Rettungsschwimmerturm an einem Strand auf Hawaii

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Surfing, lifeguards and the North Shore of Oahu: This Could Be Home (original title: This could be home) is the second book in the Hawaii Love series by German author Lilly Lucas. According to an analysis by the trade magazine Börsenblatt, it was one of the best-selling new adult novels in Germany in 2025. We analysed reader opinions and summarise what readers love and what they criticize.

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At a glance

  • Author: Lilly Lucas
  • Published: 2025, in German
  • Series: Hawaii Love, book 2
  • Genre: New adult, romance
  • Tropes: Grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers, forced proximity
  • Goodreads: 4.37 out of 5 from more than 5,000 ratings

What is it about?

Laurie Greenfield was saved from drowning by big wave surfer Chip and has wanted to become a lifeguard ever since. Of all people, Chip’s brother Tristan, an experienced lifeguard, is supposed to train her. He thinks she is unsuited to the dangerous North Shore. But the longer he trains with her, the more he sees in her, and she realises how hard he is on himself too.

What readers love about This Could Be Home

  • The Hawaii setting: Many readers get wanderlust for the island while reading.
  • The lifeguard theme: Several readers praise the good research and learned something along the way.
  • The dynamic: The slow shift between Laurie and Tristan from rejection to affection feels believable to many.
  • A feel-good read: The book reads easily and smoothly, and many finished it in one go.
  • Reunions: Fans enjoy appearances by familiar characters from book one.

What readers criticize

  • The third-act conflict: Some readers find it contrived and unnecessary.
  • Tristan’s behaviour: Some find individual scenes and his explanations unconvincing.
  • The heroine: Some readers struggled to connect with Laurie.
  • Pace: For some, the training and ending go too fast, others find the book too quiet.
  • Tristan’s past: According to some readers, his trauma deserved more room.

Content notes

We did not find an official list. A near-drowning and guilt after a death play a role in the story.

What writers can learn from it

  • A special setting sells. A well-researched profession or place makes a romance unmistakable.
  • Conflicts have to come from the characters. A third-act fight that only serves the structure annoys readers.
  • Trauma needs room. If you give a character a difficult past, tell it.

Conclusion

This Could Be Home is a summery new adult romance with a strong setting and a lovely development from opposites to feelings. Readers looking for light romance with wanderlust will be happy. Readers expecting a refined conflict are more likely to miss it.

Sources

For this overview we analysed the following reviews and articles:

Ratings as of November 2026.

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