Wholehearted (Hope Cove: Book 2)

Title:  Wholehearted (Hope Cove: Book 2)

Author:  Cate Ashwood

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press

Length:  208 pages

Rating:  B List

Quad Shot of Love

Blurb:  Hope Cove: Book Two

Officer Declan Grant responds to a call at the Hope Cove docks to find Lucas Hale barely alive after being beaten and tossed off his fishing boat. The violent crime rocks this tranquil community where everyone knows each other and doors are rarely locked. Despite Declan being new to Hope Cove, he wants to keep his new home and Lucas safe. He starts by volunteering to care for Lucas after he’s released from the hospital.

Lucas just wants to put the whole incident behind him and move on, but the more he gets to know Declan, the harder he finds it to push Declan and his do-right attitude away. The investigation into the assault continues, but Declan will soon face a moral dilemma, a choice that may topple his tidy life and force him to choose between Lucas and the law.

Review:   I loved the first book in this series, Brokenhearted. Although you could read this one without reading the first one, there are major characters and themes that would make it an easier read if you have read the first book.

Declan was an interesting character in the first book and right off the bat you are drawn to him. He comes across as both wise and broken at the same time. His life experience has caused him to be wary to trust those around him and he has made a very small circle of those he will extend himself out towards.

Then he sees Lucas on the dock, beaten and near death and it shakes something loose in him. Lucas is completely closed off. He has been in the closet forever and sees no reason to come out. He made one mistake and it almost cost him his life. He will not trust easily again.

Both men have serious communication issues and more than once I threw my hands in the air and gave a shout of frustration urging them to talk, as I flipped the page as fast as I could to find out what happened next.

I think what I liked about this book was that they had to work through their issues before they were able to go on. I like insta-love, insta-healing as much as the next girl, but I also really enjoy walking through the process of pain, healing, and relationships. It wasn’t pushed, and it didn’t go on forever either. They had to build trust.

After the first book I was invested in this series and reading this one, I am more so. The only thing was the twist at the end with Oliver and Mack. I needed more of that. It was just a little last page and felt rushed. I know that will mean I’m scooping up the third book this weekend and digging into Hope Cove once more.

Reviewed by Beans