eanside, California where the ocean pounds the shore, surfers ride the early morning waves, and the local military base sends roaring jets into the sky. Steps from the sand sits a large apartment building filled with quirky tenants and possible love connections.

In HOPELESSLY ROMANTIC, Ava Campbell, a pragmatic and fiercely independent woman, is housesitting for her newlywed sister Serena, whom she practically raised. Struggling with the void left by her sister's departure and the feeling that life is passing her by, Ava's solitude is shattered by Liam Nash, a laid-back Australian surfer with a smile as captivating as the waves he rides.

Liam is clearly someone with absolutely no boundaries, and he insists he has the green light from Serena's hubby, Brad, to crash at the apartment. With no room for negotiation, these two opposites are forced into a shared living arrangement, further complicated by Miss Daisy, a feisty cat with a knack for mischief.

As Ava's grumpy, cynical attitude clashes with Liam's sunny optimism, sparks fly, and an unexpected connection blooms. Can Liam's infectious charm thaw Ava's very well-guarded heart? Will Ava discover the best things in life often arrive when you least expect them?

Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions in this humorous and heartwarming tale that proves love can sneak up on you in the most unexpected places, leaving you breathless and yearning for more.

HOPELESSLY ROMANTIC is the first book in the utterly charming and irresistibly appealing Ocean Shores Series from #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy.

PRAISE FOR BARBARA FREETHY NOVELS

A fabulous, page-turning combination of romance and intrigue. Fans of Nora Roberts and Elizabeth Lowell will love this book." NYT Bestselling Author Kristin Hannah on Golden Lies.

"Gifted author Barbara Freethy creates an irresistible tale of family secrets, riveting adventure and heart-touching romance." NYT Bestselling Author Susan Wiggs on Summer Secrets

"Freethy skillfully keeps the reader on the hook, and her tantalizing and believable tale has it all-romance, adventure and mystery." Booklist (Starred Review) on Summer Secrets

"Freethy has a gift for creating complex, appealing characters and emotionally involving, often suspenseful, sometimes magical stories." Library Journal on Suddenly One Summer

"Barbara Freethy is a master storyteller with a gift for spinning tales about ordinary people in extraordinary situations and drawing readers into their lives." Romance Reviews Today

"A warm, moving story of the power of love." NYT Bestselling Author Debbie Macomber on Daniel's Gift