Review: California Dreamin Collection

Title:		California Dreamin' Collection
Author:		Heather B. Moore, Kaylee Baldwin, Annette Lyon, Jennifer Moore, Shannon Guymon, and Sarah M. Eden
Publisher:		Mirror Press
Pub. Date:		4/2015
Pages:		350

Amazon #1 Bestselling series in *New Release* for Clean Romance

Six brand new contemporary romance novellas with bestselling and award winning authors.

In the sweet novella TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE by Heather B. Moore, Gwen uses her wedding photography business to keep her life simple and focus on something other than her own broken heart. When Jack, a guy too handsome for his own good, helps her clean up after a photoshoot, then asks her out, she doesn’t know if she can handle dating again. But Jack’s charm wins her over, and she agrees to meet him for dinner. The more she gets to know Jack, the more she likes him, but everything about him seems too good to be true. 

GONE FISHING, a charming novella by Kaylee Baldwin, follows Claire as she tries to convince her dad to leave his start-up company as a boat guide and come back home to Colorado. He’s the only one who can defend Claire against her domineering mother. But when she arrives at the San Diego harbor, she’s met with more than one surprise. First, that her dad is truly living his dream and has never been happier, and second, she’s unexpectedly attracted to his business partner, Miguel.

In THE PIER CHANGES EVERYTHING, an enchanting novella by Annette Lyon, Alexandria has one last task to perform for her late husband, who died much too young: scatter his ashes in the Pacific Ocean. She goes to the Santa Monica Pier to do just that, but her plans get sidetracked after meeting Michael and feeling an immediate connection to him. They grab lunch, and the more time they spend together, the more they discover that they have in common—including past romantic hardships. As the day wears on, Alexandria begins learn that her heart just might be able to find love again.

In Jennifer Moore’s captivating novella A HERO’S SONG, AnneMarie’s career as a romance novelist is skyrocketing and her agent books her on a late night talk show. The host gets her to admit that she was in love once, with a guitar player. Moments after her segment, Lance Holden appears on the same stage, to perform his newest song. Is it a terrible coincidence? AnneMarie hasn’t seen Lance ever since he broke her heart ten years ago, and she has refused to think about him again. Their lives are worlds apart, but as Lance tries to reconcile with AnneMarie, she finds herself taking a second chance. 

In STAY WITH ME, an endearing novella by Shannon Guymon, Jolie moves to L.A. to take on a nanny position for the summer, since apparently having a degree in art doesn’t translate to getting a job as a graphic designer. When Fitz, the family’s chauffeur, picks her up at the airport, she wonders if every man in LA is model-gorgeous. When Jolie meets her two charges, she finds them adorable and needy. But it’s harder to hold onto her job than she thought with a hostile Mrs. James and her spoiled brother. Fitz becomes both the silver lining of her job and the man who just might convince her to stay in L.A.

In the delightful novella, A PLACE TO CALL HOME, by Sarah M. Eden, Ada is the best realtor around. The best. She prides herself in matching each client with the house that will fit all of their needs. She hasn’t failed yet. So when Craig hires her to find him the perfect condo for him and his son, Ada is up for the challenge. What she may not be prepared for is her unforeseen attraction to Craig, her immediate attachment to his nine-year-old son, and her heart telling her that it’s okay to take another chance.

Summary and picture via Goodreads.

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California brings thought of the sand and sun. In this collection of short stories, it's all about sand, sun, and romance. From new love that was never imagined to love lost and possibly found again, this collection covers a wide variety of stories and characters. First chances and second chances are all possible, and these stories will make you believe in love.

Full of sweet tales, this collection of stories manages to make California itself a character. You feel like you are there in the best way possible. Seriously, if you can't make it out a beach anytime soon, just relax and open this book up. You'll be there in no time. There was a great variety to the stories. Some were tales of instant attraction, while some showed love growing between two people who seemed unlikely to be a good match in the beginning. Some of the stories were about love that had been lost then found. All of them though are about taking a chance on romance and happiness, even if it is not what we thought would happen.

One of my favorites was The Pier Changes Everything. I just found the characters to be realistic and engaging. They had dealt with things in their lives that had shaped them, and that ultimately helped them grow into people who could work on things together. It wasn't a heavy story though. There was lots of lightness and fun well balanced with the more serious parts. Each of the stories in this collection will leave you feeling warm and happy and ready for love. They'll also give you a little piece of California to keep in your heart.

Book provided for review.