
Series: Love at the Resort #1
Published by Harlequin HQN on 24 July 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 384
Source: Kindle Purchase


One summer, two sisters and a chance to start over…
Before the burglary that shattered her confidence, Phoenix Rose had a fiancé, a successful store and a busy, happy existence. After months spent adrift, she takes a job at the lakeside resort of Cooper’s Charm. Surrounded by beautiful scenery, friendly colleagues and a charismatic, widowed boss, Phoenix is slowly inching her way back into the world.
Visiting Cooper’s Charm to check up on her little sister, Ridley Rose impulsively agrees to fill in as housekeeper. Still reeling from an ego-bruising divorce, she finds satisfaction in a job well done—and in the attention of the resort’s handsome scuba instructor.
For Phoenix and Ridley, Cooper’s Charm is supposed to be merely temporary. But this detour may lead to the place they most need to be, where the future is as satisfying as it is surprising…
Cooper’s Charm was a sweet, hot romance, in which two sisters needed some lovin’ even if they were doing alright on their own.
Story:
I really enjoyed Phoenix and what Cooper’s Charm managed to help her do to get her life back on track. However, the fact that Ridley, Phoenix’s sister also got her story in the same book made me a little bit sad. I would have enjoyed for each sister to have her full story – not a two-for-one at the beginning of a series.
That being said, Cooper’s Charm is a solid beginning, and I loved the setting, the lake, the RV park, the fact that Cooper did all his best to make sure his guests were happy. I enjoyed how life was a little slower here, and the characters found the time to get to know each other. When the characters opened up, I got to know them better, too.
There was a mystery, and to me, it wasn’t really necessary, and I guessed what was going on the first time something happened. I guess it made the plot move forward a little faster in places, but I think it could have been just as good without.
Characters:
Phoenix really needed a do-over. After being attacked at her workplace, she stayed hidden for six months, but now, she’s ready to start living again, and Cooper’s Charm is the perfect place to do so.
Ridley, Phoenix’s overbearing older sister only wants the best. For her sister, and for herself. However, she’s been through a pretty nasty divorce, and is all for no strings attached.
Cooper also has a lot of darkness in his past, and he definitely doesn’t want a relationship. No way. Until he meets Phoenix and starts feeling again.
Braxton is the aloof diving instructor of the resort, and he’s definitely a player. Or is he?
★★★½
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Twitter: Mlsimmons
The puppy on that cover. Too cute. 😀
I agree! All books with animals on the cover are cute 🙂
That puppy! How cute! I typically tend to enjoy the two-in-one types of romances, but both need to be given equal attention. I can see how they might not be for everyone though.
I’m greedy that way, Nick 🙂 And Ridley really didn’t get equal time – it was Phoenix’s story, Ridley had a side story, and I think she deserved more.
Twitter: Northwomn
I agree with your point about each deserving their own story without having read the book. It is sad. I like Lori Foster. I’ve read a few of her titles. Anne – Books of My Heart
I love Lori Foster, and I wonder if it’s the publisher who want two stories in one? Her books are usually total winners for me, though, and I felt like I needed more of Ridley and Bax in order to really enjoy them fully.
I was eyeing this one! ?
Nice review!
Too bad the mystery didn’t quite work here but it still sounds enjoyable. Might have to check it out.
Ah, that Beagle on the cover is too cute! Also, I love romance novels that have characters that start a new life in a small town – it all seems so charming about that place, I do not know why I like that so much!