Series: Cat's Paw Cove (Book 2)
Welcome to Cat’s Paw Cove, Florida—an enchanting seaside
town and favorite tourist destination. But there’s something unusual about the
locals, both human and feline. The popular Shipwreck Museum might just take you
back in time, and the historic Sherwood House holds secrets, old and new.
Adopt a furever friend at the Cove Cat Café, treat
yourself to a psychic reading at Eye of Newt metaphysical shop, pick up a
special trinket from Black Cat Antiquities. And don’t be surprised if you find
your heart in the magic of Cat’s Paw Cove.
Event Planner and earthly Cupid Tori Sutherland enjoys
nothing more than playing matchmaker for lonely hearts. Too bad Tori will never
find her own happy-ever-after because the only guy she ever loved moved on
years ago.
Heath Castillo managed to escape his dysfunctional family
for a career in major-league baseball. His only regret was not acting upon his
desire for his best friend. When an injury threatens his livelihood, Heath has
no choice but to face the ghosts of his past.
When long-buried passions ignite, Heath and Tori consider
taking a chance on love. But will the forces that kept them apart in high
school destroy their budding romance before it even begins?
Good friends to lovers story. Heath and Tori were best
friends growing up, from playing Captain Planet as kids to going to prom
together. Tori didn't care that his mom was the maid and that his father was a
drunk, Heath was her friend. Heath liked spending time with Tori because he
could escape the problems he had at home. When baseball gave him a chance to leave,
he took it, but not before realizing that he felt more than friendship for
Tori.
I liked both Tori and Heath, but I hurt for them too.
Tori is a warm, loving person with a unique talent for matching people with
their forever loves. This pairs well with her job as the town's only event
planner. She is pretty well tied to her hometown, taking care of her widowed
mother (who is about as helpless as a shark). I hurt for Tori because her mom
continually puts her down, which gives her a low opinion of her worth. The one
guy she was interested in made it clear that he only wanted to be friends.
Heath also has some self-worth issues. Though he's confident enough professionally,
off the field is another matter. When an injury threatens that job, he has some
decisions to make. The invitation to be the guest of honor at his hometown's
tricentennial celebration comes at a good time but carries with it a different
set of problems. His memories of home aren't all good ones, plus he has to see
Tori again.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between
Heath and Tori. Tori is nervous about seeing him again because he hadn't
reacted well to her advances all those years ago. Heath is wary because he
still remembers Tori's father telling him that he was nowhere near good enough
for Tori. Neither one has forgotten those feelings, and spending time together
during the celebrations isn't going to help. Sure enough, the sparks between
them fly hot and fast, even though each is reluctant to do anything about it. Tori
thinks she can hide/suppress her feelings for a few days, and Heath isn't sure
he wants to risk their friendship. Eventually, those sparks burst into flame,
and their fantasies came true. I liked seeing them finally talk to each
other about their feelings, but there are still obstacles keeping them apart. Each
of them had to face the ghosts of their pasts before they could have a chance
at a future. I liked their big moment at the end and seeing how they find a way
to make it work. I'd like to see more of them in the future to catch up on how
they are doing.
There is a little bit of suspense during the story. Tori
is given the job of the tricentennial with very short notice when the town's
committee falls apart. Tori had to fight for the chance against her high school
nemesis, whose fiancé also wants the job. I ached for Tori when it seemed like
anything that could go wrong, did go wrong. I liked Heath's protectiveness and
his determination to help her in any way he can. The resolution of the problem
was not what I expected, but not a surprise for where it was.
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