SUMMER LOVIN'

Author: Carly Phillips ISBN: 0373770197 8/2005 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: HQN

Zoe's a security specialist and a Costas through and through. Her eccentric, rather dubious family runs an Atlantic City spa that's just this side of legit. So Zoe isn't fooled by the charm or good looks of this 'Ryan Baldwin' when he shows up claiming to be related to Sam, the little girl the Costas are about to adopt. But Ryan is Sam's uncle and one of the rich, upright -- and uptight –Boston Baldwins. Ryan's search for his sister Faith, the family's black sheep, has led him to news of her death, and a niece he never knew he had. But someone else has also tracked Sam down -- someone who never wanted the child found. Ryan is determined to protect Sam and find out what really happened to his sister. And Zoe 'Whatever-It-Takes' Costas is just the woman to help him do it...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I do not believe that there is actually any way to dislike a Carly Phillips book. She is a great writer and her characters are very realistic—they have problems and issues that the reader can truly relate to. SUMMER LOVIN' is a lively, upbeat romance that tells a great story and leaves you wanting more.

When Zoe Costas and Ryan Baldwin meet, the timing couldn't be worse. He is at Zoe's house to claim his niece, Samantha, whom he has never met. Zoe is part of a large, eccentric family who has been taking care of Sam for the past year, and who would like to adopt her and make her one of their own. Zoe wants to get close to Ryan, to see what he is all about and if he is any good for her niece. And yet, she tries with all of her heart not to fall in love with the man who has come into her life for one reason—to change everything. Ryan can't believe that he is falling for Zoe, especially considering that he is going to have to rip Samantha out of the Costas family's lives and take her back to Boston with his family, where he thinks she belongs.

Zoe and Ryan heat up the pages of SUMMER LOVIN' from page 1 until page 298. Every word keeps you enthralled and wanting it never to end.

Kristal Gorman