The Title Wave

Year One (Suamalie Islands, Book 3)

By: Chautona Havig

Narrated by: Christa DelSorbo

All he wants to do is help people, but local women want to help themselves… to him!

When Henri Tupuola returned to Suamalie to open his holistic mental health clinic, he had no idea what he was getting into. After ten years in Australia getting his degree and practical experience under his mentor, the locals had all but forgotten the quiet “boy” who had always made them feel like he could see right through them.

Not anymore! The ladies of Lafoina are eager to meet the island’s therapist and spend hours staring deeply into his eyes on their weekly dates… ahem, sessions.

Desperate for relief, he hightails it down to The Title Wave and begs Ezra to order him a couple dozen copies of his own book. Yes, author copies would be cheaper, but he needs these things fast. Maybe if he hands out his book like an old-time quack handed out pills, the ladies will get the hint and leave him alone.

But when he tells his troubles to Ezra (who’s the therapist now?), and she jokes at how much her father would love to have people flocking to his “sessions” so to speak, Henri gets an idea that could save his sanity… if only Ezra will agree.

Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart.

©2023, 2025 Chautona Havig (P)2025 Chautona Havig

Fake Dating 😕 Great Writing 🙂 4.5

What I Liked

Chatona Havig’s writing is always worth the read, and this book is no exception. I love the way her mind works. She writes with just the right amount of snark and straight up humor, and there is a lot of humor in this book. Many characters are written just for their hilarious effect which makes the book more entertaining.

I loved the setting and descriptions of the beautiful Suamalie archipelago. I will never go there so reading / listening to descriptions and hearing how the people live and work are very interesting and enjoyable. The writing made me feel like I was living and experiencing life on the islands.

The reader was really good. The accents sounded great to me, and her interpretation of the writing and characters were spot on. I think listening to her interpretation adds to the written words because it gives listeners an auditory experience of the foreign place. French, English, and Samoan accents and language can be heard so listeners have a more immersive experience with the book.

What I Did Not Like

I just do not care for “fake” dating situations. I do not care for books in which the readers know more than the characters do. I do not like characters who lie or men who are not straightforward but are afraid to take the lead. These issues are almost always present in so called “fake” relationships. In addition, suggesting a “fake” relationship would be really hurtful to someone who truly cared about another. What—you do not want to really date me and instead only want to pretend to? It would be harmful to that person’s self worth. I just don’t understand why anyone would agree to that whole situation, but apparently, I am in the minority because romance writers and readers really LOVE it.

I will give the book points for at least dealing with the lying part of the problem. The hurt…meh. This scenario just wasn’t for me. The writing is so good, though, that most readers / listeners will still enjoy the book.