Date published: July 5, 2011
ISBN 978-0451234001
Contemporary Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Gina
Obtained by Publisher
Touring the country on a different kind of photo assignment, photographer Gabe James takes a detour to help a fellow Marine by photographing his wedding. As Gabe snaps the newlyweds, memorializing his friend Cole’s special day he finds himself distracted by a woman with forest green eyes he quickly find himself lost in. Charity Tiernan is everything Gabe always wanted but knew he’d never have. She’s smart, sassy, compassionate and a heart big enough to take in any stray that comes her way. She’s everything Gabe has ever wanted and what he has feared more than anything. Determined to leave Shelter Bay after Cole’s wedding, Gabe hits the road. Unable to keep his camera tucked away he stops to take in a picturesque group of seniors. But before he can take his shot he witnesses the horror of a little black dog being thrown from a van.
While Charity found herself attracted to Gabe she knew from the git go he was a man to avoid. When he shows up at her veterinary clinic with the little black dog in tow she sees more than the battle hardened Marine. Determined to match up animals needing homes with people who need someone or something to hold on to, Charity sets about convincing Gabe to keep the little dog. Before she can move forward with her plans, her mother, Amanda, arrives fresh from her latest marriage Amanda doesn’t miss the sparks between Gabe and her daughter and does her part to let true love take its place in their lives.
Unwilling to just let Gabe go, Charity convinces him to stay and help her with a very special summer camp in Shelter Bay. As the camping week progresses Gabe finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into the possibility of a future with Charity—but commitment remains his worst fear. Can this big, brave Marine let love into his heart?
I had a hard time putting Joann Ross’s ONE SUMMER down once I started reading it. I enjoyed book one of her Shelter Bay series, THE HOMECOMING. ONE SUMMER went beyond that book to a truly memorable story. Maybe it was that the heroine is a veterinarian who doesn’t just care for animals but does right by them. The scene where she helps a dog at the end of its life and the care and compassion shown to both human and animal left me in tears. It was so very much the way my own vet has stood by myself when I’ve had to say goodbye to one of my pets.
I railed at Ms. Ross when the little black dog was thrown from the van—and cheered when it got under Gabe’s skin and became a part of his life.
Despite a relatively short period of time, Gabe and Charity’s relationship is realistic, credible and wonderful to read. How their own fears come to the fore, unfold and resolve is well told.
This is one of the “do not miss” books you will want to read and read again because there is so much depth, passion and sheer reading enjoyment to it.
This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.
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