Long and Short Reviews

Racing for The Shore by Melanie Anderson
Linden Bay Romance
Contemporary
Full Length, Hot
Review by Chamomile

After a history of rocky relationships, Jill Conner is finally living the good life. The manager of a gift shop, Jill now has a nice house on the beach where she’s content to just ride the waves. Then Brian Donavan unexpectedly comes crashing into her life.

Brian is a SCRL crew chief without a crew. Ever since his last driver retired, he’s been cruising haphazardly through life, carrying the burden of a hidden secret that can’t be forgotten. Forced to leave the intensity of the racing world behind in favor of a much-needed vacation, Brian finds himself at the beach where he meets Jill.

Intrigued by one another’s differences, the attraction between Jill and Brian quickly grows. Wanting to show Brian what’s been missing in his life, Jill invites him into her laid back world. But what Jill really wants is Brian’s heart. Will Brian risk getting swept away by love, or will his fear of once again drowning have him Racing for the Shore.

♥ ♥ ♥

Brian and Jill

I'm not a stock car racing fan but that's okay – neither is Jill, so I identified with her ignorance on the subject. I happy to say that being a fan wasn’t necessary for me to enjoy this sweet romance.

I really like Jill. With a petite frame and icy blue eyes, she's kind of shy at first but has an assertive burst that gets things going with Brian. She's feisty and doesn't let Brian bulldoze her with his alpha male dictates and this facet of her personality appealed to me. Jill's parents are wealthy but I found it refreshing that she doesn't take it for granted nor does she throw it up in others' faces. Her total lack of awareness of the racing world is amusing, both her reaction to meeting racing 'greats' as well as how she deals with the reaction of others when they find out that she is dating Brian. I just thought, yep, that's how I would be. She has dated more than her share of losers, but I think her bad luck with men gives her a vulnerability that makes her realistic and likeable.

Brian has a brooding, sort of mysterious nature that I find appealing in a hero. He even has a gravelly deep voice to go along with his six foot hard body. Yum. He's complex and driven and, of course, he's insecure and unable to admit his growing feelings for Jill. He's also possessive, which cause some juicy fireworks along the way. I really loved the intensity of his passion for Jill. It is as if he can barely control it and his hunger for her drives the heat index up to the boiling point.

There are some entertaining secondary characters that keep both Jill and Brian off balance and add so much to the story. I couldn't get enough of Jill's brother Harley — he is developed just enough to make me curious about him and I think he should have his own story! The racing references are not at all overpowering and are a means for Jill to get a clear picture of Brian's world and how she might fit into it.

I read Racing for the Shore in one sitting and sighed with contentment at the end. With a robust cast of characters, enchanting hero and heroine, this one will warm your heart, raise your pulse and completely satisfy.