Review ~ ALL FOR YOU by Christi Barth

All for You (Shore Secrets, #2)

by: Christi Barth

Series: Shore Secrets

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: February 9, 2015

Source: Author

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Goodreads

Small-town park ranger Casey Hobbes has spent her life under the radar, carefully guarding a secret. "The forest flirt," as her best friend calls her, keeps things casual with men. That way she'll never care enough to be tempted to share the truth about her past. But when she spots a half-naked stranger on the lake's edge, Casey can't resist his muscles or his charm and she's all-in for enjoying both, while keeping emotion out of it. What could be the danger of one summer fling?

Professor Zane Buchanan has built his entire career on exposing the dark realities of cults, but one—the Sunshine Seekers—remains infuriatingly impossible to crack. Zane's shocked to discover its sole anonymous survivor is hiding in his new hometown. It's nearly impossible to concentrate on work, however, when he's derailed by his attraction to the beautiful blonde in khaki uniform shorts.

As things between Casey and Zane heat up, she struggles with keeping her past from him. And Zane's on a quest to expose the truth, no matter the consequences. Will their growing emotions finally unseal Casey's big secret? Or will she turn her back on love to keep the past safely buried?

REVIEW

I’m a fan of Christi Barth and she writes wonderful characters (if you give them a chance).  I say that because while All for You is the second book in the Shore Secrets Series, it’s the first book I’ve read.  The first book, Up to Me came out on the heels of her Aisle Bound Series, which I loved.  I didn’t give the characters in Up to Me a chance and I was determined to give Casey and Zane the chance I never gave Ella and Gray.  Casey and Zane actually made it very easy.

Casey Hobbes seems to live a carefree life.  Her love of the outdoors drove her to earn a degree in Forest Resources Management and she ultimately became a Park Ranger with the New York State Park Service.  She loves her small town of Finger Lakes, her step-mother Dawn, and her three best friends.  Casey likes to have a good time, but she doesn’t do committed relationships or allow others to get close to her.  For Casey, she prefers to go unnoticed by people.

Zane Buchanan has a thirst for knowledge, sometimes to the extent that he becomes obsessed.  He’s an expert in human behavior.  He studies people and sees what others don’t see.  Zane Buchanan actually happens to be Professor Zane Buchanan, famous cult expert and author of several books on the matter.

The stars align to bring these two together.  Very few people know about the secret Casey and the town of Finger Lakes, NY are hiding.  Upon discovering the town’s wonderful little stash of journals (written by the citizens for advice and what not), Zane discovers that a member of the Sunshine Seekers, the one cult that’s been eluding him is close.  This knowledge puts the two at odds, since Casey is the lone survivor of the cult and she can’t afford to have people find out about her or her step-mother, who could face prison time for kidnapping Casey.

I loved Casey and her step-mother Dawn.  But at some point, I have to say that I grew a slight dislike for Zane because he started to come off as arrogant and self-righteous.  Zane believes that knowledge is power and the world has a right to know about cults and what they do to people.  He doesn’t seem to care about what this exposure can do to someone’s life.

One of the themes that I find in Christi’s books is that the characters all have this amazing bond of friendship that nothing can break.  I LOVE that!!! It’s one of the reasons I love her series.

There is a side romance going on in this book.  I don’t know if it was in the first book, but I found it surprising and very sweet.  However, I’m left wondering what happened with it.  Now, I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, Back to Us.

**Received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest unbiased review.**

Rating: 4

Purchase All for You from:

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Shore Secrets Series:

Check out my interview with Christi here.

Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage.

A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning.  Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes contemporary romance.  

Christi is President of the Maryland Romance Writers and lives in Maryland with her husband.

Ways to stay connected with Christi Barth:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads