland to connect with his estranged family and discovers there are many secrets hidden in this small town.
This was such an interesting combination of elements, but for some reason, it worked for me. I quickly embraced Key's need to connect to her remaining family as Lachlan dealt with his own family issues. The story really took off for me when they decided to join forces. He would help Key form those connections in the community while she worked with Lachlan to find some answers regarding his generational curse.
Scotland is a bucket list place for me, so it was a delight to visit via this tale. The incorporation of farm life, highland games, Scottish legends, and a twirl through some ruins was fantastic. I absorbed all the details and fully bathe in this setting. The curse ended up being a high point of the story for me as well. It had layers, and there were some really surprising reveals that had me wide-eyed and eager for more.
There was one storyline I could have done without, but the ending totally overshadowed any ill feelings I had. It was so precious, and anyone who knows me understands my need to have things wrapped up with a peek into the future. It was perfect and left me with a huge smile on my face.
Overall, this was a fun, interesting, and entertaining grumpy-sunshine romance that was elevated by a bit of mystery, a paranormal touch, and a family focus that warmed my heart.
*ARCS PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER
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