I received this book for free from the Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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She’s my best friend’s little sister. Completely off-limits. But every man has his breaking point.
Lila James is my best friend’s little sister and I’ve always looked out for her. She's five years younger than me, and when she left for college, she was just a kid. But now she’s home for the summer—and she’s definitely not a kid anymore. She’s beautiful and smart and everything I didn’t know I needed. Dark eyes. Long wavy hair. And legs that are meant to be wrapped around me. I'm the guy who likes to have a good time.Keep things light. When her brother asks me to hire her at my restaurant, it's a no-brainer. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.Until she asks me for one more favor. She wants me to be her first.Take her V-card. Go where no man has gone before. Her words, not mine. And damn if I don’t want to go there more than I’ve ever wanted anything. She's only here for the summer, and she says it will be our secret.It’s temporary. We’ll go back to being just friends at the end of summer. She promises that she won’t fall for me. She knows better.But Lila isn’t the one I'm worried about.

I’ve read almost every book Laura Pavlov has written these last few years. I just love her writing and the characters she creates. And after devouring her last The Honey Mountain series, I was so excited to learn there would be a new series. ‘Into The Tide’ is the first book of Laura’s brand new Cottenwood Cove series. This series is connected to the Honey Mountain series, but if you haven’t read that one, you can still read this series without any trouble.

In ‘Into The Tide’ we meet Hugh Reynolds and Lila James. Hugh and Lila have known each other for a very long time since Hugh’s best friend for many years is Lila’s brother. Hugh always felt protective over Lila. And when Lila returns home from college after four years, Hugh instantly realizes Lila has turned into a gorgeous smart young woman. A woman he can never touch! But when Lila starts working with Hugh and also moves into his house for a while, it starts getting way more complicated to stay away from her. The attraction between them is hard to resist, especially when Lila makes him an offer he can’t refuse.

‘Into The Tide’ was a story that pulled me in instantly. Hugh has always been kind of a playboy, but since he took over his own and his father’s restaurant he has done nothing but work. And he desperately needs help getting things in order. I loved reading his point of few in this book. He was such a hardworking, and kind guy. And the way he felt about Lila definitely made me swoon right from the start.

Lila’s character was also wonderful to get to know. Lila has had a hard childhood with her father being a drunk and her overprotective brother. And she has worked hard to prove that she can do anything she sets her mind too. Coming back home to Cottenwood Cove is a huge change for her. But above all it makes her realize how much she missed being home.

The chemistry and romance between Hugh and Lila was amazing right from the start. This is definitely a bit of a slow burn, and I loved every moment. I loved reading their struggles from both their point of views and when they finally started to give into their feelings I was so excited.

Great characters and a wonderful setting made for a great start to a new series! Throughout this read we get to meet all the Reynolds siblings and I must say I’m so excited to read their story as well. This family already stole my heart and I loved every moment I spend with them.

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Audiobook Narrated by: Mackenzie Cartwright & Connor Crais

Check out my other reviews of Laura Pavlov books:

About Laura Pavlov

Laura Pavlov writes sweet and sexy contemporary romance that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost-grown kids, and dog-whisperer to one temperamental yorkie and one wild bernedoodle. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after. Be sure to sign up for updates on new releases. Laura loves to hear from readers!

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Maureen Bakker

Maureen is a mom, wife, nurse, and Ravenclaw living in the Netherlands. She spends her days juggling mom-life, reading, blogging, planning date nights with her husband and working as a nurse. Maureen also is a big Anglophile, loves cooking, Gilmore Girls, Bridgerton and Harry Potter.. Always!  Facebook | Instagram