Suddenly Last Summer. Sarah Morgan

Suddenly Last Summer
Sarah Morgan
Publisher: Harlequin
Date: 24th June 2014
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 384
Genre: Contemporary romance
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Fiery French chef Élise Philippe is having a seriously bad day. Not only have the opening day plans for her beloved café fallen apart, but Sean O'Neil is back in town, and looking more delectable than ever. Last summer, they shared an electrifying night together…and the memories have Élise really struggling to stick to her one-night-only rule! Her head knows that eventually Sean will be leaving, so all she can do is try to ignore her heart before she spontaneously combusts with lust.

Being back in Vermont—even temporarily—is surgeon Sean O'Neil's worst nightmare. For Sean, returning home to the Snow Crystal Resort means being forced to confront the reasons and the guilt he feels about rejecting his family's rural lifestyle years ago. But discovering that Élise has settled in Vermont and still sets his blood racing is a very welcome distraction! Thinking he can persuade her into a replay of last summer is tempting, but remembering how good they are together is going to make walking away more difficult than he could imagine…

Suddenly Last Summer is the second book in the O'Neil brothers series.  It was the first book I have read by Sarah Morgan, and I have to say I did enjoy it very much.  It has all those things in common with family/small town series, that make them a satisfying read.  The values of family, friendship, welcome, passion and loyalty are at the heart of the story.

This is Sean's story, okay I have to admit it would be a favorite with me because I like the medical elements in any story.  Sean has passion for his work, it's important to him, he knows he works long hours and can't expect to have a relationship where he will need to be committed.  He can't, his patients need him and come first.  He is at odds somewhat with his family who run the Snow Crystal resort and doesn't return home that often.  His grandfather has passion too, for Snow Crystal resort, and Sean has regrets and guilt tied to his grandfather.  How this plays out was a very satisfying part of the book.  Sean managed to stay true to himself, and learned along the way things were slightly different to what he had perceived.  

The best part of the book, where I got caught with that twinge to the heart was when Sam and his grandfather have an important conversation, and Sean heard the truth and shared his truth as well. He is able to say something he has never said before.

Elise, the chef, is the woman who has managed to attract Sam and has him going places he has never gone before.  Elise is like Sean, she is passionate about her work - and she does not want a committed relationship. Oh no, thank you very much!  Sean finds himself falling where he never fell before.  Elise loves his grandfather and wants Sean to reconcile with the old man.  Truth be told Sam and his grandfather are very alike.

This book has plenty of heart, endearing characters and a fun story line.  I am very much looking forward to the next brother's story - Tyler, my guess is he is in for a big fall! Brothers!  I will also be backtracking to read the story of Jackson, Sean's twin brother.  This book has that x factor, I liked and cared about the characters - all of them.

The O'Neil Brothers

1. Sleigh Bells in the Snow

2. Sudddenly Last Summer

3. Maybe This Christmas - October 2014