Oh my stars, I just finished the second book of the Soulful Seas duet, and I need a moment to collect myself! I discovered this series through my local paranormal romance book club (we meet in that darling little café by the harbor), and I simply had to dive right in. Let me tell you, as someone who adores ghost stories and complex relationship dynamics, this book had me absolutely riveted, even though I did find myself occasionally frustrated with its pacing. The Maine coastal setting perfectly captures that haunting, maritime atmosphere I love so much – I could practically smell the salt air and hear the creaking of fishing boats while reading. The emotional depth in this second installment is significantly more intense than the first book. The themes of healing from trauma, forgiveness, and found family really resonated with me, especially as someone who's always believed in second chances. The way the author handles the paranormal elements feels refreshingly grounded, weaving them naturally into the contemporary setting rather than relying on flashy supernatural theatrics. What truly captured my heart was the character development, particularly regarding redemption and learning to apologize sincerely. As someone who's worked as a relationship counselor (mostly for the living, mind you), I deeply appreciated how the author showed that actions speak louder than words when it comes to making amends. However, I must admit the book's length (nearly 500 pages) sometimes felt a bit excessive, with certain emotional conflicts being drawn out longer than necessary. I found myself wanting to gently shake some sense into a few characters at times! Also, while I adore a good slow burn, there were moments when the pacing dragged enough to make me brew an extra cup of chamomile tea just to keep going. Despite these minor quibbles, I found myself thoroughly invested in these characters' journeys. The spicy scenes (oh my!) are balanced nicely with emotional depth, and the paranormal elements add just the right touch of otherworldliness without overwhelming the core story. Would I recommend it? Absolutely, especially if you enjoy emotional paranormal romance with complex relationship dynamics. Just be prepared for an intensive reading commitment and keep some tissues handy – you'll need them! ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 5 stars)