REVIEW: Tide Together (PARADISE BAY SERIES Book 7) by Melanie Summers
What happens when a stressed-out bridesmaid and a laidback pilot are stranded alone together on a sun-kissed Caribbean island?
Paige Chadwick is having the worst day of her life. Her tyrant boss has made her three days late for her sister’s destination wedding trip, and now she’s stuck on the wrong Caribbean island with the wedding just hours away.
Enter Mac Gamble, a brooding yet irresistibly attractive pilot, who reluctantly agrees to get her to the church on time.
When a fast-moving storm leaves them stranded on a deserted island, they’re forced to rely on each other to survive. As they navigate their new surroundings, tempers flare and an undeniable attraction grows.
Amidst the stunning sunsets and white sand beaches, Paige starts to see that underneath Mac’s gruff exterior is a heart of gold.
Can these two opposites find a love as deep as the ocean, or will their differences stir up a hurricane of heartbreak?
Dear Ms. Summers,
Overall this has been a winning series for me and I was delighted to be able to read the latest installment. Opposites attract, alone on a deserted island, (sort of) one bed, self discovery, overworked heroine – it’s got a lot of tropes, some of which aren’t my favorites but darn it if the title isn’t another good one.
Paige is that romance trope of an overworked and underappreciated woman trying to make it in a tough business. She’s worked herself almost to death for six years for a pittance, assuring herself that she’s learning the ropes, making contacts, and working with the best. Her day will come! She’s sure of it. Right now though, (assholic) boss Guy is demanding that Paige keep working on this major account issue despite Paige needing to leave for her sister’s wedding. When Paige does finally get to one of the islands near the destination wedding, she realizes that her only chance of getting to the church on time depends on a lone pilot – who turns her down flat.
Mac runs his own business with one plane, flying people around the Benavente Islands. He’s been married once and that was enough. Now he sets his hours, lives by the sea, and enjoys kicking back whenever. He sees a frantic woman charging down a pier at him, dragging a huge suitcase and pleading with him to fly her to her sister’s wedding, and he turns her down. Then he reconsiders due to the amount she’s offering. Yeah, she’s obviously high maintenance but $800 for forty minutes of flying will help him out. Too bad neither notices the looming dark clouds until it’s too late.
First off, there are issues in the story which I’m sure would drive people who know more about them batty. Mac is an experienced pilot but files no flight plan? Nah, no need for that. After the plane goes down, do either Paige or Mac think to check their cell phones for over twenty four hours? No, there’s no cell service but still … Paige injures herself charging off in a huff but does Mac go get the cold pack from his plane when they get back? Nope, that can wait a while.
But enough of those piddly complaints. There are things here that will appeal. Paige and Mac do lots of banter, some of it witty. Although they can also snipe and snarl at each other a bit. Gotta get the opposites attract aspects laid out. Oh, but “simmering attraction” is also here. Simmering and then “rising to a boil” attraction. There is one part where Paige sorta plans something and then thinks, if she flipped the genders it would be all wrong. Then she adds some alcohol to the mix to try and get Mac into bed. Yeah, Paige. Your first instincts are correct and as cute as she is trying to lower Mac’s guard, it’s still problematic.
As Mac’s grandfather (and I liked him and his Boomer cronies) reminds Mac, being alone with someone on a deserted island is a great way to see someone’s true character. Almost as good as judging how well someone treats waitstaff. Mac and Paige are alone together for almost two weeks and get to see each other in all their glory (as do the Coast Guard rescue helicopter crew and Paige’s parents when they all arrive on the island). Thankfully they talk as well as have smoking hot sex and do some self discovery along the way.
The plot threads are wrapped up a bit too conveniently at the end. Family issues that have been problems for years for Paige seem to magically be smoothed away with promises from her perfectionist family to be kinder and less judgmental. Paige grows some ovaries about her job and Mac gets smacked with some words of wisdom from his poker pals. Steve (the gecko) remains silent though. Okay, yes this is a beach read and it’s not aiming to strain brain cells or do a terribly deep dive into angst so because of that I tried to take it as it is and mostly enjoy the beach breezes. B-
~Jayne
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