Emily Donovan's life has been turned upside down. Her estranged celebrity sister has died, leaving her custody of her daughter, Juliet, whom Emily has never even met. Emily and her sister had a sad childhood, and Emily suffered a tragic event that left her determined never to love, and certainly to never have children. She has just lost her job, and her lukewarm relationship has ended. The press are anxious to find Juliet, so Emily takes off to Puffin Island, to stay at the home of a friend until she can figure out how to put her life back together. Puffin Island is off the coast of Maine, and since Emily has a great fear of water, getting there is torture for her.

Brittany owns the cottage where Emily is staying, and she knows that Emily will be having a rough time of it. She asks her friend, Ryan Cooper, to keep an eye on Emily, and to help her out when he can. Ryan has been a journalist who has reported from war zones. He has suffered his own injuries and traumas, and has come back to Puffin Island to heal. As a young teenager, his parents were killed, and he had the responsibility of raising his younger siblings. He never really got to experience being carefree, and his plans for the future definitely do not include children.

Ryan is attracted to Emily as soon as he sees her, and he's more than willing to have a casual relationship. At first Emily only wants Ryan to go away, but soon, she comes to depend on him, and to like him. Emily has some heavy baggage. She is surrounded by water, which terrifies her. She is afraid to let Juliet (whom she now calls Lizzy) out of her sight. She is beginning to feel love, both for Lizzy and Ryan, and she's scared to death. Lizzy is starting to love Ryan, too, and that's not good, as he's the man who has already raised children, and doesn't want more.

Author Sarah Morgan has a lovely writing style. Her descriptions of the island and its people are vivid and lifelike. She skillfully draws you into Emily's and Ryan's minds to let you know what they're feeling. Ryan is caring and generous, and Emily begins to be brave and face her fears, one by one. They are both likeable characters that you badly want to see end up together. I was wholly engrossed in FIRST TIME IN FOREVER, as I devoured the pages, waiting to see if and how Emily and Ryan would find their happy ever after. This was a very satisfying, romantic read, which I highly recommend.