Return to Magnolia Harbor

Ramsay revisits Beauty and the Beast in the sweet third Moonlight Bay romance (after Summer on Moonlight Bay). Jessica Blackwood left the seaside town of Magnolia Harbor, S.C., in disgrace as a teenager, chased away by a nasty rumor that everyone—including her sanctimonious parents—bought into. But now she’s back and determined to start a successful architectural firm, so when wealthy Topher Martin, Jessica’s high school nemesis, offers her the chance to design his new house, she has no choice but to accept. In the years since they last saw each other, a horrible car accident transformed Topher from the cocky, handsome jerk he was in high school into a heavily scarred recluse determined to hide from the world. As Topher and Jessica get reacquainted, they learn to cast off old hurts and realize that their preconceived notions of each other are standing in the way of true love. Ramsay paints a quaint portrait of Magnolia Harbor and its earnest, salt-of-the-earth denizens, but she doesn’t shy from drama and drops in a few deliciously hateable villains to liven up the tale. This cozy small-town romance will please Ramsay’s fans and should attract new ones. Agent: Elaine English, Elaine P. English. (June)