Finding Forever in Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen | Book Review
Finding Forever in Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen
Series: Pelican Crossing #9
Genres: Womens Fiction
When Paige Harper arrives in Pelican Crossing to visit her ailing grandmother, she plans a short trip—just enough time to make sure her grandmother recovers before heading back to her busy city life. But when her grandmother unexpectedly passes away, Paige is hesitant to leave the small coastal town, unable to shake the pull of its quiet charm.
Bob Reed, the laid-back local vet, has settled back into his life in Pelican Crossing after spending a year at Colorado University. He is surprised when he receives an offer to apply for a permanent position at the university—a tempting opportunity to embrace a very different path. Torn between his love for the peaceful coastal life and the draw of a more structured, academic future, Bob faces a tough choice.
When Paige and Bob cross paths, they’re worlds apart—she, the city professional, and he, the easy-going surfer. But a series of unexpected encounters brings them closer, and what begins as an unlikely friendship turns into something much more.
With Bob facing a career-defining decision and Paige bound to her life in the city, they must determine if their newfound connection is strong enough to overcome the obstacles in their way. Can they find a way to be together, or will the demands of their separate lives keep them apart?
For fans of small-town romances and heartwarming stories of unexpected love.
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In this series: A New Dawn in Pelican Crossing
Other books from this Author A New Dawn in Pelican Crossing
I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
my review
Although this is the ninth book in the Pelican Crossing series, I’ve only read one other book before this one, and I never felt like I was missing anything important. Maggie Christensen does a wonderful job of welcoming both longtime readers and newcomers, making it easy to settle into the town and get to know the people who call it home.
This series has become known for romances later in life, and that’s one of my favorite things about it. These aren’t characters experiencing first love. They’re people carrying years of memories, heartbreak, family responsibilities, and life lessons. That gives the romance a different kind of depth that I really enjoy reading.
Paige returns to Pelican Crossing after the loss of her grandmother, expecting her stay to be temporary. I understood why she felt torn. She has built a life elsewhere, and moving to a small coastal town isn’t a decision you make overnight. Watching her reconnect with the community and begin to see the town through fresh eyes felt natural rather than rushed.
Bob was such an easy hero to like. As the local veterinarian, he has a quiet kindness about him that fit the story perfectly. The relationship between him and Paige developed at a comfortable pace, beginning with friendship before gradually becoming something more. I appreciated that neither of them rushed into anything. They both had lives that deserved careful consideration, and the story respected that.
One of my favorite parts of this series continues to be the community itself. Pelican Crossing feels like a real place where neighbors genuinely care about one another. Whether you’ve been reading the series from the beginning or you’re picking it up later, it’s easy to understand how everyone fits together without feeling overwhelmed by previous stories.
Maggie Christensen also handles topics like grief, family relationships, and starting over with a gentle touch. Those heavier moments never overshadow the romance, but they give the characters realistic reasons for the choices they make.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming romance featuring mature characters, a welcoming small-town community, and the reminder that new beginnings can happen at any stage of life, this is a lovely addition to the series.
meet the author
About Maggie Christensen
After a career in education, Maggie Christensen began writing contemporary women’s fiction portraying mature women facing life-changing situations, and historical fiction set in her native Scotland. Her travels inspire her writing, be it her trips to visit family in Scotland, in Oregon, USA or her home on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast. Maggie writes of mature heroines coming to terms with changes in their lives and the heroes worthy of them. Maggie has been called the queen of mature age fiction and her writing has been described by one reviewer as like a nice warm cup of tea. It is warm, nourishing, comforting and embracing.
From the small town in Scotland where she grew up, Maggie was lured to Australia by the call to ‘Come and teach in the sun’. Once there, she worked as a primary school teacher, university lecturer and in educational management. Now living with her husband of over thirty years on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, she loves walking on the deserted beach in the early mornings and having coffee by the river on weekends. Her days are spent surrounded by books, either reading or writing them – her idea of heaven!
