Book Details

Title: Carolina Moon

Author: Nora Roberts

Publication Date: March 6 2000

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Length: 468 Pages

Spice Level:

Warmin’ by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.

POV: 3rd POV

Rating-4.25 Blossoms

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts presents a novel of redemption and suspense, as a woman haunted by the unsolved murder of her childhood friend returns to her small South Carolina hometown. . . .

Tory Bodeen grew up in a run-down house where her father ruled with an iron fist and a leather belt—and where her dreams and talents had no room to flourish. Her one escape was her neighbor Hope, who lived in the big house just a short skip away, and whose friendship allowed Tory to be something she wasn’t allowed to be at home: a child.

Then Hope was brutally murdered, and everything fell apart.

Now, as she returns to Progress with plans to settle in and open a stylish home-design shop, Tory is determined to find a measure of peace and free herself from the haunting visions of the past. As she forges a new bond with Cade Lavelle—Hope’s older brother and the heir to the family fortune—she isn’t sure whether the tragic loss they share will unite them or drive them apart. But she is willing to open her heart, just a little, and try.

But living so close to those unhappy memories will be more difficult and frightening than Tory could ever have expected. Because Hope’s murderer is nearby as well. . . .

Book to Film Adaptation-Midnight Bayou

nora roberts

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

First Impressions

Carolina Moon was honestly just a cute and darling film and I enjoyed it way more than the one that I watched and read last week. Of course this book/movie is also more up my alley and what I am used to reading with this author. I also like that this is a standalone and you don’t have to invest in a series to read these. This has a blend of contemporary with a heroine that has some psychic abilities and there is a series of young women being murdered and she has come home to her hometown to face her past. Its romantic….thrilling and heartwrenching in its moments but also leaves you feeling satisfied.

The Main Protagonists

The Hero: Cade Lavelle

The Heroine: Tory Bodeen

What I Loved

I think what I was drawn to the most with this one here was that Carolina Moon kept me on the edge of my seat and seeing how everything worked together in this story. Having to do a read a long while watching this was intriguing and added more depth to the movie than just watching it alone. You can say that Lifetime is pretty faithful to these stories. I loved the casting in this film and the chemistry between these two. We see a heroine who grew up being abused but we also see the trauma of losing her best friend and how that shapes her into adulthood. The romance that develops is on point. Great connection between these two characters. The hero is so protective but we also see some tension between Tory and Cade’s mother who doesn’t approve of her and also blames her for her daughter’s death. Tory is one tough cookie and we see her courage in coming back home to face a painful and dangerous past.

What I Struggled With

There honestly wasn’t much I struggled with. I do think the chemistry and elements of yearning between these two could have been a bit more polished. Ohter than that I thought the story was true perfection.

Overall Thoughts

I am beyond thrilled that I decided to grab this one up and finally take another plunge into these lifetime adaptations. I wish we had more romance adaptations like this one here and I can’t wait to indulge in more of these films done for this author.