Caffeinated Reviewer

I enjoy slipping into Kristy Woodson Harvey’s summer reads, and Summer State of Mind transports us to Cape Carolina, North Carolina, and into the lives of burnt-out NICU nurse Daisy Stevens and high school baseball coach Mason Thaysden. The two cross paths when an abandoned newborn is discovered. Character growth, romance, and small-town charm pulled me in and transported me.

“Queen of the beach read,” (Cosmopolitan) New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey returns with a heartfelt escape to coastal Carolina.

After the worst day in her professional life, burnt-out NICU nurse Daisy Stevens runs to Cape Carolina, North Carolina, looking for a new life—and possibly new romance. On her first day at her “simpler” job, high school baseball coach Mason Thaysden discovers an abandoned baby, sending ripples through the entire tight-knit town of Cape Carolina.

Mason is still struggling to reconcile the scars of the injury that kept him out of the big leagues, stuck in his hometown, and searching for a way out. This newcomer and the child they’ve saved together might be just the motivation he needs to stay put. Sparks fly as Mason acquaints Daisy with Cape Carolina, introducing her to his friends and family, including his batty Aunt Tilley, who is looking for relief from long-buried family secrets and her own fresh start.

But as Daisy becomes increasingly attached to this abandoned child, and begins facing her own demons in the process, a startling discovery is made that threatens to rip the entire town of Cape Carolina apart, placing Daisy, Mason, and Tilley in the center of the storm. In a novel that proves that “Kristy Woodson Harvey is (the) go-to for elevated beach reads” (People), they will each learn that with love, understanding—and a community theater production of Hello, Dolly!—sometimes life conspires to bring us just exactly where we belong.

Summer State of Mind delivers an engaging summer read perfect for a day on the beach. NICU nurse Daisy Stevens leaves her stressful job in the city after a hard patient and moves to Cape Carolina, a place with a slower pace and childhood memories of summers on the beach.

Mason Thaysden is the current baseball coach in his hometown, working in the very office that his own coach held. Mason’s dreams ended after an accident, but his love of the sport has him working to help young men reach their dreams. When he discovers an abandoned baby in the school dumpster, he ans Daisy cross paths, and the tale that unfolds pulled me in.

Harvey knows how to weave a tale and brings the reader along. As Daisy and Mason get to know each other, we meet his Aunt Tilley and learn her story. Daisy becomes attached to the newborn as the police search for the young parents. I found myself emotionally invested and felt compassion not only for those parents, but for Daisy and her story, as well as Mason and his dreams.

The story delivers romance, second chances, and character growth as secrets are revealed. Harvey shows us that sometimes life delivers exactly what you need.

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About Kristy Woodson Harvey

Kristy Woodson Harvey is the author of Dear Carolina. She blogs at Design Chic about how creating a beautiful home can be the catalyst for creating a beautiful life and loves connecting with readers at kristywoodonsharvey.com. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's school of journalism and holds a Master's in English from East Carolina University. She is a regular contributor for The Salisbury Post, Domino magazine and Houzz. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and three-year-old son.

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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

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