A second chance at love is waiting on the sun-drenched shores of Hawthorne Harbor, but are their hearts ready to heal?

Catherine Magleby is back in her hometown, though it’s not the triumphant return she imagined. Nursing the wounds of a humiliating breakup, she’s seeking the quiet comfort of her small hometown to find herself again. She didn’t expect her path to cross with Anthony Herrin—the high school sweetheart she never truly forgot—at the peak of their favorite seaside hiking trail.
Tony has always been driven by duty, following his brothers into public service while keeping his eyes on a dream promotion within the Forest Service. He’s waiting for the call that will take him away from the small-town life he’s always known, but seeing Cat again changes everything.

As they spend their days exploring the luscious beauty of the outdoors, the spark of their old flame begins to flicker back to life. But the Forest Service separated them once before, and Cat’s wandering spirit makes her hesitant to tether herself to a man who might leave again.

In this sweet and clean contemporary romance, can Tony and Cat bridge the distance between their dreams to claim their happily-ever-after?

My Review

Anthony is the youngest brother. He is adventurous, outdoorsy, and works for the Forest Service. His dog, Alfie, completely stole my heart. He has spent years living a free-spirited lifestyle, moving wherever his job takes him and enjoying life on his own terms.

Catherine is a strong and resilient heroine with an impressive past. She and Tony share a history dating back to high school and college before life took them in different directions. While Tony built his career in the Pacific Northwest, Catherine served overseas as a military nurse. Seeing them reconnect after so many years made their relationship feel genuine.

Their first date is lovely, and I really enjoyed the beautiful Washington scenery throughout the story. I also appreciated the found family feeling surrounding the fire department and Catherine’s nursing career. The reveal about her family’s wealth added an interesting layer without taking over the story.

What begins in Washington eventually moves into Oregon as Tony’s career changes. He has become something of a lone wolf, relocating every few years and never staying in one place for long. It made me wonder how that lifestyle would fit into a second chance romance.

Although the cover gives off beach read vibes, the story itself feels much more like the Pacific Northwest. Instead of sandy beaches and sunshine, readers will find rugged mountains, forests, autumn festivals, rain, and towering trees. It has a cozy, outdoorsy atmosphere that feels more like early fall than summer.

This reads more like a novella than a full-length novel, but the romance is heartfelt and the story comes together in a satisfying way. While I enjoyed the characters and the setting, I do think the title and cover are a little misleading. I was expecting a coastal beach romance, but instead found a sweet small-town romance surrounded by mountains, forests, and crisp Pacific Northwest scenery.

A unique edition, a heartfelt second chance romance, and beautiful Pacific Northwest scenery. 🌲📚

I couldn’t pass up this two-in-one edition.

If you would like to read  The Shore Thing you can find this book on the Elana Johnson’s website in the special edition,

If you like this book you may also enjoy books with these tags and categories: Friends to Lovers, Small Town and Second Chance.