Mischief after Midnight

I’ve waited FOREVER for Toni’s story! Toni and her brother grew up in Lost Harbor. As a child, Toni tagged along with her brother and his best friend Bash-always competing with each other. While Toni developed a crush on Bash, he never thought of her as more than a “little sister”. After an attack, in which Bash rescued her, Bash left town to become a professional fighter. Leaving Toni and Lost Harbor behind. Toni worked hard at the Olde Salt Saloon, took self defense classes, and made sure she did not have to EVER depend on anyone for anything. Toni also supported her besties as they each found their HEA, never believing that was in the cards for her. Sally, the owner of the Olde Salt Saloon, returns to Lost Harbor to offer Toni first dibs in buying the saloon. But Toni feels as though there’s more than the Olde Salt Saloon and wants to explore other opportunities. So Sally offers the saloon to another prospective buyer…Bash. Bash returns to Lost Harbor to “repay a debt”. Bash grew up in an abusive environment. When things got rough and he needed to escape to someplace safe, Sally was there to help. Bash feels as though he owes it to Sally to buy the saloon to repay her kindness, so he buys the Olde Salt. Bash is not sure he wants to leaving professional fighting forever, but needs a break. But being Toni’s new boss proves harder than he ever imagined. He no longer thinks of her as a little sister and has trouble keeping his hands to himself. When Toni quits, all bets are off! I absolutely LOVE best friend’s little sister stories! I also appreciate the fact that Toni was a STRONG woman. No one messed with Toni. She’s sassy, strong-willed, but so incredibly kind and loving. She’s also excellent with kids. I loved that Bash had to confront his past in order to have a better future. I especially liked that he was vulnerable and needed Toni to go with him to see his dad—baby steps. This was a very enjoyable story and well worth the wait. Loved seeing Maya and Old Crow!!! I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

Another great read! Ms. Bernard always hooks me with the first sentence, first chapter for sure. Mischief after Midnight is about Toni Del Ray, a long-time personality in the Lost Harbor series. Bash Rivers is new but he did grow up in Lost Harbor, Alaska, with Toni and her brother, Tristan. Being Tristan’s younger sister, Toni was always a tagalong tomboy. Toni had a serious crush on Bash but he just left one day. Bash went on to become a successful fighter with the UFC while Toni stayed in Lost Harbor. As we know from previous books, Toni manages the Olde Salt Saloon for Sally Buchanan (and by the way, I’d like to learn more about Sally in upcoming books). Sally has not been in Lost Harbor much so Toni has really more or less been the one to run the bar since she started working there at 19. The old-timers like and respect her and, of course, give her a hard time. Unknown to Toni, Sally sells the bar …. to Bash which she finds out when he walks in the bar one night. Toni knows she can’t work for Bash but knew she didn’t want to work forever at the Olde Salt which is why she turned down Sally’s offer to buy the bar just minutes before Bash walked in. Toni had already started planning a brewery and tourist attraction with Chrissie (we met her in Flirting with Forever) so she immediately quit the Olde Salt, but relented and agreed to stay on until Bash could hire her replacement. Needless to say, Bash and Toni rekindle their romance. It’s a rocky road, but a sexy one. Bash still has serious problems with his father who was a drug addict and mean, hence his name, Basher. Bash spent most of his childhood with the Del Rays and received help and support from Sally when he was young. Toni became extra independent after an experience when she was 15. Bash rescued her then but left soon after, reinforcing Toni’s independence and safely resigning all men to the friend dungeon. There are so many spoilers I’d like to describe but I’ll leave them to all of Jennifer Bernard’s fans to discover when they read Mischief after Midnight. This book isn’t my favorite book in the Lost Harbor series in some ways but it by no means disappoints. The story line moves along with all the quirky characters. We check in with Tristan, Maya, Ian, Alastair, and Trixie and meet a few new characters. Bash and Toni heal their hearts and find their lost love. Lost Harbor is definitely a unique and surprisingly inclusive small town in Alaska. Everyone should read Mischief after Midnight. You can’t go wrong with a Jennifer Bernard book. Can’t wait for the next in the series!

Jennifer Bernard created another amazing story with Mischief After Midnight, book nine in her Lost Harbor, Alaska series. This story has all the feels, a couple of misfits, a community of friends who care about each other like family, and of course love. This time it’s Toni Del Rey’s story. Bartender Toni is known as the quick-witted queen of the Olde Salt Saloon; trading barbs with the grizzled fishermen and putting rowdy customers in their place. Toni is independent, strong, and fearless, allowing only one man to get to her; her childhood crush. Bash left Lost Harbor a long ago to become a professional fighter and hopefully forget this abusive childhood. Now, Bash has returned repay a favor by buying the Olde Salt Saloon. Seeing Toni again heats his blood making him think about staying in town. His best friend’s sister has grownup; going from tomboy to temptation, from mischievous to maddening. Bash is finding it difficult to work along- side Toni, and to ignore the magnetic attraction and sizzling chemistry they share. Between Toni’s strong independence, his reputation as “Bad New” Bash, and a few deep hidden secrets, these two won’t find a lasting love until they find closure. However, this is Lost Harbor and anything can happen; even a little mischief after midnight. Ms. Bernard wrote an amazing, emotional, heartwarming, and magical story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with reconnecting friends, magnetic attraction, off the charts chemistry, amusing conversations, and endearing eccentric characters, helping Toni and Bash find a forever love and answers to an old secret. I highly recommend Mischief After Midnight to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.