The Scars I Bare (By the Bay #2)
J.L. Berg
Contemporary Romance
March 12, 2018
Every scar tells a story… Some are etched on the skin, for the whole world to see. Others are buried deep, so deep, only the heart can truly find them.
Dean Sutherland was the quintessential guy next door. Strong and dependable, with a heart of gold, he knew exactly where his life was headed. Until one fateful night at sea ripped away everything. Now he’s adrift, a man without a purpose.
Cora Carpenter thought she had the perfect life. A successful career, an affectionate husband and a daughter who adores her. But soon that perfect world is crashing down around her, and she’s in need of a fresh start. Moving to a remote town on the coast of North Carolina seems like the perfect plan. That is until she finds herself face to face with a kindred soul from her past. Dean and Cora have more in common than either are willing to admit. Both deeply rooted in their pain, they can’t help but find hope in each other’s eyes and passion entwined with every touch. But can two broken hearts make a whole?
Will the scars they’ve bared to one another poison their happily ever after, or can love truly heal all?
I, ugh, oh my gosh, I don’t know where to start.
I received an arc of this book, decided I needed to try new authors, so this is my first J. L. Berg book and I absolutely loved it. Her style of writing is absolutely perfect and I will definitely be picking up more of her books.
Cora and Dean both come from troubled pasts, one from a traumatic ferry boat accident and the other from an abusive spouse. One does not make the others trauma any less than the others, one was not easier or worse and because that wasn’t mentioned at all made me like this story even more.
To go through a traumatic experience like Cora and Dean can obviously take time to move past it, but everything can always be moved on from, you don’t ever let your past define your future, because that’s not how it works. I loved seeing them both move on from their pasts and grow as one, and Lizzie, don’t even get me started on her. She was way too cute to even just read about, I now want a Lizzie of my own.
Please, do us all a favor and pick up this book.
I’m a California native, who lives in the South – Virginia to be exact. I still prefer sushi to fried chicken, avocados to okra, and I absolutely loathe humidity. I do love watching the seasons change though. My husband and I have been here for over a decade, and I still get giddy like a school girl every time it snows. It’s magical! I’m married to my high school sweetheart, and we’ve been blessed with two beautiful daughters and two rescue pups I like to call my “coworkers”. I’m obsessed with chocolate, minions, anything Harry Potter and I love to watch re-runs of Friends and Gilmore Girls!
Sign up for J. L. Berg’s newsletter by visiting her website
Scripted Words 