Moondance Beach

Donovan’s third Bayberry Island contemporary (after The Sweetest Summer) continues the mystical mermaid theme from earlier books, but here it’s only a distraction from a powerful tale of opening up to love. When prodigal son Duncan Flynn joined the Navy right out of high school, he left behind Adalena Silva, a childhood playmate who worshiped the ground he walked on. Now a Navy SEAL, Duncan is home only because he was injured in Afghanistan, and he plans to fully recover and return to duty. Lena still loves him, but she doesn’t do anything to put herself in his path. Any other woman would have tried to nudge things along, but Lena’s astonishing faith in love is strong enough to let Duncan’s affection for her unfold on its own schedule. Duncan is uncomfortable with feelings, intangible ideas like destiny and the island’s mermaid legend, and feeling vulnerable, so falling in love is a wrenching experience for him—as hard as going to war. He prefers to stand apart, but his close-knit family draws him in with laughter and joy. Both tender and funny, this warmly genuine romance affirms the power of love. Agent: Irene Goodman, Irene Goodman Literary Agency. (Sept.)