REVIEW: Summer on the Cape by J.M Bronston

In Summer on the Cape by J.M Bronston, Allie Randall lives and breathes art, and with an important show coming up, it doesn’t seem possible to leave town. But with her agent convincing her to head to Cape Cod, she’s decided leaving town mightn’t be so bad. The gorgeous location would be perfect to help create the seascape paintings an important client has asked for, except there’s one tiny problem, Zach Eliot. The caretaker of the property where she’s staying is a distraction she doesn’t need, yet can’t seem to stay away from.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author, and I’ve got to admit that it was a very entertaining and fast-paced read right from the beginning. However, it becomes even more so once Allie and Zach meet. He’s very confrontational with her, and treats her like she’s the enemy, all because of her association with Adam; a man he does not seem to like because of a project her agent is trying to get up and running on Cape Cod.

The dialogue is intense due to the main characters back stories; Adam’s reaction to Allie’s stupidity when it comes to being on the docks in bad weather; and the project that puts Adam and Zach at odds, leaving Allie confused as to why until she learns about Zach’s personal tragedy. A tragedy that cost him his family and has him so against the project while Adam thinks it will be good for the beautiful coastal area. That part of the hero’s past is so hard for him to talk about, and tears surfaced in my eyes the moment he convinced people why the project could not go ahead. However, there was a nice light-hearted moment where the hero and heroine are talking about a family quilt that had me smiling.

”Funny you should mention that old quilt.”
“Why?” said Allie. “What’s funny about it?”
“Not funny, ha, ha,” Zach said. “There’s an old legend goes along with that quilt. It has special powers.”
“Special powers?”
“That’s right.” Zach was still playing with Allie’s hair. “They say that seven generations of Eliots were conceived under this quilt.”

I really liked both the main characters, and the more I read of this story, I found myself warming up to the secondary ones. Certainly, emotions run high throughout this story, as Allie and Zach try to figure each other out. Does Allie have an ulterior motive for being in Cape Cod? Does Adam think she’ll be able to change Zach’s mind on the project? Why is Allie so close to Adam? That was the question I was most interested in to have answered, because she seems a little too agreeable and trusting when it comes to her agent, as if he could do no wrong.

Allie is talented, brave, and altruistic. Being on Cape Cod does wonders for Allie. She gets a lot of painting done, and loves what she does for a living, which comes through loud and clear from the heroine’s narrative and dialogue. I also liked that she stood up to Zach any time he got frustrated with her, but also knew when to let the situation go before either of them said something they’d regret. But what I liked most about her was her willingness to help Zach on the dock during the storm, even if he wasn’t that appreciative because the situation could have turned out bad.

While Zach, he’s starts off very brusque towards Allie because of her association with Adam. Honestly, I didn’t know what to think of Zach in the beginning. But the further I got into this book and learned more of his back story; I could understand why the hero felt so strongly about the project Adam was invested in. He was so determined that the waters of Cape Cod be left in peace, and was willing to fight for it so much that no-one could stop him. Besides, it’s good to be a man with lots of money to throw around to make it happen.

Although there is plenty of chemistry between this hero and heroine, their romance is on the sweet side. Meaning there’s build-up to a sex scene, but the author doesn’t go into any other detail besides the build-up. However, it’s easy to pick out where there is supposed to be a sex scene by the character’s dialogue. Zach has been lonely for so long, and Allie is just what he needs to get over what happened so long ago that’s left him afraid to get close to another woman for fear of losing her.

”Who knows, maybe he’ll forgive me, too. He might even send us a wedding gift.”
Allie laughed happily as Zach carried her into the bedroom. “He already has. He’s crated up the painting of Sea Smoke for you.”
He grinned at her. “I knew when I bought that painting, it was going to turn out to be a good investment.”
“That’s right, Zach,” she said. “You’re getting an original Allie Randall.”

Overall, I really liked this story where the ending wrapped the story up nicely. Zach’s final words to Allie definitely prove how much he loves her, as to does the promise he makes her about Adam. I would recommend Summer on the Cape by J.M Bronston, if you enjoy the opposites attract trope.

Book Info:

Publication: May 24th, 2016 | Lyrical Press |

New York City-based portrait artist Allie Randall’s career is taking off. With a major show coming up, it’s not the best time for her to leave town. Nonetheless, she’s persuaded to spend the summer on Cape Cod, creating seascapes for an important client. Soon the city girl finds herself seduced by the bayside beaches, the dunes, the Provincetown art scene–and of course, the glorious light. But there’s one distraction she didn’t expect: her accommodations come with a caretaker…

A jack-of-all-trades, Zach Eliot is too handsome for his own good–and Allie’s. But he seems to have a huge chip on his shoulder, and Allie can’t help but take it personally. She might not know what’s bugging him, but there’s no mistaking their mutual attraction. How is she supposed to get any work done when they keep bumping heads–and all she can do is daydream about spending the rest of the summer in his arms?. . .