Review: Five surfboads, er, stars for this sweet romance in Paradise
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 20, 2014
"I could not help concluding this man had the most supreme pleasure while he was driven so fast and so smoothly by the sea"  - Captain James Cook, first documented European explorer to come ashore in Hawaii in 1778.Ophelia London delivers a flirty, engaging, and heartfelt story of "second chances" in this novella. Justine Simms is looking for the "big story" that can make (or break) her journalism career.  Her chance comes on a quick trip from LA to Honolulu.  Justine intended to spend the long weekend with Ellie and Charlie (from FALLING FOR HER SOLDIER).  She hoped the change in scenery will nurse her broken heart after IT guy Will Davenport walked out on their third date.  Instead, she chases after a rumor that surfing legend Chase Ryder is coming out of retirement for the expected "Eddie" challenge.Let me break from the review to spotlight Eddie Aikau.  He was a legendary big wave surfer who worked as a lifeguard at Waimea Beach Park.  He competed to be a crew member on the Taihit voyage of the Hokulea - a replica of a double hulled voyaging canoe.  The Hokulea left Honolulu harbor in choppy waters on March 16, 1978, only to capsize overnight off the coast of Moloka'i.  With no modern equipment to call for help, Eddie volunteered to paddle towards land for help.  He stripped off his lifevest to paddle faster ... and he was lost at sea. Hawaii wept for her lost son.  Eddie remains a hero of selfless service.  Today, surfers say "Eddie would go" when the big waves arrive on Oahu's North Shore during the Winter Season.  Quicksilver hosts the "Eddie" surf invitation only when open open swells reach 20 feet.  The tournament has only been held eight times since 1984.Returning to the review, Justine travels to the North Shore with the determined goal of interviewing the reclusive Chase Ryder.  After the opening ceremony, Justine realizes that Chase Ryder is Will Davenport.  After she recovers from her shock, Justine asks "Chase" for an interview in exchange for her silence on his double life.  As they spend time together over the course of one day, Justine drifts from her "professional" interview of a surf legend to seeking "personal" closure of their presumed breakup.  Hero and heroine reveal their emotional baggage as they explore a few hidden gems along Oahu's shores. London uses the 122 pages wisely to convey past pain that both Justine and Will suffered before they began to date - pain that seemed to doom their relationship.  Just as the kai (sea) is life to the Hawaiians, wading into the kai allowed Justine and Will come to terms with their past ... and hope for a future.London is spot on with her vivid descriptions of the Hawaiian landscape and incorporating Hawaiian culture into the story.  MAKING WAVES is a complete story ... but I certainly would like to follow Justine and Will into their Happily Ever After in another story.MAKING WAVES is Book 3.5 in London's Perfect Kisses series.  I read this novella as a stand alone story since I have not read the previous books in the series ... something that I will rectify shortly!  I received an digital ARC from Wordsmith Publicity for an honest review.