Leslie Tentler

Six years earlier, Trina Grissom disappeared, on the run for her life. Now living under an assumed identity—as Samantha Marsh—she still struggles with the dark secret she harbors and the fear she might one day be found. When she moves to the coastal town of Rarity Cove, South Carolina, to open a café, a handsome widower begins to chip away at the walls she's built to protect herself.

Mark St. Clair lost his wife two years ago in a tragic accident. Head of the grand St. Clair resort, he distracts himself from his lingering grief by running the family business and caring for his troubled young daughter...until a beautiful restaurateur sets up shop in town. Before meeting Samantha, Mark was convinced he could never be drawn to another woman. But as his attraction to Samantha grows, the mystery surrounding her deepens.

As the two begin a hesitant courtship, double perils emerge. Someone from Samantha's lurid past comes calling, threatening to expose her. And a powerful hurricane is forming in the Atlantic with the small beach town in its path. Trapped in the storm by the brutal man who wants vengeance on Samantha, she and Mark must fight for their lives.… (altro)

Samantha Marsh has created a new life for herself in order to escape her terrible past. She opens a little cafe in Rarity Cove, South Carolina and is doing great. Then she meets Mark St. Clair's little girl Emma who hasn't spoken a word in 2 years. Mark and Samantha feel an instant attraction towards each other but they each have their own reasons for trying to resist it.

The book alternates between several different POV's but it's easy to follow and there are flashbacks thrown in every so often that slowly reveal what happened to make Samantha give up her true identity 6 years prior. I like that we don't find out exactly what happened in her past right away. I love the waiting factor. It's nice to have a bit of mystery now and then.
As for the romance, while I do like Mark and Samantha together it's too much of a slow burn for me. I understand why she wants to keep him at a distance but despite how she justifies her reasons, she's not very good at actually doing so. I guess there was too much back and forth for my tastes.

I will say that the ending makes up for how slow parts of the book felt. All of the mystery of Sam's past is finally revealed and after some trouble they do get their happy ending.

*I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.… (altro)