If For Any Reason

random retro read

Emily Ackerman has traveled the world, her constant compass and companion a book of letters her mother left for her when she died. With no father in the picture, her mom’s advice has been her only true north. But when professional failure leads Emily back to Nantucket to renovate and sell the family cottage she inherited, she wonders if her mom left advice to cover this . . . especially when her grandmother arrives to “supervise.” And especially when her heart becomes entangled with Hollis McGuire, the boy next door-turned-baseball star who’s back on the island after a career-ending injury.

As sparks fly between her and Hollis, Emily is drawn to island life, even as she uncovers shocking secrets about the tragic accident that led to her mother’s death. With her world turned upside down, Emily must choose between allowing the voices from her past to guide her future or forging her own path forward.

My Review:

Woohoo! A Second Chance Summer Romance set on Nantucket Island! Love the contrast of carefree beachy vibes as background to the emotionally packed love story! And mercy, but Walsh wrung every last bit of emotion out of me by the end.

So, high drama, including a family scandal with Emily in the middle of it all. Oh, yeah, and her teenage crush is living next door. Who just happens to be an ex baseball star sidelined by a permanent injury. And he has his own personal issues he’s dealing with. So, pile on some more drama. This book was intense! But I loved the way Walsh lets her characters work through it all. Very realistic — and so emotional! My heart is still tender from all the pummelling!

And there’s even a bit of a dual timeline to the story. In the form of letters from Emily’s deceased mother as well as some ‘real time’ scenes from the past. Which include another love story! The way the author blends those two timelines and slowly builds towards the emotional climax — well, wowzers! Kept me completely immersed until everything finally got sorted.

A slow burn second chance romance with so much heart and hope!

20 thoughts on “If For Any Reason”

  1. Girl, you had me at second chance romance AND dual timeline! IF FOR ANY REASON is now on my TBR list and I can’t wait for the opportunity to read it.

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  2. I agree, this was a good book. I actually won If for Any Reason from Courtney in a Valentine contest. It was my first book of hers and I’ve read about a dozen since.

    Happy weekend reading 🙂

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  3. I have this one on my keeper shelf in my Sea Cave (that’s what I call my beach decored she shed/office). lol

    Is It Any Wonder is the sequel to this 2 book Nantucket series & it’s real good, too. Courtney does rom-com really well, but as I found out in this book & several others, she can write angst, well . . . pretty angsty! I love her books! Have a great weekend, Kav!

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    1. Oooohhhhhh — squeallll!!! — you have a beach themed she shed???? The things I don’t know about you! Yes…sooo angst, but oddly enough, it didn’t feel overdone or soap operaish…She knows how to make it feel real and raw and so plausible. I’ve read A Match Made at Christmas and What Matters Most from this series but I see I’ve missed one. Happy Reading, Diane!

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      1. I do! With a large canvas on the wall that looks as tho you’re looking out on the beach & the ocean through a window & I matched my wall paint with one of the different colors of blue in the ocean. I bought a recliner on sale the exact color of the sand in pic & a little round table that holds my other kindle & a book that matches colors in room. I have shells, a real starfish, beachy pillows on the floor, a desk w/ my computer & pics of my gdaughters in mermaid costumes. And last, but not least, shelves with beach reads, blue glass bottles, plants, etc. Sooo much fun to decorate! And it wasn’t as expensive as you would think bc I bought things that were inexpensive that look pricey. Sorry, more than you wanted to know, I’m sure. 😕

        As far as Courtney, I agree! Nothing sappy about these books . . . very gritty situations & realistic characters. I’ve missed a few of her rom-coms, but need to rectify that!

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      2. Oh, and I also found a Bible on Amazon in teal blue that I keep on my desk in my Sea Cave. So NOW you know everything about me. Almost. 😉

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      3. Well, I too have a teal bible — large print edition — so we’re sort of sisters. Your decorating sounds gorgeous and refreshing. I haven’t spent much time at the seaside so I’m not sure if I would be a total convert to the lifestyle. I think I’m more of a mountain / forest kind of gal.Or no, wait, more like Irish countryside — a bazillion shades of green and rolling hills and Celtic art. Yep, that’s how I would decorate my she shed if I had one. 🙂

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      4. We’ll be the Teal Bible sisters! Thanks. I love to decorate!

        I was brought up in AZ against the backdrop of the Catalina Mountains & was a young adult before I ever saw the ocean & was totally gobsmacked! On a sweltering hot day there’s nothing more pleasurable than a huge beach towel on the sand, drink of choice, a good book (even an audiobook!), and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore!

        I enjoy the mountains of Asheville, but those winding, narrow roads make me nervous. Plus you know from reading suspense, stalkers & serial killers hang out around those secluded cabins in the mountains. LOL! We have forests/woods with critters all around our home, so best to stick to the rolling green hills of Ireland or the beach, methinks! Much more relaxing.

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  4. I’ve read all of Courtney Walsh’s books and I really loved the Nantucket series! This one’s on my keeper shelf too.

    Have a great Friday! Sandy

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      1. I live in the woods with streams nearby. We were out riding the 4 wheeler this evening. I have a wraparound deck that’s lovely to sit on with a book listening to the birds. Come sit with me.

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      2. Gasp!!!! A wrap around deck (only we can them porches or verandahs up here) is my absolute dream!!!!! Packing my bags right now…well, and shipping my books for a long stay. Bwahahahaha!

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