Autumn by the Sea by Melissa Tagg {Book Review}

**I received a complimentary copy of this book for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own. 

Abandoned as a toddler, Sydney Rose has spent years wondering who she really is, homesick for a life she’s never lived. When a private investigator crashes into her world, she finds herself heading to a tiny seaside town in Maine to meet a woman named Maggie, who’s searching for the granddaughter she lost decades ago.

If not for Maggie, Neil MacKean might still be back in Scotland, bereft and alone. Instead, he has a full life in Muir Harbor with an adopted family he loves and a blueberry farm to run. But the farm is struggling and strange occurrences have him concerned. Worse, Maggie’s once again caught up in the past, convinced she’s finally found her long-lost granddaughter.

Worried for Maggie, Neil is suspicious of the city girl who shows up at the farm. But there’s something about Sydney that tugs on him, drawing out secrets he never meant to share. While Neil grapples with the future of the farm, Sydney wrestles with a past that’s messier than ever. Together, they’re pulled into a mystery complete with a centuries-old legend, unexpected danger . . . and a love as deep and wild as the sea.

Melissa Tagg is the USA Today bestselling, Christy Award-winning author of swoony and hope-filled small-town contemporary romances. She's also a former reporter, current nonprofit marketing strategist, and total Iowa girl. Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as workshops and women's retreats. When she's not happily lost in someone else's book or plugging away her own, she can be found spoiling her nieces and nephews, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next fictional hero. Connect with Melissa at melissatagg.com.

Right from page one, I was drawn into this story and found myself not being able to put it down! Each and every character was wonderfully written and unique and I wanted to know more about this interesting found family of Maggie's--- and the secrets of their pasts. And boy were there many secrets to unfold in this one. With each turn of the page, I found myself really uncertain of which way things might go... and more and more curious to find out. Even when the story ended, there were still some questions left for the next book in the series that kept me wanting more... in the best way possible! 

Beyond the mystery, I absolutely loved the chemistry between Neil and Sydney as well... it jumped right off the pages, and I look forward to seeing them again in future books too. Overall, I thought this was a fantastic story and a great start to the series. I truly cannot wait to read more!