McKenzie Shaw and Ben Kilpatrick are at odds ever since he closed his family boat factory and moved away. She's the mayor and trying to convince him to open up another business is a town that seems to no longer have hope of thriving. The book drags and there is a lot of unnecessary conversations and situations that lead little to the main plot. ( )

I really enjoyed this clean romance. I voluntarily chose to review this story. I've given it a 5* rating. I've never been disappointed by this author before or for this story either. I really enjoyed the characters of this Haven Point series. There are a lot of twists and turns in the hero's quest to help keep you turning the pages. The heroine is a positive breeze throughout the story, most of the time. It's about moving forward and making the best of situations. Onto the next story. ( )

Redemption Bay is the latest addition to RaeAnne Thayne's heartwarming Haven Point series. In this delightful outing, mayor McKenzie Shaw is dismayed to learn that Ben Kilpatrick, the man she holds responsible for destroying the town's economy, is renting the house next door. She tries to rein in her long standing animosity when she discovers he is scouting locations for a new business and that Haven Point is on the short list of possibilities. However, letting go of the past is not easy for neither McKenzie nor Ben but a looming disaster provides both of them with unexpected clarity that changes the course of their relationship.

McKenzie loves the close-knit town she calls home and she has never forgiven Ben for closing down the business he inherited after his father's death. His lack of attention to his other properties also contributed to the town's economic loss and although he has sold the property, most of the townspeople share McKenzie's hostility toward him. When his friend and business partner insists Ben return to his old hometown to see if it is viable option for a new venture, he reluctantly agrees although he has serious reservations about opening a facility in Haven Point. Despite her lingering resentment, McKenzie insists on showing him all of the good things that the town has to offer and Ben finds himself enjoying her company and experiencing the local community through her eyes. Can McKenzie convince Ben to let go of the painful memories that haunt him and give Haven Point a second chance? Or is she doomed to have her heart broken by the man she is beginning to fall in love with?

McKenzie is relentlessly upbeat and positive in every situation. Even when faced with some of the town's grumpiest, disgruntled citizens, she remains cheerful and good natured which probably explains why she is a little disconcerted by her continued bitterness toward Ben. She makes a concerted effort to give him the benefit of the doubt and since she not only loves Haven Point, but completely believes that the town is the best choice for his new business, she graciously offers to escort him to the community's upcoming events. She is dismayed to discover her childhood crush on him has matured into attraction but since Ben is adamant he will not return permanently, McKenzie refuses to act on her feelings.

Ben's childhood was anything but happy and he could not wait to leave Haven Point behind. He is a successful businessman who works long hours, leaving himself little time to dwell on his painful past. Ben is closed off, rather unemotional and makes his business decisions based on logic not instinct or sentiment. When his mom reveals shocking information about his past, Ben begins to see long ago events from a completely different perspective, but will this change his mind about Haven Point? More importantly, as he begins to make peace with his past will he allow McKenzie into his heart?

Although a bit of a slow starter, Redemption Bay is an engaging novel with an appealing cast of multi-faceted characters. The romance between MckKenzie and Ben is very sweet and as their feelings for one another deepen, they begin to heal from the hurts from their respective pasts. This heartfelt and uplifting love story is an absolutely outstanding addition to the Haven Point series and I highly recommend it to readers of contemporary romances who enjoy homespun stories with a small town setting.
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ARC REVIEW: REDEMPTION BAY BY RAEANNE THAYNE  
 
REVIEW:  REDEMPTION BAY BY RAEANNE THAYNE
 
Release Date:  June 30, 2015
 
 
My Review
 
Redemption Bay (Haven Point, #2) by RaeAnne ThayneMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
RaeAnne Thayne always writes stories that are packed full of emotion. Coming to terms with change is never easy. Ms Thayne has crafted a story of unity, healing, transition, forgiveness and understanding. Redemption Bay is a story about moving on, letting go and finding strength in moments of weakness. I enjoyed reading this book.(www.goodreads.com/review/list/25556913-isha-coleman)
 
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Redemption-Haven-Point-RaeAnne-Thayne-ebook/dp/B00SFSL8G4/
 
Barnes and Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/redemption-bay-raeanne-thayne/1120680955?ean=9781460382141&itm=1&usri=redemption bay
 
Google Play Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/RaeAnne_Thayne_Redemption_Bay?id=n-0...
 
Harlequin:  http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=59533
 
Itunes/Ibooks:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/redemption-bay/id960083167?mt=11
 
Kobo:  https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/redemption-bay
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Not bad, not exciting. Reasonably full characters, though both of them had rather soap-opera childhoods/paternities. Misunderstanding played a small part, though they actually did what I always yell at characters to do - they stated what they thought had happened and (more or less) listened to what the other thought was happening. No hugging their secret hurts until they festered - at least, not the new ones. It had a lot of good aspects, but it didn't excite me; I'd certainly read the next (and previous) one if I came across it, but I won't be seeking it out. It's not as bad as meh, but it didn't generate a lot of interest in me. Read this from B&N's monthly serial, on the Nook app. ( )