I received this book via I Am a Reader. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Seaside Christmas by Stacy Claflin Series: Seaside Hunters,
Published by Self Publish on 2015-11-06
Length: 224 pages
Reviewing eARC from I Am a Reader
Rating:
He can’t stand her. She thinks he’s crazy. Will their feelings stay etched in permanent ink?
Cruz Hunter has always stuck out in his small hometown. Now that he’s covered in tattoos, the residents peg him as even more of an outcast. It seems like the whole world is against his dream of opening a local tattoo parlor.
When he finally finds the perfect place for his new business, Cruz discovers a pastor and his daughter have already bought it. The only thing more irritating than the change in his plan is Talia, a beautiful and feisty argument in a dress. Cruz would like nothing more than to have her out of his life and his mind, but for some reason, she’s the only thing he can think about.
If Cruz and Talia can stop arguing long enough, opposites may do much more than attract.
Review
Seaside Christmas by Stacy Claflin is a sweet, contemporary romance about a very unlikely pairing. When Talia and her father buy the old church out from under the unsuspecting Cruz, Cruz will stop at nothing to get them to leave. But something about the preacher’s daughter has Cruz second guessing his game plan and he finds himself helping the pair get the old, nearly condemned church in working order just in time for Christmas.
I REALLY enjoyed this book! Talia is sweet, a bit naive, and fully devoted to her father. But she’s also grieving. Her mother’s gone and this is their first Christmas without her. I could easily relate to Talia (even though my mother is living) as she tries to be the strong one for her father and she throws everything she has into this church.
Cruz has this reputation as being the bad boy. He even tries to make himself sound gangster (really his “yo” and incorrect grammar are hardly what I’d call gangster, more annoying really). His dream is to open a tattoo parlor in his little hometown. He’s an amazing artist and definitely has the skill. But the town is against it and sells the building promised to him to the Talia and her father. He’s angry and rightfully so. I’d be angry too! At first I thought Cruz was selfish, his motives focusing on what he wanted instead of figuring out other avenues to start his business. He even goes as far as asking them to leave!!! BUT the preacher and his daughter quickly win him over and if I’m being honest I think Cruz is a bit of a teddy bear under all that ink.
The plot of the story focuses on the fledgling relationship between Cruz and Talia and also on the church. It really is no surprise that these two begin a relationship. The fun part of the story and what really drives the plot is the antagonism between the two main characters. They both want such different things, and their attraction towards one another drives them crazy. BUT it really is sweet and most definitely swoon-worthy 😀
Overall, I really liked the book! I personally haven’t read any of the other books in the Seaside Hunters series so I can vouch for it being read as a standalone and still making sense. However after reading it, I plan to go back and read the others. It is THAT good! If you enjoy contemporary romance (bonus it is clean!) or you’re looking for a quick holiday read, than look no further.
Final Conclusion:
Excerpt
The three of them sat at the freshly cleared table while Talia’s dad set up the game. Cruz sat back in the spot where he’d had dinner and pulled his sleeves up above his elbows, almost to his shoulders.
He had one tattoo near where his sleeve rested that was a heart and a flower with the word Mom. A black and white dragon wrapped around the lower part of that same arm, and its tail looped around the neck.
Cruz glanced Talia’s way, and caught her staring.
“Interesting tattoos,” she said.
He gave her a funny look. “You like them?”
Talia shrugged. “How does your mom like that one?” She gestured to the heart.
Cruz flexed as he peered down at it.
Her own heart nearly jumped into her throat.
“It’s growing on her,” he said. “Her tears are down to a minimum now.”
The corners of Talia’s mouth twitched. “That’s a good thing?”
He crossed his arms over his chest, flexing them—on purpose or was that just natural? He nodded and smiled.
“So, she likes them?” asked Talia.
“Yeah. She likes my dragon—she says he’s cute. Not quite what I was going for, but whatever.” He rubbed the top of the dragon’s head almost like it was a pet.
Talia had never been one for tattoos, but she kind of liked his. The artwork was really impressive.
Her dad cleared his throat. “You two ready to start this game?”
“Yes,” Talia exclaimed, embarrassed by her staring.“Let’s get this party started.” Cruz leaned forward.
Meet the Hunter Brothers of Kittle Falls…
The Seaside Hunters novels are a series of contemporary sweet romances. They’re set in the beach town of Kittle Falls, following the Hunter brothers as they make their way back to their hometown and find the loves they couldn’t elsewhere. Each book is a standalone.
About Stacy Claflin
Stacy Claflin writes about complex women overcoming incredible odds. Whether it's her Gone trilogy of psychological thrillers, her ongoing Transformed paranormal saga, or her Seaside Hunters sweet romance series, Stacy's three-dimensional heroines shine through.
Decades after she wrote her first stories on construction paper and years after typing on an inherited green screen computer that weighed half a ton, Stacy realized her dream of becoming a full-time author.
When she's not busy writing or educating her kids from home, Stacy enjoys watching TV shows like Supernatural, Pretty Little Liars, and Once Upon a Time.
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