Aloha Rose

by Lisa Carter
Abingdon Press

When Laney Carrigan sets out to find her birth family, her only clue is the Hawaiian quilt—a red rose snowflake appliquéd on a white background—in which she was found wrapped as an infant. Centering her search on the Big Island and battling fears of rejection, Laney begins a painstaking journey toward her true heritage. Kai Barnes, however, is determined to protect the people he’s come to regard as family. He thinks Laney is nothing more than a gold digger and blocks every move she makes toward her Hawaiian family. As their conflict escalates, it puts at risk the one thing that Kai and Laney both want most—a family.

My Review:

The best part of this novel was that how authentic it felt. The Hawaiian scenery was beautifully descriptive with Cater's amazing writing skills, and I felt like I was transported to Hawaii through words alone. The main characters, Kai and Laney, were a good couple, even though I felt their romance was not developed enough. They were attracted to each other from the moment they met, but their romance moved along so fast, I felt it was rather rushed. Their insecurities and doubts were very believable and realistic, and I found myself feeling bad for them even though they are fictional characters. 

The one element I appreciated the most was the fact that this story was not just a romance. Family dynamics, personal identity, overcoming the trauma of the past; all these subjects were explored and masterfully woven throughout. I felt as if the characters were taken straight out of real life - and yes, even their whirlwind romance. The quilt from the cover is the key to everything, but I will let you discover that for yourself. 

This book was provided by the publisher through Litfuse Nest for free in exchange for an honest review. 

Buy your copy here: http://ow.ly/qKmVW

Read more about the series here: http://www.quiltsoflovebooks.com