Name: Bountiful
ISBN: 9781942444473

Sarina Bowen

Bountiful

Megan Lowe

3.5 stars

I voluntarily received an advance review copy of this book and chose to review it.

I liked the premise of this book. I liked how we saw both before and now. I liked David, I liked Ben. What I couldn't really connect with was Zara. As much as she kept David at arms length, I felt the reader was also kept at arms length, I just couldn't warm to her. As such, I felt I couldn't really feel the couple' chemistry and connection, I couldn't really root for them. I also felt the story needed something, some drama, something dramatic to spice up the story.

b.andherbooks

Zara and Dave share a hot summer fling. She never gets his last name and isn't interested in contacting him after he returns to his real life, leaving her to tend bar in her tiny Vermont town.

But what Zara doesn't realize is Dave may be leaving, but he's left her with a part of him she'll have forever, his baby.

Two years later, and Dave has returned for another vacation. Hoping to run into the hot bartender who rocked his world, Dave is stunned when he finds out he's a dad.

Older, wiser, and wary, Zara isn't sure she can believe Dave is ready to take it all on, or if she wants to risk her and her daughter's hearts in the process.

A lovely secret baby romance, which is normally a trope I detest, but Bowen made it believable. Also, I'm totally here for hot, hulking bearded gingers who are gaga for their babies. 

Dave is a hockey player, but hockey was mostly a side-note. It was more important Dave was a rich professional athlete than it was that he was a hockey player. I wanted a little more hockey I guess? But overall enjoyed my first Bowen.

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads.


I can't even tell you just how excited I was to learn we would be more books in the True North series! When I finished Keepsake, I knew I wanted (needed) more from this series, but I didn't know which character's story I wanted most. I was thrilled to learn Bountiful was Zara's story. There totally was happy dancing. That excitement only increased when I got an early review copy. I dove right in as soon as I finished the book I was reading at the time. I loved everything about this one. It was so sweet and sexy and totally delivered on the feels.

Zara and Dave's story is one of my new favorites. I loved these two characters. Of course, you all know I love a good second chance story so this one basically had my name written all over it. I was totally onboard with Zara and Dave when they were doing their hookup thing early on and then even more so when he returned... and found out they had a baby together. *all the heart eyes* FYI: Nicole is the cutest kid ever. My ovaries all but exploded every time she and Dave had a scene together. The whole story made my heart totally happy. 

It's basically guaranteed that I'm going to love everything Sarina writes. I don't want to say her True North series is my favorite because it's hard to play favorites when I love all of an author's books, but it's high up on my list. The setting, the characters, the stories... perfection. I'm hoping for many more True North books in the future. There are still so many stories to tell and I want them all. I'm greedy and unapologetic. ;) 

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

FAVORITE QUOTES

He tasted like man and warmth and everything I'd ever needed.

We consumed each other, and I forgot to be afraid. 

"You bring out a different kind of horny in me—the kind that wants to buy furniture as well as fuck on it. The kind that would rather be a patient man. Because you're worth it, honey."

Chantale

I have enjoyed this series and I enjoyed this book very much . 

The story got me hooked.

Lacey

Sadly, I struggled to love this one. The beginning had me hooked, but everything after felt flat and honestly, boring. There wasn't much that kept my interest, and Dave as a hero was pretty bland.

I did love all the Brooklyn Bruisers cameos though – I love those hockey boys so much! Even though I didn't love this True North book like I hoped, I am still ready for the next Brooklyn Bruisers book.

Full review to come!

Thanks to the author for generously providing me an ARC to review.