Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts

Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chesapeake Bay Series revolve around the Quinn Brothers; three troubled boys who were saved by a couple. Ray and Stella Quinn, who couldn't have their own. Three boys who shared dark pasts were brought into a new environment that's filled with warmth. A new member of this family was brought into the mix shortly before Ray Quinn's death.

Chesapeake Blue wraps up the series, telling us the story of Seth Quinn. The story started when Seth decided to come back home for good, after travelling the world and building reputation by being a painter. If you're reading this novel without checking out the first three books of the series, you won't be lost, and yet, you wouldn't be fully satisfied.

Chesapeake Blue brought back all the much loved characters from the previous three books, with each character playing important role in Seth's life. I love that we get to see the badass Cameron being all attached to his sexy wife, Anna, after all these years. We get to see Ethan playing the role of loving father alongside his wife, Grace... and we get to see Sybill living a sophisticated life with Phillip. Aubrey grown up to be someone that I didn't expect since she was all sweet and cute in the first three books (but all kids are like that)... she was kinda rough, and Seth tended to treat her like one of his guy friends, but with much tenderness.

I really loved the beginning of the story when Seth first stepped into the flower shop and met Dru. He brought flowers for four of his favourite ladies. That was really, really sweet. The romance between Seth and Dru was brilliantly written. Loved that they realised that they love each other that soon.

The first three books had the "spirit" of the Quinn patriarch becoming the "voice" for the three elder brothers. It came as a surprise to see Quinn matriarch appeared in this one. I loved how Nora Roberts brought her into this story. Cam, Ethan and Phillip adored her and from the way they talked about her made us know her character already, but having her on the scene made me somewhat real. I loved that Seth talked about the meeting with Cam and it's always heart-wrenching when I see Cam's tender side whenever Stella was mentioned. Brilliant!

Unbeknownst to the Quinns, Seth had been paying Gloria in order to get her away from his family. This revelations angered the Quinns and the early morning scene brought us back to the Quinn we have seen in the first three books. Cam, Ethan and Phillip became the protector with Seth acting like a 12-years-old. This made me smile while reading. I loved that NR brought Gloria back with this setup and I loved that Dru was there alongside the Quinn to bring her down. I'm not particularly happy about what happened with the boatyard though...

All in all, this novel is a must read, if you're a fan of family drama and romance. Very much recommended.


Synopsis:

Seth Quinn is finally home.

It's been a long journey. After a harrowing boyhood with his drug-addicted mother, he'd been taken in by the Quinn family, growing up with three older brothers who'd watched over him with love.

Now a grown man returning from Europe as a successful painter, Seth is settling down on Maryland's Eastern Shore, surrounded once again by Cam, Ethan, and Phil, their wives and children, and all the blessed chaos of the extended Quinn clan. Finally, he's back in the little blue-and-white house where there's always a boat at the dock, a rocker on the porch, and a dog in the yard.

Still, a lot has changed in St. Christopher since he's been gone--and the most intriguing change of all is the presence of Dru Whitcomb Banks. A city girl who's opened a florist shop in this seaside town, she craves independence and the challenge of establishing herself without the influence of her wealthy connections. In Seth, she sees another kind of challenge--a challenge that she can't resist.

But storms are brewing that are about to put their relationship to the test. Dru's past has made her sensitive to deception--and slow to trust. And Seth's past has made him a target of blackmail--as a secret he's kept hidden for years threatens to explode, destroying his new life and his new love...

View all my reviews

Posted in: Nora Roberts,Novel,Review