The One Real Thing by Samantha Young

Author: Samantha Young
Publisher: Berkley
Date of publication: September 2016

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…. 

Have you ever gone on vacation and wondered what it would be like to leave your job and just stay there forever?  That is what Jessica does in The One Real Thing.  She falls in love with the boardwalk of Hartwell as well as the people who own businesses there.  Is she crazy or does she have a chance at happiness? I did end up enjoying this book, but I will admit that parts of it dragged and seemed unnecessary to the overall story. The other thing that drove me nuts was switch between forst person (Jessica) and third person (Cooper).  I didn't understand the reason for that at all and it was a little distracting.

 Jessica's decision to abruptly stay in Hartwell and start over didn't seem so crazy to me.  She was miserable, unhappy and unattached.  Why not move somewhere that she feels accepted and comfortable?  Cooper and Jessica were great together.  I did like that it took a while for them to get together because it gave them a chance to get to know each other more.  My only complaint was the secret that Jessica had took way too long to come out.  The reader doesn't even find out what it was until she told Cooper very late in the book.  That was a bit frustrating because I couldn't understand Jessica's hesitation to tell him.  

This is definitely a book that sets up scenarios for future books. We are introduced to a lot of different characters who seem to have secret backstories that I am looking forward to finding out. I liked the small town feel of the book and how the small community of businesses on the boardwalk came together to help each other out.  I am looking forward to reading Bailey and Vaughn's story next in Every Little Thing.