Bluestar’s latest matchmaker is of the four-footed variety. Gus, the golden retriever, has found the perfect mate for his human—if only they’d listen to him.

Jenna Adams is the front-end supervisor at the Island Market. She feels as though she’s at a crossroads in her life: remain a part of the family business or strike out on her own. Her mind tells her to move on, but her heart tells her to remain on the island.

Simon Bennett is a bestselling author with a major motion picture deal. But money and fame can come with serious drawbacks. When his agent finds him a quiet beachside rental on Bluestar Island to lie low and write his next book, he thinks all of his problems are solved…until he meets his beautiful neighbor.

Jenna’s new neighbor has a habit of stepping on her last nerve. However, when push comes to shove, they’ve got each other’s backs. Will these neighbors find they have more in common than they ever imagined?

Titles in The Adams Family of Bluestar Island series include:  The Art of Seashells ~ The Beachside Rental ~

A connection to the Bluestar Island universe through another island family.  The entire world includes (so far): Love Blooms ~ Harvest Dance ~ A Lighthouse Café Christmas ~ Rising Star ~ Summer by the Beach ~ Brass Anchor Inn ~ Summer Refresh ~ A Seaside Bookshop Christmas ~ A Lighthouse Snapshot ~ Inheriting Her Island House ~ A Brass Anchor Inn Christmas ~ Race to the Beach ~ The Art of Seashells ~ The Beachside Rental ~

This is a no-spice romance, perhaps with closed-door or fade-to-black scenes. Tension and kisses might be involved.

Title:  The Beachside Rental
Series:  The Adams Family of Bluestar Island #2 (connection to Bluestar Island series)
Author:  Jennifer Faye
Published:  August 3, 2026
Publisher: Lazy Dazy Press
My Rating:  4.5 stars

The Beachside Rental is the second title in The Adams Family of Bluestar Island series, which is part of the overall Bluestar Island universe.    This time we meet Jenna and Simon, two unlikely candidates for romance… neither is looking for a happy forever and believes they don’t have time for that romantic nonsense.  They are in for a surprise!  Gus never met two humans he couldn’t convince needed each other… or to give him pets and treats galore for his matchmaking abilities.

Jenna and Simon might have gotten off on the wrong foot when his items ended up on her side of the porch of their rented duplex, and he might be hiding from annoyed fans while he writes his newest series, while Jenna has some hard decisions to be made regarding her future at the family store and on the island itself.  With tears, laughter, frustrations, some “well-intended” townsfolk, and one mystery to solve, this couple certainly has their work cut out for them to find their way to a happy ending.  But don’t worry, Gus is here to ensure that all ends well for his humans.

I had such fun with The Beachside Rental.  It’s full of everything I enjoy about Jennifer Faye’s work — a relatable couple, a few issues to be solved, and bonus points for one matchmaking pup.  It’s easy to relate to this couple; life isn’t always easy or fair, but with good intentions, a bit of mystery-solving, and a solid love at the base of it all, they’re about to find their unexpected happy ever after.  Their story is well-written, emotional, with laughter, inside jokes, and a touch of mystery.  I always love returning to Bluestar Island, and if this sounds like your kind of romance, I’m betting you’d love this world as well.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

If you enjoy this author’s work, please visit our Jennifer Faye page, where I’ve listed books that I’ve read, reviewed, or have on my TBR.  There is a link to her official website on that page, with a whole lot more of her work showcasing her excellent storytelling.

This title is available on Amazon