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.

Hero by Samantha Young

Author: Samantha Young
Publisher: NAL
Date of publication: February 2015

Alexa Holland’s father was her hero—until her shocking discovery that she and her mother weren't his only family. Ever since, Alexa has worked to turn her life in a different direction and forge her own identity outside of his terrible secrets. But when she meets a man who’s as damaged by her father’s mistakes as she is, Alexa must help him.

Caine Carraway wants nothing to do with Alexa’s efforts at redemption, but it’s not so easy to push her away. Determined to make her hate him, he brings her to the edge of her patience and waits for her to walk away. But his actions only draw them together and, despite the odds, they begin an intense and explosive affair.

Only Caine knows he can never be the white knight that Alexa has always longed for. And when they're on the precipice of danger, he finds he’ll do anything to protect either one of them from being hurt again…

I had to sit on this book for a bit to decide if I liked it or not.  Hero is definitely a frustrating book. Basically, a long time ago, Alexa's rich and spoiled father gave Caine's mother drugs and left her to OD in a hotel room.  It was all covered up and people were paid off.  Alexa's father was disowned by his rich family. It's kind of a convoluted story, but Alexa's parents were never married because her father was already married with a family. When Caine finds out who Alexa is, he decides he hates her even though she had nothing to do with is mother dying. He gives her a job as his assistant and basically treats her lower than the dirt under his shoe. There is more to the story, but that is the basic outline of it.

In the end, I can't say I ultimately enjoyed the book.  I found the relationship between Alexa and Caine frustrating.  First, I don't understand women who fall for men who treat them like crap.  Lust is one thing, but how can you fall in love with someone who is basically an asshole to you.  At one point Alexa asks her self why she liked this jerk.  I had the same question all the way through.  Is the way Caine treats Alexa in the beginning the equivalent of a little boy pulling the hair of the little girl he secretly likes?  The sex was definitely hot between them, but for me that is as far as it went.  

The other thing that bothered me was the relationship Alexa had with her grandfather.  He is another guy she allows to treat her like crap.She has secret meetings with him because he wants to know her, but won't acknowledge her as an heir in public or to the rest of the family.  Every time he dissed her in public, I wanted to yell at him to grow a pair and yell at her for allowing it to happen.  

They do get their HEA, but it just took too long for them to get there.  I swear I was exhausted by the end of the book.  I will say that I am glad this was a stand alone book.  I have to give the author props for not dragging this dysfunctional relationship out over three books! 

Review: On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

Author: Samantha Young
Publisher: PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL
Date of Publication: August 2012

Jocelyn Butler has been hiding from her past for years. But all her secrets are about to be laid bare…

Four years ago, Jocelyn left her tragic past behind in the States and started over in Scotland, burying her grief, ignoring her demons, and forging ahead without attachments. Her solitary life is working well—until she moves into a new apartment on Dublin Street where she meets a man who shakes her carefully guarded world to its core.



On Dublin Street is yet another example of great erotica. It's a well written, often heart-wrenching book.  I was pulled into the story right away and immediately loved the characters.  I really liked Joss's character.  She is so scarred from her life experience.  I really felt for her.  It was nice to watch her walls slowly come down as she lets in new friends.  Her and Braden's attraction is there from the start, but she is reluctant to do anything about it.  Braden is a bit of an alpha male, but I honestly didn't think he was anything too overbearing.  You can genuinely see that he cares for Joss and is willing to do whatever it takes to win her heart and trust.  I was definitely in his corner throughout the entire book.

The book is filled with great characters and very steamy love scenes.  For her first venture into adult fiction, Ms. Young has done one heck of a job.  This book isn't all angst, although there is plenty of it.  There are some big laugh out loud moments. I also loved that the ending is wrapped up nicely with a satisfying HEA.  It looks like there is a sequel to the book coming out in May.  On London Road will feature Jo, Joss's friend from the bar.  I look forward to reading it!