Tides of Love (Garrett Brothers, #1) By Tracy Sumner
on Tides of Love (Garrett Brothers, #1)
of Love (Garrett Brothers, #1)Beautiful story
Romantic and steamy, I really liked this story. The characters where strong and loveable. Good read. The historical aspect off it was a bit out of whack but enjoyable all the same. The performance Ms. Wetherell gives is one full of excitement! It is clear she is connected with the story with every word she reads.
Read full review in the 2020 May issue of InD'tale Magazine. I give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
A twist on the classic I've loved you since we were children trope. The characters in this book were really well written and relatable. The plot was nicely paced as well, with a little bit of spice.
I loved the independence of the main character and her drive, her struggles with coming to terms with what has happened, and what in my opinion was real reactions to things. Overall a good read, and a quick one too. A nice book to turn to if you want a HEA with a little bit of drama but nothing too emotionally draining. I also loved the introductions of other characters and their stories, I'm looking forward to reading their books and seeing how those end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I would love to give this story more than 5 stars. I really liked it. I liked the characters and the storyline. I feel like this book could have been a 5 star, with a little more attention to detail and a little better editing. (if the author is lurking about, I would happily volunteer! Really!)
There were times when I was just really unsure what was going on. For instance, there was a love scene that was so strangely conveyed that on two separate occasions I thought the author was describing the actual moment of consummation, only to discover a few sentences later, and at the end of the scene, that no actual penetration took place. Incredibly hard on the momentum, for a reader, when you find yourself going back through the text to find out where you got lost.
There were also a couple other difficulties, such as the opening of book, which describes the incident which creates the conflict which fuels the book. The 'incident' - which had two brothers discovering that one was a born bastard - wasn't sufficient, in my opinion,to explain why a 17 year old boy ran away from his family for 10 years without a word. A few harsh words and one punch thrown by one brother to another, in a moment of shocking revelation, just doesn't justify the younger, and much loved brother, leaving for 10 years with no contact what-so-ever. Conflict happens in all families, and where there is love, there is usually a cooling of tempers and resolution. I kept waiting to hear of additional abuse or neglect to justify his flight, but it never came.
Additionally, I found more typos, and omitted words, and editing errors than I could count - and choppy dialogue which sometimes had me wondering if certain characters were developmentally delayed.
All that said, I sincerely enjoyed this book! I would gladly overlook all of those flaws to read it again, and intend to start the sequel the minute I finish this review! I loved the setting, and characters, and was overjoyed to find them happily together in the end.
I would recommend this book to those who love a good chase. The heroine works hard for her love, and exhibits such heartfelt and generous patience that I found myself cheering for her, and for him to find the courage to allow his heart to love. “Tides of Love” is book 1 in the Garrett Brothers Trilogy, and I enjoyed it so much that I read the other 2 in quick succession. Book 2 is “Tides of Passion” and books is “Tides of Desire.” You can definitely enjoy each as a stand-alone, but the characters are so good that I urge you to read them all, like I did. This series is set at the end of the 19th century, a dynamic time period when women were struggling for the right to vote and to be treated as equals to men. The stories take place in a small island town in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The author brings it to life so clearly you can practically smell the wharf and feel the breeze that sometimes blows in off the ocean.
“Tides of Love” focuses on brilliant Noah Garrett, who had a fight with one of his brothers when a family secret was revealed to them all, and took off from home at the age of 17 as a result. A decade later, his career as a marine biologist bring him back to town although he really doesn’t want to go there and have to deal with his family. Elle, the girl who adored him, is also still there. She is now a woman devoted to bettering herself and other women as well. Noah tries to fight his feelings for Elle so much that you want to reach into the book and shake him, even though he is also wonderful. Of course, that makes the HEA even more satisfying, though. Early in the book I did find myself struggling to understand what had gone on between the brothers. If you experience that as well, hang in there because this book and the trilogy are worth it.
I thought the story and romance was sweet, but I felt like the writing was a bit incoherent. It just didn't flow smoothly and I found myself rereading some passages to get a better picture of the scene. The Southern Belle and the Scientist.
Book 1 of the Garret Brother’s series. Tides of Love tells Noah Garret’s story. It is the late 1890’s on the coast of North Carolina. Noah Garret is a scientist deeply involved in his experiments. A secret is revealed about his mother and the Garret brother’s birthright which lead him to leave town. Noah’s childhood friend Elle Beaumont is devastated. Elle has been in love with Noah since they were kids however, Noah never paid her any mind. A few years later, Noah returns and he notices Elle has grown up to be a beautiful woman. However, Elle has moved on to live her life and tries to forget Noah. Can Noah get back Elle’s devotion? You will have to read the book to find out. lol. I enjoyed this story very much. It was well-written with interesting characters and steamy love scenes. Elle was strong, confident, and independent. I love the fact that Elle matures and gives up on Noah after he keeps ignoring her. Even though she hero worshiped him for most of her life. lol. Noah was such a science nerd and a pain. He saw everything in figures and formulas. He was so frustrating. I wanted Elle to smack him upside his head sometimes. lol. I also loved reading the beginning of Caleb’s and Macy’s story. I have read three (Maybe four) books by this author and have loved them all. I’ve even signed up for her newsletter to read more of her books. I am a fan. I received an advance review copy for free in exchange for an honest review. The plot is great, childhood best friends reconnect after 10 years apart, she knows its love, he’s denying it. Elle’s character is realistic and relatable, she’s dealing with a lot of emotions. Noah’s character became a bore. His emotions were valid, but I felt like I wasn’t getting enough family back story to understand them.
This story has great moments (female friendships, brother love, Elle& Noah when they’re cute), but overall it felt drawn out.
Thank you Kensington Publishing and BookSirens for the ARC Although this wasn’t my favorite book in the series, I really did enjoy it and I fell in love with Elle. She is a wonderful character—independent, strong, confident, persistent, assertive—and eventually I came around to loving Noah too, but it took a long time. He was just so stubborn and so unwilling to allow himself to feel any emotions. Once he did, though, wow. Tracy Sumner paints a picture of an island village in the late 1890s filled with busybodies and some backward-thinking men (like Elle’s father). I loved that she was a suffragette anyway. Noah, exceptionally smart, was also incredibly dumb in matters of the heart.
There’s a technique that authors use in which they’ll start a chapter in the middle of a conversation and it takes a few minutes to figure out who is talking and what’s going on. Normally, that doesn’t bother me, but I found myself impatient, and occasionally, confused. I suspect it was simply because I was so impatient for Noah to pull his head out of his ass, but I’m not entirely sure so I’m mentioning it. It doesn’t affect my rating of the book.
I was charmed by a scene in which Noah meets Rory for the first time on the beach. Rory just plops himself down on the sand next to Noah, expecting to fish with him, since he sees Noah preparing his lures. Rory asks Noah whether he is his uncle. Noah was unaware that he had a nephew, but as he looks at him, he realizes how much alike they looked. “He felt a sharp prick and looked to find the wire embedded in his palm.” The sentence starts by implying that he felt a prick as he realized he had a nephew, but then it turns out it’s because he stabbed himself with the wire. This serves to disguise whether he actually did feel something emotional because the pain can be easily explained away. It’s the perfect metaphor for how Noah conducts himself, ignoring his internal feelings and substituting logic.
Elle, more emotional and more intuitive than Noah, doesn’t try to hide how she feels about him (most of the time). At one point, he sees her walking and she seems upset so he hurries to catch up with her. She doesn’t know he’s following her, but at a certain point, he gets close and she suddenly stops so he bumps into her. He asks her why she’s so upset and she mentions, “I admit I felt the weight slip from my shoulders the minute you stepped behind me.”
Her words raised the hair on his arms. “Behind you?”
“Oh, Noah.” She laughed, a mix of impishness and frustration. “If you entered a room and the door was behind my back, I would know. I used to sit in school, waiting, The air changed temperature, closed in around me the second you walked in.” She considered a moment, then shrugged. “It still does.”
It isn’t until much, much later that Noah realizes he also feels that for her. He had never allowed himself to acknowledge the connection between them.
There’s another part of the story where Elle and Noah have a silent conversation across a crowded room that is priceless, a perfect encapsulation of communication through body language. I couldn’t read this section without unconsciously participating in the conversation, imagining the facial expressions and hand motions. I’m sure if someone were watching me reading, they’d have wondered what on earth I was doing.
Noah’s charcoal gaze immediately captured Elle’s. He shoved his spectacles up, a scowl crossing his face.
What? Elle shrugged with a passiveness she didn’t feel.
Stop staring.
Me? She patted her chest.
His gaze lowered then jerked to her face. Yes. You.
I’m not staring. Elle gestured to the oblivious, jabbering group of women.
Another way in which Tracy Sumner showed the connection between Noah and Elle was a bit more subtle, but so clever. To understand, it’s important to note that the story is told in third-person alternating POVs, mostly Noah and Elle, but occasionally other characters. It’s hard to convey this in a review, but the transition in this one part was poetic in its composition. It read like this:
Oh, God, he was…
Dying. She was dying.
Having just shared an intimacy neither of them had ever shared with anyone else, both are overwhelmed and feel emotions they never imagined. Although they are each feeling their own emotions, the author smoothly switches from Noah’s feelings to Elle’s and shows how connected they are because they are thinking the same thoughts.
When you read one of Tracy Sumner’s books, you can count on romance with a HEA, but one of the things that makes her stand out above those authors who churn out books based on a clear formula, is that her characters are multidimensional, the plots are unusual, and the prose is multilayered. Along with imaginative and artistic prose, you will find buried metaphors and threads that run through the story, weaving a tapestry that forms something rich and intricate. Reading her books reminds me of reading literature in high school and going through the exercise of picking apart the writing to discover the hidden gems. I find I can do that with Tracy Sumner’s books, putting her in the literary fiction category (as far as I’m concerned). Set in the 1890s on a S. Carolina island, this is a dramatic tale of love denied and then embraced. Elle has loved Noah since they were children, and he loves her in his own way. His family falls apart, and he leaves the island abruptly and never contacts her again. When he returns, and both are adults, steam erupts, but he keeps trying to keep his life tidy. Needless to say, that does not work.
The writing is emotional but clear, and we feel all the angst of the characters. There are other stories in the background, which I hope we hear about in this series's next books.
Things seem on the brink of tragedy much of the time, and the author handles this beautifully, pulling us back at the last possible second. This makes for pleasure and tension and a very satisfying read!
For 5 stars--a bit more on the backstory. There are tiny bits about each of the families, but clarity would have helped understand them better.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I received this ARC and loved it! I loved how passionately, fierce and wholeheartedly Elle loved. Elle is a strong woman for her era, her determination for independence and passion often meant trouble for her. Elle wanted a marriage of love and often turned down her fathers prospect knowing the cost and the trouble it would cost being a spinster. Elle has always loved Noah Garrett and everyone in her small town made fun of it, even after he disappeared. Noah is a conflicting character full of uncertainty, and takes off after finding out he isn't who he thinks he is; leaving everyone he loved behind. Ten years go by when Noah is told he has to return to the town he once fled. This is a story of true love, how even distance doesn't change what the heart wants. It about family, accepting who your family is no matter the secrets and embracing what you feel. Noah and Elle have a special connection, unfortunately Noah has been running from his true feelings most of their lives. This is a story of second changes and going after what your heart mostly desires. True love never dies no matter the distance. Loved it! Ten years ago he left more than two loving brothers."
Noah Garrett, educator and marine biologist left Pilot Island North Carolina rather than deal with the emotional typhoon that just broke open his whole world. He left his 2 brothers and his best friend Elle Beaumont quietly and never came back...until he was forced to oversee the building and start of a major Marine Biology Lab and came back to the island ,and his past, and deal with them as he may.
His older brother Zach, and middle brother Caleb have never gotten over his choices. But Marielle-Claire Beaumont has never let go of her love for him. And Noah, whose life is charts and tables and things easily quantified, isn't ready to deal with that.... He returns to find Elle running a school to help women learn for themselves while fighting her own fierce battle with a father whose antiquated ideas of roles and women drives a wedge of determination between he and his only child. He finds Caleb apologizing left and right for driving him away, and Zach grieving his own losses while raising his child. Will all of this stop overwhelming Noah and allow him to truly live?
Set in
a major time of change in the US, "Tides of Love" is a thoughtful, tender love story of broken people seeking a way through to their authenticity. Caleb doesn't want what life handed him, but can he accept and live in the present, the now, rather than the anger producing past? Can he forgive himself? Tracy Sumner has another winner here. Highly recommended.5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author, choosing to read and review it voluntarily] This book has the old worldly feel of a begone era, when life may have been a lot simpler, in terms of technological advances, but relationships were, in theory, less complicated, as marriage partnerships were often formed on financial and social outcomes, not on the whims of love.
Women were still not seen as capable of running their own lives, but in need of a man to oversee their every action.
It's also set in a time of change, when young woman want an education, want to part of decisions that affect themselves and their futures. They are no longer content to sit in a drawing room, stitching, whilst the father, or husband, manages the family's affairs, which included arranging marriages for any children, within the family unit.
So, saying all this, this is an intriguing tale, which illustrates the complexity of relationships, and the changing circumstances of the time. Get "swept" away in this truly captivating story well-blended with sensual romance, accurate historical depiction, along with amazing and complex characters. Set in 1898 on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Elle Beaumont experiences young love - but it just happens to be one-sided. After a family secret is discovered, young Noah Garrett leaves a heartbroken Elle, his family, and the island for ten years. When he is given no choice but to return home, Noah is faced with a magnitude of emotions and questions . . . and a grown up Elle. In a wonderful relationship story opposites attract in a battle of wills.
Tracy Sumner is a new-to-me-author. "Tides of Love" was such a positive experience that I'm definitely going to read more of her books -- especially the next installment in the SEASWEPT SEDUCTION SERIES. A provocative novel that will leave you breathless as it explores the heartaches and triumphs of love. Can a woman's love really stand the test of time?
He left all he loved behind...
Will he be able to return and win her heart?
An earth-shattering secret revealed in his recently deceased mother's diary causes harsh words between Noah Garrett and his brother. Desolate and totally bewildered, Noah leaves Pilot Isle and has no contact with his family or even Elle Beaumont, the girl who has been his shadow all through childhood.
Now, ten years later, Noah is a renowned biologist and returns to Pilot Isle to head up a research lab. Coming back home opens up old wounds and uncovers buried feelings. Hoping to have a few days to cope with all the old emotions welling up within him, Noah really isn't ready to face anyone yet. However, it's just his luck that the first person he literally bumps into is Elle. The only difference is, Elle is no longer a thin red-headed mischievous imp who is constantly in trouble and always needing to be rescued. This Elle is a gorgeous, passionate young woman who sets Noah's blood on fire.
Marielle Claire Beaumont has loved Noah since she was a child. As a sad little girl who'd recently lost her mother and couldn't speak English, Elle met Noah when he saved her from taunts at school. Ever since then Elle has loved Noah unconditionally and followed him around like a little puppy. Her world was shattered when he left so suddenly. His silence all these years has been very difficult, and Elle is stunned when she slams into him so unexpectedly. It's not long before she's disrupting Noah's life again as sparks of passion fly in every direction between the two.
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great drama/romance with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review. I loved the time period of the book and I loved the story. It is easy to imagine what Noah felt and went through when he found out about his birth. When his brother took out his anger on him, it drove Noah to run away for 10 years. Because of his job he had to return to his home town and deal with his family and the girl he left behind that was now a woman. Elle's character was awesome. I loved her spunk, creativity, her drive and her desires to better herself and other women. Noah's character was difficult in that he kept trying to deny what he felt for Elle. The story dragged out a bit but the overall storyline was excellent. Family dilemmas and childhood best friend turned lover turned into more. I wish the ending has been expanded. Did Elle end up fulfilling her father's will in regard to her inheritance? It would have been nice to have been privy to the wedding and an epilogue of Elle's graduation and perhaps a business partnership between Noah and Elle based on their educational goals. And of course, their children. Where did they end up living? Chicago, South Carolina or their home town. Noah's brothers were down-to-earth, hardheaded and realistic. His nephew, Rory, was adorable. This book has a lot of potential but I loved reading it just the same. I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving a review. Elle has loved Noah since they were children, and he protected her from school bullies. Though her fiercest protector, Noah didn’t return her sentiments. Elle’s world shattered when Noah left Pilot Isle with no word or explanation. Now, ten years later, Noah has returned to head a research lab, and Elle must face her old feelings for the man who left so long ago. Sparks fly as they reconnect, but old family secrets and old hurts, as well as some new obstacles, stand in their way.
This is a great childhood friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance, and the budding relationship between Noah and Elle is chemistry-laden, swoon-worthiness. They are complete opposites. Noah is controlled and reserved, and he thrives on order. Ella thrives on chaos and is exuberant and daring. Noah follows the rules; Elle is a rule-breaker. Elle is in touch with her feelings, while Noah completely suppresses his. He is so emotionally withdrawn that he doesn’t even realize his true feelings for Elle for much of the story. He finds it difficult to identify the feelings that he has worked so hard to repress for years. This leads to a lot of angst and sexual tension!
Elle is a wonderful protagonist. She is so free-spirited and ambitious, but she is often degraded for it. Her father and other men in their small town do not approve of her independent ways and her desire for more. Noah, on the other hand, sees her for the intelligent, forward-thinking, and capable woman that she is. Instead of squelching her uniqueness, he embraces, encourages, and supports it. He treats her as an equal, which is something she has not experienced from the other men in her life. The unconditional love that flows between this couple is strong.
Other connections in the story include Noah’s broken relationship with his brothers. Noah’s brothers and his nephew are fantastic and well-developed, and I love how they work to make peace with the past. Each played a role in what happened to their relationship ten years ago, and I admired their willingness to own it. Though they have a lot to work through, their love for each other is clear. In addition to their sibling issues, each brother has his own torments and struggles, and I’m excited to read more about them in future books in the series.
The story also highlights the complexities of family and how one moment can irrevocably change the projection of people’s lives. Messages of forgiveness, acceptance, listening to and understanding others, and embracing those you love are also prominent within the story.
Tides of Love is a great start to what promises to be a wonderful series, and it is a fabulous book for readers who like swoon-worthy, small-town historical romance with great characters and an epic romance. Thanks so much to Tracy Sumner for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. Tides of Love by Tracy Sumner, book one of the Garrett Brothers seriee
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Cover: 5/5
Story: 3/5
Steam: 🔥 🔥 (+kissing)
Ending: HEA
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Stand Alone or Series: This book can be read as a stand alone. From here on, read in series order, though.
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The Outer Banks of North Carolina, 1889
Starchy, Logical Biologist
Wild, Academic Woman
Small Town
Second Chance
Opposites Attract
Unrequited Love
It Was Always You
Childhood Friends
American Historical Romance
Difficult Family Ties
Neurodivergent Hero
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I have read several Sumner books, and she is an author I truly enjoy. I love that this is an American HR that isn't a western. It's a unique setting- the outer banks of North Carolina. It was neat to experience a historical world outside of the ballroom for a change.
I did struggle a bit with this book. Firstly, it's not entirely clear as to why Noah left home until well into the book. And even then, it also doesn't make sense. I feel like it was missing a prologue that detailed the events that led up to Noah leaving. Because of this, I struggled to understand why the Garrett brothers had a falling out.
Noah is an interesting lead. I believe that Noah might be neurodivergent, which explains a lot of his character habits and behavior. I don't entirely understand why Noah was so resistant to Elle other than she didn't fit the idea of what he thought his wife would be like. He spends about 90% of the book being ridiculous in a push-and-pull match with Elle. I do like that he didn't hesitate to support Elle's desire to finish her degree.
Elle is a doormat. She's just a doormat. Elle is an interesting character because of her love of education and pursuit of a degree. However, she just waited around for him for ten years. She is such a strong character that I had a hard time believing she carried a torch for him that long.
This one just didn't work well for me!
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As for steam, Sumner has developed her steam writing since this book was published. I had a hard time figuring out if they had done the deed or not in one of the passages. The two true steam scenes are good lengths and use a mixture of explicit and non-explicit language.
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Read as an ebook and physical copy.
Honest review left voluntarily.
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Content Warning (may contain spoilers):
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De*th of parent
De*th of spouse
Childbirth de*th
De*th of unborn child
Physically and verbally ab*sive father
Shipwreck
De*th as a result of shipwreck
D.V.
Injuries from D.V.
Romantic and steamy, I really liked this story. The characters where strong and loveable. Good read. The historical aspect off it was a bit out of whack but enjoyable all the same. The performance Ms. Wetherell gives is one full of excitement! It is clear she is connected with the story with every word she reads.
Read full review in the 2020 May issue of InD'tale Magazine. I give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
A twist on the classic I've loved you since we were children trope. The characters in this book were really well written and relatable. The plot was nicely paced as well, with a little bit of spice.
I loved the independence of the main character and her drive, her struggles with coming to terms with what has happened, and what in my opinion was real reactions to things. Overall a good read, and a quick one too. A nice book to turn to if you want a HEA with a little bit of drama but nothing too emotionally draining. I also loved the introductions of other characters and their stories, I'm looking forward to reading their books and seeing how those end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I would love to give this story more than 5 stars. I really liked it. I liked the characters and the storyline. I feel like this book could have been a 5 star, with a little more attention to detail and a little better editing. (if the author is lurking about, I would happily volunteer! Really!)
There were times when I was just really unsure what was going on. For instance, there was a love scene that was so strangely conveyed that on two separate occasions I thought the author was describing the actual moment of consummation, only to discover a few sentences later, and at the end of the scene, that no actual penetration took place. Incredibly hard on the momentum, for a reader, when you find yourself going back through the text to find out where you got lost.
There were also a couple other difficulties, such as the opening of book, which describes the incident which creates the conflict which fuels the book. The 'incident' - which had two brothers discovering that one was a born bastard - wasn't sufficient, in my opinion,to explain why a 17 year old boy ran away from his family for 10 years without a word. A few harsh words and one punch thrown by one brother to another, in a moment of shocking revelation, just doesn't justify the younger, and much loved brother, leaving for 10 years with no contact what-so-ever. Conflict happens in all families, and where there is love, there is usually a cooling of tempers and resolution. I kept waiting to hear of additional abuse or neglect to justify his flight, but it never came.
Additionally, I found more typos, and omitted words, and editing errors than I could count - and choppy dialogue which sometimes had me wondering if certain characters were developmentally delayed.
All that said, I sincerely enjoyed this book! I would gladly overlook all of those flaws to read it again, and intend to start the sequel the minute I finish this review! I loved the setting, and characters, and was overjoyed to find them happily together in the end.
I would recommend this book to those who love a good chase. The heroine works hard for her love, and exhibits such heartfelt and generous patience that I found myself cheering for her, and for him to find the courage to allow his heart to love. “Tides of Love” is book 1 in the Garrett Brothers Trilogy, and I enjoyed it so much that I read the other 2 in quick succession. Book 2 is “Tides of Passion” and books is “Tides of Desire.” You can definitely enjoy each as a stand-alone, but the characters are so good that I urge you to read them all, like I did. This series is set at the end of the 19th century, a dynamic time period when women were struggling for the right to vote and to be treated as equals to men. The stories take place in a small island town in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The author brings it to life so clearly you can practically smell the wharf and feel the breeze that sometimes blows in off the ocean.
“Tides of Love” focuses on brilliant Noah Garrett, who had a fight with one of his brothers when a family secret was revealed to them all, and took off from home at the age of 17 as a result. A decade later, his career as a marine biologist bring him back to town although he really doesn’t want to go there and have to deal with his family. Elle, the girl who adored him, is also still there. She is now a woman devoted to bettering herself and other women as well. Noah tries to fight his feelings for Elle so much that you want to reach into the book and shake him, even though he is also wonderful. Of course, that makes the HEA even more satisfying, though. Early in the book I did find myself struggling to understand what had gone on between the brothers. If you experience that as well, hang in there because this book and the trilogy are worth it.
I thought the story and romance was sweet, but I felt like the writing was a bit incoherent. It just didn't flow smoothly and I found myself rereading some passages to get a better picture of the scene. The Southern Belle and the Scientist.
Book 1 of the Garret Brother’s series. Tides of Love tells Noah Garret’s story. It is the late 1890’s on the coast of North Carolina. Noah Garret is a scientist deeply involved in his experiments. A secret is revealed about his mother and the Garret brother’s birthright which lead him to leave town. Noah’s childhood friend Elle Beaumont is devastated. Elle has been in love with Noah since they were kids however, Noah never paid her any mind. A few years later, Noah returns and he notices Elle has grown up to be a beautiful woman. However, Elle has moved on to live her life and tries to forget Noah. Can Noah get back Elle’s devotion? You will have to read the book to find out. lol. I enjoyed this story very much. It was well-written with interesting characters and steamy love scenes. Elle was strong, confident, and independent. I love the fact that Elle matures and gives up on Noah after he keeps ignoring her. Even though she hero worshiped him for most of her life. lol. Noah was such a science nerd and a pain. He saw everything in figures and formulas. He was so frustrating. I wanted Elle to smack him upside his head sometimes. lol. I also loved reading the beginning of Caleb’s and Macy’s story. I have read three (Maybe four) books by this author and have loved them all. I’ve even signed up for her newsletter to read more of her books. I am a fan. I received an advance review copy for free in exchange for an honest review. The plot is great, childhood best friends reconnect after 10 years apart, she knows its love, he’s denying it. Elle’s character is realistic and relatable, she’s dealing with a lot of emotions. Noah’s character became a bore. His emotions were valid, but I felt like I wasn’t getting enough family back story to understand them.
This story has great moments (female friendships, brother love, Elle& Noah when they’re cute), but overall it felt drawn out.
Thank you Kensington Publishing and BookSirens for the ARC Although this wasn’t my favorite book in the series, I really did enjoy it and I fell in love with Elle. She is a wonderful character—independent, strong, confident, persistent, assertive—and eventually I came around to loving Noah too, but it took a long time. He was just so stubborn and so unwilling to allow himself to feel any emotions. Once he did, though, wow. Tracy Sumner paints a picture of an island village in the late 1890s filled with busybodies and some backward-thinking men (like Elle’s father). I loved that she was a suffragette anyway. Noah, exceptionally smart, was also incredibly dumb in matters of the heart.
There’s a technique that authors use in which they’ll start a chapter in the middle of a conversation and it takes a few minutes to figure out who is talking and what’s going on. Normally, that doesn’t bother me, but I found myself impatient, and occasionally, confused. I suspect it was simply because I was so impatient for Noah to pull his head out of his ass, but I’m not entirely sure so I’m mentioning it. It doesn’t affect my rating of the book.
I was charmed by a scene in which Noah meets Rory for the first time on the beach. Rory just plops himself down on the sand next to Noah, expecting to fish with him, since he sees Noah preparing his lures. Rory asks Noah whether he is his uncle. Noah was unaware that he had a nephew, but as he looks at him, he realizes how much alike they looked. “He felt a sharp prick and looked to find the wire embedded in his palm.” The sentence starts by implying that he felt a prick as he realized he had a nephew, but then it turns out it’s because he stabbed himself with the wire. This serves to disguise whether he actually did feel something emotional because the pain can be easily explained away. It’s the perfect metaphor for how Noah conducts himself, ignoring his internal feelings and substituting logic.
Elle, more emotional and more intuitive than Noah, doesn’t try to hide how she feels about him (most of the time). At one point, he sees her walking and she seems upset so he hurries to catch up with her. She doesn’t know he’s following her, but at a certain point, he gets close and she suddenly stops so he bumps into her. He asks her why she’s so upset and she mentions, “I admit I felt the weight slip from my shoulders the minute you stepped behind me.”
Her words raised the hair on his arms. “Behind you?”
“Oh, Noah.” She laughed, a mix of impishness and frustration. “If you entered a room and the door was behind my back, I would know. I used to sit in school, waiting, The air changed temperature, closed in around me the second you walked in.” She considered a moment, then shrugged. “It still does.”
It isn’t until much, much later that Noah realizes he also feels that for her. He had never allowed himself to acknowledge the connection between them.
There’s another part of the story where Elle and Noah have a silent conversation across a crowded room that is priceless, a perfect encapsulation of communication through body language. I couldn’t read this section without unconsciously participating in the conversation, imagining the facial expressions and hand motions. I’m sure if someone were watching me reading, they’d have wondered what on earth I was doing.
Noah’s charcoal gaze immediately captured Elle’s. He shoved his spectacles up, a scowl crossing his face.
What? Elle shrugged with a passiveness she didn’t feel.
Stop staring.
Me? She patted her chest.
His gaze lowered then jerked to her face. Yes. You.
I’m not staring. Elle gestured to the oblivious, jabbering group of women.
Another way in which Tracy Sumner showed the connection between Noah and Elle was a bit more subtle, but so clever. To understand, it’s important to note that the story is told in third-person alternating POVs, mostly Noah and Elle, but occasionally other characters. It’s hard to convey this in a review, but the transition in this one part was poetic in its composition. It read like this:
Oh, God, he was…
Dying. She was dying.
Having just shared an intimacy neither of them had ever shared with anyone else, both are overwhelmed and feel emotions they never imagined. Although they are each feeling their own emotions, the author smoothly switches from Noah’s feelings to Elle’s and shows how connected they are because they are thinking the same thoughts.
When you read one of Tracy Sumner’s books, you can count on romance with a HEA, but one of the things that makes her stand out above those authors who churn out books based on a clear formula, is that her characters are multidimensional, the plots are unusual, and the prose is multilayered. Along with imaginative and artistic prose, you will find buried metaphors and threads that run through the story, weaving a tapestry that forms something rich and intricate. Reading her books reminds me of reading literature in high school and going through the exercise of picking apart the writing to discover the hidden gems. I find I can do that with Tracy Sumner’s books, putting her in the literary fiction category (as far as I’m concerned). Set in the 1890s on a S. Carolina island, this is a dramatic tale of love denied and then embraced. Elle has loved Noah since they were children, and he loves her in his own way. His family falls apart, and he leaves the island abruptly and never contacts her again. When he returns, and both are adults, steam erupts, but he keeps trying to keep his life tidy. Needless to say, that does not work.
The writing is emotional but clear, and we feel all the angst of the characters. There are other stories in the background, which I hope we hear about in this series's next books.
Things seem on the brink of tragedy much of the time, and the author handles this beautifully, pulling us back at the last possible second. This makes for pleasure and tension and a very satisfying read!
For 5 stars--a bit more on the backstory. There are tiny bits about each of the families, but clarity would have helped understand them better.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I received this ARC and loved it! I loved how passionately, fierce and wholeheartedly Elle loved. Elle is a strong woman for her era, her determination for independence and passion often meant trouble for her. Elle wanted a marriage of love and often turned down her fathers prospect knowing the cost and the trouble it would cost being a spinster. Elle has always loved Noah Garrett and everyone in her small town made fun of it, even after he disappeared. Noah is a conflicting character full of uncertainty, and takes off after finding out he isn't who he thinks he is; leaving everyone he loved behind. Ten years go by when Noah is told he has to return to the town he once fled. This is a story of true love, how even distance doesn't change what the heart wants. It about family, accepting who your family is no matter the secrets and embracing what you feel. Noah and Elle have a special connection, unfortunately Noah has been running from his true feelings most of their lives. This is a story of second changes and going after what your heart mostly desires. True love never dies no matter the distance. Loved it! Ten years ago he left more than two loving brothers."
Noah Garrett, educator and marine biologist left Pilot Island North Carolina rather than deal with the emotional typhoon that just broke open his whole world. He left his 2 brothers and his best friend Elle Beaumont quietly and never came back...until he was forced to oversee the building and start of a major Marine Biology Lab and came back to the island ,and his past, and deal with them as he may.
His older brother Zach, and middle brother Caleb have never gotten over his choices. But Marielle-Claire Beaumont has never let go of her love for him. And Noah, whose life is charts and tables and things easily quantified, isn't ready to deal with that.... He returns to find Elle running a school to help women learn for themselves while fighting her own fierce battle with a father whose antiquated ideas of roles and women drives a wedge of determination between he and his only child. He finds Caleb apologizing left and right for driving him away, and Zach grieving his own losses while raising his child. Will all of this stop overwhelming Noah and allow him to truly live?
Set in
a major time of change in the US, "Tides of Love" is a thoughtful, tender love story of broken people seeking a way through to their authenticity. Caleb doesn't want what life handed him, but can he accept and live in the present, the now, rather than the anger producing past? Can he forgive himself? Tracy Sumner has another winner here. Highly recommended.5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author, choosing to read and review it voluntarily] This book has the old worldly feel of a begone era, when life may have been a lot simpler, in terms of technological advances, but relationships were, in theory, less complicated, as marriage partnerships were often formed on financial and social outcomes, not on the whims of love.
Women were still not seen as capable of running their own lives, but in need of a man to oversee their every action.
It's also set in a time of change, when young woman want an education, want to part of decisions that affect themselves and their futures. They are no longer content to sit in a drawing room, stitching, whilst the father, or husband, manages the family's affairs, which included arranging marriages for any children, within the family unit.
So, saying all this, this is an intriguing tale, which illustrates the complexity of relationships, and the changing circumstances of the time. Get "swept" away in this truly captivating story well-blended with sensual romance, accurate historical depiction, along with amazing and complex characters. Set in 1898 on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Elle Beaumont experiences young love - but it just happens to be one-sided. After a family secret is discovered, young Noah Garrett leaves a heartbroken Elle, his family, and the island for ten years. When he is given no choice but to return home, Noah is faced with a magnitude of emotions and questions . . . and a grown up Elle. In a wonderful relationship story opposites attract in a battle of wills.
Tracy Sumner is a new-to-me-author. "Tides of Love" was such a positive experience that I'm definitely going to read more of her books -- especially the next installment in the SEASWEPT SEDUCTION SERIES. A provocative novel that will leave you breathless as it explores the heartaches and triumphs of love. Can a woman's love really stand the test of time?
He left all he loved behind...
Will he be able to return and win her heart?
An earth-shattering secret revealed in his recently deceased mother's diary causes harsh words between Noah Garrett and his brother. Desolate and totally bewildered, Noah leaves Pilot Isle and has no contact with his family or even Elle Beaumont, the girl who has been his shadow all through childhood.
Now, ten years later, Noah is a renowned biologist and returns to Pilot Isle to head up a research lab. Coming back home opens up old wounds and uncovers buried feelings. Hoping to have a few days to cope with all the old emotions welling up within him, Noah really isn't ready to face anyone yet. However, it's just his luck that the first person he literally bumps into is Elle. The only difference is, Elle is no longer a thin red-headed mischievous imp who is constantly in trouble and always needing to be rescued. This Elle is a gorgeous, passionate young woman who sets Noah's blood on fire.
Marielle Claire Beaumont has loved Noah since she was a child. As a sad little girl who'd recently lost her mother and couldn't speak English, Elle met Noah when he saved her from taunts at school. Ever since then Elle has loved Noah unconditionally and followed him around like a little puppy. Her world was shattered when he left so suddenly. His silence all these years has been very difficult, and Elle is stunned when she slams into him so unexpectedly. It's not long before she's disrupting Noah's life again as sparks of passion fly in every direction between the two.
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great drama/romance with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review. I loved the time period of the book and I loved the story. It is easy to imagine what Noah felt and went through when he found out about his birth. When his brother took out his anger on him, it drove Noah to run away for 10 years. Because of his job he had to return to his home town and deal with his family and the girl he left behind that was now a woman. Elle's character was awesome. I loved her spunk, creativity, her drive and her desires to better herself and other women. Noah's character was difficult in that he kept trying to deny what he felt for Elle. The story dragged out a bit but the overall storyline was excellent. Family dilemmas and childhood best friend turned lover turned into more. I wish the ending has been expanded. Did Elle end up fulfilling her father's will in regard to her inheritance? It would have been nice to have been privy to the wedding and an epilogue of Elle's graduation and perhaps a business partnership between Noah and Elle based on their educational goals. And of course, their children. Where did they end up living? Chicago, South Carolina or their home town. Noah's brothers were down-to-earth, hardheaded and realistic. His nephew, Rory, was adorable. This book has a lot of potential but I loved reading it just the same. I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving a review. Elle has loved Noah since they were children, and he protected her from school bullies. Though her fiercest protector, Noah didn’t return her sentiments. Elle’s world shattered when Noah left Pilot Isle with no word or explanation. Now, ten years later, Noah has returned to head a research lab, and Elle must face her old feelings for the man who left so long ago. Sparks fly as they reconnect, but old family secrets and old hurts, as well as some new obstacles, stand in their way.
This is a great childhood friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance, and the budding relationship between Noah and Elle is chemistry-laden, swoon-worthiness. They are complete opposites. Noah is controlled and reserved, and he thrives on order. Ella thrives on chaos and is exuberant and daring. Noah follows the rules; Elle is a rule-breaker. Elle is in touch with her feelings, while Noah completely suppresses his. He is so emotionally withdrawn that he doesn’t even realize his true feelings for Elle for much of the story. He finds it difficult to identify the feelings that he has worked so hard to repress for years. This leads to a lot of angst and sexual tension!
Elle is a wonderful protagonist. She is so free-spirited and ambitious, but she is often degraded for it. Her father and other men in their small town do not approve of her independent ways and her desire for more. Noah, on the other hand, sees her for the intelligent, forward-thinking, and capable woman that she is. Instead of squelching her uniqueness, he embraces, encourages, and supports it. He treats her as an equal, which is something she has not experienced from the other men in her life. The unconditional love that flows between this couple is strong.
Other connections in the story include Noah’s broken relationship with his brothers. Noah’s brothers and his nephew are fantastic and well-developed, and I love how they work to make peace with the past. Each played a role in what happened to their relationship ten years ago, and I admired their willingness to own it. Though they have a lot to work through, their love for each other is clear. In addition to their sibling issues, each brother has his own torments and struggles, and I’m excited to read more about them in future books in the series.
The story also highlights the complexities of family and how one moment can irrevocably change the projection of people’s lives. Messages of forgiveness, acceptance, listening to and understanding others, and embracing those you love are also prominent within the story.
Tides of Love is a great start to what promises to be a wonderful series, and it is a fabulous book for readers who like swoon-worthy, small-town historical romance with great characters and an epic romance. Thanks so much to Tracy Sumner for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. Tides of Love by Tracy Sumner, book one of the Garrett Brothers seriee
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Cover: 5/5
Story: 3/5
Steam: 🔥 🔥 (+kissing)
Ending: HEA
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Stand Alone or Series: This book can be read as a stand alone. From here on, read in series order, though.
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The Outer Banks of North Carolina, 1889
Starchy, Logical Biologist
Wild, Academic Woman
Small Town
Second Chance
Opposites Attract
Unrequited Love
It Was Always You
Childhood Friends
American Historical Romance
Difficult Family Ties
Neurodivergent Hero
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I have read several Sumner books, and she is an author I truly enjoy. I love that this is an American HR that isn't a western. It's a unique setting- the outer banks of North Carolina. It was neat to experience a historical world outside of the ballroom for a change.
I did struggle a bit with this book. Firstly, it's not entirely clear as to why Noah left home until well into the book. And even then, it also doesn't make sense. I feel like it was missing a prologue that detailed the events that led up to Noah leaving. Because of this, I struggled to understand why the Garrett brothers had a falling out.
Noah is an interesting lead. I believe that Noah might be neurodivergent, which explains a lot of his character habits and behavior. I don't entirely understand why Noah was so resistant to Elle other than she didn't fit the idea of what he thought his wife would be like. He spends about 90% of the book being ridiculous in a push-and-pull match with Elle. I do like that he didn't hesitate to support Elle's desire to finish her degree.
Elle is a doormat. She's just a doormat. Elle is an interesting character because of her love of education and pursuit of a degree. However, she just waited around for him for ten years. She is such a strong character that I had a hard time believing she carried a torch for him that long.
This one just didn't work well for me!
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As for steam, Sumner has developed her steam writing since this book was published. I had a hard time figuring out if they had done the deed or not in one of the passages. The two true steam scenes are good lengths and use a mixture of explicit and non-explicit language.
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Read as an ebook and physical copy.
Honest review left voluntarily.
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Content Warning (may contain spoilers):
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De*th of parent
De*th of spouse
Childbirth de*th
De*th of unborn child
Physically and verbally ab*sive father
Shipwreck
De*th as a result of shipwreck
D.V.
Injuries from D.V.