Bea Reviews Back To Us by Christi Barth

Publisher: Carina Press
Series: Shore Secrets #3
Source: the author in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: July 13, 2015
Challenges: Finishing the Series
Buying Links: Amazon* | ARe* | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble
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Blurb from goodreads:

Ward Cantrell always went for the long shot. But that recklessness cost him his college scholarship and his chance to play pro ball, and—worst of all—it ended his relationship with the girl next door. Neither the town nor the girl has ever forgiven him. Now he's taking one last long shot by opening a boutique distillery on the family farm he inherited.
Piper Morrissey spent high school in Ward's shadow, but she's come into her own in the years since. Maintaining her spotless image, and that of her family's winery, is priority number one. Nobody knows that she still yearns for her golden-boy ex. Or at least they didn't—until Ward agrees to sell Piper the land she needs to start her precious port line. The caveat? She'll need to date him for one month.
Ward hopes a month is all it'll take to convince his former sweetheart that while he's changed, his love for her hasn't. But when the chance arises to thumb his nose at the town that turned its back on him, he can't afford not to reject Piper's offer. Will that make her reject him and his love—for good?

Bea's Thoughts:

Sigh, the end of the trilogy. I've enjoyed this series and I'm sorry to see it end. Piper, Casey, Ella, Ward, Gray, Zane, Joel, and the rest of the gang are delightful people to spend time with. And I really want to g tour New York state and taste wines. Anybody wanna come with me?

Piper and Ward have been friends since they were kids along with Ella and Casey. Ward was the only guy in a group of girls but they were and still are his best friends. In high school, Piper and Ward became more than friends but then a misunderstanding while they were in college ended there relationship. They managed to rebuild a friendship of sorts with feelings for each other still there but banked. They walk on egg shells around each other and then Ward makes a business deal with Piper that also rekindles their romance.They both made mistakes the first time around, Piper has a habit, at least Ward's concerned, of making assumptions and then acting on those assumptions. In her late 20s, she was still rebelling against her parents and had some growing up to do. Ward, despite being best friends with three women was often still clueless about women but he did try. And he actually understood Piper, even though he made his share of mistakes.

One of the best parts of this book, and of the trilogy as a whole, is the friendship, banter, giggles, and antics amongst the four friends and their significant others. It gave the stories breeziness and humor as well as some depth and realism. The town of Seneca also has an odd tradition of keeping a journal in a mailbox where people write anonymously, asking questions and seeking advice. It played a part in all three stories though it had a minor role in this until the end of the story. The ending, when Ward goes all out with an grand and very public gesture to win Piper back just about killed me. If a guy did that to me, I would utterly embarrassed and probably dump him on his ass. But it worked for the characters and the story.

"Back to Us" was sweet, tender, romantic, a little heartbreaking, and fun to read. I could overlook the occasional idiocy on both Ward and Piper's parts, cheered at the good things that happened, rolled my eyes at some events and twists and predictable stuff, but in the end, I just had a good time hanging out with Piper and Ward. I'm sorry to see this series end.