Half Moon Harbor

Kauffman’s second Bachelors of Blueberry Cove contemporary (after Pelican Point) explores themes of home, family, and belonging in a warm, positive story filled with deep-hearted, articulate characters who learn to trust as they open themselves to love. Charming Irish shipbuilder Brodie Monaghan spurns the adulterous advances of Cami Weathersby. She takes her revenge by selling off a portion of his family’s shipyard property for the price of the back taxes. Despite his anger at Cami, Brodie is quickly charmed by the buyer, Grace Maddox, who intends to respect the history of the boathouse even as she turns it into a inn. The romantic arc hits a perfect mix of lust, affection, and playful humor. Even more notable are the sincere, insightful, and low-tension friendships between Grace and architect Langston DeVry, and between diner owner Delia O’Reilly and Grace’s estranged brother, Ford. Strong character ties between past and future books make the series unusually cohesive and give the tiny Maine town an emotional sense of place despite little attention to the scenic locale. (May)