Meant to Be (Anchor Island #1) by Terri Osburn

Contemporary Romance

From Goodreads:

Lifelong people-pleaser Beth Chandler will do anything to make a good impression on her future in-laws, including defy her fear of boats to make the ferry crossing required to meet them. Lucky for her, a lovable mutt and his tall, sexy, blue-eyed owner provide enough distraction to subdue her paralyzing panic attack. But Beth’s human tranquilizer turns out to be her future brother-in-law, Joe Dempsey, and their instant attraction is both unwelcome and undeniable.

Joe expects his brother’s fiancé to follow the materialistic, blonde-bimbo stereotype that is Lucas’ usual fare. Wild-haired, sweet-natured Beth doesn’t fit the part, but she does fit Joe and his island better than any woman he’s ever met. Though the men haven’t been close for years, Joe would never put the moves on his brother’s fiancé. That means Beth is off limits, no matter how much he wants her.

When a demanding case pulls Lucas back to the city, Beth realizes her fiancé is already married – to his work. Are solitary nights and mind-numbing dinner parties really what she wants? Torn between loyalty to Lucas and her growing feelings for Joe, Beth rethinks her choices and contemplates a future different from the one laid out before her. One that includes an island, a dog, and a man she can never have.

I have become hooked on what I call destination romances.  Those are romances set in places like Fools Gold, Thunder Point, and Whiskey Creek.  I am adding Anchor Island to the list.  All of these places have books and characters that I love.

Terri Osburn has written a sweet romance filled with great characters..  Anchor Island is a great setting for the story.  While it does not really exist it is like some of the islands in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. There is sexual tension but not much sex and that is just how I like a story to be written.

Beth and Joe are the two with all the tension.  However there is a problem – Beth is Joe’s stepbrother Lucas’s fiancée.    Some really great side characters aid the story.  Joe’s partner Sid, a female, has some great scenes with Beth.  Tom and Patty are great as the parents and stepparents of Joe and Lucas.  There are the other residents of the island who add spice to the story.  Then there is Joe’s former fiancée, Cassandra Walker who just keeps causing trouble.    Oh, and let’s not forget Dozer, Joe’s dog, who has great taste in women.

I received the copy of Meant to Be from Amazon Vine.  It was published in May of 2013 and was the Last Harvest list.  Up to the Challenge came out in Oct. of 2013 and Home to Stay will be out on May 1, 2014.  I am off to read more of Anchor Island.