Review: Small-town pride rules deep in the first book of the Shore Secrets series
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 1, 2014
Graydon Locke really had no idea what he was in for when he went on assignment to check out Seneca Lake’s beloved hotel. He didn’t know he would fall head-over-heels for the hotel’s owner, which really puts him into a super complicated situation. Gray and this town have their secrets, and secrets always make themselves known eventually, don’t they?I very much enjoy reading contemporary romances set in small towns. If done well the reader gets that feeling of being fully immersed into the setting, and that is what I got from Up to Me. I finished this book wishing and wanting to visit Seneca Lake. Christi Barth did an amazing job setting up the lovely scenery for this charming story.  I also love it when an author spends the time coming up with something creative, like the unique way the townspeople ask for and offer advice to one another. I was left with just the right amount of interest to want to know more about the other characters. I’m hoping to see their own stories play out in the next books. Who is next? I truly hope it’s maybe Ward’s story!Ms. Barth also made the quirkiness to the build up to Gray and Ella’s first date actually work for them. Their pairing had some pretty sweet tension and a unique factor as well, which I thought was very cute.  Up to Me is my first time reading something from Christi Barth. She certainly swept me away to Seneca Lake! This is a delightful start to a new series.  *I was gifted a copy of this book.