Tag Archives: Samantha Chase

#Resort Crush (Lakeview Harbor 4) by Samantha Chase-review

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#Resort Crush (Lakeview Harbor 4) by Samantha Chase-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 26, 2026

He lives by schedules, spreadsheet and always knowing what’s next.
She lives for trails, takeoffs, and the thrill of what comes next.

Nora Wilder is always looking for her next thrill, so when she lands a job as an adventure guide at the Lakeview Harbor Resort, it finally feels like she’s found a place where she belongs. Except what seemed like a dream job quickly goes south after a series of run-ins with one of the resort’s owners threatens the future she’s building.

Investing in the resort where he met his closest friends made perfect sense to Milo Keene. But for someone who lives for spreadsheets, participating in any of the resort’s outdoor activities is more than a little outside his comfort zone. And that’s not even counting the resort’s newest adventure guide who seems determined to terrorize him.

Milo’s survival instincts are screaming at him to stay away from Nora. But when she unexpectedly comes to his rescue—and Milo admits that he maybe, possibly has feelings for her—what started as a crush might turn into the adventure neither saw coming.

•••••

REVIEW: #RESORT CRUSH is the fourth instalment in Samantha Chase’s contemporary, adult LAKEVIEW HARBOR romance series focusing on a tight know group of friends and investors: Axel, Connor Winslowe, Walker Bradshaw and Harlow, Jayce, Kelsey, Milo and Slater .This is IT specialist Milo Keene, and tour guide / events coordinator Nora Wilder’s story line. #RESORT CRUSH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: Walker Bradshaw’s family owner LAKEVIEW HARBOR RESORT has sat in disrepair for years. Along with his friends Axel, Connor, Milo, Slater, Walker has reinvested in his grandparents Lakeview Harbor Resort, in the hopes of reestablishing to its’ former glory. These are their stories.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Milo and Nora) #RESORT CRUSH follows the building but tempestuous relationship between IT specialist Milo Keene, and resort tour guide and events coordinator Nora Wilder. For weeks Milo and Nora have been less than friendly towards one another but Nora’s attitude is threatening her position Lakeview Harbor Resort. A trail walk by himself ends with Milo the object of a search and rescue wherein he will tell Nora exactly how he feels. Time spent together, dinners and late night talks will end with Milo must return to his office,leaving a heart broken Nora behind.

The world building follows Nora as she navigates the trails and the tourists on her daily tours, while Milo must come to a decision regarding the woman with whom he is falling in love, and the business that made him a millionaire.

The relationship between Nora and Milo begins acrimoniously with Nora as the aggressor. Often rude and belligerent, Nora confronts Milo Keene, making his life miserable but the threat of losing her job, forces Nora to review her behavior and the man she is often targeting.Milo struggles with his attraction to our story line heroine, and when forced to keep their distance, Milo ventures off on his own,only to find himself on the receiving end of Nora’s attentions. There are no $ex scenes.

The secondary and supporting characters are energetic and interesting. We are reintroduced to Axel and Maisie, Connor and Lexi, Slater, Walker and Harlow.

#RESORT CRUSH is a story of friendships and choices, relationships and love. The character driven premise is entertaining and engaging; the romance is charming and sweet; the characters are charismatic and determined.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Twitter / Website / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Bookbub /

Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than seventy titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 30 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

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#Resort Bliss (Lakeview Harbor 3) by Samantha Chase-review tour

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#Resort Bliss (Lakeview Harbor 3) by Samantha Chase-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 24, 2026

Fifteen years ago, he broke her heart.
Now he might be the only thing that can save her.

Lexi Scott never imagined rock bottom could feel like a fresh start—but Lakeview Harbor might just be her second chance. With nowhere else to turn, she returns to the resort of her childhood—a place full of memories… and the boy who once promised her forever.

Connor Winslowe has finally built a life on his own terms: a thriving career, a devoted daughter, and freedom from his family’s control. But seeing Lexi again stirs old guilt… and old sparks.

Working side by side forces them to confront the past, remember the friendship beneath the heartbreak, and question if fifteen years of lost time could still lead to a second chance at love.

••••

REVIEW:#RESORT BLISS is the third instalment in Samantha Chase’s contemporary, adult LAKEVIEW HARBOR romance series focusing on a tight know group of friends and investors: Axel, Connor Winslowe, Walker Bradshaw and Harlow, Jayce, Kelsey, Milo and Slater .This is chef and single father Connor Winslowe, and PA and single mother Lexi Scott’s second chance story line. #RESORT BLISS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: Walker Bradshaw’s family owner LAKEVIEW HARBOR RESORT has sat in disrepair for years. Along with his friends Axel, Connor, Milo, Slater, Walker has reinvested in his grandparents Lakeview Harbor Resort, in the hopes of reestablishing to its’ former glory. These are their stories.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Connor and Lexi) #RESORT BLISS follows the rekindling romance and relationship between our story line couple . Fifteen years earlier Connor Winslowe was forced to walk away from the girl he loved, a girl deemed not worthy of the Winslowe name. Fast forward to present day, Connor, now the head chef at Lakeview Harbor Resort comes face to face with the woman whose heart he destroyed, a woman desperate enough to take a job that may place her in the direct line of fire. Both having married and divorced, Lexi is determined to keep her distance from Connor, but Connor is determined to prove he is worthy of a second chance.

The world building focuses on preparations for Lakeview Harbor Resort grand re-opening, as each investor finds their own love and happiness but Connor’s family is determined to keep our couple apart, even if it means destroying the family in the process.

The relationship between Connor and Lexi is one of second chances; a rebuilding romance and relationship predicated up a previous betrayal, arrogance, entitlement and pretension. Lexi struggled in the years that follow, never believing herself to be worthy enough of the man she once loved. The are no $ex scenes, everything is implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, determined and strong-willed secondary and supporting characters including Lexi’s best friend Kelsey, Axel, Connor, Walker Bradshaw and Harlow, Jayce, Milo and Slater, and the introduction of tour guide Nora, Lexi’s son Jonah , and Connor’s daughter Harlow.

#RESORT BLISS is a story of betrayal and entitlement, family and relationships, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is entertaining and captivating; the romance is subtle; the characters are desperate ,apologetic and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Twitter / Website / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Bookbub /

Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than seventy titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 30 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

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#Resort Fling (Lakeview Harbor 2) by Samantha Chase-review tour

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#Resort Fling (Lakeview Harbor 2) by Samantha Chase-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 20, 2026

Maisie Quinn is on the run. Sort of.

Desperate to escape her overbearing family and an arranged marriage to the absolute worst man, Maisie only has one month to prove to everyone she can make it on her own. When she finds out the Lakeview Harbor Resort is looking for an interior designer, she jumps at the chance. Not only has interior design always been her dream, but it’ll give her the freedom she desperately wants. She just can’t let on just how desperate she is…or who her family is. And it would all be fine if not for a rogue turtle and a storm completely derailing her plans—what’s a little breaking and entering to seek shelter when it already feels like your life is falling apart?

Axel Hayes is living his best life. Finally.

After years spent forced to be on his own, Axel is finally a part of something big and has found purpose helping his best friends bring the Lakeview Harbor Resort back to life. He might not have the same kind of money as his friends, but he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty and do a little manual labor. When he’s tasked with hiring an interior designer, he’s determined not to let anyone down. But when the last applicant shows up late and he catches her trying to break into the resort, he’s torn. Her designs are perfect, but can he trust someone who was trying to break and enter?

When the storm leaves Maisie and Axel stranded at the resort, falling into bed together feels like the best way to pass the time—who doesn’t love a weekend fling? But when the storm clears and Axel discovers who Maisie really is, he’ll have to decide what matters more—that she lied or that she could be his chance at the future he never thought he could have.

•••••

REVIEW:#RESORT FLING is the second instalment in Samantha Chase’s contemporary, adult LAKEVIEW HARBOR romance series focusing on a tight know group of friends and investors: Axel, Connor Winslowe, Walker Bradshaw and Harlow, Milo and Slater. This is construction worker Axel Hayes, and twenty-seven year old designer Maisie Quinnland’s story line. #RESORT FLING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: Walker Bradshaw’s family owner LAKEVIEW HARBOR RESORT has sat in disrepair for years. Along with his friends Axel, Connor, Milo, Slater, Walker has reinvested in his grandparents Lakeview Harbor Resort, in the hopes of reestablishing to its’ former glory. These are their stories.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Maisie and Axel) #RESORT FLING focuses on Maisie Quinn’s arrival at Lakeview Harbor Resort in Harbortown, where she is to be interviewed for a position as the interior designer but a missed appointment, a storm, and the rescue of a turtle find Maise struggling to prove she is worthy of the job. From the outset Axel Hayes is immediately attracted to the woman who is keeping secrets but several days and nights spent together ends with misunderstanding, and the revelations that Maise’s secrets send Axel into a downward spiral.

The world building follows several pathways including the building romance and relationship, Maise’s plans for the Lakeview Harbor Resort, and the dysfunctional family dynamics that found our heroine on the run.

The relationship between Maise and Axel begins acrimoniously due in part to a myriad of misunderstandings and misconceptions but Maise is keeping a secret, that if discovered, may threaten any chance with our story line hero. There are no $ex scenes, everything is implied.

Once again, we are reintroduced to several investors including Connor and Harlow, Milo, Walker and Slater using face to face and online group texts, as well as the introduction of Maise’s parents Dominique and Alexander Quinnland, and Bryce Chadsworth.

#RESORT FLING is a story of secrets and misunderstanding, family and relationships, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is thought provoking and entertaining; the romance is passionate; the characters are determined and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Twitter / Website / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Bookbub /

Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than seventy titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 30 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

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#Resort Love (Lakeview Harbor 1) by Samantha Chase-review tour

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#Resort Love (Lakeview Harbor 1) by Samantha Chase-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 9, 2025

He’s the reason she’ll never accomplish her biggest goal.
If only he wasn’t also pure temptation and impossible to resist.

Walker Bradshaw has a vision for the Lakeview Harbor Resort—bring his grandparents’ old property back to life and make it bigger, better and more luxurious than ever before, all with the help of his best friends. He just needs one night for himself before diving headfirst into the project. A chance encounter with a beautiful stranger that leads to a night of pure bliss is just what he wanted. Only he’s surprised to discover the beautiful stranger who disappeared before the sun came up is none other than the pushy real estate agent who’s been trying to get his grandparents to sell the resort for years.

Harlow St. James is nothing if not a passionate person—just ask her about the wild night of passion she spent with a handsome stranger. And when it comes to her career, that passion is matched only by her determination. When she learns there might be a new owner at the Lakeview Harbor Resort, she’s ready to march up there and convince them to finally let her list and sell the resort. But those plans all go sideways when she discovers the new owner is none other than her one-night stand.

There’s no way Walker is selling the resort and there’s no way Harlow is going to let him turn the rustic lake resort into a luxurious retreat. One argument leads to another until their explosive chemistry makes them fall into bed together again. And again. Agree to disagree becomes their motto, but when the tables turn and Harlow becomes the obstacle standing in Walker’s way, he has to wonder if she’s been planning her payback all along.

••••••

REVIEW:#RESORT LOVE is the first instalment in Samantha Chase’s contemporary, adult LAKEVIEW HARBOR romance series focusing on a group of friends who own and work Lakeview Harbor Resort. This is Walker Bradshaw, and real estate agent Harlow St. James’ story line.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Walker and Harlow) #RESORT LOVE follows in the wake of the return of Walker Bradshaw to Lakeview Harbor, and the family owned Lakeview Harbor Inn, which has sat in disrepair for several years. Along with his friends Axel, Connor, Milo, Slater, Jayce, and Kelsey, Walker Bradshaw has reinvested in his grandparents Lakeview Harbor Resort, in the hopes of reestablishing to its’ former glory but Walker has bigger plans for the property. Meanwhile, local realtor Harlow St. James is hoping to find a buyer for the apparently abandoned property but the owners refuse to budge, and Harlow is completely unaware of the owner’s plans for the future. A one-night stand ends with our couple discovering the truth about one another, and in the ensuing weeks, miscommunication and misunderstanding lead to the fall-out of their growing love.

The world building follows in the wake of the arrival of Walker and his investor friends, as they begins repairs and renovations of the Lakeview Harbor Resort but not everyone is happy with the direction of the rebuild, and the intentions of Walker Bradshaw, and in this, our hero become persona non grata to our story line heroine.

The relationship between Walker and Harlow begins as a one-night stand that quickly begins to spiral in the face of secrets revealed but Walker is hoping to for something more until a perceived betrayal threatens any future between our story line couple. There are no $ex scenes, everything is implied.

We are introduced to Harlow’s boss Charlene; Walker’s grandmother Peggy Bradshaw, as well as Walkers’ friends aka investors: Axel, Connor, Mil, Slater, Jayce and Kelsey.

#RESORT LOVE is a story of family and friendships, secrets and perceived betrayal, relationships and love. The character driven premise is captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Twitter / Website / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Bookbub /

Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than seventy titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 30 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

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Choosing You (The Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge 6) by Samantha Chase

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🩵Choosing You (The Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge 6) by Samantha Chase-review tour🩵

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 20, 2025

hey’ve been in an intimate relationship for three years.
They’ve just never met.

Will Campbell has been in an interesting relationship for the last three years—with a woman he doesn’t know. Every time he’s worked the kissing booth at a Sweetbriar Ridge festival, he’s been kissed by the same mysterious woman. It’s the same thing every time—a steamy kiss that leaves you wanting more and then a disappearing act. But this year? He vows to stop her and convince her to do more than just kiss and run.

Being mysterious is fun, but Sloane Donovan is tired of the kiss and run game she’s been playing for years. It might have all started as a dare, but now she wants more. Now that her sister is Sweetbriar Ridge’s newest resident, she has even more reasons to visit, and she vows that at the next festival she won’t run away after the kiss. But maybe she doesn’t have to wait until a festival to find the sexy man who kisses like a dream. Maybe she can just drive around Sweetbriar Ridge until she finds him.

With the next festival on the horizon, Will has a plan. But that plan goes out the window when he unexpectedly runs into his mystery woman. This time, he’s determined not to let her get away, so he does the only thing he can think of—kiss her. And he keeps kissing, hoping she’ll choose to give them a real chance.

••••••

REVIEW:CHOOSING YOU is the sixth instalment in Samantha Chase’s contemporary, adult THE DONOVANS: SWEETBRIAR RIDGE romance series, a spin off from the author’s THE DONOVANS. This is social media manager Sloane Donovan, and auto mechanic Will Campbell’s story line. CHOOSING YOU can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Sloane and Will) CHOOSING YOU follows the building romance and relationship between Sloane and Will. For approximately three years, Will Campbell has searched for the woman he met and has kissed in the kissing booth at Sweetbriar Ridge Festival but the mystery woman constantly kisses and runs. Having checked in with all of the people and town gossips of Sweetbriar Ridge, no one was able to help in locating the mystery woman but a chance drive by finds Will coming face to face with the woman who has stolen his heart. Sloane Donovan is playing a game of kiss and tag but refuses to settle down and reveal the truth. Sloane’s large extended family lives and works in Sweetbriar Ridge but Sloane has remained in Florida, hoping for business success until falling for a man she meets a few times per year. Without knowing one another’s names, Will continues to search until the day Sloane returns to Sweetbriar Ridge.

The world building follows the building relationship between Will and Sloane, as each struggles with their place in the world. Will struggles with the gossip and rumor mill perpetuated by the family he believes controls the town; and Sloane’s hatred of everything cars, threatens her ability to open to heart. Having watched her siblings and cousins find love and family, Sloane battles between head and heart, refusing to relive the rejection she has felt all of her life.

The relationship between Sloane and Will begins at a kissing booth, and continues off and on for close to three years. Never knowing one another’s names, Will is desperate enough to go in search of the woman with whom he will fall in love, a woman who apparently does not want to be caught. There are no $ex scenes, everything is implied.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of quirky and colorful secondary and supporting characters most of whom are related to the Donovan Dynasty, and have met in the previous instalments.

CHOOSING YOU is a story of family and friendships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is spirited and engaging; the romance is sweet; the characters are sassy.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Loving You
Teasing You
Wanting You
Seeing You

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Twitter / Website / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Bookbub /

Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than seventy titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 30 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

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Craving You (The Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge 5) by Samantha Chase

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Craving You (The Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge 5) by Samantha Chase-Review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March

A sexy weekend fling at a wedding.
That’s all it was supposed to be.
And it was, until two little pink lines appeared.

Hailey Donovan was never impulsive. Well, until that weekend at her cousin’s wedding when she met the most attractive man she’d ever seen. They danced, they flirted, and at the end of the night, she threw caution to the wind and agreed to spend the weekend with him. It was never supposed to be more than that—it made no sense to keep in touch when they lived a thousand miles apart. A positive pregnancy test and a mild panic attack later, she kind of wishes they’d stayed in touch. As if that wasn’t enough, turns out her baby-daddy-to-be is her cousin’s new brother-in-law. Things are about to get extremely complicated.

Everything in Max Calloway’s life is coming up roses. Sort of. He was currently living above his brother’s garage, but the expansion of his cybersecurity business and investing in the family bar was going to help change that. And if that wasn’t enough, he’d had the most exciting weekend of his life with a beautiful woman. It’s just too bad he hadn’t been able to convince her to stay in touch. But his luck must really be turning because Hailey’s coming back to Sweetbriar Ridge for a visit, and he’s determined to get her to give them a chance.

Then she tells him he’s going to be a father.

They may be doing things a little out of order, but Max doesn’t let that stand in his way. He’s determined to prove to her that what they have is real. But first Hailey needs to learn to trust that what’s happening between them is more than just a craving.

••••

REVIEW:CRAVING YOU is the fifth instalment in Samantha Chase’s contemporary, adult THE DONOVANS: SWEETBRIAR RIDGE romance series, a spin off from the author’s THE DONOVANS. This is nutritionist and yoga instructor Hailey Donovan, and cybersecurity expect and bartender Max Calloway’s story line. CRAVING YOU can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Max and Hailey) CRAVING YOU follows in the wake of a one-night stand between nutritionist and yoga instructor Hailey Donovan, and cybersecurity expect and bartender Max Calloway. A one night stand with the groom’s brother at her cousin’s wedding resulted in an unexpected pregnancy for our story line heroine. Hoping for a smooth reveal, Hailey drove five hours to confront the man with whom she would fall in love. Max Calloway is at a crossroads. Having recently sold his house to move to Sweetbriar Ridge to help his ailing father John, Max is living above his brother’s garage, rethinking his plans for the future until the arrival of Hailey Donovan pulls Max in another direction, potential husband and father.

The world building follows the rekindling relationship between Max and Hailey, as Hailey struggles with not only with her pregnancy but a new start with our story line hero. Max is all in; is hoping for marriage and family but Hailey is mistrusting in the face of a prior betrayal.

The relationship between Hailey and Max is one of second chances-of a sort. A one-night stand quickly turns into something more, and Max is determined to prove they are worthy of their own happily ever after. There are no $ex scenes, everything is implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of pushy but well meaning secondary and supporting characters, most of whom we have met in the previous story lines. We are reintroduced to Marcus and Billie (Seeing You), Hailey’s sister Sloane, and their high-handed, in your face yet over protective parents Bridget and Kevin Donovan, Billie’s siblings Jade, Ashly and Chloe, and Max’s father John. I was struggling to like Bridget and Kevin, because of their verbal and emotional attack against our story line heroine.

CRAVING YOU is a story of family and friendships, acceptance and mistrust, relationships and love. The premise is engaging and captivating but the Donovan family dynamics can be overwhelming. The characters are energetic; the romance is fated and seductive.

 

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Loving You
Teasing You
Wanting You
Seeing You

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Twitter / Website / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Bookbub /

Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than seventy titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 30 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

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Seeing You (The Donovans:Sweetbriar Ridge 4) by Samantha Chase

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Seeing You (The Donovans:Sweetbriar Ridge 4) by Samantha Chase-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 28, 2025

She walked away and spent years wondering what could have been.
He’s hated her from the moment she walked away from their future.
They thought they needed closure. But maybe what they need is a second chance.

Billie Donovan was so close to having it all. But years ago, she was forced to walk away from Marcus Calloway, choosing her family over their shared future. Since then, she’s accepted that she’s just not meant to have the happy ending she’s seen all her siblings find. Her family is happy and that’s all that’s ever mattered. But when Marcus walks back into her life, Billie is forced to finally face the choices she made all those years ago.

But not before she smashes a muffin in his face when he unexpectedly walks into her bakery.

Marcus has spent years hating the woman he once vowed to love forever, and he felt righteous in that anger because she tore their world apart. When he’s forced to return to Sweetbriar Ridge to help care for his ailing father, he’s shocked to find Billie running the local bakery. They had been a financial dynamic duo all those years ago—building an empire that would guarantee them a life of luxury. So why was she just a lowly baker?

A question that earned him a face full of muffin.

They both swore they needed closure, but what should have been a simple conversation awakened old passions. Suddenly, Marcus isn’t as eager to leave Sweetbriar Ridge, and Billie must decide if she’s prepared to give her heart to a man who doesn’t always see who she really is.

••••••

REVIEW: SEEING YOU is the fourth instalment in Samantha Chase’s contemporary, adult SWEETBRIAR RIDGE: THE DONOVANS romance series-a spin off from the author’s THE DONOVANS series. This is financial advisor Marcus Calloway, and bakery owner Billie Donovan’s story line. SEEING YOU can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Billie and Marcus) SEEING YOU follows the rekindling but contemptuous relationship between financial advisor Marcus Calloway, and bakery owner Billie Donovan. Billie and Marcus were teenaged sweethearts, both successful financial advisors in DC, but ten years earlier, Billie walked away from a future with Marcus, returning home to Sweetbriar Ridge, in the hopes of finding some peace and happiness with her life. Fast forward to present day, Marcus returns to Sweetbriar Ridge in the face of his father’s age and illness, coming up close and personal with the woman he once loved, only to receive a face full of muffin from an angry Billie Donovan when he suggests working as a baker was beneath her education and status. Desperate to convince our heroine she should leave town and return with him, Marcus finds himself the villain in a town where all of the support goes to the woman he once loved.

The world building focuses on the back and forth between our story line couple. Billie wants to stay in Sweetbriar Ridge where she is happy and has established her own business but Billie wants her own happily ever after and she doesn’t see it with Marcus, in the his stakes world of finance. Marcus is a snob; likes expensive things and often looks down on those he consider beneath his worth, and in this, most of the people in Sweetbriar Ridge, consider Marcus a non-entity, and would prefer he left for good.

The relationship between Marcus and Billie is one of second chances; a rekindling romance that continues to struggle with dual futures, dual aims, dual beliefs, and constant misunderstanding and misdirection. Marcus wants Billie to move back to DC but Billie has found peace in small town living. There are no $ex scenes, everything is implied.

The secondary and supporting characters include several of the previous story line couples and characters including; Billie’s siblings Levi and his wife Jade, Ashlyn, and Chloe; who all have our heroine’s best interests at heart, and their parents Marie, and estranged father Ronan;and Marcus’ brother Max, and their father John.

SEEING YOU is a story of struggle, assumptions and acceptance, forgiveness and love. The premise is inviting an emotional; the romance struggles in the face of different views and expectations; the characters are dynamic and determined.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Loving You
Teasing You
Wanting You

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Twitter / Website / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Bookbub /

Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than seventy titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 30 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

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Baking It Merry by Samantha Chase-review and tour

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Baking It Merry by Samantha Chase-review and tour

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Add to Goodreads: https://geni.us/BakingItMerryGoodreads

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 19, 2024

Everyone in the building loved the bake shop a lot.
Except for the guy on the top floor, who most certainly did not.
If it were up to him, there wouldn’t be a hint of Christmas in the building.

For two months out of the year, Daphne Noelle got to live her dream of owning a bakery. Her little pop-up bake shop—one that looked just like a gingerbread house—brought joy to every customer who stopped by to enjoy her sweet treats. She loved meeting people and making them smile, and being in such a festive setting every day was just the icing on the cake! For the last three years, everything had gone smoothly, but this year, there was one guy who was determined to ruin it all.

One of the things Tristan appreciated most about the office complex where his architecture firm was located is how upscale and elegant it was. Unfortunately, every year for eight long weeks, a holiday shop set up in the lobby, turning it into the equivalent of a traveling circus, and the bake shop booth was the worst offender. The giant gingerbread house was an eyesore and the woman running it was too cheery for his liking. This year, he was determined to do everything he could to have her and her booth removed.

When Tristan finds himself in the middle of a delicate family situation, only Daphne can help him. Now, he’ll have to beg and plead and promise to be on his best behavior while dealing with her exuberant holiday joy. But the more time he spends with her—and the more awkward situations she saves him from—he begins to realize there’s more to her than over-the-top holiday cheer. And maybe, when you’re with the right person, Christmas can mean a little bit more.

••••

REVIEW: BAKING IT MERRY by Samantha Chase is a contemporary adult, holiday romance focusing on architect Tristan Knight, and website designer / baker Daphne Noelle.

Told from omniscient dual third person perspectives (Tristan and Daphne) BAKING IT MERRY follows the enemies to lovers, fake relationship between architect Tristan Knight and baker Daphne Noelle. Every holiday season, Daphne Noelle and a group of artisans are contracted to set up a mini holiday market on the ground floor of a local office complex but this particular season Daphne finds herself the unwitting target of a holiday Grinch with the name of Tristan Knight. For some particular reason, Tristan aims his anger and attitude at our story line heroine until the day he discovers his mother is demanding Tristan take control of the holidays parties. With his tail between his legs, Tristan contracts Daphne to cater the family and business parties, a contract that that quickly evolves into something more but Tristan’s mom sees a happily ever after, and caught in a ‘compromising position’ Tristan offers up a fake relationship to appease everyone involved. As the holidays ensue, so does their relationship, a relationship that will implode with the appearance of manipulation and betrayal.

The world building focuses on the fake relationship that quickly grows into something more but Daphne struggles with the false narrative of their workplace affair, a narrative in which friendships and family will lose in the end.

The relationship between Tristan and Daphne is an enemies to frenemies to lovers, fake relationship. Tristan’s mother is desperate to see her son married and happy, and sees an opportunity to set a plan into motion, a plan that will see our couple, heart broken and lost. Tristan is quickly falling for the woman that calls to his heart but Tristan is a snob, and his earlier behavior will threaten any chance at a happily ever after. There are no $ex scenes-everything is implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and charismatic secondary and supporting characters including both Tristan and Daphne’s parents, as well as Tristan’s assistant Faye, co-workers and local artisans.

BAKING IT MERRY is a story of secrets and lies, family and friendships, forgiveness and love. The premise is enchanting and charming; the characters are sassy and determined; the romance is subtle and seductive.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Twitter / Website / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Bookbub /

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40’s to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.

When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.

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