Toni's Review of No Tan Lines by Kate Angell ***4 Stars***

    

There's a place where the ocean meets the shore, where kicking off your shoes and baring some skin is as natural as sneaking under the boardwalk for an ice cream cone and stolen kisses. But life isn't all a beach for Shaye Cates, even if her idea of an office is a shady umbrella at the water's edge equipped with cell phone and laptop. Steely-eyed Trace Saunders is the incredibly irksome fly in her coconut tanning oil. And running a kids' softball team with her long-time rival is going to have everyone in her little Florida town buzzing. Her scads of laid-back relatives and his whole uptight clan know that Shaye just wants to play ball while Trace thinks only of business. But beneath the twinkling lights of the ferris wheel, the magic of sea and sand can sweep away every inhibition...Suddenly, it's summertime, and the lovin' is easy.

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No Tan Lines is fun, fun, fun.

The town of Barefoot William was founded on freedom, joy and fun.  Leave your worries behind and come to paradise to relax and enjoy yourself.  That has been the basis of this community for generations, unlike the neighboring community of Saunders Shores.  They desire the high life of glitz, riches and exclusivity.  They are the elite and they are far removed from the carefree lifestyle of the laid back town of Barefoot William.  Since the conception of these two communities the Cates and the Saunters have been enemies.  They have battled each other from the very beginning, but all that is about to change.

Shaye is desperate.  She needs to get Trace to agree to rent her a portion of his beach.  The problem is though, they have been enemies since high school and short of the miracle of Trace growing a heart, her hands are tied.  She has already made commitments to the event that will save her community.  Now she needs to figure out how to fulfill them.

Trace is desperate.  His current fling, Nicole, needs a location to open her business, but there is no way the clientele that frequent Saunders Shores would be remotely interested in her products.  He needs to get Shaye to agree to rent her space on her family’s boardwalk, which would be a first.  Well he has something she wants, his beach.  Let the negotiations begin.

Shaye is totally screwed.  She jumped the gun and made plans without Trace’s approval and now Trace has her right where he wants her and he plans to take full advantage of the situation.  Nicole has been taken care of and is now out of his bed.  You’d think all would be grand, but he has more things to worry about.  His body is not cooperating with his brain.  His body desires Shaye, but he knows he can’t have her.  Trace is totally screwed.

While this story revolves mainly around Shaye Cates and Trace Saunders, Ms. Angell has also incorporated two other couples into the plot, but they enhance the novel beautifully.  I think normally that would bother me, but the way they blended in without being too intrusive, it was brilliant.  As soon as I finished the story I was researching who would be next in the series, because their stories were not concluded.  Well don’t bother looking, because my search came up with nothing other than it does look like there are more stories planned for the small town of Barefoot William.  YAY!

If I was going to recommend one book for the summer, it would be No Tan Lines.  It is light, breezy and a pure joy.  I had several laugh out loud moments and I always had a grin on my face.  The characters are wonderful.  The scenery is beautiful and there is nothing to drag it down.  If you don’t read it for those attributes alone, pick it up for Olive.  I’m sorry to leave you hanging and not tell you more about her, but she has got to be the cutest darn character that I have read about in a long time.

My only regret is that I have to wait to find out what happens with the other two couples.  I just hope when their story is shared, I can enjoy the continuation of Shaye and Trace’s relationship.

Pick up No Tan Lines for your vacation, bathtub or just to enjoy by the campfire.  It’s simply a lovely story that is carefree and enchanting.  So grab your beach towel and your sunscreen, because we are on our way to Barefoot William, where the ocean meets the shore.  I just love that line!

Thanks for reading! - Toni