Zoe Costas just left her job with the Secret Service to concentrate on launching her own security business. She's living with her wild and quirky Greek family, who are trying to control their more outlandish antics. The good behavior act is mainly for the benefit of Social Services, who are investigating Zoe's parents over their pending adoption of a troubled foster child, Samantha. Zoe is thrilled to have another sister and believes that Sam will be happy with her family. Trouble begins when a lawyer named Ryan Baldwin appears at Sam's 14th birthday party, claiming to be Sam's uncle and apparently seeking custody. Zoe saves the party from disaster by helping Ryan pretend to be a social worker. She convinces him that this way he can get to know his niece before announcing that he wants custody and disrupting Sam's life again.

As Zoe gets to know Sam's birth family, she wonders if the uptight wealthy parents that drove away Sam's mother will welcome back an outspoken, difficult teenage granddaughter. Ryan loosens up around the crazy Costas household, but he still isn't sure they can raise his niece appropriately. Zoe and Ryan stick close together as they each try to protect the best interests of their families, but their undeniable attraction makes sparks fly over more than custody issues. When Samantha is in danger, can Zoe and Ryan set aside their doubts, repress their attraction and work together to protect the frightened teenager?

This book is a sequel to UNDER THE BOARDWALK (June 2005, mass market release) and for maximum enjoyment you should read them in order. The previous book introduced the Costas family and the story of Zoe's twin sister Ariana's romance with Detective Quinn Donovan. In an effort to fill in the gaps for new readers, frequent and sometimes awkward references to the plot of the first book include Zoe's faked death while in a federal safe house, family history and a misbehaving pet monkey. I believe the two novels should be closely paired since the strong family background stories are interrelated. That said, this was an entertaining story with engaging characters. If you're in the mood for a little SUMMER LOVIN', pick up this sexy novel.