Swallow Cove Book 2: Pretty Buoy by DJ Jamison

 

Swallow Cove Book 2

I fell in love with the wrong man, and it changed me. Where I was once confident, I'm skittish. Where I once trusted with my whole heart, I'm guarded.

After leaving my toxic boyfriend, I flee to my family vacation home in Swallow Cove. Which takes me directly into the brooding path of bar manager Brooks Riggins.

He's large and intimidating, but with a protective streak that I didn't see coming. When my ex gives me trouble, Brooks tells him to take a hike. Not only that, he also claims to be my new man.

Brooks is as straight as they come, but he's ready to step up and play the part. In fact, it may not just be pretend, judging by the way Brooks looks at me. Especially when he catches sight of me in the lingerie I sometimes wear. My ex said the lingerie made me too feminine. Too weak.

Just a pretty boy. But as Brooks hands me all the power I need to heal and be intimate again, I can finally see the truth. I am pretty boy, and doesn't make me weak at all.

In fact, I never have to be weak again. But can I be strong enough to trust another man with my heart? Pretty Buoy is Book 2 of Swallow Cove. It can be read as a standalone, but it may be more enjoyable to read Book 1 for an introduction to all the characters in the series. Trigger past abuse, toxic ex-boyfriend.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211662908-pretty-buoy

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I’ve been so excited to read Skylar and Brooks’s story since meeting them in Dock Tease! Skylar has fled to Swallow Cove to escape his toxic ex-boyfriend. He needs time to be on his own and try to build himself back up after being torn so badly. Coming to Swallow Cove also meant doing some work with for his dad which means checking in on one of the businesses he owns. Which leads him to Brooks. The surly bar manager who doesn’t seem all that excited Skylar is there. Brooks doesn’t mean to scare Skylar, especially when he sees the glimpse of fear in his eyes when Skylar catches a grumpy Brooks. The last thing he would ever do is hurt someone. He also can’t let Skylar know that he is crashing in the storeroom at the bar. In order to afford care for his grandma he works a lot of hours and has to save every penny he has. But things start to shift between Skylar and Brooks the longer Skylar sticks around. And for the first time Brooks has a crush on a guy. A surprise but not unwelcome. Especially when he gets to know Skylar. And when Skylar’s ex finally tracks him down, Brooks has no problem stepping in to pretend to be Skylar’s new boyfriend. And it’s an act that doesn’t feel like one the more they get to know one another. But Brooks knows it will take time to earn Skylar’s trust and heart after what he has been through. And though he fears Skylar will leave, he knows Skylar is worth that risk. I loved Skylar and Brooks! They were so great together. Brooks may want to protect Skylar but he also knows he has to give Skylar his space and time to find his confidence again. He’ll be there by his side rather than just his protector. And I loved Skylar’s journey to find himself again. After his ex beating down who he was, Skylar takes his life back into his own hand to be exactly who he is meant to be. These two were so sweet as they fell in love. Skylar may be worried about trusting someone again and Brooks is afraid of being left behind, but yet when it comes to one another, they don’t give up so easily. Such a fun series so far! There are several people I want books for and with word on the next one, I cannot wait to see how it plays out!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.