Publisher's Weekly Review
This lighthearted romance by Cabot (The Boy Is Back) has dark undertones as its characters grapple with a ferocious hurricane and the aftermath of sexual assault. Feeling betrayed by her mother and boyfriend, who failed to take her trauma seriously, Sabrina Beckham fled New York for Little Bridge Island in the Florida Keys, where her family long ago had happy vacations. Now known as Bree and waitressing at a diner, she has adopted a cat and feels almost like she belongs. She thinks the forecasts for an approaching hurricane are fearmongering and refuses to evacuate, but soon the wind starts howling. She's thrown together with her boss's nephew, handsome carpenter Drew Hartwell, and their chemistry out-sizzles the electricity of the storm. Bree sets out to rescue the abandoned pets on the island, which helps her gain the confidence needed to cope with the past and envision a future with dreamy Drew. Cabot, best known for her Princess Diaries young adult series, shows that her work for adults can be just as frothy and entertaining. Though not especially memorable, this sweet novel will leave readers with a pleasant glow. Agent: Laura Langlie, Laura Langlie Agency. (Oct.)
Kirkus Review
A woman starts a new life on a small islandbut soon finds herself in the middle of a hurricane.Bree Beckham needs to start over. After her boyfriend's best friend tries to sexually assault her, no one supports hernot even her mom or boyfriend. So Bree retreats to Little Bridge Island, the site of many treasured childhood vacations. She finds work as a waitress at the Mermaid Caf and, after three months, feels like she fits in with the quirky locals. When Hurricane Marilyn heads straight toward Little Bridge, Bree decides to staydespite everyone on the mainland encouraging her to evacuate. Like many residents, she has a good reason not to leaveher senior cat, Gary, who can't travel. Bree and Gary ride out the storm at the large, generator-powered home of her bosses, who choose not to evacuate because last time they did, someone broke into their restaurant and stole an industrial meat slicer. Bree rides out the storm in relative luxury, but when it's all over, she realizes that not everyone was so lucky. There's significant property damage on the island, but worst of all, the storm took out the bridge to the mainland. When Bree finds out that many owners left their pets behind, assuming they'd be able to come back in a couple of days, she takes it upon herself to rescue them. With the help of her mother, a famous radio host, she instructs people to call her landline if they have stranded pets. But Bree doesn't have to do it all aloneher bosses' nephew, the hunky playboy Drew Hartwell, wants to help. After her bad experiences with men, Bree swears she's on a man-cationbut Drew is pretty cute and obviously interested in her. Cabot (Bridal Boot Camp, 2018, etc.) creates a story that's full of timely issues, most notably the tendency of 24/7 news channels to sensationalize big storms. Through Bree, Cabot encourages readers to avoid judging people who stay behind in a hurricane to care for loved ones or protect their businesses. And although animal-lover Bree is initially horrified that pets were left behind, she quickly learns that many people had good reasons for evacuating without their animals. Written in Cabot's typically entertaining, breezy style, with tons of quirky side characters to liven up the story, this book will encourage readers to think compassionately about people who make hard decisions in the face of natural disasters.A fun, fast, and romantic story. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
When Sabrina Beckham moved to Little Bridge, the island in the Florida Keys where she'd spent her childhood vacations, she was trying to avoid the storm her life had become. And it seems to be working: she dyes her hair pink, ditches her semi-famous family name, and finds a job as a waitress in a breakfast joint. Really, everything is great until Hurricane Marilyn makes a beeline for Little Bridge and everyone starts to evacuate. Suddenly, Bree's mom is calling and her dirtbag ex is offering her a ride out of town on his private plane (don't ask). Only Bree can't leave her cat cannot be evacuated, and there's no way she's abandoning him. Is this crazy behavior? Maybe, but Drew Hartwell neighborhood dog lover, neighborhood hottie, neighborhood heartbreaker, so say local gossips is sticking out the hurricane in town, too, and he seems just as concerned about local pets who have been left behind. The ever-delightful Cabot charms in her latest, which is equal parts sweet and steamy. Animal lovers unite this one's for you.--Maggie Reagan Copyright 2010 Booklist
Library Journal Review
A hurricane is headed straight for Little Bridge Island, FL, and Bree Beckham is determined to stick it out in order to care for her recovering cat Gary. She's just reset her life after leaving law school, dumping her gaslighting ex, and moving across the country. Slowly piecing together what to do next, Bree knows that running back home isn't a preferred option, even if she was willing to leave Gary. Which she's not. Also not part of the plan? Men. Especially the hot and snarky Drew Hartwell, who has quite the reputation as a ladies' man, and who is also planning to weather the storm in his newly built beach house. As disaster approaches and Little Bridge is cut off from the mainland, Bree discovers that while she's stayed with Gary, other pets on the island have been left alone. With some help from Drew, Bree sets out to provide refuge for as many of the animals as possible, abandoning any judgment of the pets' owners or Drew's past. VERDICT As in Cabot's previous adult romances (e.g., The Boy Is Back), our heroine's wit and humor and determination to stay the course shines through in this breezy story that is a pure delight to read.--Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati Blue Ash
