With no where else to go, Gabe Murphy travels to Dare Island, North Carolina to catch up with a former fellow Marine after he is released from prison. He wants to get his life back on track with no complications. But after landing a construction job he meets Jane, a single mother and bakery owner. The connection is instant and though they both have a past they cannot deny their feelings for each other. Gabe and Jane must overlook each other's past to find love and happiness on Dare Island.

Virginia Kantra's CAROLINA DREAMING is a sweet romance with a satisfying ending. Gabe is a great mixture of bad boy and gentleman making him a unique and endearing hero. Jane's life is relatable and her independent personality mixed with a disagreeable past make for a great storyline. The subplot surrounding Hank and Marta add some depth to the story, and adds extra conflict to the plot. Kantra brings Dare Island to life, creating a dreamy setting perfect for a romance. Jane's bakery leads to some witty and steamy romance scenes, and readers will appreciate the passion Jane has for her business. Those who have read Kantra's previous Dare Island novels will appreciate the inclusion of previous characters, such as the Fletchers in CAROLINA DREAMING. The romantic tension between Jane and Gabe is believable and their romance is hot.

Dialogue between Gabe and Aidan is tender and will melt readers' hearts right along with Jane's. The conflicts in Aidan's life help support the larger conflicts of the story, and Kantra brings some humor and innocence to the story by giving Jane a son. Aidan also adds a twist to the climax, and without Aidan the antagonist wouldn't seem half has nasty. The story ends in just the right place, and readers will be left thinking of Gabe and Jane long after the last page. CAROLINA DREAMING is tenderhearted romance readers will be sure to enjoy.

Book Summary

When it comes to love, anything can happen on Dare Island—especially in this latest novel from New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra.

After escaping a disastrous marriage, bakery owner Jane Clark has convinced herself that she has everything she needs—her precious son, a thriving business, and a roof over her head. But the arrival of a handsome stranger on the island shows her exactly what she’s been missing...

The only home Gabe Murphy ever had was the Marine Corps. He's working hard to rebuild his life. It will take a special place, and a special woman, to make him want to stay.

Now Gabe is determined to prove that he's worthy of Jane’s trust—and her love. But when her past reappears, that trust will be tested, and Jane and Gabe will have to fight hard to hold onto their love and make their dreams a reality...