Heatherly Bell

I really liked how this wasn't just a love story between Charley and Dylan, but also about two sisters Charley and Milly reconnecting, along with Charley finally coming to terms with the past and finding her place in life. Charley frustrated me at times and made me feel sorry for both Milly and Dylan, but I also got why she kept trying to work out ways to leave where as Milly and Dylan along with her other friends and townsfolk want her to stay. You get plenty of laughs along with eye show more rolling moments, awkward moments, loveable characters including the townsfolk and a town legend about sunset, kissing and true love. I can not wait for the next book in this series.

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Jackson has returned home to Stone Ridge only due to his older brother Lincoln getting married, he knows Eve his ex fiancé who left him at the alter is in the wedding but what he doesn't expect or want is for her to be staying at his families home looking after his granny Lillian. There is plenty of tension when they are in close proximity and we learn more of not only why Eve left, but also what has happened to them over the last eight years and it's not pretty for either of them show more especially Eve. I was totally team Lillian while reading this book, I knew there was lots for Eve and Jackson to work through but if that love that was simmering under the surface was strong enough they could make it work, although I have to say I got really disappointed in Jackson at one stage as he was so selfish. I enjoyed seeing Lincoln and Sadie again as well as learning more of what Hanks up to as well as where things might be heading for Daisy, but someone from Jacksons past has also come to town and to be honest I really don't like them, hopefully they turn out to be nicer than what I think so far!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. show less

A bar. Too many mojitos. A soldier shipping out the next day. It all leads up to a one night stand for Jill. She’s thought about “Chris” in the past three years, usually as a way to rate her dates since him. Now, she’s thrown herself into building an outdoor adventure business that give veterans valid employment. Her first employee is Sam Hawker, or Chris as she knew him. They’d both given fake names.

Sam couldn’t believe he’d found her. He knew Angelina wasn’t her name but show more they never exchanged their real names. All he knew was how grateful he was. Her memory helped pull him through some horrible times in the war. Now, he suffers from PTSD & doesn’t want to tell her about it. He admires what she’s doing. The chemistry between them is still there but he’d have to admit what’s going on if they get involved.

I enjoyed this story. Ms. Bell managed to perfectly describe their interactions so that you could feel their emotions. The characters, especially Sam, manage to tug on your heart & keep you involved in the story. It’s a different way to raise awareness of the issues our vets grapple with when they come home. The story may be fiction but you know the issues are real. show less

Good friends to lovers story. Noah and Twyla have been best friends for most of their lives. Their connection is evident to everyone around them, many of whom insist the two are in love. But Noah and Twyla insist they are just friends because each fears losing that bond. Complicating matters, Twyla briefly dated Noah's brother, Will, before he died in a boating accident.

Noah's grief over Will's death, the guilty feelings he has over not being able to save him, and his complex relationship show more with Will drove him away from town, looking for a new start as a firefighter. But a narrow escape brings him back to town and Twyla. He's ready to follow his dream of running his own boating business, but will he find the courage to tell Twyla how he feels?

Twyla runs her family bookstore and pines for Noah. She's kept her feelings for Noah to herself because he shows no interest in being anything more. She's tried dating, but none can hold a candle to Noah. Meanwhile she throws herself heart and soul into keeping the bookstore going and fending off her friends' matchmaking attempts.

I enjoyed watching Noah and Twyla's relationship develop, though there were times when I wanted to knock their heads together. Their feelings for each other grow stronger, but denial is a long-standing habit that is hard to overcome. Complicating matters, Noah's guilty feelings make him feel unworthy of Twyla, so that's one more thing that holds him back. I loved seeing the lights finally go on and they realize they'd been in love for a long time. There are still some obstacles to overcome, but love, patience, and communication win the day.

I loved the bookstore setting. As a bookaholic and former bookseller, it was easy to relate to Twyla. From the poetry club and costume party to receiving book shipments, I felt like I was in the shop with her. I worried with her over the bookstore's financial woes and rooted for her to win the angel investor prize.

I also enjoyed the secondary characters. The Almost Dead Poets Society always makes me smile. I loved seeing Noah settle into his new business and deal with his inherited employees. I especially liked the ultra-cool T and his variety of T-shirts. show less