Behind His Eyes: A Steamy Small-Town Romance (A Jetty Beach Romance Book 1) Kindle Edition

Behind His Eyes by Claire Kingsley is book 1 in her Jetty Beach series. It was originally titled Must Be Love and was first released July 14, 2016. I’ve had this book on my Kindle for about a year and decided to read it as a part of Claire Kingsley’s January 2022 Reading Challenge.I really loved this story. Ryan and Nicole were so perfect together! My heart broke for Ryan when his mind started to slip back into that dark place. Depression is a nasty mental illness and I loved how Claire handled it in the book and with Ryan. I loved that Nicole stood up for herself against Ryan when he was pushing her away and I loved how open and honest he was with her when he finally got the help that he needed.I loved Ryan’s family, especially his relationship with Cody. I loved how Cody kept inserting himself into Ryan’s life (even when he was being annoying) and I loved how he was able to recognize what was happening and helped Ryan see that he needed to get help. I love family-centered romance series. I love the strong family bond they have (even if they're fighting) and I love that there's almost always a guarantee that I'm going to see past characters sprinkled throughout the series. Having read Claire’s Bootleg Springs (that she wrote with Lucy Score), Miles Family and Bailey Brothers series, Claire excels in telling these stories. I can’t wait to read more about this family and their friends; especially Cody, Hunter and Melissa!Jetty Beach reminds me of some of the local beaches around me (especially Cape May and LBI.) I always thought it would be fun to live on or near the beach and this book allowed me to imagine what that life would look like.If you’re looking for a low-angst, emotional friends-to-lovers story, this is the book for you.

Nicole feeling down on her luck and betrayed by her boyfriend decides to head back to her home town of Jetty Beach. Jetty Beach is the last place she wants to be, but she has nowhere else to go. She tries to get over a broken heart while reconnecting with her childhood friend, Melissa, but it's a struggle. She's assaulted by memories of her time with her ex-boyfriend, Jason as a lot of those memories were formed in Jetty Beach.Nicole never plan on being drawn in by another guy. She never plan on feeling an attraction to her other childhood friend, Ryan. She feels an intense sexual attraction to Ryan. He's unbelievably sexy and sweet. She's shocked at her body's response to him. She isn't in the market for another relationship, but she's unable to fight her feelings for Ryan. Putting some distance between Ryan and herself seems like a good enough task, but they are still forced to work together on Jetty's Beach annual art festival.Ryan has always carried a torch for the very beautiful and sexy as sin Nicole. He's surprised to see her back in Jetty Beach. His body's reaction to her is immediate and extreme. He's wanted her for the longest time, but he knew she never saw him in the same light as he did her. After all, she's always been a bombshell and popular, and he'd been an outsider and a late bloomer.Ryan never saw what Nicole ever saw in douchebag Jason. He knew she deserved better, way better. He comes back to Jetty Beach to reinvent himself, to start over again and to get away from his old demons. He never counted on his deep desire for Nicole, the girl that got away. He only ever dreamed of being with her, wanting her. Nicole is exactly what he needs.Like Nicole, Ryan isn't looking for another relationship, but his feelings for her are out of his control. His mind and body seem to be at war when it comes to Nicole, his longtime crush. He can't fight the pull to her, it's inevitable. He and Nicole seem to just click. Everything between them feels natural and full of electricity. Ryan is exactly want Nicole needs.Claire Kingsley does amazing job writing this book and I loved every second of it. I loved the story and the characters. I fell in love with Ryan and Nicole, loving how they both overcame their differences and having a fresh start. They were the perfect match in my opinion. I also loved how the author used real life experiences to craft together this highly believable story.

Another well-written story from this author!Nicole gets her heart broken and goes back home to Jetty Beach to get away from the pain and humiliation. One night while out drinking, she runs into a childhood friend, Ryan. They met when they were much younger, and lordy, has he grown up.After they are both put on the same committee to put together the town’s art festival, they reconnect and become closer.Ryan is kind and caring and super sexy and it was easy to fall for him. He and Nicole are good together, but they needed to work some things out.This story deals with some sensitive and emotional topics, so along with some laughs and steamy scenes, there’s also emotional scenes that pull at the heartstrings.It’s possible I might’ve enjoyed this more if I had read it instead of listened to it. I still liked it enough to want to read the next book in the series though!I listened to the audiobook and I thought the narrators did a decent job.

A lot of ups and downs but what a ride. Great story and the town sounds wonderful. I can’t wait for the rest of this series!

There are a lot of people who like Ms Kingsley’s books. I don’t think I’m one of them. They seem to start off really negative (this is the second one I’ve tried) and her characters seem to have a lot of negative traits to begin with. Nicole is a hot mess, a very hot mess, not recovering from a break up. Is this supposed to be cute? The whole opening chapter was depressing and miserable. Was I supposed to feel sorry for Nicole? Because I didn’t. I wanted to give her a smack in the head, tell her to get over that loser, and pull herself together. This isn’t even a long book, but I have zero interest in diving into Nicole’s drama. I’ve barely met her and nothing about her is likeable. Am I supposed to feel sorry for her? That didn’t work either. I don’t think Ms Kingsley and her characters are for me. I’m not into hot messes that need fixing.

Nicole life is falling apart. The life she had planned is no longer possible. Who said you can't go home. Plenty of twists and turns you won't expect. Quick read.

This is the first Claire Kingsley book I have read after it was recommended to me by another author. Honestly, I read some reviews that weirdly only gave it one star but I’m so glad I didn’t take their advice. If you don’t like the erotic romance genre, then this might not be for you. If, like me, you love that warm and fuzzy feeling that makes you smile, laugh, wince, cry... then this book is right up your street.This is the kind of story that feels ‘real’ and a big reason for this is that it is so relatable. There’s no swanky hot shot billionaire playboy who needs taming... no Mafia style brutes that need a good woman to sweeten them up. This is about a small beachside township where the residents all know each other. That closeness, the kinship that is all so endearing. It feels like it’s the kind of story that could be happening just up the road from you. And, partly because of that, I loved it.The other reasons I loved it is because of the humour and very laid back style in which this book is written. Kingsley writes as she speaks. There’s no pretentious over use of complicated words or trying to be too clever, it’s just easy reading. Because of this, the characters are instantly likeable and relatable. I wanted to get to know these people... I liked how they thought, felt and interacted because it’s just how life is. Honestly... it’s like a breath of fresh air.I also have to applaud the writer for highlighting and very conscientiously tackling the delicate issue of male mental health and depression. It is such a common problem across the world but so few men talk about it, or admit to it until it’s too late.It’s extremely well dealt with in this book, and it shows how even being in a happy place can lead to those feelings of fear, anxiety and lack of self worth. It’s more often than not impossible to stop, change or avoid the triggers... and it can slowly creep like prowling tiger or hit like a bolt of lightning out of the blue. You just never know.What this story does show is that talking, acceptance and openness are essential to getting the help someone needs. Ryan’s downward spiral may have been gradual at first but with every day that he ignored the signs and warnings it gathered momentum until eventually he closed himself off to the outside world.Ryan’s portrayal is so true of many people who suffer from clinical depression, particularly following trauma and I love that this writer is brave enough to tackle it head on.So, my advice... read this story. It’s sweet and so utterly compelling that I couldn’t put it down. And it’s hot and steamy in places, but not over-the-top. Ryan and Nicole’s relationship is beautiful and I really was willing them to get it together because both of them deserved true happiness.Excellent book.. brilliantly written... can’t wait to continue the Jetty Beach series.

First time reading anything from this author and I loved it. Her writing style is so addictive and easy to read, her character’s were sweet, funny and easy to love. Nicole and Ryan were a great couple to start this series with, they were an everyday type of couple with everyday life struggles, that helped to make them easier to relate to and to fall in love with. I loved the humour laced through the book, with one scene in particular having me cry with laughter. This book is highly recommended, and I can’t wait for the rest of this series. Looking forward to Cody and Hunter’s stories.

Nicole is back to her home town, after finding her boyfriend in her bed with another woman. The devastation she feels, drives her to drink and a chance meeting in a restaurant car park of a man she knew growing up. Ryan is back in town, recovering from something that we don’t find out about until near the end, though this seriously impacts his life. I like how the subject was handled, no magic cures and yes we do need this to be more out there than hidden. A great read, a sweet love story. Off to read the next one.

loved r reading this book and how your life can change in a heart beat.Characters are great the waxing bit was funny reading about it looking forward to reading the next one

I love this authors books.I loved this book from start to finish.I love the characters and the story.