No Judgments

This lighthearted romance by Cabot (The Boy Is Back) has dark undertones as its characters grapple with a ferocious hurricane and the aftermath of sexual assault. Feeling betrayed by her mother and boyfriend, who failed to take her trauma seriously, Sabrina Beckham fled New York for Little Bridge Island in the Florida Keys, where her family long ago had happy vacations. Now known as Bree and waitressing at a diner, she has adopted a cat and feels almost like she belongs. She thinks the forecasts for an approaching hurricane are fearmongering and refuses to evacuate, but soon the wind starts howling. She’s thrown together with her boss’s nephew, handsome carpenter Drew Hartwell, and their chemistry out-sizzles the electricity of the storm. Bree sets out to rescue the abandoned pets on the island, which helps her gain the confidence needed to cope with the past and envision a future with dreamy Drew. Cabot, best known for her Princess Diaries young adult series, shows that her work for adults can be just as frothy and entertaining. Though not especially memorable, this sweet novel will leave readers with a pleasant glow. Agent: Laura Langlie, Laura Langlie Agency. (Oct.)