Sugarplum Way (Harmony Harbor, #4)

by Debbie Mason

[Lynn]

3.5 stars

I'm always happy to read a new novel by Debbie Mason and Sugarplum Way is her fourth novel in the Harmony Harbor series.

Aiden Gallagher is back in Harmony Harbour and working for HHPD as he tries to rebuild his life and relationship with his daughter after separating from her mother. Since arriving back in the town he grew up, Julia Landon has been on his radar for all the wrong reasons. He wants to find out what she's up to because nobody can be that helpful, caring and considerate for nothing, can they?

Julia Landon has secrets and intends to keep it that way in the town she moved to some years ago. As a writer and owner of a book-store and café, she's already overcommitted with work as a publisher deadline looms. As a matchmaker, there's another couple she's trying to get back together, but the gruff cop keeps getting in her way for all the wrong reasons until it is the right reason.

The protagonists are likeable as always. The author has a knack of bringing two unlikely characters together to make them fit. Julia plays her part perfectly. She is adorable as she weaves her brand of magic around Harmony Harbor, some of which manages to reach the gruff police officer who already has her on his radar. The supporting cast is mostly made up of characters we've been introduced to earlier in the series, adding an all around feel good factor. The writing is mostly light and humorous, however, Ms Mason never shies away from broaching difficult topics. Sugarplum Way is a mix of the two as secrets are revealed and the consequences have to be dealt with.

This latest instalment in the Harmony Harbor series didn't make as much impact as the previous novels. The writer always includes many sub-plots intersecting each other in her narratives but found this novel more of a challenge to follow. At one point I read what appeared to be a random paragraph repeatedly to understand it, only for it to make sense after reading a few more pages.

Although a standalone, I'm glad I've been following the series and are familiar with the huge supporting cast. Even for me, it can be a struggle sometimes remembering who's who and all the sub-plots. Overall, I'm enjoying this series and looking forward to reading the remaining stories about life in Harmony Harbor, it's just Sugarplum Way didn't quite hit the mark for me mostly due to how I take in and absorb a lot of information at once.

***arc received courtesy of Forever via NetGalley***