Name: The Real Thing
ISBN: 9783548288666

Samantha Young

The Real Thing

The One Real Thing

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance 
  
    
  
  
    Summary 
  
 
Jessica Huntington, is a doctor at the women's correctional facility and even though its not her "dream" job, she knows its where she's needed. But what surprises her, is when she finds four letters from an inmate years ago, whose story is heartbreaking and calls out to Jessica. So with vacation time coming up, she decides to go to the coastal town of Hartwell, and deliver the love letters to the man that deserves them. What Jessica doesn't plan on, is finding a home on Hartwell and a group of friends to call her own and a sexy bar owner she doesn't think she will be ever to forget. Cooper is recovering from a bad marriage and doesn't know if he is ready to let another woman into his life and into his heart. But Jessica calls something to him that he has never known, but she keeps a part of herself away from him. Will Jessica be honest with Cooper and give him her full heart or lose him forever...
 
  
    Plot and Story Line 
  
 
What a story and a great beginning to what I think will be a great series. I was lucky enough to get a audio copy through my local library for this story, and boy was it worth the wait. Samantha Young has outdid herself with The One Real Thing. It sets off with our heroine Jessica. Now Jessica, she has secrets of her own, secrets that she keeps very well hidden. She has to face some painful things in her past and it begins with finding lost love letters, letters that Jessica can't help but feel a kinship with. She knows she must give them to the man they were intended for. Then upon her arrival to Hartwell, she meets Cooper. Now these two have some great chemistry. I really couldn't help but feel captivated by these two. Both of these characters, have some tough pasts, but Jessica holds back more than Cooper does. It was really interesting to see these two figure out their bumpy relationship. This book does tear at your emotions at certain times, which is Samantha Young's style, but I loved the ride that this author gives us. There were also some colorful characters that makes the story more endearing and lively. They bring a good balance to the story. I love the spurts of humor and lightheartedness that we find in this romance. I fell in love quickly with this town and the spunky characters and the charming quality of the setting made for a delightful read.

  
    “You’ve made your mark. You made your mark on me. No matter what happens between us now or in the future, I will never forget you. You’re inside me. Always will be.”
  

 
  
    Narration 
  
 
This was a dual narration, and boy I loved these two together. Both were fantastic, and portrayed the personalities of the characters so well. I really admired the way the let the emotion flow so smoothly.
 
  
    The Cover 
  
 
So pretty and classy and I love the scenery beneath the pair's "almost" kiss!!!
 
  Overall View 
 
The One Real Thing is full of storms and calm seas....of sensuality and poignant emotion and a story to captivate your heart!
Click To Buy On Amazon 
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'Sexy chemistry and gut-wrenching emotions kept me turning the pages!' KRISTEN PROBY 'Scotland's answer to E.L. James' Closer __________________ The quiet town of Hartwell is the perfect place to get away from it all - and find what you never knew you needed . . . Bailey Hartwell has many reasons to feel content - her successful business, a close circle of friends and her steady boyfriend . . . even if their romance feels staid after ten years without a serious commitment. The only challenge in her life comes in the form of sexy businessman Vaughn Tremaine. She thinks the ex-New Yorker acts superior and that he considers her a small-town nobody. But when Bailey's blindsided by a betrayal, she's shocked to discover Vaughn is actually a decent guy. Vaughn admires Bailey's free spirit, independence and loyalty. As his passion for her has grown, his antagonism toward her has only worsened. Every little thing Bailey does seduces him. But when Vaughn's painful emotional past makes him walk away in fear he will hurt her, it opens an old wound in Bailey, and she uncharacteristically retreats. Once Vaughn begins to realise he's made the biggest mistake of his life, he has no choice but to fight like he's never fought before to convince Bailey that the love they've found together only comes around once in a lifetime . . . __________________ Discover why Samantha Young is known as 'Scotland's E. L. James'. . . '[Young] is a goddess when it comes to writing hot scenes' Once Upon a Twilight 'It took over my life until I finished reading it' Netgalley 'A viscerally moving love story' Goodreads 'Full of charm' Goodreads 'Stunning prose and raw characters' Goodreads

Every Little Thing

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance 
  
    
  
  
    Summary 
  
 
Bailey Hartwell's life seems to be going so smoothly. She has her business, great friends, loving parents and a wonderful boyfriend she hopes to be tying the knot with. But then her life goes upside down when she finds her boyfriend of ten years cheating on her, and her one time enemy Vaughn Tremaine ends up being her rock that she needs in this uneasy time. But then her life gets threatened trying to force her to sell which she refuses to do. At first she doesn't what to make of this fragile new relationship she has with Vaughn, only that him in bed is the hottest thing she has ever experience....off the charts chemistry. But Vaughn has his own issues, and doesn't know if he could ever do the "forever" thing at all and ends up hurting Bailey again the process. Vaughn will need to overcome his painful past and reservations, and Bailey will need to learn to trust again, can they make it back together?
 
  
    Plot and Story Line 
  
 
Every Little Thing is the second book in this new series from Samantha Young and man I am just hooked. Although I am wishing I had re read book one a bit or at least skimmed it before picking this one up. I had forgotten a few things. But boy did I enjoy this second book. Now in the first book we see both Bailey and Vaughn at each other's throats. They don't like each other, or it just appears that way. We do see some hints of sparks that they have, neither wants to admit it though. But when Bailey's gets betrayed and ends up attacked, she sees a whole new side to Vaughn. I did love seeing the way these two enemies become lovers and Young handled this aspect pretty well. Then we get a delightful appearance of her sisters (say this very sarcastically) man her sister is her complete opposite. Selfish, greedy, uses people for her own uses. And yeah at first I was concerned with how Bailey would handle her, but man she really shows that despite the fact she is her sister, she won't let her take advantage of her and the people in this town that she would give her life for. And we have some side characters I really loved, we have Vaughn's father who was so wonderful and pushes Vaughn when he needs an emotional push toward Bailey. I did love how close Vaughn and his father are with each other. And we also get more mixed signals from Jack. Jack we saw in book one and I have a feeling he and Emery will be one of the next couples. He is the son of the enemy of everyone on the boardwalk, but I get the feeling he is much more than what he appears to be.  The romance between Bailey and Vaughn is full of drama, feeling their way through a new kind of relationship and seeing how learning to trust isn't easy especially when your heart is involved. Truly another win for this author.

  I love you, Bailey Hartwell, because you frustrate me, you annoy me, you bother me, you bewilder me, you make me laugh, you get under my skin, you take my breath away. I love you because I admire your strength, I admire how hard you work, how much you love the inn, this town, the people in it. I love how you care so much, too much, and so much that it scares me. I love your fire. I love that you stand up to me. I love how you force me to remove the stick up my ass.

 
  
    The Cover 
  
 
This is so gorgeous, I love the mix of colors with the pink and gold with the coastal scene. Makes me wish I lived there.
 
  Overall View 
 
Every Little Thing is a angsty and drama filled romance, which is packed with a hint of danger, powerful chemistry and a heart warming romance.
 
  Books N Tunes Reading Challenge 
 

  Pick 7: I Can't Help But Falling In Love
  


  
  

  

 
  
    
  
  Click To Buy On Amazon 
 
[foogallery id="23967"]

Ashley Janssen

'Sexy chemistry and gut-wrenching emotions kept me turning the pages!' Kristen Proby Nine years ago, Emery Saunders moved to Hartwell to start her life over as a bookstore owner. Her inability to trust people made it hard for her to find a place in the small community until Jessica Lawson moved to town and befriended the shy beauty. But there was one person in Hartwell who tried to befriend Emery long before Jessica arrived . . . Jack Devlin has his secrets. One of them is that he fell hard for Emery the moment she appeared in Hartwell. Another is that his father blackmailed him into covering up a dark family tragedy. It forced Jack to sever his relationships to protect the people he cared about. Yet, staying away from Emery has not been easy throughout the years and he hasn't always succeeded. When Jack's mixed signals hurt Emery once again, she puts him out of her heart for good. Until the Devlin family secret is finally revealed, freeing Jack from his father's machinations. What Jack wants more than anything is to repair his relationships, starting with Emery. However, Emery isn't ready to forgive and Jack's not ready to give up. And when the town's latest scandal ties Jack and Emery together, Jack is not above using their new reality to prove to Emery once and for all that their love is worthy of the legend of Hart's Boardwalk. __________________ Discover why readers love Samantha Young . . . '[Samantha Young's] enchanting couples and delicious romances make her books an autobuy' Smexy Books 'Smart and sexy, Young writes stories that stay with you long after you flip that last page' Under the Covers 'Charismatic characters, witty dialogue, blazing-hot sex scenes, and real-life issues make this book an easy one to devour' Fresh Fiction 'The one thing you can count on from Ms. Young is some of the best, steamy, sexual chemistry' Fiction Vixen 'Scotland's answer to E.L. James' Closer '[Young] is a goddess when it comes to writing hot scenes' Once Upon a Twilight

The Truest Thing

First of all, never imagined bailing my eyes out (First half of the book) 😭😂

Jack x Emery ❤ I wanted their story from the very first beginning and I loved them..

not intended but now I'm invested in their kids story (they ain't even 4)

Joey I wanna know what's gonna happen with him and Cat x Seb like I so hoped to get a sneak but nope 😢

Kerstin 

First of all, never imagined bailing my eyes out (First half of the book) 😭😂

Jack x Emery ❤ I wanted their story from the very first beginning and I loved them..

not intended but now I'm invested in their kids story (they ain't even 4)

Joey I wanna know what's gonna happen with him and Cat x Seb like I so hoped to get a sneak but nope 😢

The New York Times bestselling author of On Dublin Street is back with the first in a sexy new romance series set in a small town on the Delaware coastline. Welcome to Hartwell, a quiet seaside escape where uncovering old secrets could lead one woman to discover the meaning of a love that lasts… While Doctor Jessica Huntington engages with the inmates at the women’s correctional facility where she works, she’s always careful to avoid emotional attachments in her personal life. Loss and betrayal taught her that lesson long ago. But when she comes across a set of old love letters in the prison’s library and visits the picturesque town of Hartwell to deliver them to their intended recipient, she finds herself unable to resist the town’s charm—and her attraction to the sexy owner of a local bar proves equally hard to deny. Since his divorce from his unfaithful ex-wife, Cooper Lawson has focused on what really matters: his family and the boardwalk pub they’ve owned for generations. But the first time Jessica steps into his bar, Cooper is beyond tempted to risk his heart on her. Yet as their attraction grows hotter and Jessica remains stubbornly closed off, he begins to realize it will take more than just passion to convince her there’s only one real thing in life worth fighting for….

The New York Times bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series returns to Hartwell, Delaware--the perfect place to get away from it all, and find what you never knew you needed.... Bailey Hartwell has many reasons to feel content--her successful business, a close circle of friends, and her steady boyfriend...even if their romance feels staid after ten years without a serious commitment. The only challenge in her life comes in the form of sexy businessman Vaughn Tremaine. She thinks the ex-New Yorker acts superior and that he considers her a small-town nobody. But when Bailey's blindsided by a betrayal, she's shocked to discover Vaughn is actually a decent guy. Vaughn admires Bailey's free spirit, independence, and loyalty. As his passion for her has grown, his antagonism toward her has only worsened. Every little thing Bailey does seduces him. But when Vaughn's painful emotional past makes him walk away in fear he will hurt her, it opens an old wound in Bailey, and she uncharacteristically retreats. Once Vaughn begins to realize he's made the biggest mistake of his life, he has no choice but to fight like he's never fought before to convince Bailey that the love they've found together only comes around once in a lifetime....

Sven Test

This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.

Ever since I read about Bailey and Vaughn in The One Real Thing, I had been highly anticipating their book! My exact words were "I’m so looking forward to the next novel in this series. I won’t think twice about picking it up since it will have one of the couples that I fell so hard for in this first book! That book will be something else and I can’t wait for it!" I already had a feeling Every Little Thing was going to be great and it totally was!

"You’re looking a little stressed there, Bailey. Anything I can do to help?"
"Sterilization," I quipped.
"Huh?"
"My point exactly. Good-bye." I wiggled my fingers at them, gesturing them to move along.

After finding her boyfriend of 10 years cheating on her, Bailey isn't sure how to be a 34-year-old single woman. Despite that, she moves on with the help of her friends and her independence. Unfortunately, her sights and heart are set on Vaughn Tremaine, someone she knows she should stay away from. Years ago, someone like him broke her heart and she can't risk that type of heartbreak again. Vaughn is a very rich businessman who had no plans in staying at Hartwell, but he fell in love with the small town and so he decided to stay. Somehow, Vaughn and Bailey started off on the wrong foot and now, all they do is banter and insult each other. It wasn't until Bailey was in danger and Vaughn saved her that their insults lowered and the chemistry grew even more.

The man I thought I might have been waiting for my whole life.
All this time he’d been standing right in front of me, wearing a suit and a sexy-ass smirk.

I loved Bailey even more in this book. She's fierce, strong, independent, caring, loving, and doesn't let anybody walk over her. Any situation thrown her away, she handles it with grace and with a side of badass. She's definitely the only woman able to tame Vaughn and get him out of his commitment phobia. Because of his family, Vaughn is scared of commitment. But he really wants Bailey and after a few realizations, he's determined to win Bailey and show her he won't leave. Seeing as Bailey and Vaughn hate each other, their romance went from enemies to lovers in a delicious slow burn pace that amped up the chemistry they had.

Vaughn couldn’t remember a time when he’d been so lost in a woman. He felt this unsettling hum beneath his skin. This urgency. This desperation to claim Bailey Hartwell as his own like he really was a prehistoric caveman.

Every Little Thing was everything I hoped for and more. All the chemistry, hate, love, small-town, characters, and storyline were on point! Now, I'm really hoping the next book follows Emery and Jack. They need a book ASAP!!

I received an ARC from the publisher via mail for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.

The quiet town of Hartwell is the perfect place to get away from it all - and find what you never knew you needed . . . Bailey Hartwell has many reasons to feel content - her successful business, a close circle of friends and her steady boyfriend . . . even if their romance feels staid after ten years without a serious commitment. The only challenge in her life comes in the form of sexy businessman Vaughn Tremaine. She thinks the ex-New Yorker acts superior and that he considers her a small-town nobody. But when Bailey's blindsided by a betrayal, she's shocked to discover Vaughn is actually a decent guy. Vaughn admires Bailey's free spirit, independence and loyalty. As his passion for her has grown, his antagonism toward her has only worsened. Every little thing Bailey does seduces him. But when Vaughn's painful emotional past makes him walk away in fear he will hurt her, it opens an old wound in Bailey, and she uncharacteristically retreats. Once Vaughn begins to realise he's made the biggest mistake of his life, he has no choice but to fight like he's never fought before to convince Bailey that the love they've found together only comes around once in a lifetime . . .

Becky

This book was started during the mega book slump of 2017 so it took me a long while to finish and I feel bad about that. I did find myself excited to read it and actually wanted to make time to read it, though, so I deem that progress.

I loved Bailey and Vaughn in this one. In the first one you could tell they would have an awesome romance and it was pretty amazing. Their chemistry was off the charts really. I did find myself annoyed at Vaughn not wanting a relationship. Even after you get your explanation for why I was rolling my eyes and asking 'seriously?' because it was pretty damn illogical. I forgave him because he was in deep with. Bailey before he even realised and he was all in as soon as he pulled his head out of his ass.

I did find myself getting frustrated with Bailey as well. She was awesome and I thought it was great she was brash and outspoken in every day life and didn't let her feel bad about it even of others felt uncomfortable but then why was she such a scaredy baby over starting something with Vaughn? Sure, he hit a nerve with some of his comments but she recognises his issues so why was she being a dick about it? And when she almost settled again I was even more annoyed. She was frustrating bit I liked her.

I did find some of this book a little overly dramatic (I feel like the Devlin family belong in an Eastenders episode) but I can see the whole Devlin books playing out throughout the series so we'll see.

I really enjoyed the book. I cannot deny enjoying it even with the drama so I won't grumble too much.

I borrowed this from the library not long after reading a good review by Nick about the second book (I have a thing about order, ok) so I knew I needed to get reading this. It may have taken me 6 weeks to get around to reading it, but once I started I could hardly put it down.

This is the kind of romance read which is a bit angsty and dramatic (which could have been off-putting) but it was written so well that nothing could have put me off really. And the angsty and dramatic things were past events which stayed with Jess so really does that count as angst? 

It was this brilliant read about Jess fighting past demons and finding love when all she was really looking for is what she wanted in life. I think I loved the strength of Jess. She was a brilliant character who seemed to get overly emotional about some letters she found but was still totally bad ass with making a decision and going with it. Sure, she was scared often but she was so brave and I loved her.

And Cooper! That man would make any girl swoon. I really loved his character and although I didn't totally believe he'd gone through a lot of women after his divorce I did believe he was a man who went for what he wanted and stuck with those he loved. I adored him, he was perfect for Jess and their path together was just brilliant. ANd the chemistry! Let me tell you, they have chemistrynin buckets.

What really made the book was the town it was set in, though. Hartwell (or Hart's Boardwalk for some) was brilliant. Filled with plenty of folks I wanted to get to know better and who made this book so good. I wanted to know more about Cat, Cooper's sister who is a tad over protective, and about Iris and Ira and their daughter Ivy who doesn't even feature in the book but simply from the small amount mentioned of her I wanted more. And then there was Bailey who I loved her sexual tension with Vaughn. Don't even get me started on Jack who comes across as a bad guy but there is totally more story there. And how could I forget Emery. She has a whole heap of story too and I love that she's shy so she better get her own damn book because I can relate to blushing when you speak to people you don't know well (I do it all the time and I am not continually embarrassed) so yeah. I need her story.

Basically, it was love and I am making grabby hands for the second. I am glad I visited Hart's Boardwalk and you most definitely will too if you want a brilliant romance.

Cat Nunez 

Me encantó <3 desde el libro anterior quería saber como terminarían estos 2 y a pesar de todas las vueltas que se dieron me gustó su historia y conocer más de ellos.

New York Times Bestselling Author Samantha Young returns to Hart's Boardwalk in this emotional new story about taking chances and finding redemption... Nine years ago, Emery Saunders moved to Hartwell to start her life over as a bookstore owner. Her inability to trust people made it hard for her to find a place in the small community until Jessica Lawson moved to town and befriended the shy beauty. But there was one person in Hartwell who tried to befriend Emery long before Jessica arrived... Jack Devlin has his secrets. One of them is that he fell hard for Emery the moment she appeared in Hartwell. Another is that his father blackmailed him into covering up a dark family tragedy. It forced Jack to sever his relationships to protect the people he cared about. Yet, staying away from Emery has not been easy throughout the years and he hasn't always succeeded. When Jack's mixed signals hurt Emery once again, she puts him out of her heart for good. Until the Devlin family secret is finally revealed, freeing Jack from his father's machinations. What Jack wants more than anything is to repair his relationships, starting with Emery. However, Emery isn't ready to forgive and Jack's not ready to give up. And when the town's latest scandal ties Jack and Emery together, Jack is not above using their new reality to prove to Emery once and for all that their love is worthy of the legend of Hart's Boardwalk.

The Truest Thing (Hart's Boardwalk #4)

This was the perfect ending for the series. I wanted to read the story about Emery and Jack for a while now and I loved everything.

Emery always intrigued me, her shyness and why she blushed every time, but I loved her since I first read about her and I was dying to know how she met Jack and her story before she arrived to Hartwell.

I knew from the previous books that Jack was not the evil he wanted everything to think he was so I really enjoyed reading about his story with his family.

Jack and Emery were amazing together, she knew despite everything that he was a good person and he always tried to help her so they were perfect together. I loved reading how they met and how their story progressed throughout the book.

The epilogue was really fun too and I truly enjoyed reading about the previous couples and their own HEA’s.

ARC kindly provided by author, in exchange for an honest review.

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads.


I loved Samantha Young's On Dublin Street series and, since it ended, I've been waiting to see what she would give us next. I've been excited about The One Real Thing since I first read the blurb. I'm such a sucker for small town settings and this one sounded magical and romantic. And you know what? It was. 

I was totally wrapped up in this book from the first few pages. I loved Jessica. Her reasons for going to Hartwell might've been unconventional, but I enjoyed seeing how she and her life changed as a result of this trip. I know all about finding "home" in a place you never expected and about giving your life a little kickstart, so I felt like I really got her. And, let's be honest, I fell in love with pretty much everything about Hartwell, myself. From its romantic legend to its colorful characters to the setting in general, I adored it. I understood why Jessica did, too. Of course, Cooper played a part in that, even if Jessica didn't want to admit it in the beginning. He was so swoony. I'm not sure how Jessica was able to resist him as long as she did. But, that said, I loved how natural things were between them. Their chemistry was intense from the very start, but I still liked that they got to know each other and just ... became more. 

All that said, there were a lot of secrets being kept in this book. Neither Jessica nor Cooper were exactly forthcoming when it came to the messier parts of their pasts. To some extent, I got it. But there was always a part of me screaming internally because I didn't want to see them screw things up in the present over their pasts. With those secrets came plenty of twists, too. I'm not often legitimately surprised in romance novels, but I was here. 

I enjoyed this book so much. It was sexy and swoony as all get out. The small seaside town won me over – and so did most of its residents – and I can't wait to see more from both in the coming novels in this series. I'm already looking forward to Every Little Thing... Bailey and Vaughn FTW. Something tells me I might enjoy their story EVEN more. This was such a strong start to a great new series from a beloved author. I hope you'll pick this one up. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

FAVORITE QUOTES

  "If you're destined for true love, you'll find it on the boardwalk."

How the hell was I supposed to resist temptation if temptation had every intention of being irresistible?

"People can do extraordinary things to save the ones they love."

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads.


I'd been waiting to get my hands on Bailey and Vaughn's story since first being introduced to them and their antagonistic ways in The One Real Thing. I have a thing for antagonistic romances and I had pretty high hopes for theirs. Of course, Samantha Young delivered. But then, I shouldn't have expected anything else from her. There's a reason she's one of my favorite, auto-read authors. 

Samantha gave good enemy to lovers with Bailey and Vaughn. I thoroughly enjoyed the progression of their relationship throughout this book — bumps and all, and even when it gave me FEELS. There were plenty of bumps in their relationship, so there was also a fair bit of angst. It wasn't overdone though. It felt real to them and their story. Between her past and his stance on relationships, there was plenty to overcome. I was totally sucked in to the story, the swoons and the sexy times. I just loved it all! 

If you love small town romances, with their quirky characters, nosy neighbors and chill vibe, you need to be reading Samantha's Hart's Boardwalk series. You won't be disappointed. I know I'm already anxiously waiting on the next book in this series! 

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

"I bet you've thought about it. Fucking the hostile Princess of the Boardwalk into submission." 

"Alright, fine, sex with Vaughn was goddamn mind-blowing. Hate sex: who knew?"

Lisa ✩ @lifeinlit

3.5 stars!

Jessica has a rather interesting profession as a doctor in a prison. A job that takes a lot of compassion and patience, which Jessica has both of. She is, however, hiding a secret that has her struggling with parts of her life. She stumbles upon a set of love letters written to a man in a small town called Hartwell. When she realizes that the author of the letters passed away before she was able to send these letters to her lover, Jessica decides to take a trip to Hartwell herself in search of this man to deliver these letters to their rightful owner.

Cooper is your typical broken adorable man, owner of a local bar, who's broken and loved by every woman in the small town. (Yes, a bit cliche, but it didn't bother me too much.) Cooper is moving on after his ex cheated on him, yet when he meets Jessica there's an instant attraction that has him interested in getting to know her better.

“It’s never too late to change the road that you’re on.” 

Jessica and Cooper, despite their attraction being instant, took their sweet time building their bond and starting a relationship together. I love this type of drawn-out romance where the anticipation is part of the fun. I was eager to see what would come of these two and how their relationship would work, if at all.

I had a bit of an issue with the back and forth between the two points of view in this book. Jessica's POV was first person, while Cooper's was third person. While I LOVE dual points of view, the switch between first and third is something that I find to be quite irritating. (This is just a personal pet peeve of mine, so don't let it factor into your opinion of this book if you don't mind that kind of thing. For me, it was just a bit irritating to get used to.)

My favorite thing about this book was honestly the secondary characters. I absolutely adored Bailey, the owner of a Bed and Breakfast that Jessica meets upon her arrival at Hartwell. I'm so excited for her book next!! I loved quite a few of the other characters as well, and I was surprised by how thoroughly Samantha Young was able to introduce us to this huge cast of characters without it feeling like overkill. I understand completely that writing the first book in a series like this must have quite a bit involved. It's not only Jessica and Cooper that we're introduced to, but an entire cast, plus a new location. I have a feeling that the additional books in this series will be even more awesome since they will be able to focus a bit more on certain characters.

Small town romances often turn out to be my absolute favorites. I love reading about quaint little towns where everyone knows everyone's business. It's so entertaining! I actually grew up in a rather small town myself (nothing quite AS small as Hartwell though) and I love finding these settings in romances. Samantha Young went a wonderful way with this one too creating a setting and group of characters and we're instantly love. I'm definitely excited to see where this series goes from here!
 

  

 


A major plus for two narrators!! I often complain when books have two points of view and only one narrator, so I was very pleasantly surprised to see two narrators here. I enjoyed both of these narrators quite a bit, and I don't have a single complaint about their performances. Again, as mentioned above, I struggled with Jessica's POV being first person and Cooper's being third, as this is quite annoying for me, especially in an audiobook. I constantly felt like during Cooper's parts that he was talking about someone else, until I realized again that it was told in third person. Aside from that specific writing style that irks me, I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook!

(Thanks to Berkley for the review copy!)

Find this review and others like it at Lost in Literature!

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

First, I have to talk about the gorgeous cover of The One Real Thing!! The colors look so, so pretty together. Sunsets are always stunning, and I love that it’s a theme with the covers of the series. As for the book itself, TORT is a good introduction to Hart’s Boardwalk, but I can’t say that I loved it or connected all that well with it. This book might not be for everyone, but I see the potential this series has, and I’m still very much looking forward to the upcoming books.

Small-town romances are usually a hit or miss for me, but TORT lies somewhere in the middle. While I adored the tight-knit community and all of the secondary characters, I just didn’t connect with the main characters at all. Jessica and Cooper didn’t feel unique, and though their romance was sweet, it was too slow and underwhelming. Nothing about them particularly sparked – that being said, it sounds like I hated them, but I truly didn’t. They were just OKAY, but they did grow on me near the end of the novel.

I struggled with a big chunk of the middle of the book – I’d find myself skimming because things just weren’t moving along fast enough for me. Of course, if you’re a fan of the author (her On Dublin Street series is amazing) and you have a lot of patience, I’d definitely recommend giving this book a try.

TORT is a great introduction to the series and its characters. I’m excited to read more about the rest of Hart’s Boardwalk’s quirky inhabitants – shy Emery, volatile Vaughn and Bailey, and even Cooper’s ex-best friend. I have high hopes that the series will continue to grow and get better. This is Samantha Young, after all!

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

Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/1TFTDfc
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/29a7ZmJ
Audible: http://amzn.to/2cOhGP2

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Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

After being introduced to Bailey and Vaughn in The One Real Thing, I had such high hopes for their story – their banter, their chemistry, and the love-to-hate-you vibes had me READY for their book. TORT wasn’t my favorite Samantha Young book, so I was still hesitant to see how she would continue this small-town romance series, but she really stepped up her game in Every Little Thing. This was the book that I had been waiting for when she announced her new series, and I have to say that I’m completely in love with Hartwell and its inhabitants now. If you love close-knit towns, slow burns, and enemies to lovers in your romances, you definitely want to give Every Little Thing a try!

The man I thought I might have been waiting for my whole life.
All this time he’d been standing right in front of me, wearing a suit and a sexy-ass smirk.

After her boyfriend of ten years cheats on her, Bailey is left floundering, unsure of what to do as a thirty-four year old single woman. She had dreams of being married, having the husband and kids, but all of that is up in the air now. But she finds the strength in herself to recognize that she’s an incredible, sexy, independent woman who owns the town inn, has great friends, and is capable of winning any man she wants. But the only man she does want these days is a man she doesn’t even like – Vaughn Tremaine, a rich businessman who breezed into town a few years ago and seems to have made Hartwell his home. Bailey and Vaughn got off on the wrong start, and their relationship has only nosedived from their. They can’t seem to see each other without insulting each other – but when Vaughn ends up saving Bailey one night, she decides to seduce the gorgeous man to see what’s really underneath his cold exterior.

He loved Bailey Hartwell, and it was time to decide whether he could push past his own fears and take what he wanted, or finally let go.

To say Vaughn has issues would be an understatement. He’s a commitment-phobe, and as much as he wants Bailey, as much as he LOVES her, he can’t give her what she wants – the happy family – because he knows he’ll just hurt her in the end. It takes him a while to realize that Bailey Hartwell just might be the best thing that ever happened to him, and it’ll take him a hell of a fight to win her heart. But Vaughn is nothing if determined to win the woman he was meant for.

I adored Every Little Thing SO much! The small-town vibes were absolutely perfect here – Samantha Young did an incredible job of bringing Hartwell to life. Bailey and Vaughn had the most delicious enemies-to-lovers romance – they love to hate and hate to love each other. There’s a little angst, some jealousy, a mountain of chemistry that can’t be ignored, and underneath it all, a love that was slow to grow but once it did, it grew to epic proportions. Every Little Thing was a lovely read. I’m so invested in the story and characters now, and I’m hoping there will be so many more books in the series!

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me a copy to review.

Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/2cg733S
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/2cMHG9t
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It’s been a long time coming for Emery and Jack. When they were first introduced in the Hart’s Boardwalk series, I knew I need their romance asap. It’s been a few years, but The Truest Thing is finally here and it was just as angsty and tortured like I expected! Though book three, Things We Never Said, is still my favorite of the series, I’m so glad we get to read this much awaited story and would highly recommend it for longtime fans of the series.

Emery moved to the small boardwalk town of Hartwell nine years ago to open a bookstore/coffee shop. She was insanely shy around others and never made any friends, at least not until the heroine from book one moved in, but from the moment she met Jack, a local resident, there was something there between them. Unfortunately, the town player who never wanted to settle down and the new shy, awkward resident meant that neither could come forward and act on their chemistry. To make matters worse, a few years later Jack turned his back on his friends and the community to work with his evil, heartless father. But through it all, Emery saw who Jack was deep down and never stopped rooting for him.

Usually, this kind of dynamic – the town manwhore hero and the shy virgin heroine – doesn’t work for me. It’s not my favorite thing to read in romances, but somehow Samantha Young made it work. I never really hated Jack for all the hurtful things he did, though I do feel like he could’ve groveled a bit more to Emery. Emery didn’t come across as a pushover and I was rooting for her to find her inner strength and go after what she wanted. I enjoyed the way these two characters finally were able to be together, though it’s certainly not an easy road. The nine years they’ve known each other have been fraught with drama, hurt, and heartache, but we all know that Jack and Emery are everything to each other.

I love this cast of characters Samantha Young has created and am so sad to say goodbye to them. I love the small town community and the setting of Hartwell, which is brought to life through the author’s writing. For anyone who has been waiting for Emery and Jack, wait no more. It’s an angsty, emotional, and steamy final book to the series!

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.

Jessica is a doctor at a women’s correctional facility. She has thrown her life all into working, with a little added bonus on the side. But she never does something to enjoy herself. After finding some old letters inside the spine of a book, she decides she should take a trip to Hartwell and deliver the letters to the person intended. What she doesn't expect is to fall in love with the town and the very welcoming people.

I absolutely loved the feel of the small town. Everyone is so close to each other! The only down side is everyone knows your business, but I'd love to live in this place. Not only are they neighbors or people they know. They are like family. I love these type of books. Something I always remember is the setting, especially when it involves a tight-knit group of people living in a small town.

"I feel at peace here."

Cooper and Jessica had an instant attraction to one another, but Jess had her friend with benefits so she didn't act on anything. Both started a friendship that slowly started to blossom. Let me tell you, I was falling hard for these two. Their chemistry is explosive and it keeps growing as their romance develops.

How the hell was I supposed to resist temptation if temptation had every intention of being irresistible?

Cooper is a great male character. He's so attentive and caring! The moments he showed his vulnerability melted my insides. Not only was he good to Jess, he was amazing to everyone in town. He was a true gentleman and I loved that about him.

Jess is a wonderful woman who always puts the needs of others before her own. When she arrives at the town, she's welcomed with open friends and makes friends almost instantly. It is then that she realizes everything she has missed out of life.

My problem with this story was the impending conflict. I felt like it could have been handled entirely different. It definitely brought a lot of emotions to the story, but it took too long for this to happened. One of the characters was very guarded and should have opened up without second guessing. Another thing that bothered me a little was the change of POV's. Jess' point of view was in first person, which I was thankful for, whereas Cooper's was written as third point of view.

I'm so looking forward to the next novel in this series. I won't think twice in picking it up since it will have one of the couples that I fell so hard for in this first book! That book will be something else and I can't wait for it!

Overall, The One Real Thing is a charming story filled with amazing, loving characters with a wonderful setting. Despite my two minor issues, I recommend this novel to all romance lovers out there!

I received an eARC from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.

This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.

Ever since I read about Bailey and Vaughn in 
  The One Real Thing
, I had been highly anticipating their book! My exact words were "I’m so looking forward to the next novel in this series. I won’t think twice about picking it up since it will have one of the couples that I fell so hard for in this first book! That book will be something else and I can’t wait for it!" I already had a feeling Every Little Thing was going to be great and it totally was!

"You’re looking a little stressed there, Bailey. Anything I can do to help?"
"Sterilization," I quipped.
"Huh?"
"My point exactly. Good-bye." I wiggled my fingers at them, gesturing them to move along.

After finding her boyfriend of 10 years cheating on her, Bailey isn't sure how to be a 34-year-old single woman. Despite that, she moves on with the help of her friends and her independence. Unfortunately, her sights and heart are set on Vaughn Tremaine, someone she knows she should stay away from. Years ago, someone like him broke her heart and she can't risk that type of heartbreak again. Vaughn is a very rich businessman who had no plans in staying at Hartwell, but he fell in love with the small town and so he decided to stay. Somehow, Vaughn and Bailey started off on the wrong foot and now, all they do is banter and insult each other. It wasn't until Bailey was in danger and Vaughn saved her that their insults lowered and the chemistry grew even more.

The man I thought I might have been waiting for my whole life.
All this time he’d been standing right in front of me, wearing a suit and a sexy-ass smirk.

I loved Bailey even more in this book. She's fierce, strong, independent, caring, loving, and doesn't let anybody walk over her. Any situation thrown her away, she handles it with grace and with a side of badass. She's definitely the only woman able to tame Vaughn and get him out of his commitment phobia. Because of his family, Vaughn is scared of commitment. But he really wants Bailey and after a few realizations, he's determined to win Bailey and show her he won't leave. Seeing as Bailey and Vaughn hate each other, their romance went from enemies to lovers in a delicious slow burn pace that amped up the chemistry they had.

Vaughn couldn’t remember a time when he’d been so lost in a woman. He felt this unsettling hum beneath his skin. This urgency. This desperation to claim Bailey Hartwell as his own like he really was a prehistoric caveman.

Every Little Thing was everything I hoped for and more. All the chemistry, hate, love, small-town, characters, and storyline were on point! Now, I'm really hoping the next book follows Emery and Jack. They need a book ASAP!!

I received an ARC from the publisher via mail for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.

The Real Thing

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