Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Note to Self
SERIES: Calston Cove (Book 4)
AUTHOR: JJ Harper
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 211 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 24, 2025
BLURB:
Ever since his brother Josh died, Trent’s parents have been obsessed with him getting a wife and providing them with grandchildren. That they turned their backs on Josh’s daughter, Willow, still hurts Trent. With a statement that closed the door on his life with his parents’ bullying, and the end of a useless relationship, Trent heads down to Calston Cove, where his brother-in-law Merrick and his daughter have settled after Josh’s death.
He craves a new life and new opportunities, a chance to find himself again. What he doesn’t expect is Merlin, the gorgeous man with the Colgate smile and the charm that goes with it.
Merlin has settled into his new life as a landscaper and loves life in Calston Cove and the new friends he’s made. Literally, bumping into the cute blond outside Merrick’s gallery has his pulse rising and interest piqued.
The question is, can Trent trust this handsome man’s words, or is he another charmer who only wants one thing from him?
Merlin thinks Trent is the man for him and is prepared to prove it.
Note to Self is the last book in the Calston Cove series. You can read it as a standalone, but you’ll enjoy it more when you’ve read the other three books. You can expect an instant attraction, but a hesitancy to trust not just the handsome man, but to believe his heart. Merlin will accept nothing but a happy ending.
REVIEW:
I have enjoyed visiting Calston Cove and this book brings us back full circle to Merrick’s brother-in-law and little Willow’s uncle.
Trent has had it with his parents. He’s so done. He knew, when Josh warned him about being bisexual, to wait to tell them. Josh was the golden son. Even if he was gay. But when Josh finally passed his parents showed their true colors. And now they have basically pushed him out. His mother wants him married to a nice woman and popping out “blood” grandchildren for her. Since Willow wasn’t biologically her granddaughter, his mother had discarded her like an old used sweater. So off to Calston Cove he went trying to figure out his future for the 6-week summer break from teaching High School Science at a public school back in London. He is now reconnecting with Merrick and little Willow. And chasing his long buried dream of the art his parents told him to stop. When the gorgeous rugby captain literally catches him when they run into each other. And there is interest by Merlin. But Trent is coming off his parents homophobia and his boyfriend’s nastiness. Can he learn to trust again or will he wind up returning to London and a life he doesn’t want any more?
I knew Josh and Trent’s parents were a nasty situation from Merrick’s story. The way they treated Merrick and the baby after Josh’s death was horrible. And Trent knew he had to get away. I’m thrilled that he came looking for Merrick and Willow and renewed their bonds.
I get why Trent was so reluctant to start up with Merlin. His life was in a total upheaval. And Marc had truly done a number on him and his self-esteem was in the toilet because of it (and his parents). But isn’t that how it always is. The bully/bad boyfriend is a piece of 💩 so, to make himself feel superior and more important, they tear their mate to pieces and belittle them. I was thankful how that eventually all played out with Marc but he was a scary piece of trash! And I was truly worried. He was becoming more and more unhinged.
I am going to miss coming on holiday to Calston Cove. I was thankful though that we got to see so many of the men one last time and had our goodbyes.
Wonderful finale to an amazing series!
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
