Excellent book about two people who find love and healing with each other as they try to rebuild their lives. I was sucked into the story from the beginning as Gabe touched my heart. He grew up in a home with an abusive father and a mother who chose her husband over her son. While he had the benefit of a caring uncle, Gabe never felt that he had a home until he joined the Marines. But after leaving the Corps, Gabe had a run of bad luck, including time in jail for accidentally killing a man while trying to prevent a rape. He was acquitted of murder, but with everything that has happened, Gabe needs a new start. All he can think of is Dare Island and his friend and fellow Marine Luke Fletcher's family, who welcomed him with open arms years before.

I loved Gabe. His past and his troubles have worn him down to the point where it's easy for him to believe others' low opinions of him. But underneath that bad boy exterior is a man with a good heart. That heart first makes its appearance when he shares his sandwich with a stray dog. I loved how the dog sensed the goodness in Gabe and attached himself to Gabe. I could feel Gabe's relief at Luke's welcome, and also his determination to turn his life around. Gabe's encounter with Jane, her kindness to him, and the immediate pull he felt toward her, made him feel things he'd never felt before.

Jane's life hasn't been that great either. Her mother walked out when Jane was seven, leaving Jane with her busy police officer father. Tom didn't know how to relate to her, so Jane was frequently left alone, feeling isolated. She fell in love and married young, looking for the family she craved. Instead, she ended up with a man who abused her for years before she escaped and divorced him. Now she's trying to stand on her own two feet, running her business and raising her seven-year-old son. She is determined to put her past behind her and make better choices for her future. Jane has a nurturing heart and gets great satisfaction from taking care of the people around her, from her son and father to her customers and friends. Her kindness and caring have her helping Gabe, even as she realizes that she should stay away from him.

I loved the development of the relationship between Gabe and Jane. Both are wary of risking their hearts. It was sweet to see Gabe show his caring through the work he did on her shop. He was always on the lookout for ways to make things better for her. It didn't take long for him to realize that what he felt for Jane was more than just physical attraction. Jane is attracted to Gabe, both physically and emotionally, but she is afraid of making another mistake. I liked seeing her step outside her comfort zone as she tried to overcome those fears. The dinner scene at the bakery was awesome, but also magnified Jane's worries. Seeing Gabe's connection with her son, Aiden, dug him deeper into her heart. I loved watching the changes in Gabe as his determination to be the type of man Jane needed fueled his resolve. I ached for him as he told her his feelings and her fears made her pull back. There was an emotional scene as he dealt with his hurt, and Jane tried to make him understand her concerns. When Jane's past makes an appearance, it creates complications but also helps her see past her fears. There was an unexpected twist that could have gone badly for Gabe. I loved how everything worked out in the end. I loved the epilogue and seeing how things have changed for both of them. I'd love to see more books in this series and catching up with all of the people of Dare Island. ( )