Tourist Season by Brenda Novak #bookreview #romance #contemporary #mystery #womensfiction

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Title: Tourist Season

Author:  Brenda Novak

Publisher: MIRA

Publication Date: April 2, 2024

Page Count:  405

My rating: 4 stars

About the book:

A great new beach read from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bookstore on The Beach

A summer by the ocean promises new beginnings—until old secrets resurface.

Ismay Chalmers is ready for a relaxing summer reconnecting with her fiancé at his family’s luxurious beachfront cottage. But before Remy can join her, a hurricane bears down on Mariners Island. Alone in the large house, Ismay makes a disturbing discovery in Remy’s childhood closet. She’s not sure what to make of it, but is relieved when the property’s caretaker, Bo, checks in on her. 

Bo’s home is damaged, so they temporarily shelter together, and Ismay is comforted by his quiet strength. But the unannounced arrival of a family member puts Bo back at his place and changes Ismay’s summer into something other than what she wants—or ever expected. With so many reasons to feel unsettled, Ismay finds herself turning to Bo, who gives her more than a sense of security; there’s something about him that makes her feel alive, stirring her to wonder what life might be like if she chose a different path… 

As Ismay grows closer to Bo, she begins to hope the reclusive caretaker might eventually let down his guard. But when she finds out that he has secrets, too, she begins to question how well she knows any of the men in her life—and how well she can trust her own heart.  

Tourist Season by Brenda Novak is a women’s fiction title that takes a contemporary romance story and weaves in a mystery for the characters to solve. The story in Tourist Season is one that is told by changing the point of view between the characters giving both sides to the story.

Ismay Chalmers has headed to Mariners Island for a long relaxing break after all of her years of studying to become a lawyer. Ismay is going to be staying in her fiance’s family’s beachfront cottage for a few weeks by herself until her fiance finishes medical school exams. What Ismay didn’t count on was a strong storm heading through just after her arrival.

With the power out and the storm swirling around her in the cottage Ismay goes in search of anything that may help. In her fiance’s room she finds a hidden panel and while hoping for some kind of light instead she finds a mysterious duffel. As Ismay puzzles the discovery help arrives in he form of Bo, the family’s cottage and property caretaker. After Bo helps Ismay he in turn ends up in need of a hand dealing with the storm damage to his own cottage so Ismay offers dry shelter for the night with her.

Several years back Brenda Novak quickly became a go to author for me when I just need to know I’m going to enjoy a novel. None of her books have rated below four stars for me and Tourist Season wasn’t an exception to that at all. I think the fact one thing that isn’t high on my list is starting a romance with someone already in a couple is the theme to this story and I still absolutely loved the book is probably all that I need to say. I will however add that the setting was great, the main characters enjoyable while the side characters are questionable to say the least with the mystery so all that combination had me flying through this latest Brenda Novak release!

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Find this book online:

Goodreads  /  Amazon

About the author:

New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak has written over 60 novels. An eight-time Rita nominee, she’s won The National Reader’s Choice, The Bookseller’s Best and other awards. She runs Brenda Novak for the Cure, a charity that has raised more than $2.5 million for diabetes research (her youngest son has this disease). She considers herself lucky to be a mother of five and married to the love of her life. www.brendanovak.com