I received this book for free from Grey’s Promotions in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Over & Out by Claire WilderSeries: Redbeard Cove #3
Publication Date: June 27, 2025
Pages: 337
StoryGraph
Source: Grey's Promotions
Genre: Contemporary, Enemies to Lover, Fiction, Romance
Rating: ★★★★★
Three months ago, a dirt bike accident stole my confidence, my beloved ride, and the one thing that made me feel alive. Now I’m going through the motions in my coastal tourist town, totally adrift… and trying not to think about the stranger who pulled me from the wreckage.
But when I stand up to a super rude customer at the beach bar I work at, my life suddenly flips upside-down. Because that customer is Hopper Donnach: Hollywood heartthrob, certified a-hole, and horrifyingly, player of a character who helped me through my darkest moments. And now? He’s my temporary boss.
Hopper is hot-tempered, infuriating, and way too gorgeous for someone who insists on keeping things strictly professional. But under the gruff exterior, I see glimpses of something real. Kindness. Sadness. A secret.
I can’t fall for my boss, not when he has the power to shatter my already fragile heart into smithereens. Not when this forced proximity’s going to end almost as soon as it started.
And especially not when I realize there’s something more familiar about him than a character I fell for on the big screen.
Over & Out is an all-new enemies to lovers romance featuring 'hate to love him', boss-employee, grumpy sunshine, forced proximity and secret identity vibes. It's the third book in the Redbeard Cove smalltown beachside romance series and can be read as a complete standalone.
Claire Wilder delivers an emotionally rich, beautifully written romance in Over & Out, the third installment of her Redbeard Cove series. This small-town, beachside romance is packed with sharp wit, sizzling chemistry, and a depth of feeling that lingers long after the final page.
Chris’s journey—from loss and uncertainty to healing and rediscovery—feels raw, relatable, and genuinely earned. Her voice is refreshingly real, and Wilder captures her internal struggle with stunning nuance. The trauma of her accident isn’t just backstory—it shapes every decision, every doubt, and every reluctant hope she begins to feel again.
Enter Hopper Donnach: Hollywood heartthrob, rough-around-the-edges boss, and the last person Chris expects to be thrown into close quarters with. What begins as classic enemies-to-lovers banter soon evolves into something deeper, something tender. Hopper’s complexity—his private grief, his hidden kindness—balances beautifully against Chris’s guarded strength. Their connection simmers with slow-burn intensity, and every moment between them feels earned.
Wilder masterfully blends tropes like grumpy-sunshine, boss-employee tension, and secret identity, but it never feels formulaic. Instead, these elements work together to create a romance that’s heartfelt and grounded. And beneath the surface, the emotional subplot involving Hopper’s father adds an extra layer of poignancy that quietly shapes the entire story.
Over & Out is a standout romance—smart, layered, and utterly swoon-worthy. Whether you’re new to Redbeard Cove or a returning fan, this one is not to be missed.
Book Review Links
| Goodreads Review | https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7644415234 |
|---|---|
| StoryGraph Review | https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/f598dc39-56e2-4638-ac5c-767e91ec72b9 |
| BookBub Review | https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3064609424 |
| Fable Review | |
| LibraryThing Review | https://www.librarything.com/work/34343595/reviews/289060312 |
| Hardcover Review | https://hardcover.app/books/over-out/reviews/@CharlesReads |
About Claire Wilder
USA Today bestselling author of spicy small-town romance featuring
– Relatable women who always support each other
– Strong, sexy wounded men
– A sometimes rocky but always steamy road that always leads to a guaranteed HEA
