Reviewed by Christine
TITLE: Driftwood
AUTHOR: Harper Fox
NARRATOR: Chris Clog
PUBLISHER: Audible Studios
LENGTH: 6 hours, 58 minutes
RELEASE DATE: December 13, 2017
BLURB:
This is the FoxTales edition of the book previously published by Samhain Publishing. Other than the cover art and description, the book is the same.
Thomas Penrose is a village doctor in rural Cornwall. Popular with patients and friends alike, and handsome into the bargain, he lives in a romantic clifftop tower by the sea. It’s a wonderful life – if only Dr. Tom could enjoy it. He’s a veteran of the conflict in Afghanistan, fighting a lonely battle against alcoholism and PTSD.
Determined not to inflict his troubles on anyone else, Tom keeps himself to himself. But fate has other ideas, and brings a handsome surfer crashing to his feet after a dreadful wipe-out on Porth Beach. Just another crazy surf bunny? Not a bit of it – Flynn Summers is one of Cornwall’s heroes, a fearless search-and-rescue helicopter man. Why is he risking his beautiful neck in the stormy off-season waves?
Despite the rocky beginning, Tom and Flynn become friends. Both are concealing sorrows behind a tough façade, and for once in his life Tom thinks he’s met someone who can handle him, shadow-side and all. But Flynn isn’t a free man. He’s unhappily locked into a bond of obligations and bad memories with formidable pilot Rob Tremaine – and Rob has no intention of letting Flynn go.
As Tom and Flynn begin their high-risk, high-reward romance, will the tides of the past sweep in to destroy their new love?
REVIEW:
I have loved everything I have read (or listened to) by Harper Fox, and Driftwood is no exception.
Set against the rugged Cornwall landscape and decorated with interesting local personalities, this gorgeous, romantic tale is woven in Harper Fox’s lovely, lyrical writing style. She is a master at evoking beautiful images with vivid detail and captivating, descriptive language. Here she delights the reader by crafting a story that contains a just the right blend of exciting adventure, intrigue, and emotional, romantic elements that melt the heart.
Thomas and Flynn are perfectly imperfect, full of strength and tenderness and carefully balanced with integrity, appeal, and vulnerability. Their coming together is both raw and touching as these two damaged souls find solace and comfort in one another. The scenes they share are powerful and primal with a visceral connection that is inescapable. Their story is compelling and gripping, and their physical and emotional connection builds quickly, even as it is tinged with peril and uncertainty. Sensuality is peppered with suspense as their chemistry sizzles amidst rugged storms and encroaching danger.
The characters’ past traumas and current demons are well developed and tragically portrayed, yet not overly burdensome, nor too draggy or dark in tone. Resolutions are cleanly made, and the climax is exhilarating and satisfying, though Thomas’s ability to take part as he did may seem a bit unbelievable. The ending tugs at the heart and is a perfect closure to this exciting and romantic tale.
I must also take a moment to talk about Belle. I love her. Vital to the plot and a true heroine, she is a character that graces the pages as delightfully as she does the lives of her people.
Chris Clog’s narration is excellent. With his beautiful accent and reserved delivery, he strikes just the right emotional tone for this story. The voices of the characters ring with authenticity and appeal, and he provides a most entertaining listening experience.
I highly recommend the audiobook version of Driftwood. With its stunning setting, intriguing plot, and wide range of engaging characters, it is truly not to be missed. It fairly shouts, “Welcome to Cornwall!” and steals a little piece of the reader’s heart in the process.
RATING: 
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