ABOUT THE BOOK
Our life together meant more to me than he could possibly imagine. I just wanted another night. I thought I knew what was coming. A proposal. If only it had been that simple.
Things are finally working out for Stella Gallagher. Unlucky in love and faced with limited options in her small town, she was beginning to give up on romance altogether, until mysterious Italian Paolo Gentillo moved to Chelan…
Paolo is smart, kind, gorgeous, and most importantly, they’re completely obsessed with each other: Stella has finally found her match. Everything would be perfect, except there are things she hasn’t told Paolo—she doesn’t know how he’s going to feel about her when he finds out about her past…
So when Paolo proposes, Stella panics: it’s way too soon. She wants to be with him, but suddenly they’re talking about forever. He doesn’t even know the real her, she’s scared to face up to her secret, and she’s never felt so alone. Is the damage from her past going to threaten her chance at a perfect future?
MY REVIEW
I’m thrilled to be a blog spot for Ellyn Oaksmith’s Promises at Indigo Bay hosted by Book on the Bright Side. I couldn’t wait to read about Carmen’s best friend Stella and the oh, so charming Paolo. Their story was just brimming with promise in book 1 which didn’t let me down. And of course I got to see how Carmen, Evan and the wonderful Alvarez family were fairing.
The very independent Stella and the very Italian Paolo are a match made in Heaven. Stella’s failure to confront her fears and Paolo’s confidence and passion work very well together. Paolo makes Stella feel safe from the turmoil of her tragic past and Stella is the strong woman he needs by his side to fulfill his duties to his family. After all, Paolo needs a strong woman to handle his mother, Rosalia. She’s a haughty, protective, manipulative Italian mother and she will not make it easy for Stella. But, don’t worry, there is a swoon worthy HEA with a pleasant surprise.
The supporting characters are an added bonus to the story. In fact, Carmen is having problems of her own trying to run her own winery and dealing with Evan’s racist parents while Evan pretends there is no elephant in the room. Well, let’s just say Evan redeems himself big time!
I forgot how much I missed the Alvarez family, especially Carmen’s endearing father, Juan. And let’s not forget Stella’s feisty co-worker Izzy who is full of good advice whether it’s wanted or not. My favorite character is the sweet, adoring, and entrancing Paolo. In Stella’s words, he’s “yum-on-a-stick”. 🙂
I have discovered that Ms. Oaksmith’s stories are rich in friendship, family, and especially love. Add the many LOL moments including Stella’s stubborn resistence, Paolo’s Italian to English translations, the mother-in-law from hell, and Carmen’s type A personality changes, and you get a truly superb feel-good love story.
Delightful characters, beautiful settings, wine, wine, wine, and a HEA. What more could you ask for? Give this book a try. I guarantee you will love it!
Please read my review for Summer At Orchard House which is Carmen and Evan’s story in book 1.
Thank you to Ms. Oaksmith for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Blue Hills Series
0.5. Meeting Mercedes (2022)
1. Summer at Orchard House (2020) – My review
2. Promises at Indigo Bay (2020)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ellyn Oaksmith is the USA Today and Kindle bestselling author of the Blue Hills Series, featuring the Alvarez family.
After graduating from Smith College and attaining her MFA from The American Film Institute, Ellyn began her writing career as an award-winning screenwriter in Hollywood. Her books explore the same themes as her screenplays: grit, humor, family, and love.
Ellyn lives on one of Seattle’s many hills with her husband and spends as much time as possible on the water as part of a competitive rowing team.
Follow Ellyn on website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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