Book Review: Harvest Dance by Jennifer Faye

Author: Jennifer Faye

Title: Harvest Dance

Series: Bluestar Island #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 350

Published: October 5, 2021

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

A single dad, who's in over his head, and an event planner running from her past, are drawn together on charming Bluestar Island by a determined six-year-old and her escape-artist goat.

Event planner, Charlotte "Aster" Smith, has fled the only life she has ever known. The situation has left her questioning her own judgment as she cautiously tries to create a new life for herself on Bluestar Island. Taking the job of event coordinator for the small town is a step in the right direction. The only problem is it's currently a part-time position, but the mayor suggests with additional funding the position could transform into a full-time job. In the meantime, she needs a second job in order to stay financially afloat.

Farmer and single father, Sam Bell, is struggling to keep his aging farm from going bankrupt while raising his young daughter. And now that his daughter's babysitter is heading off to college, he needs help. So when he finds Aster is in need of work, he thinks his problems are solved. But things aren't always what they seem. And he can't help wondering what Aster is keeping from him.

In the lingering rays of a Bluestar Island sunset, Sam and Aster find themselves dancing upon the sand. As they help each other heal, the possibility of a future together becomes tangible. But will the ghosts from their pasts extinguish this budding romance?

Review:

I read book 1 a while back and I was itching to read this one, but I was saving this one for the beginning of fall. Welllll it is September so it counts. ;) 

Here we follow Sam and Aster. Sam is a single dad who is trying his hardest to raise his kid and keep up on his farm. When his babysitter takes off for college, he needs to hire someone else. Enter in Aster. Aster fled the only life she has ever known and is trying to create a new life for herself on Bluestar Island. New life, fresh start, but she is keeping her past a secret just in case. She is trying to stay afloat finacially. The job she took is only part-time for now while they wait for the funding to be approved for full-time. Aster needs another part time job, so she accepts the babysitting job from Sam. They fall for each other, but is this going to last? Or will their pasts stop them from falling in love?

This was very sweet with a little bit of darkness. I think the author did a lovely job of balancing the story out. It was never overly sweet where you get a cavity, but it wasn't all doom and gloom. 

Poor Aster was in an abusive relationship. She was forced to flee when the justice system let her down time and time again (not a shocker). She is even going by her middle name to really start over. 

Sam and his kiddo were sweet. I loved his farm! Especially the goat!! 

The chemistry was pretty much there from the moment they met, but it was a slowburn due to their baggage from the past. It felt right for them especially after he hired her.

But yes, this was a nice sweet book. The trauma was done well and it felt natural. 

The middle had a couple of slow parts that I tried my hardest not to skim, but it was worth it for the rest of the story. 

Very sweet. I can't wait to read book 3.

I'll give this 4 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): The goat!!!!

Least Favorite Character(s): Oz

 Challenge(s):

- Romance Reading #21 (MC works on a Farm)