by Kelly Moran
Series: Covington Cove #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
With every beat of the heart comes a memory of what could have been… Ten years ago, Cole Covington was just another rich kid who got everything he wanted—including young and trusting Mia Galdon. Then one night everything changed, and two hearts were shattered. Cole buried his guilt in the military, where love was just part of the past. Now Cole has come back home, emotionally damaged, guarded, and unprepared for what’s waiting for him… At the urging of Cole’s sister, Mia has returned to the Covington family’s coastal home in Wilmington as a private nurse to help Cole recover. With her uncertain personal life at a crossroad, Mia doesn’t have the luxury of saying no to the job. And she soon finds out that the attraction is still alive. So are memories of betrayal. But Mia will discover more than the power of resilience. She’ll discover a secret Cole has held for years, one that will force them to confront the past and give new meaning to letting go, forgiveness, and a future worth fighting for.
Return to Me is the first in the Covington Cove series by new to me author Kelly Moran. I loved the simple cover and when I read the synopsis, I knew I had to read this. With its second chance romance, military man and coastal setting all I could say was, “Heck yes, gimmie!” A slow burning romance, broken hearts and a shared past gave Return to Me all the feels allowing me to become lost in Cole and Mia’s story.
Coffee dates with Return to Me
First date: We meet Mia at a rough time in her life. Alone, and solely responsible for her sister’s wellbeing I immediately identified with her. At the same time, we learn about Cole and his last tour overseas. Right away, I am hooked and need to know more. Moran made them feel genuine and hinted at their prior relationship. We know something went terribly wrong and through flashback chapters, we see their first relationship unfold. It was brilliantly done even if I wanted to stay in the present.
Second date: Despite protests, Mia has arrived at Cole’s home ,the former Coventry coastal home in Wilmington, now owned by Cole. She will be his private nurse and help him deal with his injuries and PTSD. Ooo, when these two meet again the tension and emotions are electric. Cole is overwhelmed, but tries to push her away. Mia is tenacious and refuses to bend. I am flipping the pages eager for more. Moran did her homework regarding PTSD and I was impressed with several scenes. Secondary characters from the housekeeper to Cole’s sister and Mia’s sister added humor, grounded the story and proved to be interesting threads.
Third date: Obstacles, forgiveness, a storm and oh so much more had me fully engaged and swooning. We see character growth in both characters and in a secondary character that at this point I have come to adore. Cole is so sweet and swoon-worthy, I really felt for him and Mia poor Mia, I just wanted to hug her. There is angst, but it helped the characters move forward, was not overdone, and delivered all the feels. The end of my date had me wiping a tear and smiling like a fool.
Return to Me had everything I love in a second chance romance and secondary characters gave it a small town feel. Moran delivered heat, but it felt genuine and will appeal to a larger audience.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Sharon - Obsession with Books
Yes please to second chance romance, a military man and a coastal setting! This sounds great Kimba.
A wonderful review. Sharon – Obsession with Books
kimbacaffeinate
Yep, 3 elements for the win here Sharon 🙂
Bookworm Brandee
I recently came across this book and thought it sounded good. I’m a sucker for second chance romance. Add in a slow burn and I’m there. I’m glad you enjoyed this one.
kimbacaffeinate
Me too Brandee..they make me warm and fuzzy:)
Lauren
I love second chance romances, and Cole sounds really swoonworthy. 🙂 I need to pick this one up, thanks for introducing me to it!
kimbacaffeinate
This was delightful Lauren
Anna
Kim, you always find me the best books. Thanks. 🙂
Anna from Shout with Emaginette
kimbacaffeinate
You made me smile Anna 🙂
Tyler H Jolley
I agree, the cover is simple but intriguing. Great review, Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Tyler,it is always fun discovering new authors
Lorna
ohh this sounds so good! I may have to check it out-another great review!
kimbacaffeinate
I really enjoyed reading this one Lorna
Melissa (Books and Things)
Yes to well researched books! I do love that it really captured you emotionally. Hm… a tear? Well, at least you weren’t sobbing. I think I can handle that. 😀
kimbacaffeinate
No, it was one of those good tears 🙂
Katherine
I like the cover though the book sounds like it’s more serious than I would generally expect from the flirty cover. I love a good 2nd chance romance and like you – throw in a coastal setting and a military guy and I’m hooked! Plus I love books that end with me crying and smiling at the same time.
kimbacaffeinate
True, and it had more depth that I anticipated but always welcome. The cover is cute and makes me think of coming home
Angela Adams
“With every beat of the heart comes a memory of what could have been” — what a great start to a book blurb! Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
I liked that too Angela
Heidi
I just finished a second chance romance and really enjoyed it. I wouldn’t mind doing another.
kimbacaffeinate
I love them and was happy to discover this author
Aurian
It sounds really good Kimba, glad you enjoyed it.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Aurian, it is fun finding new authors
Ramona
I love that there are obstacles, but they are overcome! I also love storms 😉 particularly when they throw the right people together with no hope of escaping. And the forgiveness – I don’t know how a character could grow more than by reaching the climax ready to forgive. This one sounds like a winner, Kimba. And you wrote a beautiful review.
kimbacaffeinate
It was a winner, perfectly balanced and gave me a ride
Candace
I do like this cover. It’s different so it draws my eye. Just more simple, I guess. I also like the coastal setting!
kimbacaffeinate
I thought the cover was sweet, and then the mention of an injured vet and second chance romance sold me
Grace MyBookSnack
I’ve been seeing this one around with very positive reviews! This has everything I like in a romance. Awesome review!
kimbacaffeinate
It was a nice discovery Grace 🙂
MIchelle
I’m super excited you liked this one, because I have it staring at me from my TBR too. Yay for slow burning romances, I love those.
Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh sweet, enjoy Michelle!
Laurel-Rain Snow
Oh, this one does sound so tempting! And to get in on the first in a series is especially great. Thanks!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, while I think characters will overlap these will each work as standalone which I love
Jenny
YES! So excited for this Kim! There’s not much I love more than a military hero, especially one who is a bit damaged, so Cole is pretty much my dream fictional guy. Mia sounds exceptional as well though, as clearly Cole does not make her life easy by any stretch. Can’t wait to dive in and meet these two!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Jenny, it is always exciting finding new authors
Sarah
I dig a good second chance romance. 😀 Especially a small town second chance romance with an injured hero!! Kelly Moran is not someone I’ve read befoore ~ adding to the TBR for sure!
kimbacaffeinate
Totally new to me Sarah, but she adds depth without overdoing the drama, then weaves in banter and tender moments
kindlemom1
Fully engaged swooning is always a plus. 😉 This sounds like such a great read!
kimbacaffeinate
Ha..agreed this was warm and fuzzy
Nick
Second chance romance you say? I’m IN!
This is probably taking feminism backwards, but I love stories about couples reconnecting and the girl having to take care of the guy because of some injury!
I’ll have to check this book out! I hope I can handle the angst!
Great review, Kim.
kimbacaffeinate
Right I love a second chance romance and when you make him a vet ..swoon
Maryam Dinzly
It sounds like a great NA contemporary! I feel like reading the book now hahaha.
kimbacaffeinate
Just a warning this is an adult novel, but the heat isn’t very high
Benish
Happy to hear that isn’t wasn’t overdone like a lot of romance novels, lovely review.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Bennish, it was quite good
Red Iza
It looks like a good contemporary story without being overly dramatic, thankfully ! Great review, Kim 😉
kimbacaffeinate
It was and I love second chance romances with a side of sweet
blodeuedd
I am curious to what he did
kimbacaffeinate
hmm, you will have to read it 🙂
Alreem
wow this book sound so great, I will add it to my TBR 😀 Lovely review
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo enjoy Alreen
Christy
Yeah, I was impressed with the depth of the story and characters, without it being so freaking dramatic and angsty.
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly, I had a fun time and will read this author again
Melliane
I haven’t read a book by this author either yet but it’s nice that you were hooked from the beginning like that! It sounds like a relaly good book! thanks for the review!
kimbacaffeinate
It was well done and I got the feels without the eye rolling 🙂
Faye
I’m glad the angst was in respectable amounts and did not overwhelm the plot at all! The general premise has the potential to be an angst-fest, but I’m glad it was balanced and was vital to the story. I’m already feeling already for Cole and Mia!
kimbacaffeinate
It could have been instead we got this really sweet, funny second chance romance