Out now
A couple of days ago, I mentioned the happiness in finding a good thriller that sends the reader on a wild ride. For me, that same excitement comes when I find a series that I enjoy – especially when there are multiple books in the series. This is especially true of a “new-this-year” series by author Tess Thompson. Cliffside Bay is a small town on the Northern Coast of California, and this series follows the residents of the town, using five male friends (known as “The Dogs”) as the main characters. The descriptions of the town invoke every little town on the coast of Marin and Mendocino Counties. The characters are fun, from the business woman who has a tough exterior, but soft interior, to the quirky granola gal who bemoans any development of the area. I’m pretty sure I grew up with these people! Anyway, if you’re looking for a fun, light romance (with no sex scenes (another refreshing aspect)), I highly recommend checking out this series! My Goodreads review is below.
Traded: Brody and Kara by Tess Thompson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The first in a “new-this-year” Cliffside Bay series by author Tess Thompson, “Traded” has everything a reader could want: romance, intrigue, and characters who are unique, likeable, and relatable. The author knows how to build a story in such a way that the reader becomes invested in the characters’ happiness, even if the reader has an idea of how things will turn out. I was hoping that there would be a little bit more of a wrap up for Kara’s story, but maybe that will be addressed in future books in the series. I liked how the author wove the importance of trusting one’s instincts and living life while one can throughout multiple plot threads. However, what I especially loved about this book, and what I’m sure I will continue to enjoy in the rest of the series, is how Ms. Thompson has captured the beauty of the Northern California coast and the quirkiness of the small town inhabitants. I am a born and raised NorCal girl, and Cliffside Bay brought back wonderful memories of growing up in the area. A solid 4.5 stars, and I am definitely looking forward to following “The Dogs” through the rest of the books in the series. I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
View all my reviews
