Everything at Last
Series: Magnolia Beach, #2
By: Kimberly Lang
ISBN: 0451471040 (ISBN13: 9780451471048)
Author’s Website: http://www.booksbykimberly.com/
Review brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Synopsis: 
In the second Magnolia Beach romance by USA Today bestselling author Kimberly Lang, a small Alabama waterfront town is the perfect place to start over…
At first sight, Molly Richards knew Magnolia Beach, Alabama, was the perfect place to escape her unhappy life. And though she’s proud of the small coffee shop she’s opened, something is missing. But she won’t let herself be burned by love—again.
Veterinarian Tate Harris finds the local dating scene awkward, since he’s known most of the eligible ladies his whole life. But he’s finding it hard to resist the unassuming charm of the sweet-faced owner of Latte Dah. And when a late-night pet emergency finds Tate at Molly’s house, that fascination turns into a potent mutual attraction.
But just as their relationship begins to take off, Molly’s haunted past returns. Fortunately, Tate is determined to help Molly fight for the life she’s been wishing for.
Review:
Everything at Last is the continuation of the Magnolia Beach series. This second book in the series is such a delight. I get caught up in the small town drama and felt as though I was a resident listening to gossip about people I know; a very engaging story.
Molly Richards is the owner of Latte Dah, the only coffee shop in Magnolia Beach and has been for just over two years. She has a secret (of course – who doesn’t?). Molly is sour on love as a result of her marriage to an abusive husband and has run away from Fuller, Alabama (on a mere six hour drive from Magnolia Beach), but far enough for Molly. She knew that:
“Eventually she’d have to go back-her day of reckoning would come-but until then, it wa easy for forget Fuller even existed. This was where she wanted to be.”
Molly’s landlady, Mrs. Kennedy, has a family emergency she must attend to and therefore leave town. Giving as Molly is, she offers: “Please let me know if there’s anything I can do.” Mrs. Kennedy asks Molly to take over the organizing of the Children’s Fair on the Memorial Day weekend. This is a big event which marks the official start of the tourist season…so it is a BIG deal. Needless to say, Molly does not want to mess this up.
Tate Harris, local veterinarian and hot single guy as well as best friends with Helena Wheeler (also best buddies with Molly Richards). Tate also has “let me help a damsel in distress” syndrome. He definitely is skeptical about dating from the pool of eligible women in Magnolia Beach…after all….coming in frequent contact with an ex can be awkward.
While Molly is visiting Helena, she brings up her fears with respect to organizing the Children’s Fair. Luckily, Helena knows that Tate has experience so she quickly gets him to drop by, thereby officially introducing Molly and Tate. There are definite sparks between them, but they each hold themselves back to the friend zone until……..late one evening a crisis arose in which Molly needed the veterinarian. After that, their attraction sizzled.
I came across a number of humorous moments throughout the book. I love the dialogue surrounding the topic of therapy. Tate is questioning Helena about Molly when he indicates that Molly is giving Sam (his sister) self-help books to read:
“Oh, that’s good. I wish I’d thought of it. I think Sam will really benefit from them, especially if Molly’s loaning the books I think she is.”
“You read self-help books?” His jaw felt a little slack. Helena would probably be the last person on earth he’d expect to put any faith in self-help gobbledygook.
“Yeah. Why?” There was a challenge in her voice.
“You just seem…” there was that eyebrow of doom again. “I mean, you are…”.
“I’m what?” Her tone was sweet, but he wasn’t stupid enough to miss the obvious warning underneath. You’re fine. In a not-crazy way”
Seems like Tate is certainly digging himself into a hole! He does do this periodically throughout the story. Definitely keeps him like a real down to earth guy to me since we all fumble at times!
I found the writing style of Ms. Lang certainly made me hope for a successful relationship between Molly and Tate, irrespective of the baggage each was carrying. I felt as if I were another resident of Magnolia Beach, entrenched in the Memorial Day weekend events as well as taking my daily coffee breaks at Latte Dah. I love being vested in a story that much. I can’t wait for the next installment of the Magnolia Beach series. This book works as a standalone title; however, reading the first book in the series will provide more insight into the characters of the town (specifically Helena).
