Reviews

Aloha Series Box Set by Jill Brashear

mandykim's review

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

5/5 Stars

Aloha Series Box Set Books 1-3 by Jill Brashear

This is the first series I've read by the author. Try Easy, Try Me, and Try Right are the books in the series. Each can be read as a standalone, but they're better all together. Each book is better than the last.

Try Easy (Aloha Series #1)

Keoni is a native Hawaiian and he is stuck picking up two people from the airport. When he sees one woman get off the plane he knows his heart is gone. Then Bones goes missing and reality crashes down on him. Going to Seattle and returning home without Lou. The quote I chose for Keoni is: “You deserve the best. I don’t know what I can give you.”

Lou goes to Hawaii for twelve days and isn't really looking for a romance. She is leaving a great guy at home or at least she thinks he's great. When she meets Keoni everything changes. She goes home, but she isn't in it like she was before. The quote I chose for Lou is: “I don't know anymore. I had my whole life planned out, then I met you. You weren’t supposed to happen. But when I thought I was going to die the only face I wanted to see was yours.”

Try Me (Aloha Series #2)

Declan is one of Keoni's friends and he's having a hard time dealing with the death of Eddie. Declan is having a hard time with his family. They don't think he should be a surfer. The quote I chose for Declan is: “You were surfing. Not Sharp Park, but somewhere else. Somewhere in Hawaii, I think.”

Pearl has always had a thing for Declan. She doesn't want to go after him since he's a player. Then she ends up on the same flight as him. The quote I chose for Pearl is: “This job is for the birds. There’s a dozen out there better.”

Try Right (Aloha Series #3)

Claudia is Keoni's ex and the one who broke his heart. She's back and looking to reunite with him. Only she finds that he's no longer single. She tries moving on only to find that she was part of a bet. The quote I chose for Claudia is: “I’m fine. Better get on with it. This might take a while to fix, and the show must go on.”

Henry is Penny's cousin and is the one who gets Claudia into his bed. He knows that stuff happened between her and Keoni. He tries to make it work, but can he? The quote I chose for Henry is: “If you were really fighting for your life, you would want to bend your knee and give me a swift back kick to the groin.”

Highly recommended for Historical Romance lovers.

shavonbrown's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A

3.0

Book 1 - Try Easy
Fans of Vactation Romances and a good love triangle this is the book for you.
In 1968 Mary "Lou" Hunter wants to be a photographer in Seattle. She gets the opportunity of a lifetime when she lands a free trip to Hawaii.

Keoni is a surfer.

During Mary's trip to Hawaii they have a fling but things aren't as simple as two people falling in love. Things get complicated as it is not 2 people in this relationship but 3.

Mary must decide if her dream is still Seattle or if she wants to take risk and stay in Hawaii.


Book 2 - Try Me
Fans of Fake Relationships Turned Real will Enjoy This
One thing I enjoyed about this book is I feel I can take surfing off my bucket list. This book focused on surfing so much I felt like I was doing it myself.

Surfing is how two of our main characters Declan and Peal get to know each other. They admire one another for their skill. Declan unable to handle his friends death flees Hawaii but comes back for a competition and that is the setup of the novel.

As Declan heads back home he must face what has happened.

Pearl doing her best to fulfill her mothers dream of becoming a famous female surfer does everything she can to get her name out there. Including fake dating fellow surfer Declan.

Book 3 - Try Right
This is a friends to lover; Celebrity Romance
Claudia hanging on to her career but her nails doing her best to not be a has been. Her career gets a much needed rescue with a tv show in Hawaii and there she meets her long time friend Henry.

Henry is a stuntman the best in the business but when he runs into Claudia he has to tell himself to not do anything stupid. Being the best in the business he has to struggle with himself as he continues to tell himself his career is not worth jeopardizing over her.

carla_c's review

5.0

This series is so good! I loved reading about Hawaii and the characters lives there. I absolutely adore Lou and all of her growth! I have to say she is probably my favorite character out of all three books. Honestly there is a lot of character growth in all of the books but Lou really stuck with me. The descriptions of Hawaii are absolutely amazing and make you feel as though you are there. I would love for Bones to have a story and to know if things go back to Penny. These stories are very well written and I definitely want to read more from this author! They have a really great and easy story telling style.

bibliophilenerd's review

adventurous emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was a fun beach series set in Hawaii with all of the emotions. The characters are likable and easy to relate to, the setting is amazing and I loved hearing about all the local places that I haven’t heard of or been to as a tourist, and the story lines were easy to follow. The first book is Keoni and Lou’s story. Keoni is an amazing surfer but hasn’t gone pro. He holds onto the loss of a friend and blames himself. He meets Lou who is a tourist, who helps him change his feelings about tourists. The second book is Declan and Pearl’s story. Declan is a professional surfer but hasn’t been back to his home in Hawaii since the loss of a friend and a big fight with Keoni. He is just barely holding onto his sobriety and walking through life with no emotion. Pearl loves to surf and wants to be noticed so she can stop waitressing and make it back to Hawaii. The last book is Henry and Claudia’s story. Henry is a stuntman and Claudia is a bit part actress. They become friends as Henry decides to help her. There is drama and chemistry and this is a very well written series of relationships!

shannlynn's review

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 

I feel like I was transported back to the 60’s to Hawaii, where the author describes in the most gorgeous detail. I have a major impulse to hop on a plane now. You may as well grab the box set because once you read the first one, you’ll want to devour them all! 

Book #1, Try Easy describes the complication of a love triangle on vacation, which definitely sounds like a double-edged sword. What could go wrong if it only happens on a trip? The obvious and palpable chemistry between Lou and Keoni is irresistible. Will Lou remain faithful or is the attraction just too strong? 
Book #2, Try Me goes into the tragically beautiful story between Declan and Pearl. On the surface everything looks as it should but hiding underneath are the ever-evolving feelings that Declan shouldn’t have. This is supposed to be a fake relationship, just for show, so why are these emotions getting stronger? Another couple with amazing chemistry, you’ll breeze right through this book. 
Book #3, Try Right. When Henry sets eyes on Claudia, a breathtaking movie star, he knows he’ll do whatever it takes to be close to her…even if that means helping her rekindle a lost flame. Will he be able to resist his own feelings and help Claudia follow her heart? 

I connected with each character so easily which can be such a difficult thing to do, especially with an entire box set. I’m so glad I picked these up and can’t wait to read more from Jill Brashear! 

julesherb's review

4.0

 This box set of 3 books is a wonderful way to be able to read the series all in one go because once you start you definitely will want to do just that! They are written by a very talented author who now has a fan in me for sure. She very creatively draws her readers into the world she has created set in Hawaii during the 1960s. As you read through these books your imagination will be filled with beautiful, vivid images and great characters. You truly will feel as though you are right there with them. While each book in true romance style, does have two people brought together, each book draws each couple together in different ways and I just know you will be unable to resist caring about them and wishing for their happy endings. I recommend you grab your set today and get reading!! 

tytanmom23's review

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Aloha Series Box Set Books 1-3 by Jill Brashear. I loved this series so much. Its full of drama, romance and mystery set in Hawaii in the late 1960's about a dried up actress who is still struggling to let go of her old life. Try Right is the first book and it was good. Its about Claudia who is a older actress which the only part she can get is a bit part in a tv series set in Hawaii. She has ulterior motives for taking the part. Try Me is the second book in the series and its about Peggy, the older actress's daughter. Pearl doesn't want to be an actress she wants to be a professional surfer. Throw in some romance and you have a great read. Try Easy is the 3rd book in the series and it was my favorite. Try Right is a second chance romance story about Mary Lou Hunter who is a photographer. Hawaii is every photographers dream. Keoni Makai is a famous surfer and he and Mary Lou hit it off chemistry wise. He's also a great subject to photograph. These 3 books throw you in the middle of Hawaii and they are about finding yourself, changing your identity an

kimwilkinson2002's review

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Easy reads 

The Aloha Series Box Set has three wonderful stories. Each set in the beautiful tropical islands of Hawaii in the 1960’s. Jills’s vivid writing makes you actually feel like youbare there. They are fun anf quick easy reads. Learning about how the Hawaiians live and their cultures was amazing to learn. 

Try Easy is the first book in this box set and is Keoni and Lou’s story. Keoni has an easy life and everything going for him. He is a pro at surfing and it’s his life. He can sing and play guitar and also sexy. Lou is a Photographer and gets a trip of a lifetime to Hawaii. It’s here that she meets the charming and charismatic Keoni. But what does she still have her boyfriend back home, what about him? This book has very likeable characters but what really happens with the couples? 

Try Me is the second book and is Pearl & Declan’s story. Pearl wants to be just like her mother. Declan and Pearl have this chemistry about them, they don't know it but everyone around them sure do. Declan is a surfing pro and finding it hard to return to the place he lost his best friend. They pretend to be in a relationship. This story is full of emotions where there is guilt and heartbreak, loss and grief and lots of chemistry. This book makes you want to try for what you want and what you believe in. 

Try Right is the third book and is Claudia & Henry’s story. Claudia was once the most sought-after actress who is now only a bit part actress and looking for the one that got away. Is trying to recapture something really what anyone really needs? Henry is a stuntman who was captured by the beauty to turn up for filming and for better or worse he decides to help her. What starts as friendship has the potential for so much more. With some angst, a little drama, and lots of chemistry, this tale will delight the reader.
 These books have a lot of chemistry and romance and a lot of drama. But a good read. 

desjmom's review

4.0

The Aloha series box set is 3 separate stories set in Hawaii in the 1960’s. The descriptions of the islands and its rich history are captivating. The characters in each story are connected and well developed. You can feel the emotion on each page. You can feel not only the connection with the characters but also with the islands themselves.

rayne's review

adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

A Hawaiian Romance

This boxset was a collection of well-written romances set in the late 60s that have some overlap. 

Try Easy

This is Keoni and Lou’s story. A girl’s trip to Hawaii ends up to be more than Lou bargained for. Keoni holds onto past hurts and needs to heal before he can move on. This is slow burn but the writing kept me interested. I loved the setting and the Hawaii of old. 

Try Me

This is Pearl and Declan’s story. I really enjoyed their ‘fake’ relationship and the way they interacted. Their chemistry was hot. The setting is spot on again and the author interweaves the history seamlessly. The events in this book occur at the same time as book 1 and the author pulled that off brilliantly.

Try Right

This is Claudia and Henry’s story. We have come across these characters in the previous books. Claudia is Keoni’s first love and she also caused some issues in book 2. Henry is Keoni and Bones’ friend and where Penny and Lou stayed in book 1. He is a strong character and true to his word. Claudia is also strong and this makes for some very intense moments. Again the setting is brilliant and the imagery amazing. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed this boxset and totally recommend.