Review of That Man of Mine (Whispering Bay #3) by Maria Geraci

"You're right here with me, Mimi. Every single damn night we've been apart, you've been right here with me." - Zeke Grant

That Man of Mine
Series: Whispering Bay # 3
Author: Maria Geraci
Publisher: TKA Distribution
Release Date: June 9th, 2015
Source: author for review

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When Mimi Grant becomes mayor of Whispering Bay, she gets a whole lot more than she bargained for. Her biggest concern? The city’s annual festival is in financial ruin and the former housewife doesn’t have a clue how to fix things. But, she’s determined to bring the sleepy beachside town into the twenty-first century.

Hunky Police Chief Zeke Grant isn’t happy that his estranged wife Mimi has just become his boss. But for the town’s sake, he’s willing to swallow his pride and let her order him around—to a point. Everything aside, he doesn’t count on someone from his past coming back to haunt him, forcing him to reevaluate what’s really important.

While Mimi and Zeke continue to butt heads on how to get things done, there’s one thing they can’t help but agree on: their chemistry is hotter than ever. However, when a robbery threatens to derail the annual festival, some of the town’s residents question Mimi and Zeke’s ability to keep Whispering Bay safe—as well as keep their war-torn personal life out of civic business. Mimi and Zeke must team up to solve the crime, and decide once and for all if it’s time to move forward with separate lives, or if true love really does conquer all.

That Man of Mine, the third book in Maria Geraci's Whispering Bay series, was a wistful and romantic story between two characters that are fighting to save their marriage. I'm not sure why, but since my thoughts of the book are a jumbled mess, I'm presenting this review to you in bullet style.

• Characters - I adore Zeke and Mimi Grant. From the moment I first met them in the first book, I've wanted to know more about them and why their marriage was on the rocks. They are incredibly caring and loving characters that would do anything to save their marriage. 
• Romance - I love second chance romances, but books involving the separation of a married couple like Mimi and Zeke are ones that I don't typically gravitate towards. However, the romance between Mimi and Zeke was fabulous. Although they have been together for 18 years, there are still moments of that "first love" feeling that seems to perplex Mimi. It doesn't take her long to start seeing Zeke in a new light. She's often in awe of him and flustered at times. I loved that Maria thought to bring in these moments because, to me, they added a layer of falling in love all over again.
• Relationships - Maria has a knack for writing the most emotional relationships that just leave me in awe. There have been so many blossoming and evolving relationships in not only That Man of Mine, but also in the series as a whole. In That Man of Mine, I loved watching the relationship grow between mother and daughter. Not only with Mimi and Claire, but also Mimi with her own mother. The budding relationship between Zeke and Allie with their father... The friendship between Allie, Lauren, and Mimi... All were beautifully written.
• Plot - Maria did a fabulous job with the plot. The addition of flashbacks where enough to explain their history, but were not overwhelming. The pacing was spot on, not too fast that things got lost in the shuffle, nor too slow. If I were to change one thing, I probably could have done without so much talk about Allie and Tom's upcoming nuptials simply because I thought it would make more of an impact in their perspective, rather than Mimi and Zeke. Or maybe I'm just greedy and wanted a novella for just Tom and Allie's wedding. 

I am quickly falling in total fangirl mode with Maria Geraci and her lovely books. They are all beautifully written with characters that I want to know in real life. Must read more...

Maria Geraci writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction with a happy ending. The Portland Book Review called her novel, The Boyfriend of the Month Club, “immensely sexy, immensely satisfying and humorous.” Her fourth novel, A Girl Like You, was nominated for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA ® award. She lives in north Florida with her family, which includes a very needy chihuahua, an extremely needy dachshund and a not-so-needy cat (guess which one she likes best?). You can reach at her www.mariageraci.com. 

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