Turning Tides — Ruby McNally

Cars aren't the only things he can hot-wire. Fresh off an eighteen-month stint for grand theft auto, Joel Graziano heads for sleepy Montauk with nothing to his name but an ancient Buick and the keys to his grandmother's rundown beach cottage. He fully intends to serve out his parole fixing boats, keeping his nose clean, and minding his own damned business. Unfortunately, the locals immediately peg him as an interloper, and the keenest stare belongs to his sexy neighbor. Charlotte "Charlie" Sanger is curious about the man with the double sleeve tattoos, but she's got problems of her own. Her mother's death left Charlie in charge of her father and teenage sister. The result? Joy's pregnant and Dad isn't speaking to either of them. Soon Charlie is sneaking next door to lose herself in mind-blowing sex. It's supposed to be just a temporary neighbors-with-benefits arrangement, but Joel finds Charlie and her quirky gaggle of family and friends growing on him. And he dares to hope that Charlie could be a safe place to hang his heart. Warning: Contains an ex-con who's not afraid of prison, earning his "red wings," or judgmental yuppies, and a townie girl who's having trouble convincing him she's not slumming. An awkward visit from a parole officer, a highly mature battle of "who can care less," and a whole new appreciation for "assume the position."