Moments Like This
From the lush Oahu countryside to the pristine sands of Mākaha Beach, Hawaii sets the mood for romance in Anna Gomez and Kristoffer Polaha’s Moments Like This, (Rosewind Books) book one in the From Kona With Love series.
Chicago venture capitalist Andrea “Andie” Matthews has sacrificed everything for her career. She has endured a broken engagement, lost touch with her best friend, and ended up in the emergency room after suffering extreme exhaustion. The story opens with Andie’s hospitalization and her subsequent reluctance to take time off from work to heal. Thankfully, her devoted friend Api Flores convinces Andie to convalesce in Hawaii while temporarily managing her family’s coffee shop on the gorgeous island of Oahu.
Andie arrives in Hawaii prepared to experience all that paradise has to offer; but not one to lie idly around, she devises a plan of action to save the Flores’ struggling business, Beans and Bites. The work perks include drinking the most amazing coffee this side of heaven with “clean-cut surfer boy” Warren Yates. As Andie and Warren yield to their intense mutual attraction, they spend time together exploring Oahu’s tropical splendor while on weekly adventures, or “Friday Moments Tours.” The feelings that develop between the two are palpable, but Warren is keeping a secret that could jeopardize their budding romance and lead to unbearable heartbreak.
LOVE STORY, LOVE LETTER
Moments Like This is not just an engaging love story, but it is a love letter to the Aloha State. Gomez and Polaha craft a spectacular journey that is sure to satisfy readers’ wanderlust. Andie and Warren’s excursions, which include sea turtle and dolphin sightings while kayaking to the Mokulua Islands, “running” rocks 20 feet down to the ocean floor, and visiting the Valley of the Temples at the base of the Ko’olau Mountain, are described in beautiful, vivid detail. The natural majesty of Hawaii inspires a romantic tone that fuels Andie and Warren’s desire for each other.
Recovering workaholic Andie and decidedly more chill Warren are sympathetic, likable characters who are as charming apart as they are as a couple. Readers will become invested in the lovers’ authentic emotional connection. To Gomez and Polaha’s credit, Andie and Warren’s love story unfolds organically and without the “instalove” typical of vacation romances. The authors also succeed in portraying an enlightened approach to relationships; They convey the message that love itself is not the cure, but it is motivation to find one.
In addition to the requisite romantic elements, Moments Like This bestows an interesting secondary story that is steeped in Hawaiian culture, a culture developed through the fusion of Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and Filipino influences. The narrative is enriched by the sharing of Hawaiian customs, indigenous religious beliefs, and authentic foods that appear throughout the novel. There are also hints of mysticism that add something extra-special to the storytelling.
Gomez and Polaha’s From Kona With Love series is off to a strong start. Moments Like This delivers true love, memorable characters, and the unparalleled beauty of Hawaii. It is a perfect escapist novel for romance readers, especially for those who seek a vicarious travel experience to a stunning landscape.
Learn more about Gomez and Polaha’s collaboration here.
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