The sands of Sea Blue Beach

Sea Blue Beach, FL, is a familiar venue for Hauck's (Meet Me at the Starlight) fans, but this new set of characters enters a once-quaint town divided by an old football rivalry and economic disparities. Emery Quinn takes a job at the microlocal Sea Blue Beach Gazette after her old life in Ohio falls apart, but she has unresolved issues with Sea Blue from her sweet-16 summer, the one before her mom died. Meanwhile, Caleb Ransom is trying to get his sustainable-architecture firm off the ground but can't seem to break into the good-old-boys club of West Sea Blue. Seeing Emery again brings back Caleb's memories of their long-ago romance and the summer when his sister became alienated from the family; now Caleb is unexpectedly parenting his nephew while his sister chases happiness elsewhere. VERDICT This then-and-now second-chance romance is perfect summer reading. The family issues are realistic without being overbearing, and the sweet romance unfolds naturally. Recommend to fans of Denise Hunter and Becky Wade.