Heartwarming books with characters you'll love: have you been to Pajaro Bay?

Sheltered heiress Lori York runs away to the isolated island lighthouse at Pajaro Bay. But when a mysterious man washes ashore during a winter storm, she has to figure out just what he's hiding before they both end up as shark bait.

Matt DiPietro is the hometown boy gone bad. He's brought shame to his family, and his childhood friends know he can't be trusted. Now he's returned to Pajaro Bay, and as always, disaster follows in his wake. But when the new girl in town finds out the truth about him, will she give up on him like everyone else, or can she possibly help him find his way back home at last?

Get away to the little California beach town where the cottages are cute, the neighbors are nosy, and it's always possible to find your personal Happily Ever After. The Pajaro Bay novels can be read in any order.