Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Turning Tide
AUTHOR: Bryce Winters
SERIES: Changing Tides #3
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 190 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 16, 2020
BLURB:
No good can come from one night with a gorgeous stranger.
Dylan has one rule: Never, ever, sleep with his guests at The Changing Tides. He learned that lesson the hard way. When he finds out the enticing stranger he brought to his bed is actually a guest, Dylan tries to tear himself away. But Dylan yearns for more and is tempted to break his one rule—again and again and again.
Cole didn’t expect to end up in bed with a delicious stranger his first night in town. When that stranger turns out to be the owner of The Changing Tides? That’s a complication. Because Cole has a secret. He’s the mastermind behind the new resort coming to town—the one that could put the town’s favorite inn out of business.
A hunger this strong must be sated, and they’re helpless to resist. As they give in, something deeper—a piece that’s been missing—slots into place. But when a secret is exposed, it has the power to destroy everything they’ve worked for—including the love they’ve discovered.
REVIEW:
Turning Tide is a charming love story between an inn owner and a hotel developer in a coastal Oregon town. It is the third and final book in the Changing Tides series but can be read as a standalone. I have not read the previous two books and never felt at a loss.
Dylan owns the Changing Tides Inn, a quaint Bed and Breakfast in Seaside. He is dismayed and worried for the inn’s future when a large resort hotel begins construction next door. At the same time, he meets Cole at a bar in town and they hookup for the night. Dylan doesn’t know Cole’s a guest at the Changing Tides and getting involved with a guest is a big no-no for Dylan for several reasons, including professionalism. Although both swear it’s a one night only thing, neither can resist the other. But Cole’s hiding the secret that it’s his company building the hotel because he knows how much it will upset Dylan. He doesn’t want the information to end their burgeoning relationship.
Author Bryce Winters creates suspense by not divulging Dylan’s secret past for a while, and then maintains tension by leaving the reader wondering how much of the nastiness will come back to haunt him now. In the end, Cole maintains an unacceptable level of deceit, particularly knowing Dylan’s traumatic past. I can understand Cole’s reasons for staying quiet, or procrastinating in telling the truth, though, because he is afraid he’ll lose Dylan.
I like the side characters and how supportive they are of Dylan. They are the couples form the first two books: Reid and Harris, and Linc and Kent.
At 190 pages, the book is on the shorter side making it a quick and easy read. For me, it got off to a slow start and I had difficulty becoming engaged in the story. Dylan is the more likable and sympathetic character; I didn’t warm up to Cole quite as much, and I didn’t connect with them as a couple.
Overall, this is a sweet book with an interesting plot and good main and secondary characters. I enjoyed the small-town and B&B setting. This is a charming romance with some angst and a really nice happy ending.
RATING: 
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