REVIEW: Redemption Bay by RaeAnne Thayne

In Redemption Bay (Haven Point #2) by RaeAnne Thayne, Haven Point mayor McKenzie Shaw isn’t usually one to hold a grudge. But anytime she hears the name Ben Kilpatrick, she could spit nails. The boy she had a crush on growing up turned out to be a man with no conscience, given that he shut down the boat factory and threw her town into financial ruin. But when the self-made billionaire returns with a chance to create local jobs, McKenzie has to figure out how to put her town in the best possible light. Falling for the geek-chic man was not part of her plan, however.

‘She was suddenly struck by the surreal moment. Ben Kilpatrick — tech billionaire, hometown boy, the man whose name she had cursed for years — was fixing her dinner. It didn’t seem quite real that she was here with him.’

Ben left his hometown behind with no plans of returning. A troubled childhood meant he felt no ties to Haven Point once he became successful with best friend Aidan Caine in the tech market. At the request of said friend, Ben returns to town and is shocked at the ill will he receives. He didn’t realize the trouble caused by closing the factory. McKenzie isn’t afraid to let him know, though, with her fiery wit. As Ben surprisingly starts to warm to his hometown again, he also feels the heat between himself and Kenzie and knows he’s in trouble.

‘She thought he didn’t let himself feel things deeply. Ha. He was a jumbled mess of emotions. Now the only problem was figuring out what the hell to do with them all.’

I had such a great time coming back to Haven Point for this second book in the series. Redemption Bay was aptly named not only for the beautiful locale (look at that lovely book cover!) but also for Ben’s chance to make peace with his hometown and his past.

Every book of RaeAnne Thayne’s I read just proves to me why she is one of my go-to authors for small town charm and realistic, solid romance. To me, she writes in a manner that is easy to read, but is definitely not simplistic. The characters are complex, the situations are complicated, and the emotions run high. All of these elements add up to bring us readers heartfelt stories that we can connect with on a personal level.

Ben and McKenzie. What a dynamic pairing. I really liked that they were both self-sufficient, smart, and successful in their own right. Because of course when two independent people are thrown together, along with their undeniable chemistry, sparks will fly. And boy did they ever. Things started off pretty shaky, with Ben being the ‘bad guy’ who let down the town, and Kenzie not afraid to make her view on that subject known. But once things settled down, I loved the balance of tenderness, respect, and passion they had. And I have to say that their dog’s antics being part of the story added that something special for this animal lover. 😉

Whether you read this as a standalone or as part of the series, I think readers will fall for charming Ben and sassy McKenzie while they duke it out over Haven Point’s business future…and their budding romance.

Book Info:

 June 30th 2015 | by HQN Books | Haven Point #2

New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne brings you back to Haven Point—a place made for second chances…

McKenzie Shaw would do anything for her beloved hometown of Haven Point. It may be small and struggling, but it’s never let her down…unlike gorgeous, infuriating Ben Kilpatrick. He was her childhood hero until he closed his family’s factory, leaving the town’s economy in shambles. Now he’s back—his tech firm is considering opening a local facility. For Haven Point’s sake, McKenzie has to grit her teeth and play nice.

What could a town filled with painful memories ever offer Ben? He left Haven Point behind years ago, for good reason. Yet seeing the town through the eyes of McKenzie—its fiery young mayor—he suddenly has his answer. If only he can resolve the animosity crackling between them, Ben may have found the place where he can build ties and find healing…a place where love arrives when it’s least expected.