I was so looking forward to ‘Summer’s Cove’ as I had really enjoyed the first in Aurora Rey’s Provincetown series, Winter’s Harbor. I was not disappointed. The story of artist Emerson and her blossoming relationship with cook and single mom Darcy was romantic and sexy but not without angst. Not too much angst but just enough to keep it interesting. Darcy is intent on keeping her love life separate from the life she has with her son Liam. Commendable as that is it leads to problems with her new lover. Emerson was my favourite of the two women as she was so good for Darcy and really went out of her way to do what she needed her to do. She was kind and considerate and so good with Liam. Darcy didn’t make it easy for her. The author has managed to write an enchanting love story with some very hot sex scenes and set in wonderful Provincetown. What else could anyone want from a romance novel? It is spot on and had me enchanted.

I was given this ARC by Bold Strokes Books and Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Summer's Cove is set in one of the most scenic areas of New England which is Provincetown on the northern tip of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. While the town and area are charming and delightful, I found one of the characters less than so. Emerson is that appealing casual but soft butch who is an immensely talented painter and artist. She is immediately smitten over Darcy when they meet through mutual friends at their wedding. While Darcy is also smitten by Emerson, she carefully keeps her feelings in check over the fact that she has a son that she wants to keep separate from her dating life. While I completely understand her intentions to protect her son from potential heartbreak if a relationship doesn't work out, Darcy becomes an insufferable tease by leading Emerson on and allowing Emerson to get too close to both her and the son then pulling back multiple times. I had a difficult time getting over that Darcy could toy with Emerson the way she did, nor did I think she deserved Emerson and the effort she put in to be a positive role model for the son. Regardless of my dislike for Darcy, the writing is polished and the overall plot kept my interest. A good story overall even with Darcy's overprotective mother act.

3 1/2 Stars. This is the second book in Rey's Provincetown series. The first book, Winter's Harbor, was decent for a debut, but I definitely enjoyed this one more. I noticed growth in Rey as an author, between the two books. You don't have to read the books in order, but the two mains from the first book, are in this one.

This book is about two women, who are quite different, trying at a relationship. Emerson is a carefree artist type, while Darcy is a structured, single mother. And because Darcy has an 8 year-old son, she is very careful not to let anyone get too close. Will Emerson be the one to break down her walls?

One of the issues I had with Winter's Harbor, is it had a few tropes, I do not care for. Miscommunication/no communication, and a crazy ex. The angst seemed a little forced to me at times. Luckily, that was not the case in this book. While there is some miscommunication, it was more believable this time around.

When it came to the characters, I loved Emerson. She was great, almost too great. Darcy on the other hand, was a real struggle for me. I get why she acted the way she did, I just didn't like her all that much. If it wasn't for the great relationship Emerson had with Darcy's son, I would almost wish Emerson would look for greener pastures. They did have some chemistry together. It was not jumping off the pages, but it was there a little bit. The intimate scenes were pretty good though, and they made up for not having a ton of chemistry.

Kids in lesfic can be up and down for me. Sometimes they work, others not so much. I did really like Darcy's son in this book. He was on of those really smart kids, that was like a little adult. Really cute and easy to like. Some of the scenes I enjoyed the most were when Emerson interacted with Darcy's son.

I liked this read and thought it was one of the better books Rey has written. If you are not big on reading about kids in lesfic, this book may not be for you. There is a lot of scenes with Darcy's son. I found them endearing, but it might not be for everyone. I feel like Rey is growing as a writer, and I look forward to reading her next book.

An ARC was given to me by BSB, for a honest review.

Like the writing style. The description of the characters and how they were feeling, even Liam was very helpful in getting me caught up in the story. Darcy loves control, compartmentalizing and her son Liam. Emerson loves how she has adjusted to the tragedies in her life. What the main characters did not expect was to enjoy each other's company. The personality of Liam was a pleasant surprise with his zest for learning and the simplicity of life. This read had me cheering for family and happiest. One bother was the quick ending.

This was a cute story. I loved the backdrop of P-town, which happens to be one of my personal favorite places. Emerson and Darcy were good main characters; Emerson the creative artist and Darcy the responsible chef and mother. I liked that we got to see Lia and Alex again and got introduced to Will, Emerson's sister who will take the lead book 3.
Emerson and Darcy's relationship progressed naturally with Darcy putting up enough walls to make Emerson worry. I didn't feel a whole lot of connection between them. There wasn't that sizzle that I look for in a lesbian romance. Liam was the absolute best part of this book. His character really added a lot to the story and in the development of their "compartmentalized" relationship. Overall it was a sweet story with a happy ending. I look forward to reading book 3.

Perfectly fine read.

I struggled with the characters a bit, Darcy mainly, but overall the story got to me.

While usually I'm the first to be bothered by a rushed ending (see other reviews), it didn't really bother me here. They were headed towards a somewhat dramatic resolution, they finally talked, things were resolved. The end.

Even the not talking didn't bother me here. Usually this annoys me greatly, but here it felt like they had somehow maneuvered themselves into corners and the tension and reluctance to take the first step made sense.

I'm rating this book 2.5 stars.

I just struggled with this book and I really tried. The concept of the book drew me in but felt the storyline and chemistry with the characters lacking. Too much detail in certain parts of the story that didn't really matter which made me think the author was trying to pad the story to make it longer than needed.

At certain stages of the book I did feel drawn in wanting to know what would happen but ultimately found myself not a big fan of Darcy which made my enjoyment of the book minimal.

I did find the part where Darcy explained how she got pregnant just an odd explanation. "Not being accustomed to the ways of the het world, it never occurred to us to use protection."I'm sorry but what world are they in? Honestly we all grow up in the het world and protection is not a massive secret in fact I think its shoved down your throat at school no matter who you are. So that just threw me and annoyed me. Just stick with the second part of the explanation "we were smashed" now that is an explanation in of its self. Sorry had to just get that off my chest!

I am sorry but just wasn't my kind of book.

A fine, steady offering to the genre, laced with sufficient drama to retain the interest of the audience. The protagonists were each highly likable and relatable, with realistic barriers affecting the course of their romance. I appreciated the consideration of Emerson's loss and the impact that her grief had on her relations with Darcy as well as Liam. I will continue look forward to Ms. Rey's work.

I absolutely love Aurora Rey. (And, she’s my hero, but she and everyone else is probably tired of me saying it over and over again but I can’t help and gush because it’s true.) Her books will always have a special place in my heart and this one was no different. There were so many moments in this book that were just so pure. Pure life and light and pure joy and love. This is the second book in the series, but it can absolutely stand alone as a book and as a beautiful romance on its own. However, if you have read the first book in the series, you’ll be happy to catch up with one of your favourite couples in this one and see where the journey that is love has taken them.

Darcy is a single mom to Liam and works as a chef at a local café. Liam is her whole life. He has to be. She can handle being hurt while she navigates the dating world but she won’t let the same heartbreak happen to her son. Emerson is a painter and an amateur photographer. She’s drawn to Darcy and at the same time becomes a friend to her son Liam when the two bond over science. Darcy and Emerson try and keep their relationship as separate as possible from Liam. But when their feelings for each other become too strong, the lines blur, and someone is bound to get hurt. Can the two let the past go and let love win?

I love Aurora Rey because it's always like she's writing a book just for me. It’s hard to be totally objective when an author reaches into your soul and creates a masterpiece seemingly just for you.

First, I always love the science nerd aspect in her stories. So many books are about businesswomen and lawyers and doctors and there's of course all sorts of other unique jobs, but science and biomed is something you don't always see. I identified so much with Emerson – once a med school hopeful and then life happens and you realize what's really important. Add to that she’s someone who balances the creative side of herself with the scientific side of herself. It's just too special to see yourself entirely in a book. I love it. It’s one of my favourite things about reading, about discovering yourself in so many characters and discovering things about yourself in the process as well. I can't express how special it is and how amazing it makes me feel.

Second, I love the food. It is like its own character in the story. I love how it mirrors, or in some ways sets the tone of, the relationship. Maybe that’s too deep or maybe it’s an observation that belongs only in an English class, but I just love how the food is a huge part of the relationship in many of the author’s books. Again, I get to see my life and my relationship and my love in a book. I'm pretty sure Aurora Rey is in my head making all my fantasies come true. And my god every time I read a book I come away with a million recipes to try. If Aurora Rey wrote I cook book, you're damn right I would buy it.

I love these books because they feel so personal to me. I see myself. I see my dreams and my fantasies. I can never properly explain just how much these books mean to me. Of course, not everyone is me and will connect so strongly with these elements in the stories. But, if you like a cute romance and good food and a beautiful community and precious family, you'll love the little escape this book provides. Give it a go and fall in love. I dare you.

I love the authenticity in the interactions from planning the first date or dating with kids in the picture or getting lost in your work. It’s messy and it's real. As much as I love romance for the escape, I love a healthy dose of reality too. Love can be hard work, but gosh true love is so worth all the hard work and it makes the love we see between Darcy and Emerson all the more powerful and all the more beautiful.

The night in the hotel was one of the sexiest, most sensual, and most beautiful love scenes I've ever read. Coming in a close second was the day in the boat. Oh god, I’m swooning just thinking about them. I feel like the love scenes in this novel was Aurora Rey’s best work in this way. The combination of emotion and trust portrayed in these scenes was absolutely incredible, she honestly took it to another level here.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I will be one hundred million percent be buying this in paperback to add to my collection!

This was an interesting read. Emerson and Darcy are two well rounded characters who live their life according to their set rules. Emerson lives day to day (but not the crazy /wild kind, she does plan and work accordingly where her work is concerned) and is quite happy not worrying about soul mates and HEA. Meanwhile Darcy has an eight year old to consider and never gets into a relationship where her dating life and home life intersect.

You know, human beings plan and God laughs? This is a good example for it.

A very nice summer read, highly recommended

In today’s world, there are parents who neglect their children and those that are doting, caring, and involved parents. Darcy is a single parent who belongs in the latter group. Her son, Liam, takes preference over everything in her life. When she decides to date Emerson, she skillfully sets out to make sure her home and social life don’t collide. Darcy’s goal is to make sure Liam will not be hurt if her relationship with Emerson does not work out. However, true to life, love has a way of sneaking in and that’s when Darcy needs to decide what’s best for the three of them.
The main characters, as well as the secondary characters, are likable. The plot is realistic and endearing. The setting is very visually detailed, especially when the characters went whale watching. The dialogue and emotions displayed by the main characters are in sync with those of a concerned and somewhat overprotective parent and someone trying to not overstep the boundaries placed upon her by Darcy.
Throughout the story, the author had Emerson respond with the word “excellent” followed by a period. Within the framework of the story, this made sense. However, in rating this book, I think perhaps an exclamation point is warranted.