Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Not Over You

SERIES: Sons of Cape Cod (Book 1)

AUTHOR: Jodi Payne

PUBLISHER: Tygerseye Publishing LLC

LENGTH: 186 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 14, 2021

BLURB:

Five years ago, Scott Borden finally shook the sand off his feet and left his Cape Cod hometown for a dream job in Silicon Valley. Scott barely gave Falmouth a second thought once he was in California, but he’s never been able to get Jarlath completely out of his mind.

Jarlath O’Connolly now owns his late father’s pub in Falmouth Heights. O’Connolly’s pub is part of the heartbeat of his hometown and its walls hold the memories of everything he’s ever loved. Everything except his best friend, Scott. Scott was easy to replace with a new bartender, but there was no replacing Scott in Jarlath’s heart.

The summer is ending, there’s a hurricane in the forecast, and Scott’s finally come home, but Jarlath isn’t sure he’s ready for the reunion. A lot has changed, including Jarlath’s understanding of who Scott really was to him. Will they still find each other hard to get over once they’re face to face?

REVIEW:

I always look forward to a Jodi Payne book and this was a keeper!

Scott Borden is returning home with his tail between his legs after his successful startup business in California suddenly, not without lack of trying, went broke. Now he comes back home to his family after suddenly departing five years ago without a single visit. Oh he did his duty and called his Ma faithfully every Sunday. But that was it. He’d been spending his time having his fun in San Francisco but didn’t even make time for a visit during the holidays back home. He didn’t even ever come and meet his two nephews that were now not babies any more. Didn’t come and help when his Dad took ill with his debilitating strokes. Heck, he didn’t even know about his Dad’s diminishing mental abilities. And he definitely didn’t call and check up on his best friend and the boy he fell for and couldn’t get out of his head or heart. Not even when that boy lost his father. So now, when Scott dresses up and heads to the bar that Jarlath “Jar” O’Connolly owns, the same bar he worked until he suddenly left for greener pastures with only 4 days notice, he isn’t totally surprised by the icy reception his former best friend/lover gave him. Now Scott is going to have to up his game if he ever wants to repair all the damage his absence has done.

I will say that I was mildly surprised there weren’t cowboy hats and boots involved with this story like most of her books but the author said she was paying homage to where she spent time when she was younger and to her grandparents.

I was pleased there wasn’t as much angst as I feared would come. A hurricane barreling down on you, leaving a path of distraction in its wake, tends to change your perspective. It’s get in and get things cleaned up before you lose everything to the elements. It’s what you prepare for and what you do if it does decide it’s you it’s going to hit. The author did a great job describing in detail the prep that you got through hoping it’s all a huge waste of time but what it does choose to destroy when it’s you it sets it’s eye on. And clean up after such a disaster isn’t a quick job. She was realistic in all that was required to start up again after the devastation. She also got the small town “come and help” mentality down perfectly.

I loved how the entire family had not only “adopted” Jar in as one of their own but showered both men with love and acceptance. They were practically pushing them together most of the times. And that proposal… so very swoon worthy!

Be prepared and hold on to your seats because this story is going to sweep you off your feet with hurricane force winds! A must-read!

RATING:

BUY LINK:

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