Low Country Hero (Safe Haven #1) – Book Review

Title: Low Country Hero
Author: Lee Tobin McClain
Pages: 384
Publication Day: February 26th, 2019
Publisher: Harlequin Books
Format: Paperback ARC

Synopsis:

Sunny, carefree days splashing in the ocean–it’s the life Anna George has always wanted for her five-year-old twins. And now that they’ve made it to Safe Haven, South Carolina, she won’t let anyone stand in her way. Not the abusive ex she’s just escaped and not the rugged contractor who caught her setting up house in the shuttered beachfront cabins he’s refurbishing. When he offers Anna and her daughters a place to stay in exchange for her help with renovations, she’s tempted. His gentle way with her girls makes her want to trust him, but she’s been wrong before.

A family is the last thing contractor and former military man Sean O’Dwyer wants right now. But when he discovers Anna and her girls, he recognizes kindred spirits. They are survivors who’ve seen the worst of people, just like he has, and he’ll do anything he can to help them. As he and Anna spend their days bringing the cottages back to life and their nights sharing kisses in the warm bayou breezes, Sean must choose between the life he always wanted and the family he can’t live without.

Booktimistic Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review:

Low Country Hero by Lee Tobin McClain is a heartwarming story full of hope and compassion. Primarily a romance, it also contains a trickle of suspense. Set in Safe Haven – a charming little beach town in South Carolina, this is a heartfelt story about healing and second chances, of kindness and acceptance, friendship, love and the strong bond of a close knit community.

For Sean O’Dwyer, Safe Haven has always been home, the small town that accepted him and his brothers when they had nowhere to go and no one to turn to. Former military man, now a full time contractor and part time shelter volunteer, Sean tries to give back as much as possible to the community and yet, is still struggling to find peace in life. Memories of his harsh childhood and abusive father are like a constant burden that never cease to leave. However, Sean seeks comfort in knowing that he and his brothers were fortunate enough family in the compassionate community of Safe Haven.

Anna George is on the run from her abusive ex and is determined to provide a safe and happy childhood to her five year old twin daughters. She is constantly on the lookout for the perfect abode to settle down. The tiny beach town of Safe Haven seems like just the place where Anna could maintain a low profile and afford a decent life for her daughters. When Sean finds this little family setting up house in one of the beachfront cabins he has been contracted to renovate, it doesn’t take long to figure out their story. Just like him and his brothers, Anna and the little girls are survivors, and Sean is bent on helping them out, despite Anna’s reluctance. There’s something about this family that tugs at Sean’s heart. And so begins the story of two kindred spirits and their path to self acceptance, love and contentment.

The story is mostly romance, but alongside there is also quite a bit of suspense, small town drama, and a little action. In addition there are backstories associated with secondary characters. This is the first book in the Safe Haven series and there is another background story unfolding parallel to Anna and Sean’s. I believe the author intends to complete one brother’s love story per book while continuing with the background one and finally unravelling everything in the final installment. Personally, I love stories structured like this, where with every book in the series you get closure on certain characters and then in the last book everything falls perfectly in place.

Overall, I really enjoyed this sweet and emotional story with its charming small town quirks and picture perfect setting of a tiny beach city in South Carolina. If you’re looking for a new romance series, centered around family and community, you’ll get that in Safe Haven. I loved this well done happily-ever-after and will be eagerly awaiting the next book in line, Low Country Dreams.

Disclaimer: An ARC was provided by Harlequin Books and TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.