Synopsis:

Welcome to Safe Haven, where love—and a second chance—is just around the corner…

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’re 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.

Review

Honestly, I’m torn on my thoughts for this book. Low Country Hero is the first book in Lee Tobin McClain’s Safe Haven series. I’m always up for a new second chances novel.

Right out the gate, the book had me hooked at the Prologue. It really intrigued me and I wanted to know what happened to this woman and her children. Here comes my conflicted thoughts. I’m not sure if this was to set up the foundation of the series for their story to unravel over time. If that is why, than I’ll accept it but I did feel cheated because it sort of was a let down because I really wanted to know. Even though we get little bits of information there were moments of the book that it could’ve been explored and revealed but it didn’t. So, I guess I’ll just have to stick around and see how it all plays out. By the way, this was my only issue, everything else was good.

The book touched upon domestic violence bringing different perspectives in the storylines. Safe Haven, such the fitting name for a town that took care of each other. I loved the role Yasmin and Ma Dixie had in the book. They gave a safe haven to the women and children who needed support in their lives. It would be nice to see in the other books more about them and their lives.

It was refreshing reading about Anna’s journey. Seeing a character such as her is inspiring for women who didn’t have the courage to leave their situation. She risked everything to leave her abusive husband . Trying to stay strong for girls and rebuild their life was a wonderful thing. Also seeing the evolution of her children puts things in perspective.

Seeing the effects of abuse from the perspective of the children as adults. Sean, who befriended Anna, he and his brothers Liam and Cash with the guidance of Ma Dixie and Safe Haven grew up to make good lives for themselves in spite of the psychological abuses as children. It was interesting seeing their perspective and how it affected their lives and relationships. The was more evident in the relationship with Anna and Sean. It was thought provoking seeing two abused people struggle and break through the boundaries to moved from their abused pasts to where they are now.

Overall, the book had a really nice story mixed with some important themes that blended well into it. There is many perspectives with a great takeaway. The other characters in the book brought some warmth and charm. I’m looking forward to seeing how the other characters are explored in the upcoming books, especially getting my questions answered. This looks like it’s going to be a nice series. I’d recommend checking it out.