Back of Book: 

“I think about how a person can be like a Cape May diamond. A dull piece of quartz but when the tide changes, as it always does, they can become shiny and new again.”

Sometimes the tide that sweeps you away can bring you home...

After thirteen years of marriage and seven years of infertility with her supposed soulmate, Sophie Bennett’s life is turned upside down. Not only does she discover her husband is having a sordid affair, on her birthday, but his mistress is also pregnant with his baby. Seeking solace, Sophie flees to Cape May, New Jersey, a quiet coastal town where she spent many summers as a child. There she encounters Liam Harper, a brooding carpenter who seems intent to keep everyone at a distance. Despite his best efforts, Sophie recognizes the vulnerability under his prickly exterior, sparking a curiosity about him that she can’t ignore.

Liam Harper is walking around with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Haunted by a tragedy from his past that changed him forever, Liam doesn’t believe he deserves love or happiness. After being unexpectedly awarded permanent custody of his one-year-old niece, Liam’s script flips yet again. He doesn’t know the first thing about parenthood, and his gruff exterior makes it hard for him to ask for help. When the beautiful and heartbroken Sophie becomes his new neighbor, Liam never expects her to be the one to chip away his defenses.

As the two navigate their attraction and work to heal old wounds, emotions run high. If they want to change the tides of their futures, they must decide whether love is worth the risk. Will they walk away forever, or will fate step in and see them through? 

Book Number: One 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

A slow burn romance set in a beachside town that is just perfect summer reading. 

Sophie Bennett has been struggling to get pregnant with her husband James for seven years now. They've been going through tough times, but she never expected to find James with another woman in their bed. When Sophie learns that James' mistress is pregnant, she asks for a divorce. Desperate to leave Scranton and the painful memories behind, Sophie flees to Cape May in the hopes of piecing her life back together. When Sophie encounters Liam, her grouchy next-door neighbor, she's shocked to discover that she feels butterflies in her stomach. Is it alright to be falling in love again so soon after divorcing her husband? Sophie now must consider what she really wants from life and just what she is willing to give up to achieve her goals. 

This is a heartfelt summer romance that dives deep into different kinds of traumas and healing through love and second chances. It has some pretty powerful themes and some cute scenes, so let's get into it. 

Sophie has longtime struggled with infertility. Obviously leaving her husband of over a decade is also a major struggle. She starts to find healing when she takes time for herself to do yoga, contemplate her future, and babysit a toddler named Lucy. Lucy is Liam's daughter, and Liam has plenty of things that he is struggling with, too. Liam was in a terrible car accident in high school that led to his sweetheart's death. He still harbors a ton of guilt surrounding her passing. On top of that, his sister, Leah, recently died in a military training accident, which led to Liam adopting her daughter, Lucy. Both Sophie and Liam have some serious stuff that their contending with. Luckily, through the course of this book, they realize that they don't have to deal with everything by their lonesome. Definitely healing from the pains of the past is one of the biggest positive parts of this novel. 

Seeing Sophie become a piece of the community of Cape May is another sweet part of this book. Sophie stays at Ellie's house, and she is such a kindly older woman. Sophie also gets to babysit Liam's daughter, which is very healing for her. Another random connection I really enjoyed was how both Sophie and Liam interact with their therapist. He is another sweet soul, so it's evident that Cape May is filled with kind people. 

Liam has a big group of friends including Miles, Danny, Jack, and Melanie. It looks like the second book follows Miles and the third one is Melanie's. Danny and Jack are already married, so I'm not sure where the series would go after that, but I'm interested to read Melanie's story regardless. That girl has seriously been through so much and she deserves to find love after holding on to the hope of winning Liam's heart for so long. 

I enjoyed the first two thirds of this book quite a bit, but unfortunately, the ending kind of bombed for me. The way that Liam and Sophie finally come together isn't all that exciting, and I found myself a bit frustrated. I also didn't love the fact that these two seemed to have major issues talking to each other about anything. The third act conflict is mainly brought about by Liam refusing to speak with Sophie and then Sophie completely forgiving him immediately and embracing him fully when he starts talking to her again. I also thought some details that were revealed in the epilogue was incredibly frustrating (specifically those involving Sophie's physical health). 

Overall, "Changing Tides" was a decent romance read with summery vibes. I was captivated by Mack's writing from the beginning and found myself emotionally invested with the character's struggles. Unfortunately, I found myself rather disappointed by the ending. Sophie and Liam weren't my favorite characters by any means, but I found their healing journeys to be worth exploring. 

Back of Book: 

Set against the backdrop of Cape May's close-knit community, Chasing Stars is a heartfelt romance about finding the courage to love again after loss, and discovering that home isn't always a place—sometimes it's a person.

Miles Corbin lives his life on his own terms. A successful real estate agent by day, and a surfer Casanova by night, Miles lives every day like it’s his last. Scarred by his recent divorce, Miles prefers to keep love at arm’s length. He’d much rather chase thrills in the ocean over risking love again. That is until Jenna Rossi walks into his life.

When Jenna Rossi inherits her family's neglected beach house in Cape May, New Jersey, she plans to sell it quickly and move on with her life. But charming property manager Miles Corbin has other ideas. As he helps her navigate necessary repairs, he also becomes her personal tour guide through the tranquil beach town’s romantic charm, determined to give her even more reasons to stay.

As their new friendship blossoms, deeper feelings begin to take root. Miles hasn’t opened his heart again since his divorce, but something about Jenna makes him want to take a chance. Jenna swears she doesn’t need a white knight, nor does she want one, but Miles’ thoughtfulness and guidance has her dropping her guard and falling hard.

But just when they’re settling into the idea of forever, a secret from the past threatens to tear them apart for good—one that connects them in ways neither could have imagined. 

Book Number: Two 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: ? 

Back of Book: 

When the past and music collide in this intense second-chance romance, love becomes the melody that heals the heart.

At forty-one, Melanie Glick has made peace with being perpetually single. She’d rather be alone than be someone’s consolation prize. So, she spends her nights tending bar at The Ugly Mug and fills her days writing music, hoping she’ll someday find the courage to perform it. Nothing in her life has ever been quite the same since she lost her best friend, Cara, in a tragic accident decades ago, but the music keeps her going. When Cara’s brother comes flying into town like a blast from the past, he stirs up old memories, new feelings, and a chance at something she never thought she’d have again.

Country music singer Josh Cote hasn’t set foot in Cape May since he was sixteen. After he lost his sister, the charming small town has been a constant reminder of all he’s lost. But with the 25th anniversary of Cara’s death approaching, Josh decides to pass through on a road trip designed to inspire his first solo album. His first stop? The Ugly Mug, where he comes face-to-face with Melanie, his teenage muse. When he spots the tattoo on her wrist in Cara’s handwriting, Josh has the overwhelming desire to get to know Melanie, all over again. 

Book Number: Three

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: ?