If she stays…

Will he stay too?

From sand in his shoes to a gecko eating his dinner, Theo Fairfax is way outside his comfort zone in Hawai’i.

Sent to convince pilot Sydney Calvert to sell the tour company she just inherited, he finds himself being won over by the tight-knit community, the natural wonders, and Sydney’s free-spirited beauty.

Could exploring their growing feelings lead to a future as magical as a tropical sunset? 

Titles in the Hawaiian Reunions series include — Her Island Homecoming —♥— Their Surprise Island Wedding —♥— A Surprise Second Chance —♥—

This is an adult romance that does not contain graphic violence, swearing, or sexual situations beyond kisses.

Author ARC

Release date: May 23, 2023

Title:  Her Island Homecoming
Series:  Hawaiian Reunions #1
Author:  Anna J. Stewart
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  May 23, 2023
Publisher:  Harlequin Heartwarming
My Rating:  4.5

Her Island Homecoming begins the Hawaiian Reunions series with such a heart-felt story on so many levels.  It’s only begun, and my mind is already committed to following the adventures of the residents of the small town of Nalani, and perhaps some of the characters that were introduced in Sydney and Theo’s romance through to the final story (which I hope is a long time coming).

As Sydney returns home for the saddest of reasons, she’s torn between what her brother, Remy, would have wanted her to do and her own partially realized dreams far from the shores of Hawai’i. She’s not planning on staying in Nalani; she’s almost ready to begin her future flight school business in South Carolina… and uncomfortable decisions need to be made. She’s faced with unbearable grief when it seems another crisis is about to unfold as she’s told that the company that has made an offer for her brother’s business (which she inherited) is sending out a financial expert… like today, and that information has friends and co-workers up in arms.

Theo is a numbers guy; he’s a nerd, a geek, a make-a-plan-and-stick-to-it-forever kinda guy… and he is adorable.  And at first, I had a hard time seeing Theo as the hero here… man, was I ever wrong and completely underestimated the impact of Nalani, its residents, falling in love – and one cute little gecko named Noodles could have on a stick in the mud personality.  By the truly romantic part of this story, I was completely in love with Theo myself.  Mainly because he isn’t the enemy here; he’s a guy doing his job (admittedly without all the needed background information) who is letting himself open up to possibilities – and quite honestly, that alone is an aphrodisiac moment for me.

I loved watching Sydney and Theo fall in love, learn to open up to someone else, and perhaps, give some different dreams a chance to come to life.  Oh, there were a couple of stumbling moments, but it was pure enjoyment watching the changes in them both as what was truly important in their lives became clear enough to take a risk on a forever kind of love.

I’m a reader who loves starting a new series, discovering a new world and that is exactly what I did with Her Island Homecoming.  The needed details about the people, the traditions, the memories, and the impact one decision would make on an entire community are slowly and purposefully revealed in this story in a way that feels both natural and addicting.  I want to know more, and eventually, I will when I once again return to Nalani, Hawai’i for the next story.

(see the impact? I’m even spelling Hawai’i the way the author did in the book, and I never have in real life)  It’s those types of touches from the author who knows the islands, and the mindset of those who have lived here that add those special, unique touches to a story that already captured my heart early on.  I’m enjoying learning more about Hawai’i as I am loving this romance novel.

I loved this one.  And if you love getting in on the start of a new series, if discovering a beautiful part of the world grabs your attention, if watching a couple who are really more of the opposites attract trope find a love to last a lifetime… or if you’re wondering how a conversation with a gecko might go — Then you’ll want to pick this story up and devour it.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

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