Also in this series: Snow Angel Cove
Series: Haven Point #2
Published by HQN Books on July 1 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Small Town
Pages: 379
Format: eBook
Source: Library
New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne brings you back to Haven Point—a place made for second chances…
McKenzie Shaw would do anything for her beloved hometown of Haven Point. It may be small and struggling, but it's never let her down…unlike gorgeous, infuriating Ben Kilpatrick. He was her childhood hero until he closed his family's factory, leaving the town's economy in shambles. Now he's back—his tech firm is considering opening a local facility. For Haven Point's sake, McKenzie has to grit her teeth and play nice.
What could a town filled with painful memories ever offer Ben? He left Haven Point behind years ago, for good reason. Yet seeing the town through the eyes of McKenzie—its fiery young mayor—he suddenly has his answer. If only he can resolve the animosity crackling between them, Ben may have found the place where he can build ties and find healing…a place where love arrives when it's least expected.
Summary
McKenzie Shaw is the mayor of Haven Point and she would do anything for her hometown and the people who live there. But when Ben Kilpatrick comes back to town, her blood runs cold. McKenzie once found herself infatuated with Ben, but when he turned his back on the town and let it go downhill she knew she couldn’t just let that go. But when she learns that Ben is here doing some scouting for a new facility that could bring jobs and prosperity to Haven Point, she knows that she will have to be “nice” to him to show him that Haven Point deserves it. Ben has a war of feelings going on inside him, and the last thing he wants to do is be in Haven Point again, it brings back bad memories for him. At first McKenzie and Ben spend time together, and trying to ignore the chemistry they feel for each other, and even though the past comes back to haunt them, they will need to learn to let go of the past when love gets in the way….
The Hero
Ben Kilpatrick has some horrible memories of Haven Point. He grew up in Haven Point, but when his younger sister was diagnosed with a deadly disease, his father turned on him in a very brutal way. He went from a loving father overnight to a man who belittled his son for the tiniest infraction. Even though Ben became a stronger person because of it, it ruined his childhood and teen years. His relationship with his mother is strained even though she suffered just as much as he did. Ben was a character that at first I didn’t know if I would learn to like him. From the first book, we get some powerful negative emotions about him. But we see that not everything is black and white and Ben has had to deal with his own demons. I found Ben to be quite the hero, a man still trying to get over emotional baggage from his past and not trying to let it affect him too much. Even though he feels quite a bit of animosity from the town and especially McKenzie, I did like that he didn’t let it get him down. I grew to really like his character throughout the book though, and I was impressed with how Thayne handles his flawed character to love.
The Heroine
McKenzie is not a passive woman to just let her town go downhill. She is a fighter and she has to deal every little thing concerning the town. She has a strong backbone and is quite stubborn and determined. McKenzie loves Haven Point and would do anything for the people who lived there and to make it a better place to live. What I was most impressed with was how selfless her character was in this one. She always puts the needs of others above her own. Now I loved McKenzie, her character was fun and spineless. I liked how bulldozed over problems and gets things done even if she is new at the job. I like how happy her character was despite what she went through growing up. She took the best of what she has in life and makes lemonade out of sour grapes.
Plot and Story Line
Redemption Bay follows shortly after book one, and we get Ben and McKenzie’s book. And these two were simply fantastic together and I loved the fireworks that they put out. Now this I don’t think was quite as good as book one…but it was still dang good!!! I had a blast with Ben and McKenzie and some of the secrets that become revealed were unique and unexpected. The story is just as well written and I like how this author had me falling in love with a character I wasn’t sure that I would like and boy did I end up cheering for him. We get to see more enchantment of the small town of Haven Point. And I think I fell in love with it even more. I was quite enchanted by the community of Haven Point. I love how they stand together and do what is best for the town as a whole. The romance between Ben and McKenzie develops slowly and gradually, even though have some great chemistry it takes a while for them to act on it (considering they aren’t the best of friends) it makes sense. But what Thayne does with these two is brilliant, their relationship became so real for me. These characters Thayne writes are very compelling and feel so human and people you could be friends with in real life. I love how this author just pulls you into a story that is endearing and full of emotion.
The Cover
Such a pretty night scene by the lake!!! I just love the lights and candles, with the mountains in the backdrop.
Overall View
Redemption Bay is a story you could never regret reading….it is simply magical with a quaint small town culture, characters that win your heart and a story that you don’t want to end. A DELIGHT!
I keep meaning to try out RaeAnne Thayne. I think I even have this book. I’m glad that you did like it. I haven’t read it because I was also a bit nervous that I might get frustrated with Ben. So I’m glad to hear that in the end you did like him.
oh Quinn….you simply HAVE to try out this author. I think you would really love her stuff. They are the perfect small town romances. I think you would love book one, its so cute. That was a five star read for me. 🙂
I’ve been wondering if I’d like Thayne…I like small town setting and feisty heroines, for sure. I also like slow build romances, particularly when it’s a second chance. So I’m thinking I’d like this series. *haha* Thanks for putting yet another author on my tbr, Renee. 🙂
oh Brandee…this is definitely an author you must try out. I just tried her out this week and she is amazing!!! I love her so much I requested all of her books from my library hehe Book One is fantastic, I recommend you try that one first. (five star read for me) She just handles the small town culture so well.
Awww magical
1970, wooooaaahhhh. I’m loving the backlist you’ve been featuring! The slow and gradual romance is one of my favorite tropes. I don’t read nearly enough small-town romances!
Great review. Happy holidays! =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Another win for Thayne! 😉 I agree I was wrapped up with the characters in book one faster than here but she does so well, even with characters you think you’re not going to like. I somehow skipped over book three but books four and five were kind of intertwined…and SO good!! And doesn’t she have the best covers? Absolutely picturesque.
I enjoy the stories with characters that are more than they seem. The heroine sounds pretty wonderful, too, the way she takes care of her town.
Aw Ben. <3 I'm always amazed when an author is able to take a character I'm really not sure of and has me liking them in the end. I just won a few of her books and am so excited to try her out for the first time 😀