Review & Release for Baited by Jessica Buss

Title: Baited

Series: Bering Sea Crabbers Book 1

Author: Jessica Buss

Genre/Tropes: Small Town; Blue Collar; Alpha Male; Grumpy MC; Curvy PC; Past Trauma; Long Time Crush; Sister's Best Friend 

Release Date: April 14, 2025

Cover Design: Karen Hulseman at Feed Your Dreams Designs

When you’re crab fishing in the Bering Sea, one misstep can have devastating, even deadly, consequences.

Henrik, a grumpy crab fisherman living on Kodiak Island, has never been swayed by anything—not until Carina, a curvy, sweet-tempered marine biologist, catches his eye. He’s drawn to her by an unquestionable attraction that he can’t shake.

A former resident of the island, Carina returns home because the rapidly declining population of crabs in the Bering Sea troubles her. And although years have gone by, she’s still incredibly attracted to the brooding object of her teenage fantasies. And now he’s the captain of a crabber, and determined to protect the crabs too.

But getting to know him means she must face the childhood trauma that made her fearful of her first true love—the ocean. Will she be able to conquer the anxiety she’s held for so long? Can she once again entrust someone she loves to the sea?

Quotes:

Henrik-
Lord, this woman. The adjectives in my limited vocabulary don’t do her justice.
From the moment she opened her front door, I was completely captivated and mesmerized. And that fascination never wavered. It only grew stronger, reaching epic heights I’ve never experienced before.

Carina-
After years of harboring my fears, I’ve realized each one has made a delicate slice in my fragile heart, leaving it in ruins. But his words are sincere, honest, and full of love. The perfect salve to my anxiety.

We thoroughly enjoyed Carina and Henrik's story in this new series. It was refreshing and unique, set in a small town with vivid descriptions that made you feel like you were there. The chemistry between the couple was passionate and beautiful, with a shared love for the sea. Henrik's gentlemanly approach added to the slow-burning romance as he got to know Carina. The characters were well-developed, with strong friendships and loving family dynamics. The story had a good mix of action, humor, intrigue, and romance, making it an easy and enjoyable read. The author did a great job of portraying the importance and dangers of Henrik's livelihood at sea. Carina's trauma was tied to this lifestyle, adding depth to their relationship. We can't wait for the next installment in the series. Will we see Mia and Eirik's story dynamic leave us curious about what's to come? Only time will tell.

 

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