Summary

Maya Mehta will do anything to save her tiny, beloved community theater. Put on musicals she hates? Check. Hire an arrogant former-pop-star-turned-actor? Done. But what Maya really needs to save her theater is Matchmaker Bay’s new business grant. She’s got some serious competition, though: Benjamin “Law” Lawson, local bar owner, Jerk Extraordinaire, and Maya’s annoyingly hot arch nemesis. Let the games begin.

Law loves nothing more than getting under Maya’s skin, and making those gorgeous eyes dance with irritation. But when he discovers the ex-pop star has a thing for Maya, too, Law decides he’s done waiting in the wings-starting with a scorching-hot kiss. Turns out there’s a thin line between hate and irresistible desire, and Maya and Law are really good at crossing it. But when things heat up, will they allow their long-standing feud to get in the way of their growing feelings?

Review

In previous books in the series I was intrigued by the animosity between Maya and Law, but I didn’t know HOW MUCH I needed their book until I got to the sections from Law’s POV. As Maya would say, hooboy. *fans self* I do love a good enemies to lovers romance, and Jenny Holiday really delivers in Sandcastle Beach!

I’m trying to even describe how much I loved this book without giving anything away, because I want you to be able to squee over everything yourself. There’s just so much more to Law, lurking under his chill exterior, and getting to see inside his head was such a treat. The wine, oh my GOSH, I die! The chemistry between Maya and Law is so great, and it sent my heart pinging so many times. I do LOVE a (sort of) one-sided pining slowwwwww and torturous burn…

I absolutely adore that Jenny Holiday took the realization that she had grilled cheese in a couple of her books and then made it an intentional Easter egg she includes for her readers. I especially love how after reading one of her books, I then need to go try whatever take on grilled cheese she brought to the table this time, haha! I haven’t tried Law’s Raspberry Festival grilled cheese yet, but you can bet your booty I’m gonna be making it!

This is the third book in the Matchmaker Bay series. While it could probably be read as a stand alone, there are major spoilers for the previous books, and some of this book actually takes place during book 2, Paradise Cove. I strongly encourage you to read the series in order (start with Mermaid Inn!) but Sandcastle Beach is definitely my absolute favorite of this amazing series.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.