Review - Meant to Be by Terri Osburn

Hardback: 308 pages
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Publication date: 21 May 2013
ISBN: 9781612183084

First Line - "Why did this Godforsaken Island have to be in the middle of the damned water?"

Lifelong people-pleaser Beth Chandler will do anything to make a good impression on her future in-laws, including defy her fear of boats to make the ferry crossing required to meet them. Lucky for her, a lovable mutt and his tall, sexy, blue-eyed owner provide enough distraction to subdue her paralyzing panic attack. But Beth’s human tranquilizer turns out to be her future brother-in-law, Joe Dempsey, and their instant attraction is both unwelcome and undeniable.

Joe expects his brother’s fiancé to follow the materialistic, blonde-bimbo stereotype that is Lucas’ usual fare. Wild-haired, sweet-natured Beth doesn’t fit the part, but she does fit Joe and his island better than any woman he’s ever met. Though the men haven’t been close for years, Joe would never put the moves on his brother’s fiancé. That means Beth is off limits, no matter how much he wants her.

When a demanding case pulls Lucas back to the city, Beth realizes her fiancé is already married – to his work. Are solitary nights and mind-numbing dinner parties really what she wants? Torn between loyalty to Lucas and her growing feelings for Joe, Beth rethinks her choices and contemplates a future different from the one laid out before her. One that includes an island, a dog, and a man she can never have.(

I've been reading a lot of small town romances lately and this one is really good. I liked it a lot. It's more of a 'small island' romance but it has all the hallmarks I've come to expect. This is the first in the Anchor Island series and it's so good.

It's very predictable, right from the first chapter it's clear what's in store but with these kind of romances that doesn't phase me, it's the journey rather than the destination that's important.

I loved the two main characters and their chemistry was believable, I felt a little bit uncomfortable at first with the 'choosing between two brother's' thing but actually it's not as skeevy as it sounds. The secondary characters are really endearing too, all the islanders. Sid, I love. I can't wait to read more about her in the next book. I hope Lola is mentioned somewhere too because she such a big character and I didn't get to find out enough about her.

All of it is just a really nice romance. Nice characters, nice setting and a great start to to a new series. I'll definitely be reading more of this one.



*Note - I was sent this by the publisher