Cooper's Charm

by Lori Foster

Before the burglary that shattered her confidence, Phoenix Rose had a fiancé, a successful store and a busy, happy existence. After months spent adrift, she takes a job at the lakeside resort of Cooper's Charm. Surrounded by beautiful scenery, friendly colleagues and a charismatic, widowed boss, Phoenix is slowly inching her way back into the world. Visiting Cooper's Charm to check up on her little sister, Ridley Rose impulsively agrees to fill in as housekeeper. Still reeling from an ego-bruising divorce, she finds satisfaction in a job well done--and in the attention of the resort's handsome scuba instructor. For Phoenix and Ridley, Cooper's Charm is supposed to be merely temporary. But this detour may lead to the place they most need to be, where the future is as satisfying as it is surprising...

• ISBN10: 133547790X
• ISBN13: 9781335477903
• Publish Date: 31 July 2018
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Imprint: Hqn
• Edition: Original ed.
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 320
• Language: English

Reviews

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

This is my first time reading Lori Foster and it will not be my last. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.

Sometimes in our life when we may experience tragedy, which can come in many sizes and form. However, how we deal with the aftermath will determine how strong a person we are. We can decide whether we wish to wallow in self-pity and chant the mantra woe me or we can stand firm and take back charge of our lives. Phoenix Rose chose the latter option.

Her determination to restore normalcy to her life after a brutal attack at her place of business was admirable. It demonstrated her strength. Her strong support system aided in her healing process, which placed her on a journey of self-discovery and provided her the opportunity to experience love in its truest form. I enjoyed watching Phoenix come alive. I loved that she found love in the arms of someone who had experienced his own share of tragic circumstances. Why? He understood her fears and as a result helped her through the healing process.

The story featured a secondary romance involving Phoenix's sister Ridley. She took had her share of demons to contend with, but she never let her pain overshadow her concern for her younger sister. She came to Cooper's Charm to check upon Phoenix and found love and healing in the process. The featured romances though different, were both enjoyable. Phoenix and Cooper's romance is sweet and slow burning, while Ridley and Baxter's was scorching.

The story is filled with humor and lots of sexy banter. I had a great time with the staff of Cooper's Charm. Their unique characteristics helped to make this a fun and easy read.

The only issue I had with the story was the inclusion of the suspense thread. First, its predictability took away some enjoyment and secondly it never added much to the story. I agree it allowed Phoenix to confront her fears. However, the fact she had already conquered her fears made the addition of this thread unnecessary.

Conclusion/Recommendation

This is a great start to the Love at Resort series. I cannot wait to see what next this series has to offer. If you looking for a sweet summer read, featuring lovable characters, then you will want to check out Lori Foster newest offering.

[Linda]

This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Cooper's Charm was a sweet, hot romance, in which two sisters needed some lovin' even if they were doing alright on their own.

Story:

I really enjoyed Phoenix and what Cooper's Charm managed to help her do to get her life back on track. However, the fact that Ridley, Phoenix's sister also got her story in the same book made me a little bit sad. I would have enjoyed for each sister to have her full story - not a two-for-one at the beginning of a series.

That being said, Cooper's Charm is a solid beginning, and I loved the setting, the lake, the RV park, the fact that Cooper did all his best to make sure his guests were happy.  I enjoyed how life was a little slower here, and the characters found the time to get to know each other. When the characters opened up, I got to know them better, too.

There was a mystery, and to me, it wasn't really necessary, and I guessed what was going on the first time something happened. I guess it made the plot move forward a little faster in places, but I think it could have been just as good without.

Characters:

Phoenix really needed a do-over. After being attacked at her workplace, she stayed hidden for six months, but now, she's ready to start living again, and Cooper's Charm is the perfect place to do so.

Ridley, Phoenix's overbearing older sister only wants the best. For her sister, and for herself. However, she's been through a pretty nasty divorce, and is all for no strings attached.

Cooper also has a lot of darkness in his past, and he definitely doesn't want a relationship. No way. Until he meets Phoenix and starts feeling again.

Braxton is the aloof diving instructor of the resort, and he's definitely a player. Or is he?

★★★½
 

[kimbacaffeinate]

Phoenix Rose, a landscaper by trade is hoping to begin anew after an event upended her life. She packs up all of her belongings and travels to the picturesque, lakeside resort known as Cooper's Charm. She has applied for the groundkeepers position and is determined to nail the interview.

Cooper's Charm is a quaint family oriented campground offers all the amenities including a sweet loft cabin to call home.  Phoenix and Cooper's first encounter was interesting and gave the reader insight into both characters. I quickly found myself pulled into the story.

I liked Phoenix and connected with her. Readers will respect her strength, identify with her insecurities and fall for Cooper right along with her. Cooper, is the owner of Cooper's Charm, with a home on the lake overlooking the campground. Cooper bought the place after a tragedy changed his life, so he recognizes what Phoenix is going through. She hasn't told him, but he knows about her past, thanks to Google. Phoenix stirs something in him and the chemistry between them is sweet, entertaining and delightful to witness.

Foster's characters are well-developed and realistic. We get to meet lots of secondary characters at the resort and I am already itching for their stories. We are even treated to a secondary romance. Phoenix's older sister, Ridley Rose, shows up unexpectedly to check on her sister. When there is a housekeeping problem, Ridley steps in and decides this might be the perfect place to lick her wounds after a painful divorce. I loved the heated, magnetic, snarky romance that developed for Ridley. While Cooper and Phoenix's romance is sweet, slow-burning, and soothing, Ridley's is scorching. The banter was hilarious. Something is simmering between the maintenance guy and the store manager too, I cannot wait for their book. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer