What I think you should know:
Riptide Rumors is The Legacy of Sunset Cove Book Two, I would not start with this book to fully enjoy the story you need to have read the first book in the story, Harbor Secrets. We pick up the story not long after Harbor Secrets. The town is in full election mode and rum runners are still haunting the town.

What I enjoyed about this book:
I love that Anna remained a strong character, and enjoyed getting to know more about Katy who is striking her own way. Melody Carlson did a wonderful of creating engaging character and a story full of excitement. She also showed how redemption can change some characters and how secrets will hurt others. This book gave me JUST enough of an ending for me to be satisfied, but it also left me wanting and waiting for the next book in the series.

Who will love this book: ( just to name a few)
If you are a fan of historical fiction
Love a strong female lead.
Enjoy danger and mystery
This story is a fun clean fictional novel, it is not heavy on the romance even if you shy away from typical romance novels this should still be a very enjoyable read for you.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. ( )

It is so nice to be back with Anna and Kate in Sunset Cove. Anna has been busy with the newspaper and watching her daughter start to become independent. The story is the second in a series called, The Legacy of Sunset Cove. I have been anxious to read this book because the author left us with some unanswered questions. I love reading about Anna and challenges of running a newspaper. The town is slowly starting to accept a woman editor, but some good old boys still don't like it. They weren't thrilled when finally the women got the right to vote. Things are really changing in the world and there is also talk of war.

For some reason this story reminded me of the show called The Gilmore Girls. Anna and Katy are very close but at times they disagree just like on the show. They share their thoughts and I love how Katy is becoming more of a young woman and thinking of her future. There will be a disagreement about her future. The author does a great job of allowing us to watch Katy take on challenges and prove herself to her family. I have to say I really enjoyed getting to know Katy and Anna better.

There is a mystery going on in town that will shake the community. A murder has taken place and if that wasn't enough there is a jail break. Anna has her hands full trying to cover both stories and does a little investigation on her own. There are several suspects and it looks like rum running is still a big problem in the town.

Anna has two men who may be interested in her and it makes for a wonderful journey to watch Anna finally relax a little and get courted. I wonder who she will end up with? Like mother like daughter as the saying goes because Katy has two suitors herself. I can tell you I'm not happy with one of them. He seems shady and quick to move things along with Katy. Beware Katy. He is up to no good.

The story is exciting, action packed, filled with corruption, and a mayoral race along with many surprises. I'm hoping there is another book in the series, because the author has left me with some questions I need answered. If you are looking for a light read with faith and intrigue , this is the perfect book for you.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )

Riptide Rumors is the second novel The Legacy of Sunset Cove series. You do need to read Harbor Secrets before embarking on Riptide Rumors. I thought the story was well-written with interesting characters and situations. The author captured the time period and included references to the presidential election, Battle of Somme, and current fashions. The pacing was a little slower than I would have liked, but it suited the story. I did feel that some details regarding the corruption scandal were repetitious. I enjoyed Melody Carlson’s vivid descriptions of the charming beach town, the characters and the lovely fashions. Anna McDowell is a strong, intelligent and stubborn female protagonist and she has raised her daughter, Katy to be an independent young woman who is equally stubborn. Katy is growing up and she no longer wants to follow her mother’s plan to attend college. She is artistic and loves fashion. While Katy would love to venture to Paris to study with Jeanne Paquin, it is impossible with the ongoing war. Katy conspires with her grandmother, Lucille, but she does not know how her mother will react. Mac is recovering from his stroke, and he is enjoying the return of Anna and getting to know Katy. Lucille is a flamboyant character who has her own opinions. With prohibition the law in Oregon, making and distributing illegal hooch is a popular occupation. It has invaded the small town of Sunset Cove and many residents are unhappy about it. They know that Mayor Snyder is involved, but Police Chief Rollins cannot catch him in the act. Anna and Jim are digging for the truth and uncover the main players. The mystery was not the focus of Riptide Rumors. Romance is blossoming for Anna, Katy, Clara and Lucille. Anna started out with three suitors, and we must wonder which gentleman is the right one for her. Riptide Rumors is a charming historical novel with a controversial mayoral election, rum runners, family drama, an escaped convict, and budding romances. ( )

What a wonderful continuation of the story that began in Harbor Secrets. This second book in The Legacy of Sunset Cove allows us to get to know some of the characters in more detail. It is fall in 1916 and the war in Europe is heating up. So far, it is just something in the news in this small town on the coast in Oregon. However, the possibility that the US will join the fighting has many on edge. It’s election season and candidates must now consider the female vote. Prohibition in this town has left havoc in its wake with arrests, murder and regular raids on likely places.
Life, however, goes on with new and wonderful things happening around town. The amateur sleuths continue to ‘help’ the local police department bringing facts to light that might not have been discovered otherwise. The newspaper continues to flourish with its female editor in chief and relationships grow and change.
I am looking forward to the next book in this fabulous series! This ARC was received through CelebrateLit. The impressions and opinions are my own. ( )

“But she was a woman, and even though times were changing—they were not changing fast enough!”

A continuation of “Harbor Secrets”, “Riptide Rumors” is book two in Melody Carlson’s The Legacy of Sunset Cove series. Book one seems to have been a prologue of sorts, and in this sequel many of the issues that I had with its predecessor are more or less resolved. Most aspects of the story are written with more depth and intensity, and as such this book surpassed the superficiality that I felt characterized much of book one. Sunset Cove comes to life as a small town with credible residents and occurrences, demonstrating that while some matters have changed over the past hundred years, in many ways things have also remained the same.

Immediately, “Riptide Rumors” plunges readers into intrigue and concern, setting a swifter pace for book two. The issue of corruption remains prevalent as Anna seeks answers as to who else might be involved in rum-running, and the election for mayor also provides plenty of fodder for her newspaper. Not knowing whom to trust as circumstances escalate increases the tension, although I would still characterize this as being relatively light in terms of suspense. Faith did play a larger role here than in the first book, which I appreciated, although I will note that the characters do not seem to grow or mature in their faith. Rather, it is something that is noted by their praying. As for the characters themselves, they do come across as more multifaceted compared to book one. There is much more conflict in relationships and romance, as well as some teenage angst.

Friendships are tested, individuals exhibit jealousy, and romantic inclinations abound. For the most part, the characters seem realistic and believable. Katy’s character, in particular, stands out as she reaches the stage of life between adolescence and adulthood, with some of her struggles mirroring those of her mother. Life and love are complicated, and “Riptide Rumors” soundly demonstrates this. With a time-jump in the final chapter and a few unsettled matters, “Riptide Rumors” sets the stage for a third book and leaves readers satisfied yet wanting more. If you enjoy tales of light suspense, family drama, romance, and small-town life, pick up this series and take a trip to Sunset Cove.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own. ( )