Title: Discovering Delilah
Series: Harborside Nights #2
Author: Melissa Foster
Release Date: July 9, 2015
After the death of her parents on the day of her college graduation, Delilah Armstrong thought she could finally follow her heart and come out to her closest friends, but the guilt of going against her parents’ beliefs haunts her. The feelings she has for her best friend, Ashley, are stronger than anything she’s felt before, but Delilah has never even kissed a girl, and fear stops her at every turn.
Ashley Carver promised herself that she would never again date another girl who wasn’t out, but that was before she met intoxicatingly sweet and sexy Delilah.
When another girl offers to teach Delilah the ropes, it changes Delilah’s whole world and gives her the courage to go after the only girl she really wants. But coming out isn’t as easy as Delilah imagined, and moving past her parents’ death and the feelings of guilt she is left with is even harder. The intense passion between Ashley and Delilah is too strong to deny, but coming together means risking everything.
Discovering Delilah is an edgy, evocative, romantic story of friendship, family, and the courage to love.
The first book in this series really stirred up all kinds of emotions in me, and I couldn't wait to read this next installment. Discovering Delilah was no different. It picks up not long after Catching Cassidy left off. In book one, Delilah and her brother lost their parents the night after graduating college. It was a shocking blow, and Delilah is still trying to cope with its aftermath in book two. Delilah is struggling in a different way than her brother, because just before their death, she confessed to her parents that she is a lesbian. Their reaction was just what she had feared; judgmental and disappointed glares that send her on a guilt trip.
Feeling a hatred for their lack of support, she blames their death in some part on her hard feelings for them. She has made huge amounts of headway into her emotional recovery, partly through her relationship with Ashley. Their relationship is touching to read about; it's romantic, passionate, solid, and very real. Although they struggle with jealousy, and the occasional fear of one not caring as much as the other, the real focus in this book isn't on the petty concerns of so many relationships. They are honest with each other, caring, and it's a touching romance.
There was a great cast of secondary characters. Ashley’s is a real family full of love and support; I loved reading about their interactions. And we get to spend even more time with their group of friends, back from book one, and they're a very realistic group who are easy to relate to.
The final step in Delilah's acceptance of herself was bittersweet, and touching. It wasn't perfect, and I feel for it to have been perfect would been a cop out on the author's part. It was, however, just what she needed to let go. Nothing about this book was a disappointment, and I can't wait to read the stories to follow.
~ Review by George
Growing up is hard. Even harder when your parents pass away the very day you're supposedly an adult—the day of your college graduation. Add in the feeling of guilt over going against your parents beliefs and you have one very confused, guilt-ridden, sad, Delilah Armstrong.
How in the hell is she going to be able admit to the secret she's kept to the friends and family she has left? How does she even know if she's really a lesbian; she's never even kissed a girl. Fear and guilt have held her back at every turn. All Delilah knows right now is she really, really likes Ashley Carver.
I loved this book, Delilah and her struggles to overcome the beliefs of her parents and live her own life—especially since her parents aren't around to discuss what's going through her mind and her heart.
And Ashley, God love her and her patience. She's trying so hard to wait for Delilah, to get there—get “out” and freely express her love and feelings.
Of course, I have to also express my love for Wyatt, Cassidy, Tristan, Brandon, Brooke, Jesse, Brent and Janessa. Their unwavering support, unconditional love, and non-judgmental attitudes go a long, long way in giving both Delilah and Ashley confidence in moving forward.
~ Review by Missy
ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE HARBORSIDE NIGHTS SERIES
#1 CATCHING CASSIDY
The night of your college graduation is supposed to be a celebration of a life-changing event—one that signals the start of your life as an adult, getting ready to start a career, maybe a family. For Wyatt Armstrong and his twin sister, Delilah, the night of their graduation instead turns into mourning for their parents and yes, an immediate jump into adulthood.
Wyatt’s never been one to think too far ahead. But now, he needs to. He’s just happy he has his best friend, Cassidy, by his side to help navigate the pain of loss and hopefully make it through. Wyatt can’t imagine how he’d cope without her—he’s thrilled she’s going to Harborside with him for the summer. She’s always had his back—just as he’s always had hers.
Cassidy and Wyatt have been best friends since they were six years old. Ignoring the heat that’s been between the two of them for years isn’t going so well—especially for Cassidy. She can’t hide her feelings—they’re written all over her face. But when the time comes, will Wyatt face the future and take a risk on love? On something that could be their future?
I’m a sucker for a great friends-to-lovers book. Catching Cassidy ticked off all the boxes for me: angst, love, respect, regret, want, and desire. Wyatt is essentially forced to become a true adult overnight, making decisions about how to run the family business, help his sister grieve, what to do about Cassidy… He’s thinking of everyone else but himself. I love his introspective thoughts and when he and Cassidy finally talk and have it out—it’s magic.
Cassidy has relied on Wyatt’s friendship forever. And she also needs to figure out her future. Is it with Wyatt or the unknown of New York? Their friends and family are so supportive—Delilah, Jesse, Tristan, Brandon, and Brooke. I love how they all interact—all with their own problems and needs, but supportive nonetheless.
~ Review by Missy
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary romance, contemporary women's fiction, romantic suspense, thrillers, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa also co-writes the Love on Rockwell Island series with Bella Andre. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary's Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.
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